Outdoor Adventure USA

In another post, the question was asked what to do if, while out on the trail one comes across people plinking in a non legal area. (Other questions were presented as well and will be addressed.) I suppose there are no easy answers. My main thought is if I see people drinking and shooting, I will vacate the area immediately. In my opinion, there is no reasoning with a drunk and I will not take a chance of gunplay if it can be avoided.

Second, I am not wearing a badge, nor am I a ranger. Even if I think or know someone is shooting in a non-legal area, unless it is directly and immediately affecting my safety, I move on with a wave at most. It is up to the appropriate authorities, who are paid to handle this situation. Approaching a group of people to inform them that they are shooting in a restricted area is not my job. If they get arrested for illegally discharging firearms, that is there problem. Hence, I see no benefit to playing the Lone Ranger. I might make note of discriptions of people and vehicles to report to the authorities.

On the other hand, I have chatted with other wheelers while on the trail and talk about shooting--where it is legal and where it isn't. No Problem, but to walk up to a group and inform them they can't shoot there--unless it is my private property--no way.

I have seen hunters argue over who shot a deer. I have come across white power groups shooting out in the desert as well as strange communes of people and drug labs. I had a very disturbing run in with a very strange group of people not more than 5 minutes from the 15, looking for the trailhead to Santiago. In my opinion, we are still animals and though society has taken many of our instincts from us, if one has a bad feeling in their gut and/or the hair on the back of your neck stands up, trust your instinct and take appropriate action.

Another issue raised, and relevant is what to do if people are shooting in an unsafe manner and it is affecting your safety. My thought is if your are in a position to leave--do so. I hate stupid people. The next area is what if you are camped and some people are shooting your way and rounds are coming through your campsite. I had this happen twice. What we did is try to access the type of people we were dealing with. Good folks who were stupid or troublemakers. What seemed to work was yelling, not swearing or threatening, that stop shooting, bullets were coming into our campsite. Once you made contact in that manner, people seemed to be apologetic. There are some tactical applications that might be used to help insure safety, but thats another post.

I guess it comes down to a case by case basis. These are some of my thoughts. I would like to hear solutions from others.

Regards, Steve

Steve, I'm very much in agreement with you. An irresponsible (or stupid) person with a gun can easily shoot you by accident while trying to show off to his friends by waving a loaded gun at you. Just vacate the area and hope Darwin will take care of the worst of them.

If you feel you must approach a group of shooters, I'd suggest treating the situation like you would in approaching a wild animal - cautiously, calm words, communicate openly. Of course, I'm not in the habit of approaching wild animals!

As for bullets coming through a campsite, I would also make this known to the shooters, who may not be aware of where you are. But additionally I would be highly motivated to get the authorities to pay them a visit.

I have seen the following method used: Stay a safe distance and address shooters via a PA system. It seemed like a good approach. I better get Larry to wire up a big PA system.

Regards. Steve

I'm quite thankful that this is a question I have never had to put much thought into, though I probably should. While I've run into other people out shooting/hunting many times, I have been fortunate enough that they have always been doing it in a safe and legal manner.

I think the above tactics are right on given the proper conditions (leave, or if in camp shout and make the shooters aware of you), but what happens if they don't hear you over the sound of gunfire and/or the silence of hearing protection? Obviously find cover and leave ASAP, but short of rocks what is effective cover? I haven't really done much research in this, but I do happen to know that your average off the shelf 5.56 (.223) fired from an AR can pass right through the overbuilt axles of a Discovery...

Perhaps, we could use our rigs horn or the PA or an airhorn or even a whistle. I keep a whistle on board my rig, but an airhorn may be called for. They are cheap and readily available. I think this will be a good addition to the rig, and should address this issue.

The best cover I can think of, if a dirt berm is not available, is the front tire of your vehicle. A 5.56 will not go through a block. I may not understand your axle term, but I do not think a standard 193 5.56 will go through a axle--maybe a housing.

I hope others chime in with thoughts, but I will now include an airhorn in my rig.

Regards, Steve

ssc wrote:I hope others chime in with thoughts, but I will now include an airhorn in my rig.

Regards, Steve

Air horns have been my next planned purchase for a couple of months. Dirty Parts is going to have us lined up in his parking lot next week! Larry, get ready for the rush. Put Matt and Tony on stand-by. Maybe you should bring an airhorn and compressor catalog to BorregoFest.

All good points here. A cheap airhorn that is very effective is the handheld air in a can airhorn that small boats often use. It's inexpensive and you don't have to worry about the air tanks in your truck being charged. However, a full fledged train horn would be just the ticket.

Here's a link to the air horns offered at West Marine
http://www.westmarine.com/webapp/wcs/st ... classNum=0