Packing Heat…..

Reading on another forum with a central base of southern members ~ could not believe the numbers of individuals that carry a gun on fishing trips for protection. Stories of meth lab thugs, spirit brewing teethless individuals, proclaimed bank fishermen near landings less any fishing equipment in hand, “drops” involving speed boats, man-size eating crocks, CO’s warning lake dwellers at a ramp of an active “man hunt” for an armed & dangerous prison busts……the list of reasons went on & on.

One dude says “Been packing so long the ammo turned green”. Another says “Better to be judged by 12 than carried by 6”. And yet another says “I have a $40,000 dollar truck pulling a $50,000 dollar boat loaded with fishing gear…of course I pack!”

I did have a situation years ago down on the Wisconsin River in an isolated back water slough bank fishing in the fall where a car load of teenagers pulled up. Rap music blarring, baseball hats on at angles I didn’t think was possible to stay on a persons head, dressed in camo. They pop the trunk and start pulling out rifles talking in a foreign language while loading. I considered jumping in for a second but they soon ventured off in the neighboring woods small game hunting.

Maybe I’m just too good hearted or nieve but never have I considered packing a gun while fishing the upper midwest even after that episode. I’m curious to hear some opinions on the subject a little closer to home by fellow IDOer’s.

I am all for conceal and carry no doubt. Though really have never thought of it or thought I needed it while fishing. If it came down to it I’d say take the boat, truck, money, sub sandwich, and whatever you want. I would never engage in any altercation with some thugs. Main reason is something stupid could happen. If something scary happens or we get crocs in MN, then I’ll think about it. I bet i just jinxed myself.

You’re unlikely to get a show of hands from the guys that conceal and carry on the water as those guys tend to “conceal” very well if you know what I mean?! Without “outing” any of the regulars here or guys that I know that do carry… if you spend any time up to Mille Lacs in the fall or on the river out of Everts in the spring there’s more than a few that carry every time they’re on the water w/o exception.

I carry a spare tire and a first aid kit in my truck but hope I never have to use either of them. A pistol is kind of the same way. Nuff said!

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if you spend any time up to Mille Lacs in the fall or on the river out of Everts in the spring there’s more than a few that carry every time they’re on the water w/o exception.

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I second that

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I carry a spare tire and a first aid kit in my truck but hope I never have to use either of them. A pistol is kind of the same way. Nuff said!

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Well put Rich.

i had a gun pointed at my on pool 2 a couple years ago. rumor was there was drugs being grown/made on that island. kind of makes you feel uneasy by having a shotgun barrel being pointed at you while you simply idle past an island on a back channel.

Trout fishing in Northern WI poses a situation with cubs wondering around momma bear is nearby. Have a cub walk by you while your standing in a creek and your pants can fill up pretty fast when you don’t know where the mother is.

I do have one situation I suffered through though that still leaves me thinking about carring a pistol. In Racine, WI I was mistaken as a white guy with blond hair that sold some bad pot to a guy. Him, and about 25 of his buddies jumped me and I had no clue as to what was going on. One of them pulled a knife and I was cut in my right arm. Two major holes in my arm left me to almost bleed to death. Still to this day, I would like to put about 180gr hollow point in each of their foreheads. But looking back, if I pulled a firearm out, how many of them would have also. In that situation, I think it would have been then end of a couple of them and me. I support carring a concealed weapon, just need to know when and when not to use it.

I guess I am naive but why do people pack on mille lacs in the fall and at Dean’s in the spring? In case you get into an argument over a spot? Safety at the launch (I can certainly see that after visiting most of the public launches on Pool 2)? I’m pretty sure there are some pretty strict laws about your life being in danger before pulling out your weapon. If someone is breaking into your truck, does that qualify as endangering your life? I didn’t think so? Don’t get me wrong, if someone was stealing my truck I would want to put a couple holes in them, but I think I would also go to jail.

Just curious. Thanks.

For most people who carry its just part of you when you leave the house. It doesn’t matter if you are fishing or going to the store.

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I guess I am naive but why do people pack on mille lacs in the fall and at Dean’s in the spring? In case you get into an argument over a spot? Safety at the launch (I can certainly see that after visiting most of the public launches on Pool 2)? I’m pretty sure there are some pretty strict laws about your life being in danger before pulling out your weapon. If someone is breaking into your truck, does that qualify as endangering your life? I didn’t think so? Don’t get me wrong, if someone was stealing my truck I would want to put a couple holes in them, but I think I would also go to jail.

