Scary NRA Militia types?!!

[pixelfrog]

Hi All,

I was on a beautiful hike this past saturday morning on the Bluffs Springs Trail in the Sups. The Temperature cooperated, the sun was behind clouds, there was a nice breeze and of course anyone who's been out there knows the scenery is increadible.

The only weird thing about the hike was on the way back to the trailhead at the end of my hike probably within a half mile of the peralta trailhead, I ran into these two guys that were all suited up for war games or something. Camo, Knives strapped to gear suspenders, a pistol at the older man's side who had so much facial hair, you could barely see his face.

As I passed them with my hiking poles out the older guy said to me all suprised, "Ski Poles?!!!" I quickly explained they helped the old knees on the way down after I noticed he had a gun at his side. I pretty much smiled and nodded then continued on my way.

Now I'm all for everyone's right to bear arms and all, but seeing this kind of freaked me out. I know it's legal to carry handguns in Arizona and that's fine, but I was thinking there isn't a very large reason to carry a gun out there, especially if you are with another full grown adult male.

I have no idea what their reason would be for bringing those types of weopons out there, and the whole incident was a bit disturbing. I was glad that I encountered these yahoo's close to the trailhead. Anyone else run into any of these gun toting militia type weirdo's?

Paul

[PLC92084]

I was wondering what kind of Liability Insurance we'd need. And waivers.... Liability Waivers, definitely! Whoever drafts them must, of course, make them.... bullet-proof. :whistle:

[Alston_Neal]

Hey I'm fine, you're the one selling the bullets.

[cabel]

Small Genitals, Big Egos

Perfect answer!!!! Love it!

[PaleoRob]

Small Genitals, Big Egos

Perfect answer!!!! Love it!

I guess this raises an alternative question about guns and hiking. I'll post a new thread in a minute...

[skatchkins]

I guess I misinterpreted his "Love it!" answer

[Thoreau]

Order submitted for internet usage report for cabel... =)

[PaleoRob]

It was actually Snick33's comment that intrigued me. I missed it originally, I guess.

[robertsinik]

Likely hunters, unless there was no archery gear. Then they are either tools or poachers, which are one and the same.

I carry a pistol when hunting, as do many hunters. Bears and mountain lion encounters can be deadly.

I'd hazard to guess that 10%-20% of hunters are condescending and unfriendly. Hunting is a very territorial activity. Others in "their" area risks either harvesting the game they're hunting or scaring it off.

That said, most are family oriented and outgoing. Heavily weighted to community orientated Christians.

Don't let these two dorks color your image of those of us who hunt to provide for our families.

[azbackpackr]

@robertsinik
Did you look at the dates on these posts? The original post was from 2002. And the one right above yours is from 2011.

[joebartels]

I welcome the post, seemed like a more topic-relevant post than half the other forum posts since 2011.

[Pivo]

Bears and mountain lion encounters can be deadly.

*In my very best Dorothy* "Oh, My".

[Jim]

I think the real question is, has anyone seen these "militia" guys in 20 years?

[chumley]

I think the most notable sightings of militia-style individuals in recent memory are linked to American elementary schools.

[markthurman53]

I know this post is old but I still am amazed at the stereotyping, because a person has a gun and wears camies, he is an NRA militia type. Oh yah he had a beard that clinches it. Could it be that they were just rude and jerks.

[Jim]

@markthurman53 I have found that the way people feel about other people has a lot more to do with the person who is doing the viewing, than it does the actual person being observed. An average typically liberal urban hiker sees a man in camo with a gun, they get stary eyed, the blood rushes from their head, they foam at the mouth and the next thing you know they're practically hallucinating a crime happening to them just because the guy was in camo. Some probably even fantasize about it. Whatever.

Oro Valley people called the police on a hunter on Coronado NF land in 2014. He was in camo with an orange vest, had his long gun, and it should have been obvious that he was scouting for javelina to hunt, but they called the police. There were police 3 cars at the TH when I got there. Ridiculous.

[markthurman53]

@Jim_H
Well said

[chumley]

I still am amazed at the stereotyping

I agree completely. Just because somebody is wearing fatigues is not a reason to assume anything about them -- and this happens all too often. And stereotypes exist elsewhere too. I know that here in Phoenix it isn't uncommon for a hiker at some trailheads near town to be leery of encountering a Spanish-speaking person fitting a certain physical appearance and wonder if their vehicle is susceptible to theft or break-in. It would be nice if these stereotypes were not as prevalent in society as they are.

[Alston_Neal]

"An average typically liberal urban hiker" Nope no stereotyping here.

[hikeaz]

"An average typically liberal urban hiker" Nope no stereotyping here.

Well....if the preponderance of the urban voting populace is liberal (nearly 2-to-1) it stands to reason that the preponderance of that segment's hikers would be. Is that stereotyping? I would say no; that is merely a logical, non-emotional conclusion.

[Alston_Neal]

@hikeaz
Well that's a nifty little poll and it was conducted by who? No definition of what would be Liberal or Conservative. What was once a Conservative in this state (AZ) by many would now be defined by some as a Liberal Socialist Commie Deep state hiker.