carry firearms while fishing?

[done]

Hey guys,

   I did search for a thread like this first so if I am repeating a pre-existing one forgive me. Just curious, as I get my CCW, I am seriously considering carrying when I do my late night fishing runs.

We have been having issues at the docs here at night in summer. A LOT of rather seedy individuals gather and hang on the docks, and being alone, there have been a number of times I have not felt too safe in that situation.

During the day I am not too concerned, visibility is good, there is a lot of bystanders and the seedy crowd does not take over the docks. Just those late night excursions.

So without giving your own status away, would you or would you not advocate carrying concealed when out on these trips?

[TommyBass]

If there is a chance you think you'd need it I don't see why not.  There are times I fish some back country strip pits around here and I take mine night or day.  All it takes is one run-in with a crazy meth-head to have something turn out not in your favor.  I generally do not take it during day trips to normal lakes, but if it was night and I had crowds like that I most likely would. 

Thats not to say you should flaunt it around like a maniac, but its your legal right to have it on you just in case.

[done]

If there is a chance you think you'd need it I don't see why not. There are times I fish some back country strip pits around here and I take mine night or day. All it takes is one run-in with a crazy meth-head to have something turn out not in your favor. I generally do not take it during day trips to normal lakes, but if it was night and I had crowds like that I most likely would.

Thats not to say you should flaunt it around like a maniac, but its your legal right to have it on you just in case.

Definitely not flashing it. That is one guaranteed way to bring attention you do not want. Especially with that crowd. I would not be surprised if one of them or more was armed (I actually expect they are) and I do not want to get in a gunfight. But I want to have the ability to defend myself if they I have to.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

I look at it this way, you got the permit for a reason.

Use it.

[ring fry]

I fish strip pits around here and always carry.  Had a game warden stop me (cautiously) and asked me why I was carrying.  I told him that I hate snakes and I hate meth-heads.  He told me to have a nice day. 

[bwell]

I wish I could have a CCW, IL sucks!

[Gone_Phishin]

I fish strip pits around here and always carry. Had a game warden stop me (cautiously) and asked me why I was carrying. I told him that I hate snakes and I hate meth-heads. He told me to have a nice day.

Atta boy.

I do during the waterfowl season.

[simplejoe]

I carry mine 24/7. ;D

I don't know what your situation is like M Starr, One day just try and strike up a conversation with them. Ask them if there were any other boats that come in or something of that nature. See how they react to the question, they might be a good group of kids just trying to hang out somewhere.

[FishingBuds]

Carry 24/7

[Gatorbassman]

There was a time when I didn't, but one day, for some reason I put it in my tackle bag. At that time I was fishing out of a little 14ft Jonboat. I was fishing an area and two teens came around a point and started at me. They stopped right where I was fishing and I said hi and asked them to move off of the spot I was fishing. They kept moving closer and closer and I didn't think anything of it untill they started looking in my boat. I heard one say to the other, "Does he have anything?". I then reach into my bag and showed them what I had. They quickly turned and went the other way. You just never know.

[bassfisherjk]

I don't,but I have no problem with someone carrying either.

[done]

I carry mine 24/7. ;D

I don't know what your situation is like M Starr, One day just try and strike up a conversation with them. Ask them if there were any other boats that come in or something of that nature. See how they react to the question, they might be a good group of kids just trying to hang out somewhere.

yeah, it is not really kids.  it is a mix of adults. I do try to be friendly with them but a couple times...I got a very weird vibe from them.

I have also had a couple minor confrontations as they illegally set up half a dozen rods on the dock and walk away from them. One night when I sprung a leak, I came in and ended up running over their lines to ge my boat out of the water ASAP before it sank.

I really think the majority of them are decent enough folks, or at least pretty much interested in doing their own thing and not being bothered, but there are a few of them that will walk around almost sizing you up. One of the times in question, I had 1 guy come right up to me asking me about my boat he would pick up the rate and pace of his questions as I scanned around at his bud who was making attempts to walk out of my line of sight. Definitely distracting me for some reason, whether to allow his bud to pull something out of my boat or to jump me, don't know. I kept asking his bud questions and pretty much let him know he was not getting out of my sight. Made record time getting the boat off the ramp that day.

