Here in Utah there is a lot of backcountry and a lot of it is remote. I would not go as far as to say never do backcountry alone, but if you do take precautions.

Most important is make sure you tell someone exactly where you are going and when you will be back. Search and Rescue gets a lot of action here and the more information they have to go on the better your chances.

Also, I always take emergency camping supplies when I head into remote backcountry. I carry food, water, extra clothing, fire starting equipment, emergency shelter and blankets, rain gear, a survival knife, a collapsible axe, a signal mirror, a compass and a map and water proof boots. Well, you get the idea. I can get all this stuff in a small backpack and put it under the seat and if you get into trouble it might save your life.

As far as a weapon, yes the mountain lion will get you before you have the chance to reach your weapon, but a Grizzly is a different story. Grizzly’s that are hungry have been known to stalk humans for miles, and if you have to make an emergency camp having a weapon would sure make you feel better in the middle of bear country. Not too long ago a black bear took a boy out of a tent in the middle of the night. They were in a camp ground not too far from Salt Lake City. There was nothing anyone could do except hunt the bear down after it was too late. In addition to bear, any large animal that feels threatened like a moose can also be very dangerous; particularly a moose protecting it’s young.

Even more bizarre, you just might run into a field of illegal substance in the backcountry. If there is somebody guarding the crop you might wish you had a weapon. Strange as it sounds it happens all the time here. You just never know what you might run into and as the Boy Scouts tell you it’s best to be prepared.

Edit: I forgot to echo the thoughts posted earlier that the weapon is best used to scare off a bear or a Moose rather than kill it. A wounded animal is even more dangerous and it can take a large animal a long time to die even after it has been shot. Piss off a Grizzly and there is nothing you can do to stop it even if you empty your entire clip into it. It's best to scare the animal off first and only try to kill it as a last resort.

 

I agree with this. I enjoyed the backcountry, just day trips, when I lived in Colorado. It was very introspective and something you couldn't duplicate if you traveled with a group of people.

 

This is making me think i should get a carry permit and get a gun. Maybe a Sig 229 40s&w

 

X10!! The world is full of crazy people. I have my CWP and carry at minimum my Beretta 32 everytime I leave the house, whether I intend to wheel or just go up to the corner store. If out and about in the woods I prefer to tote the 357mag as it's a bit LARGE to conceal upon your person.

There's that old saying: "I'd rather have it and not need it than need it and not have it."

 

That's the ticket...no misunderstandings that way!! Mike

 

I pack a 1911 loaded with garlic-stuffed silver JHP's.

The garlic is in case I run into vampires .

The silver is for werewolves.

The JHP covers inbreaders and meth cooks.

If I run into zombies, I'm just fked! Everybody should know that.

 

Only M1 Garands have "clips." All other semi-auto firearms have removable magazines or internal magazines.

Just remember, watch out for those damn zombies!

 

I’ve always found that flame-throwers work well on Zombies. Flame-throwers are way under rated. You can kill and BBQ in one easy step. Find a Zombies and add a little white wine and presto Flambé ala Zombie.

 

Hey guys, Uranium 238, Plutonium?

 

Nah! Thermonuclear broiling makes the meat too crunchy. Better off with a flame-thrower.