what defense is recommended while out in the wild?

[MItransplant]

So I'm looking for a way to keep my self busy and entertained while on my days off and have been thinking of taking up fly fishing. While I think I will be able to defend myself against the trout, I am kinda worried about bears and cougars. So I was wondering what sort of wildlife dangers exist that I could run into in the mountains, and the best ways of defending myself. I am considering buying a hand gun (yes I see the irony since in another post I argued that the 2nd amendment was not as important as many people make it out to be). I'm looking at either a 357 or a 45 semi-auto pistol. Either way, what defense is recommended while out in the wild? and if it is a gun, what type would be the best to have?

[mfish]

First of all, you'll be an exception if you even see a lion - they usually stay away from people ("usually" being the operative word). And if you encounter a bear, if you make enough noise the bear will usually turn and go another direction, too (carry a good whistle) - unless there are cubs in the vicinity that the bear feels might be in danger (again, the word "usually" plays an importart part of this statement). Most people encounter bears in the early Spring when they're just coming out of hibernation and are ravenous, or in the Fall when they're gorging themselves in preparation of hibernation.

Unless you're an extremely good shot, neither of the weapons you list would bring down a full grown bear or a lion - you'd just piss them off. You'd need a clean headshot or you'd need to hit the heart to stop them immediately.

I think carrying a handgun when you're in the "wild" is always a good idea - what you may find to be bigger threats than bears and lions are rattle snakes, by the way. The whistle won't work if you encounter a rattler, so that's when the gun comes in handy ... snakes are NOT easy targets, so make sure you have some practice and are COMFORTABLE with that weapon before you go out on your own. And if a snake DOES strike, do not jump straight back - jump to the SIDE. The snake will be more prone to miss you that way.

If you don't have a lot of experience with a handgun, then go with a revolver, because an automatic can run the risk of jamming and a revolver is much easier to fire.

If you're going to be wading in the water while you fish - make sure your weapon doesn't get wet.

And always carry that whistle - because if you get lost, it's easier to blow the whistle than it is to shout at the top of your voice for hours on end ...

[Scott]

There is no "Wild" in New Mexico. At least none that would require protection form wildlife. Secondly, can you fly fish in NM? Wouldn't that require some sort of lake or river?

[Daisy]

There is no "Wild" in New Mexico. At least none that would require protection form wildlife.

I would have to disagree with that statement. There is still a lot of wild in New Mexico - heck, when you get into the mountains around Ruidoso and Capitan and Cloudcroft, there's LOTS of wild, uninhabited forests. And plenty of bears - in fact, we had bears in our camp at Bonita Lake years ago. Scared the crap out of all of us. People still see them now and then, although we haven't had problems up there in years. Even if you stay at one of the populated camp grounds, you better not leave food out, or you'll attract all kinds of animals, including bears.

As for rivers, there are lots of 'em - San Juan, Red and Rio Grande just to name a few. (of course, people in other parts of the country call them streams, but they're rivers to us) I don't think people fly fish for trout in the many New Mexico lakes - we have always used salmon eggs and corn to catch trout in lakes and it has to be early in the year while the water is still cold, I think. Don't trout like cold water better and stay way down deep in the lakes when the weather warms? I don't know anything about fly fishing, but I have seen people doing that in some of the rivers when we've been camping.

While we always have a hand gun (or two) while camping, we've never had to use it on any wildlife............or tamelife, either. ;) mfish is right on about the rattlesnakes, too. My husband works out in the oil and gas fields and is always armed and has killed many, many, many snakes out there. One struck at him once, and he swears he jumped straight up and to the side - like a deer. He HATES the things.........:nerves:

[mfish]

Scott, I have a photo of a six foot rattler that was shot up near Arabela, NM.

If you get off the highways and out of Chaves County once in a while I think you'll be surprised at how much "wild" there is in New Mexico. And I think you'll be surprised at how many rivers and lakes the state has, too.

[Swadlo]

Best wild life protection, M1911 45 cal. four legged and two legged
Swadlo

[MItransplant]

Hey everyone, thanks for the advice. I do appreciate nature and think it should be protected, but I'm not going to go so far as to make myself bear food. Your advice will keep that from being the outcome.