Just curious. Thanks.

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Me too. I believe someone who is carrying, has to have some real self control. I am not against carry and conceal, I have even thought about it myself. My fear is that I would use it in such a manner, maybe where it wasn’t warranted and screw up my life. I believe that I would have more situations, where it is not warranted, than I would have where my life is actually in danger and don’t think I want to put myself in the situations where one quick, not thought out action, can affect the rest of my life. I know there is training that needs to be done, in order to C & C, I am sure they cover all the do’s and dont’s… I think I will just carry the jack & spare tire and throw it at the other person….

big G

Here’s my feelings about conceal carry. If you are an individual that believes it’s a good idea to “pack heat”, then you are probably an individual that believes it’s always a good idea to pack heat, be it going to the store, traveling cross country, or even going fishing. You never know when you will need it or what situation will prompt you to wish you were packing, so always be prepared…even when you go fishing.

Better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it, right?

BigG, you bring up a good point about using it in the wrong situation and screwing up your life. I too have considered conceal/carry, but two things keep me from doing it. One, I’m afraid I would shoot someone in rush-hour traffic, and two is I’m afraid if I did use it in a situation I deemed necessary that our increasingly liberal justice system/jury would not see it the same way and I’d go to the big house. So, for now I keep a Louisville slugger under the bed and hope I never have to use it!

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but I think I would also go to jail.

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In most cases, a person will go to jail/arrested no matter what. At least until things are sorted out. Might as well plan on it. BUT that’s a hassle a person takes while packing and it’s better than looking at the inside cover of a casket.

Anyone that draws on someone stealing property (in MN)or over a fishing spot/launch/road rage shouldn’t have a weapon. It’s for when your in fear of your life. Randy’s scenario above as described would qualify as life threatening and no chance to retreat. Glad it turned out ok for your Randy.

What (in my mind) is the best part of concealed carry is that bad guys don’t know who’s packing and who isn’t.

Having a gun is like 4 wheel drive. You may never need it, but when you do, you need it bad and right now!! Dam-strait I carry. 1911 come and get it!!!

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In most cases, a person will go to jail/arrested no matter what. At least until things are sorted out. Might as well plan on it. BUT that’s a hassle a person takes while packing and it’s better than looking at the inside cover of a casket.

Anyone that draws on someone stealing property (in MN)or over a fishing spot/launch/road rage shouldn’t have a weapon. It’s for when your in fear of your life. Randy’s scenario above as described would qualify as life threatening and no chance to retreat. Glad it turned out ok for your Randy.

What (in my mind) is the best part of concealed carry is that bad guys don’t know who’s packing and who isn’t.

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Take BrianK post
What (in my mind) is the best part of concealed carry is that bad guys don’t know who’s packing and who isn’t.

If I could I would conceal and carry here in wisconsin. When I go atving, I always carry but it is in plain site. When I was in OK I carried a snake charmer in my boat, (410 with pistal grip)

It’s not a question of “If” my friends and I carry…it’s “How many?”

Dang water snakes!

Man! A .40 makes a big splash…right Burbob?

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I guess I am naive but why do people pack on mille lacs in the fall and at Dean’s in the spring? In case you get into an argument over a spot? Safety at the launch (I can certainly see that after visiting most of the public launches on Pool 2)? I’m pretty sure there are some pretty strict laws about your life being in danger before pulling out your weapon. If someone is breaking into your truck, does that qualify as endangering your life? I didn’t think so? Don’t get me wrong, if someone was stealing my truck I would want to put a couple holes in them, but I think I would also go to jail.

Just curious. Thanks.

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you legally have the right to protect your person and property, if “you feel threatened”. the big thing to remember, is if there are witnesses around, make sure you speak your intentions loud enough so that everybody can hear you, such as “I am armed, don’t make me shoot you”. if someone is breaking into your truck, do you have the right to kill that person, no, unless they have a weapon and threaten you. but you do have the right to hold them at gunpoint until the authorities arrive.

and as our CC instructor told us – always carry a knife…just in case you need to make sure that person has a deadly weapon on them, in case things get bad. i know it sounds terrible, and that doesn’t mean you go around shooting people for anything, but it could keep you out of jail in a situation where there are no witnesses or things don’t appear to the police as they really were to you.

also as a CC permit holder, you have the right and duty to protect not only yourself and your property, but other’s well being also.

i got mine “just because”. i don’t need it right now, but if i do need it down the road, i have it.

