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Small Cabin Forum / Off Topic / What do you use for protection while at your cabin, gun control issues
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groingo
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 14:39 - Edited by: groingo
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I'd likely stash the gun in a PVC tube with some moisture packets and then stash the ammo at another location so if someone finds it all they have is an unloaded gun.

Odd isn't it that the animals aren't the real problem so much as those vermin humans!

DaJTCHA
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 15:40
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TomChum-

I couldn't disagree more with most of your statements. Not saying they're wrong, but definitely the opposite of how I feel about this subject.

An often overlooked fundamental of how one's POV is different from another's is the background they have. Whether it is military/tactical experience and training, areas of expertise, past / present situations they encounter(ed), etc...

I have many friends that view the world through rose colored glasses and turn an oblivious eye to many of the things that cause an aware person to at least raise a brow and think. Having the ability to differentiate friend from foe and knowing (not theorizing) the worst case scenarios for certain situations gives some people a responsive sixth sense. This does not make "us" paranoid, just prepared.

I have never brandished my firearm, handled it, flaunted it or otherwise in any of the civilian "confrontations" I've encountered. Like MtnDon said, the pure fact that my side arm was in plain view was all anyone needed to clear up intentions. My intention is to treat you with respect and dignity until such time that you alert me that your below this level and your intentions are filled with ill-will.

And like another poster mentioned, If I was alone, I might just keep the weapon in the camper or shed, but when I've got to make sure that everyone on my property is secured...it is on my side.

Finally, after my weapon is holstered and on my side, I don't even think about it anymore. I once met my metal roofing guy up at camp and he brought along his office manager who happened to be from the Ukraine. She lifted my arm delicately and pointed to my firearm and said to her boss..."LOOK!" I thought she might have a problem with me being armed or worse yet felt threatened by its presence on my side. I found out, she wanted to shoot! We went through a lot of ammo that day!

OwenChristensen
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 17:39 - Edited by: OwenChristensen
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About ten years ago I got awaken by several young adults talking in my yard too near my house. It's strange, because we have ten acres of land and our home is 150' from the small road we live on. My wife called the cops. They said they were busy about 20 mins away. I slipped out the front door with a 12 ga. as they now were in back. It was quite dark and when I got close to them I shot in the air. They all panicked and ran. I stood guard for a while as I still didn't know what the story was. The cops never showed. I found out in the morning it was a pit party a few hundred feet down the road. I sure didn't want to hurt them, but I had no idea at the time what was up. Now if anyone had been in my house, that's another story.
Anyway my reputation seems to spred and keep problems to a minimum.

Owen

Anonymous
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 18:08
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As a citizen of the USA living in a suburb of Detroit I have a ccw. Never had to use it but it's there if needed.
Our cabin is in Canada and the only reason we would need a gun is because of wildlife like the porkie underneath the house chewing on plywood. We got rid of it by throwing stuff at it. Anybody on our property is a neighbor or family. I feel completely safe. I know I never would in a remote cabin in the States.

Anonymous
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 18:11
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Owen, what goes up must come down. Shocking to me that you would fire a gun with so many people around. You are probably know as the crazy guy with guns. Glad your not my neighbor.

Anonymous
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 19:56
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Just a bunch of paranoid fools.... Who would go visiting neighbors while armed??? Its insane!

If you feel unsafe because the police are an hour away.... Why would you build there??


You have no respect for nature.. or life.
You are ignorant and dangerous.

PA_Bound
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 21:58 - Edited by: PA_Bound
Reply 


You all make some pretty bold statements, hiding behind the name "anonymous". Any tool can do that. But are you strong enough in your convictions to use your real names?

I don't necessarily agree with Owen's actions, but at least he's man enough to use his name.

Oh, and by the way, I've had neighbors drop by my place, armed. No big deal...

Anonymous
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 22:47
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Because of the nature of Owens actions I do not think it wise to post my screen name. I am not hiding just protecting myself so you can quit the name calling.

Anonymous
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 22:49
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Oh and by the way. If you read the posts on other topics you would know that Owen is not his real name. It is a character in a book.

Rob_O
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 23:11
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Quoting: Anonymous
I am not hiding


Yes, you are

neb
Member
# Posted: 25 Aug 2012 23:57
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I see no problem what Owen did. He shot in the air and that isn't the first time some one has done that. I might have done the something. I know a guy that sleeps with a 44 which is in his bed each night. I thought it was a little odd when he told me that and he has done this for 50 plus years.

OwenChristensen
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 00:04
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Fine shot comming down is not a big deal. I didn't fire towards anyone. I don't live around others anyway.
No one should be known as the one without a gun. Or easy target.
And yes this is my real name.

Owen

DaJTCHA
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 11:57
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My, my, how this thread has deviated off course...

rockymtngal
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 13:32 - Edited by: rockymtngal
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So what would you all recommend for someone who has zero experience with guns (I have never even seen a real one in person) and mostly just concerned with the bear and mtn lion sightings? I thought of maybe one of those pellet guns that look real, but would that just make the animal mad? I don't think I could bring myself to actually shoot something dead - just want to run it off. I also thought since they look like real guns, a person might not know the difference if they saw it.

customrunner
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 13:48
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rockymtngal
Get a bear bang they work great.

