No experience with that particular gun, but it looks like a nice, little .22 cal revolver. I'd like to get a look at one sometime this fall. That front site looks pretty well designed.

probably not a bad idea to have a separate forum for lightweight backpack hunting, in fact several of my friends only ever went backpacking so they could get to where they wanted to hunt until recently

plus people like Ken wont have to get all worked up using capitol letters and such over threads like this...

Ken,

Not everyone in the backcountry with a gun is an idiot. Broad generalization there. In California, where you live, hunting laws are pretty strict with limited days in a season. Also you have a lot of public lands where hunting is not allowed.

Now here in Alabama, deer season for rifles opens Nov 15 and closes on Jan 31. Rabbit is Oct 1-Feb 28. Coon is Sept 1-Feb 28. Squirrel is Oct 1- Feb 28. Turkey is March 15 through the end of April. That pretty much wraps up all the cooler weather. Since most, if not all of our trails are in Management Areas and National Forests whre anyone can hunt with a resident liscense($28) and management area liscense($15) you will have hunters in the woods with you. Unless you want to hike June-Aug when it is 100deg with 95% humidity. I have found most hunters to be nice,smart and safe. They tend to steer clear of trails because people spook game and out of respect to hikers. In Alabama you have to pass a hunter's safetey course before you can obtain a liscense. Yeah sure, you have your idiots. But I'm not so sure they wouldn't call you the same. Its a diverse place this America is. Land of opportunity and freedom.

agreed this is how i got my pops backpacking was to elk hunt were we wanted to. now he loves backpacking

"In Alabama you have to pass a hunter's safetey course before you can obtain a liscense. Yeah sure, you have your idiots."

(sic)

I thought this told a lot.

--B.G.--

"You have your idiots..."

As the late George Carlin said “Just think of how stupid the average person is, and then realize half of [the population is] even stupider!”

Edited by T.L. on 09/21/2011 22:08:07 MDT.

@Adam
The only reason I personally opened and then replied on this thread is because "ultralight revolver" sounded like a jacket name. Could have been a sleeping bag name. In other threads I don't think Helium is to fill up balloons. I replied because I am sheltered and I was genuinely surprised people carry guns on the trails. I thought they were not allowed on the trails because I have seen "no firearms" signs everywhere then I was told that I made that up and that basically I'm a liar in these words: "I don't think you see those signs on trail in National Forests ,even in California".

My original post was to ask if it's common for people to hunt while backpacking. If anything the hostility came from the nra members toward me. If I just wanted to hijack the thread I would've started with my position on eating animals at all and started in with my vegetarian peta lecture. Marvel at my restraint.

I still don't get it anyway. How can you hunt while backpacking? Do you carry it out or skin it and eat it on the trail then what would you do with the skin? While I don't even eat fish because I think they have feelings, I do believe in survival and I've said many times if in that position I'd rip a dear apart with my bare teeth through my tears so I understand alaska is not a convenient resupply backpacking area and could possibly understand this question if it were posed as such.

PEACE.

Edited by jenhifive on 09/21/2011 23:12:23 MDT.

For what it is worth..... I purchased a S&W .38 caliber Airweight revolver when I first started backpacking, years ago. I had a special leather"fanny pack" that allowed a relatively quick draw. I took it with me a total of 5 or 6 times before I realized that I was far safer on almost any trail than I would be in any metro area.
The downside to a "lightweight gun" is that the mass of any firearm helps to offset the kick of the bullet. Despite many hundreds of rounds shot at firing ranges, my "lightweight gun" never was very accurate, and it was never enjoyable to fire. I sold it and purchased a full-size CZ Arms 9mm pistol that is a joy to shoot. I just feel no need to carry it when I am hiking. I think that it is ironic that the very people who seek out "lightweight guns", outdoors people and women who feel more comfortable handling a lighter firearm, are the very ones who have the least chance of enjoying them. Just my two cents.....

I did not call you a liar by saying that I don't think you see those signs in "NATIONAL FORESTS". I just called you on your generalizations.

