Do you cary a weapon on your tractor?
- Thread starter GarageSmoker
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Bird
Rest in Peace
<font color=blue>Actually, carrying a weapon on a tractor isn't dangerous at all.</font color=blue>
I wouldn't consider it dangerous either for myself, because I've been using guns for over 50 years and had to carry one all the time for nearly 25 years (although I don't do it anymore and have no desire to do so), but GarageSmoker said he's never owned a gun; big difference.
I wouldn't consider it dangerous either for myself, because I've been using guns for over 50 years and had to carry one all the time for nearly 25 years (although I don't do it anymore and have no desire to do so), but GarageSmoker said he's never owned a gun; big difference.
JohnMiller3
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<font color=blue>...I don't get the impression you're at all comfortable with weapons or even with the idea of having, carrying or using one...</font color=blue>
Exactly... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Exactly... /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
dmccarty
Super Star Member
GarageSmoker,
Since you said you are not really familiar with firearms,
then as far as I'm concerned don't own one much less
"pack" one on the tractor.
Now if you went to a class or two and did some practicing
then its another story.
There are only threey kinds of animals that are going to
threaten you on a tractor. The two legged kind, the rabid
kind and possibly a pack of dogs gone wild. Figure out the
odds for you locality for those three scenerios.
My county has a bad rabies problem. I have had pet dogs on
my property who did not pay me the least bit of attention
when I was on the tractor. Once I got off they ran like heck.
I figured where there where a couple of dogs with collars
there was likely to be an owner. But the dogs had gotten loose.
The timber agent I used carried a pistol since he had been
treed for hours by a pack of dogs when he was cruising some
timber. When I lived in KY quite a few years ago at least one
or two people had been killed by dog packs.
There where two kids a few years ago that where swimming
at the beach on a nearby lake. A rapid beaver swam up to
them and bit them both. Guess they need to hire some SEALS
to take out the beaver. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Pepper spray would be a good compromise but if you use it
you are likely to be hit with it as well. Not sure it would stop
a rabid dog but who knows....
Later...
Dan
Since you said you are not really familiar with firearms,
then as far as I'm concerned don't own one much less
"pack" one on the tractor.
Now if you went to a class or two and did some practicing
then its another story.
There are only threey kinds of animals that are going to
threaten you on a tractor. The two legged kind, the rabid
kind and possibly a pack of dogs gone wild. Figure out the
odds for you locality for those three scenerios.
My county has a bad rabies problem. I have had pet dogs on
my property who did not pay me the least bit of attention
when I was on the tractor. Once I got off they ran like heck.
I figured where there where a couple of dogs with collars
there was likely to be an owner. But the dogs had gotten loose.
The timber agent I used carried a pistol since he had been
treed for hours by a pack of dogs when he was cruising some
timber. When I lived in KY quite a few years ago at least one
or two people had been killed by dog packs.
There where two kids a few years ago that where swimming
at the beach on a nearby lake. A rapid beaver swam up to
them and bit them both. Guess they need to hire some SEALS
to take out the beaver. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif
Pepper spray would be a good compromise but if you use it
you are likely to be hit with it as well. Not sure it would stop
a rabid dog but who knows....
Later...
Dan
Boondox
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<font color=blue>I have considered getting something like mace or pepper spray. Would that be effective against a dog coming at you. Are there any other good options. </font color=blue>
I own and use firearms, but feel extremely comfy with them thanks to my time in the Marines. My wife, who had never used one, spent a month handling and field stripping a rifle before I gave her any live rounds. She was getting impatient, but every time I see her follow those ingrained safety rules I'm glad she had to wait.
In grad school we did a study of firearm safety. We found that those who had served in the infantry (not supporting roles, but actual grunts) as well as experienced hunters had the best grasp of safety. Surprisingly, some law enforcement types scored low, with loaded handguns kept in bedside tables, rounds chambered when the firearm was stored, etc. (This was in Southern Cal; rural types scored higher.) Civilian types generally followed safe storage rules, but indicated a willingness to shoot before positively identifying the target. The study made me pretty nervous at times. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Long winded way of saying I do not carry on the tractor. Have seen nothing that a rattle of the FEL and a shout wouldn't scare off. But as for alternatives like pepper spray...for something to be useful it has to be kept handy. What I use for unfriendly dogs is a shot of lemon juice in my water bottle. The lemon gives the water a satisfying tartness when I drink it, but burns like heck if it hits the eyes of a wayward dog. Best of all, it can be kept in a cup holder or on the belt -- and is both harmless and absolutely non-threatening to tourists.
Pete
I own and use firearms, but feel extremely comfy with them thanks to my time in the Marines. My wife, who had never used one, spent a month handling and field stripping a rifle before I gave her any live rounds. She was getting impatient, but every time I see her follow those ingrained safety rules I'm glad she had to wait.
In grad school we did a study of firearm safety. We found that those who had served in the infantry (not supporting roles, but actual grunts) as well as experienced hunters had the best grasp of safety. Surprisingly, some law enforcement types scored low, with loaded handguns kept in bedside tables, rounds chambered when the firearm was stored, etc. (This was in Southern Cal; rural types scored higher.) Civilian types generally followed safe storage rules, but indicated a willingness to shoot before positively identifying the target. The study made me pretty nervous at times. /w3tcompact/icons/frown.gif
Long winded way of saying I do not carry on the tractor. Have seen nothing that a rattle of the FEL and a shout wouldn't scare off. But as for alternatives like pepper spray...for something to be useful it has to be kept handy. What I use for unfriendly dogs is a shot of lemon juice in my water bottle. The lemon gives the water a satisfying tartness when I drink it, but burns like heck if it hits the eyes of a wayward dog. Best of all, it can be kept in a cup holder or on the belt -- and is both harmless and absolutely non-threatening to tourists.
