Why guns should not be carried in the wilderness!!

[Biker]

Totally get what you're saying Red, guns are tools and misuse will result in extremties being blown off. What I thought was odd was that he was carrying a .44 magnum "to cover for such occaisons." Maybe it's common practice to carry such a gun while checking fruit trees. A wild apple or pear is a dangerous beastie, don't even mention man-killing elderberries!

 

[Retired Member southey]

one word........ SCRUMPERS!

 

[BOD]

Can I amend the title to why guns should not be carried by idiots?

If professionals can go to game parks in Africa without carrying and using a firearm why does he need a sidearm of such calibre?

 

[JonathanD]

A lot of hunters in the US carry large calibre revolvers as back up. Some even hunt with them.

 

[Biker]

one word........ SCRUMPERS!

Ah yes, forgot about those pesky critters. Good point Southey. Those would be the hard core machine gun toting variety. Should have guessed. Silly me.

 

[Biker]

A lot of hunters in the US carry large calibre revolvers as back up. Some even hunt with them.

At the risk of sounding like an idiot but if you're hunting for fruit in a fruit tree wouldn't shooting it out of the tree with a .44 magnum make a rather mess of it? Wants wrong with using your hands?

Point taken about hunting game with them though. So glad I live in France, I'd hate to be a scrumper in the US of A you'd be asking for trouble wearing a snakeskin jacket while at it.

 

[JonathanD]

I've looked at this again and it seems like he was actually clearing the plot of potentially deadly snakes. Looks like the boots he is wearing are snake proof boots, not cowboy boots and he had the .44 on him exactly for the job of dispatching snakes in the area.

In late July, Conrad Greene, of Savannah, was working food plots with a couple buddies on their Screven County hunt club near Cooperville. They were checking some fruit trees when Travis Timms, of Savannah, almost stepped on this enormous eastern diamondback rattlesnake.
Conrad said the snake didn’t even rattle. It merely lifted its head up above the grass, surveyed the scene and tried to slither away. But it didn’t make it far. Conrad popped it with the .44 mag he carries for such occasions.

 

[Timbo]

If they were clearing the area because it was a food plot and protect people/workers from snakes they could have trapped it and released it to a wilderness area. Rather than shoot the poor harmless thing with a 44. I'd say the guy was so proud as because the only game he's ever killed was six foot from him - skillful that!

 

[Biker]

"poor harmless thing"

Did we read the same article? It had 2 inch fangs as well! not to mention the 9mm automatic in the speed holster on it's hip.

Yeah another good point Jonathan. Snakeproof boots eh? So snakes only bite up to mid-calf then? I'd be wearing a bleedin' suit of armour! :yikes:

Better yet, standing on Southey's shoulders. I probably taste like chicken to snakes given my courage factor.

 

[British Red]

I think we can all agree that the guy was a numptie. Its possible that the .44 was loaded with snake shot (think pistol sized shotgun cartridge). I also can imagine carrying such a calibre in bear country if not carrying a shotgun / rifle (e.g. when wandering around camp). I really don't have a problem with carrying a sidearm - just the use it was put to on this occasion.

 

[sharp88]

Moron much?

 

[Matt.S]

First I would like to associate myself with the comments made by British Red; guns have a perfectly valid place in life, including the wilderness.

If professionals can go to game parks in Africa without carrying and using a firearm why does he need a sidearm of such calibre?

What has the calibre got to do with it? He may have loaded it with a shotshell as BR has mentioned, or reduced load cartridges which are somewhat popular in the US. Furthemore there is a good chance he was carrying the gun for general personal protection rather than specifically against snakes. His area records around 30 homicides a year, and I understand that drug growers/manufacturers in the US commonly take extreme umbrage to their business ventures being found.

 

[Tony]

Cor, you guys can make a meal out of all sorts. Don't let this end up being an issue between you lot. I'd also say that it's a different culture in the US than here and we often don't appreciate the differences and impose our own standards and thoughts.

 

[sasquatch]

I've looked at this again and it seems like he was actually clearing the plot of potentially deadly snakes. Looks like the boots he is wearing are snake proof boots, not cowboy boots and he had the .44 on him exactly for the job of dispatching snakes in the area.