PA_Bound
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 14:05
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rockymtngal... This should probably be a seperate thread and, like this current thread, open for much discussion/argument. IMHO however, and I'm not trying to be flippant with you, but with no gun experience at all the best defense against bears and mtn. lions is to avoid the sighting altogether. There is no firearm I would recommend for you, that could handle a threat on the level of a bear or mtn. lion.

If you are concerned about encountering something while hiking, make sure you make lots of noise so they hear you coming and leave the area before you get there. If you're worried about something around your cabin, keep your trash and other food sources well secured and, again, make lots of noise when you come and go.

If you absolutely must consider a firearm, for the trail only a big handgun is practical- but that is going to require some real and persistant firearms use and training to go along with it. For around the cabin, a 12-guage shotgun is your best bet and, again, get some training. In either scenario, a good gun shop or gun club would be able to help with that.

My $.02

Dillio187
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 14:30
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Quoting: Anonymous
Owen, what goes up must come down. Shocking to me that you would fire a gun with so many people around. You are probably know as the crazy guy with guns. Glad your not my neighbor.


I would love to have Owen as my neighbor!

rockymtngal
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 15:04
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customrunner
& PA_Bound

Thank you, I definitely practice avoidance at all costs I will check out a bear bang

We were fine until our neighbor came by to warn us about them. Our primary residence is in bear territory and probably moreso, but we have law enforcement to help us and lots of bear education.

Didn't mean to hijack the thread

Borrego
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 15:32
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Quoting: groingo
would rather have them take everything and go rather than shoot me with my own gun.

If taking stuff was all there was to be concerned about, I'd agree. Would you be ok with them assaulting you, raping your wife, etc? I mean, at some point self protection becomes a must, doesn't it?

DaJTCHA
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 15:50
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Quoting: Borrego
If taking stuff was all there was to be concerned about, I'd agree. Would you be ok with them assaulting you, raping your wife, etc? I mean, at some point self protection becomes a must, doesn't it?


For those that don't understand the possibility of threats, there is no reasoning with them. The world is a safe place full of peace, love and butterflies. Bringing up these points (which many of a us have either lived or know is reality) is nothing more than proving their paranoia claims.

Stop beating the dead horse..

groingo
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 20:58 - Edited by: groingo
Reply 


The day I can't deal my way out of a situation would be a bad day, just hasn't come yet in 58 years, and I have had my share of run ins with all kinds.

Lets quit pretending to be tough guys and move onto something a bit more productive.

Borrego
Member
# Posted: 26 Aug 2012 21:41
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I'm also 58! What a coincidence
Yes let's move on, I wish you a lucky and peaceful life.
I will stay prepared.......

beachman
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 16:05
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Whoa! Got to put in a word on this thread. Great stuff here for sure. I grew up in the US but now live in Canada. There was access to all kinds of guns growing up and I learned how to use them safely and well. We even had riflery at day camp - Awesome! As for having a weapon here to protect yourself - better to keep it out of site but handy. 99% of times no problems but I would still like Owen as my neighbor too. There is something in the saying that violence breeds violence, but in this new world, it may be your survival that is at stake. There are senseless shootings everywhere and no one can ever be fully prepared all the time. Just have to keep your ear to the ground and try to be sensible.

jvgo
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 17:05
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I use a Daisey BB gun to defend against marauding chipmunks, seldom hit them though. Anything else I keep a Ruger Redhawk .44 mag stainless and a S&W 9MM Mod 3904 with me while at the cabin, sometimes a Mossberg 500 12 gauge also.

My cabin is in Forest county PA and the coyotes around my cabin are most concerning to me especially at night. These buggers are vocal and will come in close mostly after dusk. Some say (National Geographic) that coyotes in Pennsylvania and New York are mostly coyote-wolf hybrids. All I know is I am not taking any chances with them.

URL

We also have an occasional black bear wander by but have never had an issue with one.
SAM_0028.JPG
SAM_0028.JPG


Captain wine head
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 19:16
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Wow. First time on this site i have seen this side of country living. I thought the site was mostly about building and enjoying nature. This paranoia thread is very disturbing, I think I've seen enough. A lot of bragging about firepower, that's not what I'm interested in here.

Malamute
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 19:46 - Edited by: Malamute
Reply 


It's just one aspect of cabin living. We talk about flowers too sometimes. (BTW, my morning glories are doing great, they've climbed all the way to my ridge pole on the front porch)

I'd suggest that those calling folks that choose to have firearms around as being paranoid, and are in fear of those people, are more paranoid than those they point fingers at. If one has an irrational fear of firearms, it's called hoplophobia. To critisize those that do not have that issue, and call them irrational and paranoid only makes those others believe they are not the issue all the more.

When talking about my living out in the hills full time years ago, I once had a lady say to me "I couldnt live in fear like that, having a gun around all the time", another person in the conversation remarked 'You don't understand, he isn't afraid of anything". He got it.