You never know when you might need one. If I was out any place with my wife, childeren, or friend and we were threatened by someone with a gun I would hope I had one on me.

If I stay overnight camping on the the river, my Sig stays with me.

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and as our CC instructor told us – always carry a knife…just in case you need to make sure that person has a deadly weapon on them, in case things get bad. i know it sounds terrible, and that doesn’t mean you go around shooting people for anything, but it could keep you out of jail in a situation where there are no witnesses or things don’t appear to the police as they really were to you.

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I’m speechless…So your instructor is telling you to plant evidence if you made a mistake and shoot someone who wasn’t armed?

I’m thinking of getting a big bore handguns vs the .22 auto trapping pistol I own BUT as someone who has had roots that go back to 1891 on Mille Lacs the LAST place you need a gun up there is on the lake in the fall. A survial jacket or suit should have thermal and flotation protection rather than kevlar. Now I will say I RARELY use the Rollands Bay (casino) launch since after my dock & lift are taken out I launch @ MacQuoids or Terry’s. Danger on the water up there is the lake it self, not another “fisherman”.
Why a gun then? Meth & gangs. Clumsy trying to hide a 12 ga. wearing PJs.

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I guess I am naive but why do people pack on mille lacs in the fall and at Dean’s in the spring?

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The locations are irrelevant. I can’t comment on the conceal and carry habits of people I don’t know. I know people that would show up at those locations at those times of the year.

I’ve come off the Shaboosh landing many times at 3-4 AM, only car in the lot. I’ll tell it’s a bit freaky. Then to find a flat on your trailer. Well, I’m just glad I had company that night. Not to say I would have felt much more comfortable at the wealthwood public access. It’s just a peace of mind thing for many.

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I guess I am naive but why do people pack on mille lacs in the fall and at Dean’s in the spring?

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The locations are irrelevant. I can’t comment on the conceal and carry habits of people I don’t know. I know people that would show up at those locations at those times of the year.

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I think somebody already hit it… it becomes part of your attire, much like a wallet or keys, you always have them with you.

big G

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but you do have the right to hold them at gunpoint until the authorities arrive.

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Good luck with that!

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You’re unlikely to get a show of hands from the guys that conceal and carry on the water as those guys tend to “conceal” very well if you know what I mean?! Without “outing” any of the regulars here or guys that I know that do carry… if you spend any time up to Mille Lacs in the fall or on the river out of Everts in the spring there’s more than a few that carry every time they’re on the water w/o exception.

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Yup! “concealled” means nobody knows it’s there!

Wow, reading through these posts makes me wonder! I would like to know that you guys packing a gun are level headed, but some of you talk as if you almost want something to happen so you get a chance to use it. Maybe you are speaking tongue in cheek and I missed it, but I would think none of you ever want to be in a situation where you have to shoot someone?

Another thing, it’s been mentioned that the bad guys don’t know who’s packing…wouldn’t it be better, and wouldn’t people have “better manners” if everyone knew EXACTLY who had a gun and who didn’t? Like Texas, just put it out there for all to see…and contemplate before acting.

Lastly, yes guns give peace of mind, but if you need a gun because you are afraid of the dark then you need to get out of that boat launch before the sun sets in my opinion. Grown men should not need to carry a gun because they are afraid of the dark.

In case some of you think I’m anti-gun, I’m not, I love guns and hunting. I just want to know you guys packing are packing for the right reasons and aren’t secretly hoping you get the opportunity to scratch your itchy finger! If ya know what I mean?

The guys I know who are CC guys, I would trust with my life. They are mature, level headed and would be hard pressed to pull the pistol unless put into the proper situation. I’ve spent many hours with these guys in many situations and never once did I feel they were not in complete control. Is everyone that way, no, but the guys from this site that I call friends are.

I don’t think anyone is afraid of the dark, but they are smart enough to know that bad things can and will happen to good people. The guys who C&C, for the most part, are law abiding, respectable persons who feel they, their friends, or just a random person on the street are safer because they carry.

The guys I know who carry, do not look for trouble or look to hurt or kill people, but when put in a bad situation, could take care of an issue. I feel it is the ultimate deterent and in most instances these criminals will quickly realize they do not have the upper hand, and find another place to be