Rec gear vs sliders, wild animal survival tips and short stories, confusion, and things!

Been to Yellowstone a bunch never saw the geysers we stayed way in the back country backpacking and camping. Got to see a lot of cool wild life and no people. One of my favorite Natl Parks.

 

Damn I really want to see a bison!!!! I was pretty closed up to a Elk near the road at the Grand Canyon about 6ft away!! He was just chompping down on some grass. while people were taking pictures of him.

 

Yeah, got within a 4Runner width of some bison as I was waiting on the side of the road for my friends/family to catch up. Big ass animals. On that Bacon Rind trail, that elk approached us and got within maybe a hundred yards or so. Close enough for dad mode to kick in and keep watch. I mean, it's no godless killing machine (bear), but I didn't want to get charged by one, either, lol. We were far enough away from civilization that I started thinking about what to do in case one did. I don't think I'd fair too well in true wilderness, lol...

 

Damn, I just want to quit my job and go camping for a month LOL road trip!!!!!!!!!

 

In those areas keep your head more aware for predators than the prey and like you did watch their body language. Mtn lions aren't usually seen until they are on top of you. Bears you can smell and hear from a good long ways away. You just gotta keep your witts about you. The more time you spend away from civilized nature and more out into the wilderness the more you learn just by observation. Birds are another tell take for animals that you may not want to be around.

 

oh yeah. I've spent enough time in the outdoors to know what to do, but not so much time that I don't pucker up when the time comes, lol...

Reminds me of the time my wife and I went to Yellowstone 17ish years ago. We were on a back semi-remote trail and not too far from the end there was a large herd of bison right on the trail. Kind of intimidating when it's you and 100+ bison, and no one for miles, lol. We waited about what seemed like an hour for them to move, but they stayed put. We were in a thermal area, so not like we could break trail and go around and last thing we wanted was to freak them out and cause a stampede. Ended up just turning around and going back. Nearly double the miles we planned on for the day, but not a big deal since that was before kids so we weren't fat and out of shape, or dragging kids along, lol.

 

I remembered hiking a local trail and this random cow just randomly started to run after this chick with her dog. I've never ever seen a cow run sooo fast down hill. Andddd i forgot the rest LOL. I think some guy shooo off the cow. But also my friend got chased by a cow few months back!!! He said he doesn't know why but he was wearing all black?

 

You live in a not so friendly state but if I can I always bring along some high power lead poisoning. Thankfully it is now "legal" for that at natl parks as well. I like staying as far in the back country as I could. Now with a 6 yr old we go to more family friendly areas since getting where I want to go she couldn't make it.

 

Cows can be territorial and ornery. The cow was probably chasing that lady because natural instincts kicked in and saw the dog as a wolf and it had never been around dogs much or any.

 

If you can hit a large animal charging at you accurately enough to stop it cold, my hats off to you, but I don't see that as very practical. IMO firearms are more for the noise.

I would joke and call my kids "bear bait", but given they aren't exactly quiet, they were more like bear repellent than anything. One thing I saw this time around in Yelly was lots of bear spray for rent. You could always buy it, but the rental thing kinda made me chuckle. Those also, IMO aren't that useful, since you're more likely to just spray yourself AND piss off the bear.

 

My friend buddy went to yosemite few weeks ago saw a black bear on the trail. I hope i don't run into one lOL

 

wear a bell on your pack and don't go alone. Packs of 3 seems to work well.

Black bears look like cute little dogs once you've seen a griz.

At least they don't have Kodiaks. Those things are 2x the size of Yellowstone bears.

 

OHH thats smart! I now remembered seeing a little girl with a bell on her back on the trail while hiking in sequoia. I got a group of 7-8 people going on this trip.

 

It's called training and not just going to the range and shooting at still targets while you are perfectly still. Run and gun carry weight make some courses that put stress on yourself, shoot on the move. You do that enough and consistently enough then you can hit what you are aiming at in stressful scenarios. Also a big ass grizzly is kinda an easy target compared to a wolf or mtn lion. You pretty much going to have to dispatch them when they are on top of you.

Making lots of noise is a good deterrent for animals to stay away. Also having a dog around.

Also Black bears tend to be more skittish and would rather just leave at human contact where grizzly's are very curious and would rather investigate.

Just remember this. If you climb a tree running away from a bear how you tell the difference from a black bear and grizzly is the black bear will climb it after you and the grizzly will just knock it down.

 

I want to get my firearms license. I've never shot a gun in my life. I also don't wanna run into any bad apples while camping.

 

Move to a 2nd amendment friendly state you don't need a license to justify the practice the 2nd amendment.

Ok aside from that if you have never shot or held a gun and want to get one whether you live in a friendly state or not I highly recommend going and getting some hands on training and practice at a local gun range or facility some will rent guns out as well. Even with my personal beliefs with firearms ownership and use I strongly believe people need to not just go out and try it without someone who can teach them. It's a huge personal responsibility to take on in protecting yourself and family and shouldn't be taken lightly.

 

I highly agree with you man! I'm in no rush but I love to be prepare for anything!!!!!

 

I never shot a gun until I was in boy scouts that got me hooked and thankfully I live in one of the most gun friendly states. It's my other really expensive hobby.

 

Expensive hobby?!?!?! MY taco is already super expensive itself!!!!

 

..... but you ain’t bought nothing yet you’re still browsing.... I kid.