Tim,
This story had me laughing to the point of tears.
If you want to feel safer in the BWCA or Q then find a partner to go with. I don't care if you carry a gun or not. Same with pepper spray. If you are alone and get hurt, or go into the drink and get cold, neither is going to do much for you except tempt you to end your misery.

Reading the other posts....the best way to be safe is to be there with buddies. Then if you want to fight the bears or wrestle your pack back from the big fella, at least someone can notify your next of kin. I've had too many bear experiences to worry about it too much. We do what we can to keep the bears out of our food, but they are smart and have had their share a few times. And we had to go get it back on one trip, because we were 3-4 days in without any food. Didn't need a gun or pepper spray. It was scarey, but that is why it is called a wilderness adventure. I will not travel with a gun in the group, because I figure there is a greater chance of someone getting seriously hurt than a bear doing the same. I own a bunch of guns, too. But if you want to pack heat, maybe it is better to go it alone, so your partner doesn't get his foot shot off, or worse.

Posted by Dwight on April 19, 2001 at 23:56