do you get this feeling too???

[yekrut]

It is illegal in sd, from what I understand. To carry a gun while you are bowhunting!!!! BUt I could be wrong?? But last fall I was a little nervous waking in, but once in my stand I was happy!! I guess I would rather walk in in the dark, thanout, but thats just me!!  

[Sam McMichael]

Don't have much of an issue with cougars, etc, but down here the snakes can scare the willies out of you. I know, I stepped on one once in the pitch black dark. Also, I got treed by a pack of dogs lead by a huge Rottweiler once. I think, but am not sure, that a self-defense handgun can be carried during archery season if you have a concealed carry permit. Since I hunt only on my own land, I often carry! Regarding the snakes, I don't know if I would be in more danger from snakebite or shooting my foot off in the dark.

[Earl E. Nov...mber]

Went to a seminar on bear hunting one time.. He was asked about being nervous walking out after dark knowing their were most likely bears in the area, and if he would "Carry".
His reply was he felt that to carry was violating the spirit of bow hunting.
He did however say he liked to hunt with someone he could outrun,

[Tater]

You are talking about walking in to your stand in the dark, if a Mountain Lion feels the need to attack, you will never get the gun out of the holster. But if it makes you feel better carry one for confidence.
    I have backpacked, and hunted in Bear (Black Bear) and Lion Country for 30 years. Never felt the need for a gun. I have had a few close encounters, guess I just never met a real hungry one, also these are wild critters not used to seeing or smelling humans.

[ishiwannabe]

Im with Tater. By the time you figure out(USUALLY) that you may be on a cougar's menu, a gun-or anything else- isn't gonna give you a real big advantage. They are a stealthy predator.

They dont exist here in NY, "officially" speaking. I do get a bit twitchy walking in to my stands though...man just the idea of a grizz at oh dark thirty gives me a shiver.

I try to get ready early, and give my eyes atleast a half hour to adjust after I shut off the lights.

[GMMAT]

I have checked, Killie....and actually won $100 from someone who thought they new our game laws.

You'd better not be packing heat during bow season in NC.  Good for you in VA.

[Weekend Warrior]

When I get    I keep this Bad Boy by my side.    Haven't had a encounter with a cougar bear yet!  They know I'm packin   :D  
Just to compare how small this bad boy is.  5 in feather.

[-Achilles-]

I feel much safer in the dark then I do in the day....I feel sooo much safer in the woods then I do in any city

[vermonster13]

I'm more concerned about the backwoods "herbalists' and "chemists" than the natural predators.

[thp]

I didn't feel nervous about walking to my treestand in the dark with nothing but my longbow until I was growled at by a mt. lion... here in Iowa.  Yep, true story.  The landowner has huuuuuge plaster casts of its paw prints.  I didn't see it because it was still dark but I estimate that it was only 20 yards or so away.  Not pleasant.  I was reassured by the fact that if I was on the breakfast menu that I wouldn't have received the warning growls.  yikes.  You are not allowed to carry a gun during bow season in Iowa.  But man, that experience makes me want to bend the law.

[ishoot4thrills]

Not legal to carry a gun during bow season in KY either. I can't carry a handgun during deer bow season, even though I have a concealed carry permit. (Although I think I read where that law is being considered for changing)  But, we ain't got no cougars or bears here neither! Although we do have a few bears in the eastern part of KY. Heck, I know several people who are spooked about coyotes gettin' them in the early morning hours on their way to the stand.

[Russ Clagett]

We have them here in Texas, alot of them. Last season I was sneaking into my little spot when I looked over to my right and saw a black one. Very large, big round head, long tail. I made a shot (open season here) and hit just under his chest. I'd love to say I just missed the distance and hit low, but the truth is, I dropped my bow arm a tad just trying to see if I had hit him. He jumped up and smoked out of there. A few minutes later I'm in my ground blind when I hear it scream. Kind of a growl/scream..........(hair straight up)

I decided right then I wanted to be in the tripod, and I made it up there in one step.........

[Mo. Huntin]

We dont have many cougars or big bears in MO.  ButI have been put in the back of my truck once by a pack of dogs while bowhunting and surrounded by the same pack in the woods with a longbow and judos. I carry a pistol on that place but no where else.  I don't know why anyone would say that you won't have a chance to use a gun if attacked by a cougar since people survive all kinds of attacks all the time, my chances are better with it.  I also don't understand dieing because of some self imposed idea that it takes away from the bowhunt if you have protection with you.  I will use it and go home and tell my family how I was almost killed by a cougar.

[BRONZ]

Scariest thing where I hunt... skunk or rabid tree rat!    

[mmgrode]

Last year I carried a .45 for my solo elk hunt in Colorado.  During the day I didn't feel like I needed it, but felt much better with it by my side when in my solo tent at night.  1/2" holes have a way of changing the demeanor of wild animals pretty quickly;)  I'm glad I brought it.  

I remember reading about a father and son who were hunting elk in a Wyoming backcountry area.  The son was attacked by a grizzly.  The father got a quick arrow into the bear as it ran at the son.  As the bear was on top of the son, the father started hitting the bear with his bow(no pistol).  Fortunately the bear quickly felt the effects of the arrow and died after running down the hill. The son lived with minor injuries, but it could have been much much worse. Prior to this, carrying was illegal while bowhunting in Wyoming.  Thankfully, they just changed that.
Something to think about.  Matt

[TheFatboy]

Usually cougars and mountain lions do not attack. Most of the animals you will ever meet in the wild - if not 99% - only attack when they feel threatened or cornered. If you are ever attacked by a cougar anyways, you just do as this fellow:


 

[bayoulongbowman]

The more the hunting ground shrinks, and food source shrinks,  the more ya have to worry...If they let ya pack firearm Id take my 357 6inch colt python....my way thinking they get hungry, ur whats for dinner        on the menue...      

[amicus]

We have all of the above plus rattle snakes. I hate Rattle snakes. Last season I ran into 2 of them. The main thing that I worry about when sitting in a ground/brush blind is having a rattle snake try and snuggle up next to me. I do get a little nervous when Im heading out in the morning darkness but thats all part of hunting, for me. After I ask God to watch over me and bless the hunt. I head out, still a little nervous but I love to see the stars and hear all the sounds as im walking to my stand. Just love it, and grateful to be out.

Gilbert

[-Achilles-]

gun?I hardly even use a flashlight...lol...You can bet no gun law would discourage me from carrying 1 in the woods or anywhere if I was afraid for my life and we all have the right to self protection...The 2nd amendment is a RIGHT!!!NOT  a privledge...SO ACT LIKE IT!!!

[yekrut]

Alot of my deer hunting is done on a small public chunk of land. There are always lots of people through there , so do ya think since its a busy place that mountain lions would not be hanging around in there?? Deer do though!! and turkeys!! thanks!!