Carry A Handgun?

I tend to carry more in urban areas than the woods.

Can I say "it depends?"

Generally speaking, usually. But it depends on many factors.

The vast majority of my work over the last 5ish decades, has been out in the boonies. So I have carried Rifles, Shotguns, and various Handguns depending on where I was, and what I was doing.

Unless you are well trained, I would not recommend carrying any firearm, especially a handgun.

Loyal

Loyal, post: 454475, member: 228 wrote: ..Unless you are well trained, I would not recommend carrying any firearm, especially a handgun.

Loyal

These are words of wisdom. A firearm is deadly force and should only be used in situations where such use is warranted.

I also personally reserve the right to neither confirm nor deny carrying a sidearm. Let's hope nobody ever has to find out.

I can't comment on urban environments, but I have spent 6 years working in northern BC and the Yukon, it it is very, Very, VERY unlikely you will need a handgun for self defense land surveying. Typically we cast too much smell and noise to startle animals.

Hunters and trappers however, surround themselves with dead animal..... Big risk of attracting in that case.

Oddly enough.... In Canada (where handguns are essentially banned), we would carry the big bear spray bottles and bear bangers (two items banned in the United States).

Where there were "problem bears", sometimes we were required to have a shotgun with us. Between 2 guys, we loaded up an instrument, legs, rod, a couple axes, a couple chainsaws, fuel, lunches and fully outfitted vests (25 lbs typically)..... And would start hiking into the survey area....... Needless to say, the shotgun never left the helipad.

If it makes you feel better (security blanket) than by all means carry, but practical experience says it is unlikely to be needed.

If you are surveying in remote forested areas, you are likely to need extra food, water, rain gear, a proper first aid kit, some form of communication, and safety checks in place if you are late. That 6 mile pleasant walk in the hills can easily become life threatening with something as simple as a twisted knee or a deep cut.

EDIT:
And I always have a weapon with me surveying....... Sometimes it's an axe, sometimes it's a machete, sometimes it is a $23000 dollar carbon fiber spear equipped with gps and data collector, and sometimes, and most dangerous of all is a 7000 lb rolling pile of steel.

Partner of mine Don use to carry a 44 mag pistol in a shoulder holster everyday on the job. We we're constantly in prime grizzly bear country, but Surveyors are notoriously noisy and stinky so we never did run into a bear closer than a ridge or two away. One day we we're out ahead of the crew clearing line. We had to cross a small stream maybe 5 or 6 feet wide. We pitched the saws across the stream and took a run at the stream and did a flying leap across the stream. When Don landed on the other side of the stream the 44 mag flew out of the holster and when it hit the ground in front of us, it discharged hitting Don squarely in the chest right above his heart. I thought he was going to die and he thought he was going to die. Two of us raced him into town with him in the backseat of the carryall. He was strangely quiet the whole trip to town. I learned two things that day. 1. Never have a pistol on the job. And 2. A 44 mag will not kill a man with one shot no matter where you shoot him.

Skeeter1996, post: 454483, member: 9224 wrote: Partner of mine Don use to carry a 44 mag pistol in a shoulder holster everyday on the job. We we're constantly in prime grizzly bear country, but Surveyors are notoriously noisy and stinky so we never did run into a bear closer than a ridge or two away. One day we we're out ahead of the crew clearing line. We had to cross a small stream maybe 5 or 6 feet wide. We pitched the saws across the stream and took a run at the stream and did a flying leap across the stream. When Don landed on the other side of the stream the 44 mag flew out of the holster and when it hit the ground in front of us, it discharged hitting Don squarely in the chest right above his heart. I thought he was going to die and he thought he was going to die. Two of us raced him into town with him in the backseat of the carryall. He was strangely quiet the whole trip to town. I learned two things that day. 1. Never have a pistol on the job. And 2. A 44 mag will not kill a man with one shot no matter where you shoot him.

That is a traumatic story to say the least. My family owned and operated a custom slaughter house outside of Bozeman for 25 years and did most of the dirty work with a .44 Mag and I'm here to say if loaded properly and used correctly that round will kill almost any North American whatever with one well placed shot. Don must have had no less than 2 angels on his shoulder that day.
Packing certainly requires the responsibility of knowing what you're doing. Find a buddy with experience to guide you. Get some range time and training. Be familiar with your equipment. Protect yourself.
It's clich?? but Dad always said it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, especially when bears or cats are involved. I added that last bit but nothing will make you pucker like a 6" cat track inside your boot print on the way back down the mountain.

Due to the proliferation of pit bulls in many of the low income housing areas that I survey, I intend to start carrying.

I was a fishing guide in the Bristol Bay area in Alaska and always carried a shotgun or big bore pistol. Animals can sense fear. If carrying a firearm gives you more confidence then it is good idea. If you are concerned about the most dangerous animals, humans, then there is a lot of training needed to make a firearm effective. Competition shooting helps by mimicking the adrenaline rush experienced in an altercation.

To OP, yes.

If I am in a urban area I always carry.

Rural setting not so much but it is a case by case. If there are dogs in the area then definitely yes. Incidentally I always ask prospective clients if they or their neighbors have unattended dogs, it doesn't matter if it is a miniature poodle or a mastiff.

Loyal, post: 454475, member: 228 wrote: Unless you are well trained, I would not recommend carrying any firearm, especially a handgun.

Yea, for instance put at least 1000 rounds through it, learn how to de-cock it, learn the safety and if it is ambidextrous learn both sides, learn how to dissemble and reassemble it and try about 30 holsters until you find one you are comfortable with. Get comfortable with the gun like you do with a new car. And donƒ??t shoot yourself in the foot. 😉

BStrand, post: 454472, member: 13049 wrote: Maybe kind of an odd question but do any of you guys carry some sort of weapon with you when you're working?

A handful of times now I've been working alone in remote mountainous areas and I'll hear some animal crashing around in the woods. So far it's only been deer but it still makes me a little nervous because I'm pretty sure Idaho is home to several things that have no problem killing humans.

Anyway, I'm trying to get an idea if it's wise to pick up a handgun to take with me in these situations, or will it just be another thing to lug around that mostly only makes people nervous?

I carry most of the time, even in church. I've had the license since I was 21 and I'm now 40. It's like putting my wallet in my pocket and my knife in my pocket..

As a European i find this interesting. Where i can understand carrying a gun where there are bears and so fine by me but in other areas?

We carry tripods, prism poles, heavy cases, hammers,... just hit them with that would be sufficient i think.

My employer unfortunately prohibits carry (public sector). When not at work, however, I carry quite often though not as much as I should- I really have no desire to be a human fish in a barrel.

Yes and all of us are cc licensed.