Firearms and National Forest

[cleaner72]

Quick question, me and the family are headed up to Grand Lake and area this Thursday and I am wondering about my Ruger 9 mm. I know that you can carry a gun on National Forest land, but you cant fire one wihtin 150 yards of a campground....well what is the law if you are in need of protecting yourself from a bear or mountain lion? I know that being attacked or in danger of one of these animals is pretty slim but it can happen. thanks in advacne for any info you might give.

[PsyKo]

given the choice id take a ticket over the bear. self defense is self defense, not legal to discharge weapon in city limits unless your life depends on it, i am sure the rangers/police would feel the same way if you had to shoot an animal.

probably not a good idea to shoot a good size bear with a 9mm though, may piss him off.

ETA: in that area i would worry more about moose than anything, i see them all over when i am up there camping.

[cleaner72]

hehe i hear ya on the bear and 9 mm but other then my ak 47 its only weapon I have at the moment, am in the process of building an ar15. I was just curious if anyone had an experience with having to defend them selves in a campground area and the response of the rangers/police. I definately would pull the trigger if it meant the safety of my family and Ill worry about the consequences later. But I like to be as prepared as possible for any outcome that would have. Thanks for the response though Psyko.

[KarlPMann]

You can defend yourself period! On the 9mm note, I shot a mountain lion in the head 3 times with 38+P once. I wont make that mistake ever again. Karl.

[PsyKo]

You can defend yourself period! On the 9mm note, I shot a mountain lion in the head 3 times with 38+P once. I wont make that mistake ever again. Karl.

45 is the best i have in a hand gun and im not too confident in it's stopping power vs a bear, usually when i go camping i take my 7mm mag, i feel a little better with it around. i am thinking about picking up a 44mag for a camp gun, as much as we go camping in the summer i think it would be a wise investment on my part (my excuse so the woman will tolerate me getting a new toy).

[PsyKo]

i never said instead of...

it would of course be accompanied by my usp tac, with atleast 3 reloads.
how does the saying go? two is one, one is none. i am extremely paranoid, more than likely the .44 would be a backup in my pack.

[cleaner72]

well ill bring my 9mm but think ill bring my 30-06 as well. Forgot about it since I havent shot it in a few years. As for 9mm loads what would be better hollow points or ball? Again I understand that 9mm is kinda ineffective against larger animals but if it would give the wife and kids a little time to make it to the truck then ill do what I must do.

Of course this is all a little paranoa on my part but better safe then sorry.
And thanks for all the replies. Nice to come to a forum of like minded people and not get alot of smart ass answers from people trying to feel big on the internet. Seems that happens more and more, but have yet to see that on these forums.

[PsyKo]

i have nothing to offer as far as the 9mm goes since i have never owned one, but i would like to say have fun and be careful.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

You can defend yourself period! On the 9mm note, I shot a mountain lion in the head 3 times with 38+P once. I wont make that mistake ever again. Karl.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

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