"I'd rip a dear apart with my bear teeth"

Sorry, but this is really kinda funny.....

Feed Me!!!!

Removed for violating #1 in our Chat Board message policy.

Addie Bedford
Forum Moderator

Edited by addiebedford on 09/22/2011 08:29:20 MDT.

While we are talking light weight, small caliber, packable rifles, consider the Marlin Papoose.
It is more accurate than the Henry Survival rifle by virtue of the fact that the front and rear sights are both located on the barrel of the Papoose. That way you don't lose adjustement when you take down the rifle.
The barrel has a nut that threads onto the reciever.
Mine packs into it's floatation case but can also be packed in two pieces; stock and reciever measure 20 inches, barrel is 16 inches.
The whole rifle is 3 lbs.
I am an amateur rifleman having only shot paper targets, yet i have no problem hitting within the #3 bullseye ring of a Pistol target at 75 yards with the open sights.
As for reliability, I have 3000 rounds through my Papoose now and each time i dis-assemble it to clean I find no wear.
The semi automatic mechanism does not like some brands of ammo but CCI, Federal, and the big names all shoot smooth as silk through this little pea shooter.

....

@adam. thanks for the tips on carrying a pistol. could you elaborate a little more on their (im)practicality? im guessing that lack of range for your intended target (coon, squirrel) is enough, or are there other factors?

your ruger sounds sweet(weight? if you dont mind,of course), but i hear the Henry Survival rifle is a little buggy (never used it, tho)

@matt: that papoose is nice, too. seems to combine the best features of both the 10/22 and the Henry

Frank furt, your point in posting a photo of an outdated sign is?

Threads like this puzzle the hell out of me.
Firstly here in Australia we have very few revolvers/pistols except in pistol (range) shooting clubs. Carry one on your person in the street or in the bush and expect lengthy incarceration if it is seen.
We do have a lot of rifles but nowhere near the number per capita as the US I believe.
I for more than 20 years had a rifle and along with a farmer friend used to often shoot kangaroos for pet meat. More bulk slaughter by spotlight than "hunting". I also have stalked 'roos on foot in daylight on my father in law's farm for dog meat and some stewing meat. I have also shot foxes, rabbits, crows and cats.
Kangaroos while they grow quite large are actually very fragile creatures as to the placement of their vital organs. The heart, lungs etc are in a relatively unprotected part of the body and they are therefore much easier to shoot than most animals of comparable size. They still take a decent caliber or excellent placement to kill humanely.
I have stated all this to make clear that shooting things is something I am not unaccustomed to.
I just can't understand the idea of hunting with a revolver.
They are as inaccurate as all hell, generally low powered and difficult to sight. You certainly would be committing an act of cruelty to try and shoot a bear or deer with one. To my mind the only creature a revolver is useful against is a human. If hunting is your thing, then I think you should look at a lightweight rifle, decent knives and sharpening instruments (because if you aint gonna skin it, why shoot it?) and take it and the rest of your not so light backpack somewhere well away from the popular hiking trails.
I accept that when I go to the AT, some of my fellow hikers will carry guns. I hope they keep them out of sight and get a sense of safety that justifies the weight penalty they accept by carrying it.
I hope not to meet up with other hikers who are carrying a gun for the "sporting opportinity".

So, a completely new non-member posts a self-acknowledged provocative post about firearms, just like a number of other recent threads: call me a cynic, but aren't there companies that provide this kind of service to special interest groups?

I detect nothing NRA-like in the OP's question. An NRA troll would would use keywords like Constitution and Rights to make a point.

What is even more disheartening to me than threads about firearms, is the idea " I am right and better and want peace so therefore I can post nonsensical/ grossly generalized/ incorrect statements".
Like I already stated, I don't like firearms , but some of the "my sensitivities are offended" posts actually just hurt the cause.
Even if you think you are 100% right, you still shoud make valid, substantiated arguments.

Edited by Kat_P on 09/22/2011 07:30:55 MDT.