Pete
knucklehead
Platinum Member
All good points made here. Responsibility is the key, and understanding that increases with visitors (kids, grandkids). Shouldn't be so, but firearms carry more fascination than the chainsaw, which is a far more dangerous tool, as it is in use more, and usually running when being used. That fascination (even by adults) means you need to lock up your firearm, if not your chainsaw, drill or tablesaw. It's a very personal decision, and I think you get the point that it is a weighty one. But I would still not shy from it, if you are interested. Just know where you are going with the decision, and know it's mandatory to get extensive safety training. I hear politicians compare their thrust to license firearms to getting a car license - and my response is that they should make that harder.
Personally, it's uncomfortable to carry a firearm publicly, because it means never relaxing. Having one in a scabbard on a tractor is better, because it can be secured, and because you probably aren't in a crowd with the tractor. I also doubt if you really need one; my answers were more acedemic than opinion, in an attempt to answer your questions. Good point on the complications having another person with you presents - it's why I recommended the shotgun, but they stll have considerable range.
Personally, it's uncomfortable to carry a firearm publicly, because it means never relaxing. Having one in a scabbard on a tractor is better, because it can be secured, and because you probably aren't in a crowd with the tractor. I also doubt if you really need one; my answers were more acedemic than opinion, in an attempt to answer your questions. Good point on the complications having another person with you presents - it's why I recommended the shotgun, but they stll have considerable range.
ScottAR
Veteran Member
Second poster, I don't carry any weapons except for the tractor itself. However, I know that Mace/pepper spray will stop a dog in its tracks. (probably anything else with eyeballs too) It's standard issue for postmen in our area with foot routes. Our local sheriff says it works well on crackheads too.
GarageSmoker -
Welp, I had crafted a rather long and detailed response, but since you actually "knew before you asked" /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif, I don't really see the point in posting the whole thing.
I'll throw down some of the "highlights" for those who might had been reading this thread with the same question as yours who haven't decided as to their position yet.
1) I agree - Owning/using a firearm is a very personal decision, so ultimately you should do what you believe is best for you.
2) Don't make your decision (either way) based on intimidation or fear of the unknown.
3) Intimidation and lack of knowledge can both effectively be dealt with. As others have cited, training is widely available from a number of outlets.
4) It is possible to safely carry a firearm on a tractor, despite what others may suggest. Now, before anyone get's their nose bent out of shape, it is also possible to unsafely carry a firearm on a tractor. This principle holds true for any type of vehicle, however.
5) Yes. I carry a firearm on my tractor, or more accurately, on me. I carry a pistol via a holster, one specifically chosen for this use. It is a very rare occasion I don't have it on me at the ranch, regardless of being on the tractor or not.
6) Most animals will retreat if confronted (especially if you are on your tractor), but most isn’t all. There may be obvious times you wish to dispatch a critter you come across while on your tractor which would be unsafe otherwise. How frequent would this happen? Not very, most likely - but play such a scenario through in your mind and ask yourself what you would really want in such a situation.
7) Just because you have a firearm “on or about your person”, doesn’t mean you have to use it! You can always carry a “backup” alternative (such as the pepper spray suggested earlier) if safety/legal/ethical issues prevent you from using a firearm. I fail to see the specter others seem to see in this department.
Welp, I had crafted a rather long and detailed response, but since you actually "knew before you asked" /w3tcompact/icons/hmm.gif, I don't really see the point in posting the whole thing.
I'll throw down some of the "highlights" for those who might had been reading this thread with the same question as yours who haven't decided as to their position yet.
1) I agree - Owning/using a firearm is a very personal decision, so ultimately you should do what you believe is best for you.
2) Don't make your decision (either way) based on intimidation or fear of the unknown.
3) Intimidation and lack of knowledge can both effectively be dealt with. As others have cited, training is widely available from a number of outlets.
4) It is possible to safely carry a firearm on a tractor, despite what others may suggest. Now, before anyone get's their nose bent out of shape, it is also possible to unsafely carry a firearm on a tractor. This principle holds true for any type of vehicle, however.
5) Yes. I carry a firearm on my tractor, or more accurately, on me. I carry a pistol via a holster, one specifically chosen for this use. It is a very rare occasion I don't have it on me at the ranch, regardless of being on the tractor or not.
6) Most animals will retreat if confronted (especially if you are on your tractor), but most isn’t all. There may be obvious times you wish to dispatch a critter you come across while on your tractor which would be unsafe otherwise. How frequent would this happen? Not very, most likely - but play such a scenario through in your mind and ask yourself what you would really want in such a situation.
7) Just because you have a firearm “on or about your person”, doesn’t mean you have to use it! You can always carry a “backup” alternative (such as the pepper spray suggested earlier) if safety/legal/ethical issues prevent you from using a firearm. I fail to see the specter others seem to see in this department.
StoneHeartFarm
Veteran Member
Actually, it occurs to me that the bear/cat/boar, may not be able to distinguish you from the tractor. So, an attack may not center on you at all, but on the tractor. It may, therefore, be easier to fight it off with the FEL than you think. /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif
I haven't heard of too many people on tractors being attacked. I'd be more worried about the wife being down range of whatever you scare up. Or, of stepping on some creepy crawly when you jump off the tractor. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
SHF
I haven't heard of too many people on tractors being attacked. I'd be more worried about the wife being down range of whatever you scare up. Or, of stepping on some creepy crawly when you jump off the tractor. /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
SHF
<font color=blue>...stepping on some creepy crawly when you jump off the tractor.</font color=blue> /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif
I have a problem with lots of these "running" 'round on my property. Consider it one of my "motivations"....
(listen to attached....)
I have a problem with lots of these "running" 'round on my property. Consider it one of my "motivations"....
(listen to attached....)
