[CatoRenasci]

I did a lot of backpacking and hiking in California when I was younger in the '60s and '70s. I always had either a .357 or .44 magnum pistol with me and accessible. I only came close to using it once, when I ran into a pack of wild pigs (with young) on the trail in the Ventana Wilderness. More pigs than I had ammunition (full load in the pistol and one full box), and there was a rock I could climb on and wait for them to move on. I spent an uncomfortable half-hour on the rock, though.

[fish hawk]

That was then, this is now. You will be arrested now if caught packing a gun in a State or Federal park.

[Musket]

I always had either a .357 or .44 magnum pistol with me and accessible.

Good advice. I've hiked Prairie Creek Redwoods State Park many times. Amazing place. I believe a famous Star Wars chase scene was filmed there.

[USMMA_83]

PIGS...this story is about a 65 year old woman who fought off a mountain lion and you come back with a story of PIGS!

just mess'in with you...I'm sure those pigs scared you something awful...

[smoketree]

Roger that.
I will not go hiking or camping where I cannot be armed how I choose to be.
Shotgun, 357, 45, 308 all loaded and easily accessable.

[Clemenza]

I've done most of my hiking on the East Coast, where the worst animal you encounter is the black bear (and yes, they can climb trees). When I used to go hiking in the Everglades, I knew not to fear alligators, unless you inadvertantly stepped on one, wherby the best thing to do would be the run fast diagonally (alligators are great sprinters, but have difficultly turning fast on land).

Hiking in the Cascades, I knew that there were mountain lions, although I never encountered any.