What do you carry in the woods when open carry is not possible?

For the woods I would probably go with my 1006 in a shoulder rig with 2 spare mags. Though I need to get something a little more "ballsy" than the 175gr. Silver Tips I keep in it right now.
 
I carry a 4" 629 "Mountain Gun" in a belly pack loaded with 240 gr JSP. I call it "Bear Repellant."
 
Oregon is an open carry state. You don't need a permit to do so, except in some of the cities.

I don't see very much open carry on public trails. When I do, it is usually those mounted on horses. I don't OC in areas where I am likely to see people, preferring CC.

We don't have grizzly or brown bear here, just black bear, cougar and the occasional low-life, so defense appropriate calibers are sufficient. I would rather a low life not know I am armed. I consider that to be an advantage.

When I do OC in a "just to be doing it" way, it is often one of my K frames, usually a Model 19 in a full flap style holster. At other times, a Colt Woodsman Sport.
 
Here in Pennsylvania whenever I walk my dogs through the woods, I'm normally carrying concealed. There are times when I do get the proverbial wild hair and carry openly. Those times I place Mjolnir (S&W Model 25-5) on the strong-side hip and one speed loader in my vest or jacket pocket.
 
that would be my Ruger Alaskan in .500 S&W. we have Bull Moose, Bear, Fisher Cats, and im some places meth heads in owa woods up heaaaa. i carry the big boy gun because it will drop anything in its path
 
keith44spl said:
There are plenty of times in the out of doors when concealed carry is prudent.

If'n I need to be discreet and casual...But, well armed.

Model 24-3 3" & stout loads, shirt tail out.
SW24-3.jpg



But, I'm just saying.

Su Amigo,
Dave
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It's a cryin' shame to cover up such a fine looking rig...
 
It depends WHERE I'm going. Local "walkabout" in the area, I carry my Taurus 99 like I used to when working private security. If I'm going 'deeper' into the forest I carry my S&W .44 in a crossover holster or in my quick-draw type holster. When hunting I carry the .44 in the Xover with a sheath-knife opposite.
 
It is legal to carry in National Parks or Forests if you have a CC license in that state, including open carry if allowed by that state. However, open carry would cause undue alarm among other visitors. If your only concern were two-legged predators, anything you would carry concealed for self-defense would be appropriate. In bear country, I prefer a 3" .357M or .44M revolver, which I could carry in an IWB holster under a jacket or untucked shirt.

If you wear a backpack, a strong side holster is not practical. You could conceal in the backpack or tummy pack (a tell-tale in CC states), or a cross-draw belt holster.
 
keith44spl said:
I'll 'fess up...I've carried the rigs I've posted here's 'bouts concealed in the woods.

Pre-27 Three & half inch, my 1930 style holster

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BTW, I cobble up my own hides. Stay tuned to the forum, I may be going public soon.

Su Amigo,
Dave
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Dave, just as soon as you do, this native Texan from down on the Nueces Strip wants to do some business with ya.
Gracias, jim
 
Don't get in

woods much anymore, but many years ago while walking old railroad right of ways with my son, I carried a .22 revolver. This was in North central Indiana. Today, 40 years later, it would be a 44 mag, likely my 329PD, OWB, covered, or IWB covered.
 
gerald mcdonald said:
Here in Tejas open carry in National Parks is verboten. Open carry here in National Forest land or state parks is also forbidden unless it's hunting season. Dont know for sure about the national forest land but I believe I read it a while back. Couldnt tell you about Corp of Engineers land. Concealed is perfectly okay of your a CCL holder.

Keltec PF-9 usually. Wearing a pack is kind of a PIA with IWB carry but it's doable.
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This is what REALLY bothers me about my imminent move to Texas. I won't be able to go anywhere with a pistol on my hip (or a rifle in my hands). Takes a lot of the enjoyment out of trekking around the woods to say the least.
 
I carry a Ruger Alaskan 44 or 454 in a simply rugged belt holster covered with a untucked shirt or coat when I am out and about. The most dangerous animal in my woods are deer ticks but what can I say, I love big bore handguns. I think I will try the 454 on deer next year.

Doyle
 
Stophel said:
This is what REALLY bothers me about my imminent move to Texas. I won't be able to go anywhere with a pistol on my hip (or a rifle in my hands). Takes a lot of the enjoyment out of trekking around the woods to say the least.
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You can open carry a handgun on your own property, or on land that you rent, lease, or control (as in a deer lease, etc.) You can't open carry a handgun anywhere else. The laws concerning rifles and shotguns are somewhat different, but I'm not conversant with them since I don't own any and have no interest in them.

You would think that if any state in the union had open carry, Texas would...but no. I wish we had fully open carry...not that I would, necessarily, certainly not all the time, but it would be nice to have the option, and not to have to worry about printing, inadvertent flashes, etc.
 
I prefer the revolvers out of doors. So I have carried in a shoulder holster for longer barrels, or in a fanny pack for shorter barrels.
 
Either my Shield 9 or Colt 1911 .45 depending on what I'm doing, where I am, and who I'm with. I've ran into a bear during bow season before and was glad to have my .45 just in case, but concealing the Shield is much easier. When hunting or alone, especially in areas with no cell service (much of the UP woods..) it'll be the Colt.
 
Almost everything I own is concealable. It's my way of keeping my collecting/accumulating urges under control. From that pretty large pool, I carry whatever I want.
 
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