I also use seat belts, have homeowners insurance, and have fire extinguishers around. I guess I'm "paranoid" about all those things also. If someone else chooses not to have those things, or use them, that's their choice.

I have several friends that are law enforcement officers, they've told me some interesting things they've seen and dealt with. If one chooses to think nothing bad ever happens to anyone, that's fine. I don't believe that, and choose to be prepared in case any such thing happens. I truly hope it doesn't, but I'm aware that it could, and know what to do if it does.

Funny though, in this state, a very large number of people own firearms, probably one of the highest per capita rates of firearms ownership, though the crime rate is very low, and the number of firearms accidents is very low. Many people carry concealed (no permit needed). Open carry is legal, but not common other than out in the hills. There is next to no gun violence, or home break ins when people are home. One of my friends that's a police officer believes the two are connected. He believes crooks don't want to take the chance of getting shot breaking into someones house or accosting someone. I agree with him. It isn't a paranoid society, its a polite society. Those that choose not to have arms ride on the shirtales of those that do. Nobody knows who's armed or not. The crooks choose not to take the chance (and the odds are against them in any event).

As for being in the hills, I know of more people that have been mugged by grizzlies than by people. The people statistic is zero. The bear statistic is 3 that I've met, several more that I know of, and several fatailities in the past few years. It isnt common by any means, but it does happen.

To our lady asking about protection out in the hills, I'd suggest getting some good quality pepper spray designed for bear repellant. It isn't perfect, but works pretty well for the most part. Get good quality spray like Udap, and replace it every few years as reccomended. If you want to learn to handle firearms, try the local gun shops and see if there's any courses offered locally. Something simple is best for those first learing. A double action revolver is simple to learn and safe to carry and keep around, the 357 magnum caliber is a good general purpose arm, and can use lighter 38 special loads for practice or pest difficulties around the place. A bolt action or lever action rifle in a medium caliber is also simple to learn to use, very reliable, and effective as a protection arm. The plain old Winchester model 94 in 30-30 caliber will do about anything needing done other than big grizzlies, and you may enjoy shooting it for fun. Good used ones can be had in the $250-$400 range. I'd avoid the most recent versions with rebounding hammers, they sometimes have weak hammer strikes and resultant reliabilty issues at times, and generally have poor trigger pulls (heavy, scratchy). They can be fixed, but an earlier version simply won't have that problem.

Captain winehead
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 21:12
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Malamute
Looks like I touched a nerve. Who said anything about a fear of firearms? Firearms are a fact of life where I come from. Bragging about them online, and being so scared of teenagers at a pit party that you shoot a gun in the air, then boast about it on this forum, is just plain ridiculous. I had the wrong impression of this forUm, that's all. I'm more interested in building on my acreage, not posting pictures of an arsenal and spouting boogeyman rhetoric. Fact is, I would never disclose such details. Way too political for my taste, I used to visit here to get away from that type of crap, and learn about cabin design.

Borrego
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 21:18
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+1 for Malamute

Malamute
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 21:39 - Edited by: Malamute
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Wasn't about you in particular, just a general observation from a number of posts.

I hope you'll stay around and visit, it seems like your nerve was touched more than mine, If there's a topic I don't have an interest in, I dont read it, and don't judge the entire forum based on the interests of a few people, or even a majority. As an example, I like log cabins, so don't always read in detail about frame cabins, though if someone is asking questions, I read some and see if I can offer any assistance to the questioner. I don't make a judgement about the entire forum based on the fact that I'm not that interested in frame type cabins, and can enjoy the aspects of the forum that do interest me, including these type topics that relate to varying aspects of cabin living. I can see through the things that don't interest me, and not make judgements from that one narrow perspective, such as if one wasn't that interested in firearms, and deciding the entire forum wasn't for them because others were.

I'm somewhat amused when "gun folks" like to look down on those that have different degrees of interest than they do, or in slightly different areas. It makes it OK to say "I like guns, but dont ever talk about them or carry them, don't like anything that's scary looking, and someone that doesn't have my sensible enlightened outlook is paranoid etc" That's a rough paraphrase of a number of threads and posts, here and elswhere. It's fairly common online and heard in gun shops and ranges as well. Other than that, no nerve was bothered that I'm aware of. Amused mostly.

Edited because I can't spel

OwenChristensen
Member
# Posted: 28 Aug 2012 22:33 - Edited by: OwenChristensen
Reply 


Malamute good post.
Captain, If you think that I was scared of kids at a pit party, you didn't read my post too well. The group was too near my sleeping children on both sides of my rural home, a 1/4 mile from their party. It was too dark to know who they were or what they were up to. I still don't know. I dealt with it in a way no one got hurt. Did I scare the you know what out of them? You bet. After I shot, the only peep I heard after that was my neighbor also out on patrol because of the strange activity. Nobody here is worried or paranoid and we sleep like babies. Been here for forty years. Armed or not has little to do with taking care of you family, rather that waiting for someone to come scare away the boogyman. If you want to hide in your house and wait until help comes, that's your option.

Owen

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