There have been a couple instances like that to date and I have been able to keep my head and get out fine. However, had either of those guys planned it out better, or been a bit more aggressive, I may not have gotten out scott free.

I definitely do not take the thought of pulling a firearm lightly and am far from the cowboy archetype. To me It is more like my life vest  or fire extinguisher. I am glad I have them, I just hope to God i never have to use them. 

I guess for the most part...I pretty much made up my mind on carrying. Just wanted to more or less see if I am just a paranoid freak, or if like I suspect, there are a lot more armed fisherman out there than I realize.

After a stint at a gun board recently, I have found my peeps on BR a bit more balanced when it comes to carrying and use of firearms.

[simplejoe]

Oh I understand now, Hearing all of that I would carry for sure. I never have problems like that out this way. Where I live I have one part time cop  ;D, so everybody carries and deals with stuff on their own, no cops are ever called around here.

[Luke at Gouldsboro]

CARRY IT ! It's your right as an American, plus scumbags wouldn't think twice about shooting you for your stuff.

[Grey Wolf]

Yes sometimes.

[Siebert Outdoors]

I look at it this way, you got the permit for a reason.

Use it.

Doesnt help at home in the safe. ;D  I carry everywhere except prohibited areas.

[ohioriverrat]

I carry mine every time I go out. However, it's has not been for human threat, it's for bear threat. I trout fish in some pretty remote locations here in West Virginia, and I have had bear encounters twice at the stream's edge. Both times I was able to run them off with only the pistol report and a lot of screaming. I have not had to shoot a bear.Glad I had my piece though.

As far as seedy guys, I would want to make d**n sure it was a real threat. Some kids just like to puff up their chest in front of their buddies. They mean no real harm, but they want to intimidate. I have had a couple of real encounters with honest to goodness dudes that meant to hurt me or my family... both at home. It ain't cool to shoot a human, whether or not you are forced. Either way, you will unleash feelings you never knew you had.

Carry yours. Conceal it. Leave it alone until absolutely no other choice. Actually use it and your life will forever change.

The last sentence is a promise.

[Aaron]

I have had my permit for a couple years now and never really carried when fishing, or much at all.  Mainly b/c I have never had a gun that was easily concealable.  I could conceal my 1911 but it not easily.

I recently purchased a Ruger SP-101 2.25" .357 and have started carrying much more frequently.  Once I get good leather for it I will probably start carrying whenever possible.  Plus its stainless so I don't have to worry about moisture as much,

[Wayne P.]

Most times, but have 1/2 of the cylinders loaded with shot loads and the other 1/2 loaded with 240 gr. hollow points. I don't use leather because of it's corrosive nature (tanning salts), I use the nylon models.

Which-ever vermin I encounter can be dispatched effectively.

[VAfishin4me]

Jeez, you guys carrying on the roadtrip here? I don't own a gun, and i wouldn't really care, but some people might shy away if they knew everyone there would have a gun on them.

[firefightn15]

While we don't have ccl's in WI yet, my neighbor has carried for many years and it has paid off twice. Both times in the late 70's. Once when him and his son returned to the launch on a secluded northern lake they were met by two guys with a shotgun and meaning to rob them. Tom was able to bring his Ruger 41 mag. to bear and hold them until his dad was able to trailer the boat. Another time, again on a secluded northern lake they were met at the launch by a group of (unarmed)native americans looking to do them bodily harm. Again Tom used his Ruger to keep them at bay while his dad trailered the boat. This was back when spearing was a very hot and intense topic.

[burleytog]

Have gun will travel.

[Bassnajr]

All the time...every where...don't you see what's going on out there??? I agree...a gun does NO good in the gun vault.

[JigMe]

I am the newbee for firearms, but don't you need some sort of license if you are carrying it? I have my gun permit, but it doesn't allow me to conceal the weapon.

[done]

I am the newbee for firearms, but don't you need some sort of license if you are carrying it? I have my gun permit, but it doesn't allow me to conceal the weapon.

Depends on your state. In NC, once I purchase I can carry unconcealed at my leisure but I have to get a permit for concealed carry. Some states allow concealed some don't all limit is some way even with a permit.