Do you cary a weapon on your tractor?

[Wingnut]

hahaha 3 Crows ... hey I walked into one of them griz's at the local Bass Pro Shop myself ... startled the heck out of me.
I won't try to top you ... most of my encounters were blacks, in the summer, when they were foraging. I had one encounter with a grizzly in Jasper National Park whilst hiking and one encounter with a polar bear while in a truck.
Being armed enough for a griz or a polar bear would be awkward ... although I keep hearing from guys who claim they've dropped bull elephants with a peashooter ... those big gutys (Kodiak too) have been known to go quite some distance after being shot with heavy stuff (I guess a bazooka might work, tho).
My scariest encounters were: a herd of buffalo in Elk Island National Park while on a Goldwing (those falls are BIG), an elk - during rutting season - on a golf course in Kananaskis and frequent encounters with moose on the back roads at night. Being armed wouldn't have helped in most of those (excepting the elk, I guess)
Will respectfully disagree with you on the grizzly ... they do not <font color=blue>usually</font color=blue> attack unless provoked or starving ... and would be entirely unable to distinguish the human from the tractor ... and would have a real problem with my 3710 and FEL ... they stand to get a good look and threaten --- I charge --- they bounce.

 

[RanchMan]

Chim -

Thanks for the clarification on your viewpoint. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

 

[knucklehead]

I was just reminded of what my wife told me once after crossing into New Bruswick. She said I should have declared to customs that I was carrying an offensive weapon (didn't like that term) - my MOUTH!

So I guess I DO carry a weapon on my tractor......../w3tcompact/icons/grin.gif

 

[RanchMan]

Not sure how many "got" my Bob Munden joke, but just an FYI, he is an exhibition shooter who shoots "Fast Draw".

For anyone who hasn't seen Munden, it's truly amazing. From a dead still, he can "...react to a signal, draw, fire and hit a target in .23 (hundredths) of a second." /w3tcompact/icons/shocked.gif

I admit I found it hard to believe until I saw it with my own eyes, but it's real. Truly amazing stuff.

Anywho, here's a couple of links for anyone curious about the man or the subject. Enjoy!

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.bob-munden.com/index.htm>Bob Munden's Site</A>

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.fastdraw.org/fd_main.html>Fast Draw info in general</A>

 

[RoyJackson]

I'm reading more against then for carrying...

I'm a solid believer that the more Americans exercise their Second Amendment rights, the safer our country will be.

I definitely understand those who hesitate because they aren't familar with firearms. You've gotta learn how to use safely, if you're going to carry on your tractor, or anywhere else. You've also got to use good judgement. And, you've got to practice!

As mentioned in my earlier post, I carry almost 100% of the time and have done so for many years...long enough that I feel uncomforatble without that revolver or pistol concealed somewhere (I do have a permit). It's natural for me to put that .38 in my pocket when I go out. The odds are it'll never come out of my pocket, even if a critter does come running up. Most critters aren't going to do that...a rabid animal may be the exception.

Also, as mentioned in the earlier post, I reccomend shot shells in a revolver (in you're going to carry on your tractor). Shot won't carry too far, but will give a small to medium sized animal an incentive to move out.

I'm sure most of ya are well intentioned in your opposition to carrying. I think you're wrong and, perhaps, not familar enough with handguns to really advise on this (not counting you, Bird).

 

[knucklehead]

Ranchman, he's on a show (Action Shooters?) on our local cable outdoor network channel. I've watched him hit tossed aspirin with that single action of his. Amazing. Notice his fingers are sometimes black - powder stains. Practice, practice, practice.

 

[RanchMan]

Yea, I love his exhibition stuff (I've seen him on American Shooter on TNN - usually on the fall schedule). I actually bought one of his videos just because I wanted to slow it down and see how the heck he really does it. Just amazing stuff. The video I bought was a little dated, but that didn't matter. I don't know if he does it "on the side" by chance, but based on what he said in the video, he'd make a great motivational speaker.

Speaking of noticing details, notice the leather patch on the side of his stomach to prevent powder burns? /w3tcompact/icons/laugh.gif

 

[gordon]

You covered that one pretty darn well Bird. About being around the bad types that is. All in the mindset, simple as that. /w3tcompact/icons/smile.gif

As far as gun safety, the range master at work would rather start with someone with no gun skills what so ever. That way he doens't have to unlearn someone that has bad gun handling skills or thinks he or she is a cowboy/girl with a pistol or shotgun.

Gordon

 

[knucklehead]

Ranchman - you got the title right - I didn't. Now that you mention it, I do remember that "belly leather" he has on his shirt. Ever see the guy with the bow? Names always escape me, as you know /w3tcompact/icons/wink.gif.

Roy, I agree with your philisophy (see my earlier post). I think it would be a safer world if firearms handling was taught freely in grade school. Never happen - too busy with condom distribution /w3tcompact/icons/sad.gif.

 

[RanchMan]

<font color=blue>...the guy with the bow...</font color=blue>

Byron Ferguson. He has a show on TNN too, "Everything Outdoors" in additon to doing the American Shooter spots. He does some pretty amazing stuff too.

<A target="_blank" HREF=http://www.byronferguson.com/>http://www.byronferguson.com/</A>