In late July, Conrad Greene, of Savannah, was working food plots with a couple buddies on their Screven County hunt club near Cooperville. They were checking some fruit trees when Travis Timms, of Savannah, almost stepped on this enormous eastern diamondback rattlesnake.


In the picture shown it's not actually our good ol boy Conrad that shot the snake though; 'Nick Kearns, of Savannah, displays the 6-foot, 6-inch Screven County rattlesnake.'

I know you're a specialist on this subject so if you reckon they're snake boots I'll believe you, but the ones I've seen go higher than that. I just figured he was out doing a bit of work on the land and happened across it. Unfortunately a lot of people have the attitude to shoot at anything they don't understand in some places...if it didn't rattle and was trying to get away from me I'd feel very lucky indeed to have witnessed such a majestic beast at a close range safely!

To be honest I didn't even read the title properly but I read the post. I'd have to agree with British Red there's nothing wrong with carrying a piece in the wilderness where it's allowed. It's common place and the gun can't be blamed, just the tit at the wrong end of it. Even if I had a gun and was bitten by a rattlesnake I doubt very much I'd shoot it, I'd be off to try and get antivenon as soon as possible. It's just one of the risks you take in the outdoors. I can remember pick up trucks with gun racks in the back window when I was a kid in Canada, in the days when nobody locked their house or cars. Imagine what would happen now if somebody tried that!

 

[JonathanD]

"Snakeproof boots eh? So snakes only bite up to mid-calf then?

Pretty much when surprised or trodden on... yes. A snake of that size if tormented could and would strike higher, as well as certain elapids like cobras and mambas, but all in all, in viper country, those boots cover the hit area. Unfortunately though, there are weaknesses between the plates and flex points, so not 100% effective at all.

Sasquatch. They do look like snake boots. Not 100% that they are, but I have some similar. You can get them all lengths. Anything longer than top of calf is overkill though.

 

[BOD]

What force can a viper bite with compared to elapids? Go through leather/cordura?

 

[JonathanD]

What force can a viper bite with compared to elapids? Go through leather/cordura?

Bite force in snakes is relatively low. Strike force though is high and a viper can easily go through thick boots. Gaboon vipers can have fangs that are 2inches long and it is no problem for them to penetrate hard leather. Elapids have shorter fangs and most are too short to penetrate thick hard boots. The larger species though certainly could, but not with the same penetration as a viper.

GABOON & RATTLER...

MAMBA & COBRA...

 

[Biker]

Pretty much when surprised or trodden on... yes. A snake of that size if tormented could and would strike higher, as well as certain elapids like cobras and mambas, but all in all, in viper country, those boots cover the hit area. Unfortunately though, there are weaknesses between the plates and flex points, so not 100% effective at all.

I bow to your wisdom sir.

I'd still prefer to stand of Southey's shoulders though, and with my trousers cuffs tucked in my socks too!

Nope don't have a phobia of snakes, had an 9ft python draped over my shoulders once, twas fascinating.

I think the biggest issue of this thread is the casual way he just blasted the thing, that seemed so callous.

 

[JonathanD]

I bow to your wisdom sir.

I'd still prefer to stand of Southey's shoulders though, and with my trousers cuffs tucked in my socks too!

Nope don't have a phobia of snakes, had an 9ft python draped over my shoulders once, twas fascinating.

I think the biggest issue of this thread is the casual way he just blasted the thing, that seemed so callous.

Using Southey is a wise move. I wouldn't trust those boots.

 

[British Red]

Cor, you guys can make a meal out of all sorts. Don't let this end up being an issue between you lot. I'd also say that it's a different culture in the US than here and we often don't appreciate the differences and impose our own standards and thoughts.

Worry not Tone, I think we are all being civilised - I have nothing but respect for Jon and Bod. I was originally very surprised with the prevalence of handguns in US hunting - but when some wise people explained the use both in terms of them being much better for administering cop de grace and also because of some large and dangerous predators it made complete sense to me.

I think we all violently agree that this guy killed a magnificent reptile that was no threat - with all that implies!