Originally Posted by
Dave and Gail
I think that its a persons right to carry a firearm if they choose to, as long as they are law abiding citizens and properly trained in handling firearms. I dont worry about these kind of people carrying firearms. Criminals dont care if they have a permit or not anyway. I dont carry one in public personally, although I can if I wish, I just avoid the potentially dangerous areas at night. When I am in the deep woods though, I am usually armed, My choice!! I gotta tell ya, I have spent most of my life in the north Maine woods, Hunting, fishing , Hiking, exploring and I have also seen most every critter there is. Most of the time they will avoid you if at all possible...BUT , I have been charged by a bull moose once.. It was in the fall, their mating season, and I accidently interrupted Him and his mate...courting. He was not a happy camper!! When a 800 to 900 lb. animal is boring down on you with snot flying out of his nose its,not a real good feeling. I dont think a shot of pepper spray would have slowed him down at all. I ran like a scared school child to a huge pine tree and hid behind it and he stopped about 10 yards from it and was pawing the ground and shaking his head. all I had with me was a single shot 12 guage and #6 birdshot. I fired one shot over his head and he wheeled around and left the area. After cleaning my shorts and stuffing my heart back in my chest , I departed the area also!! I reported this to the local Warden and he said it was a "false charge",, When does an attack get documented?? Do you actually have to get stomped into the ground?? I love to watch wildlife in Maine as much as the next person, and would never want to dispatch an animal for no good reason, but if it comes down to me or it, I like to be prepared. This may never happen again in my lifetime, I hope,but, If it does Im not gonna lose!! Thats my story and Im sticking to it!!