Randy, my remote camping days are over. I’m an RV’er now, but my answer is still YES. I always carry, even when RV’ing. Caveat: I have a NC CC permit, and the campgrounds I go to allow permit holders to carry. I’m an options guy, and it’s good to have options.
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lol depends on where, in my state … SOME areas (on the east half of the state) I wouldn’t risk “unauthorized” range time even in the woods…
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Yes, I carry while camping. I also carry my Kukri blade and I tie my food and garbage at least 15 feet in the air.
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Yes I would carry camping. I bought a Ruger GP100 .357 6" stainless for that very purpose…and 2 speed loaders to boot. I figure that covers anything…like lions and tigers and bears…OH MY!!! 
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Depends on where you are going, for how long, what season, mode of transportation, company, local laws/regs… What’s the right tool for the job? Do you know how many handgun rounds a full grown brown bear or bison can take while still closing distance to you at 30mph? There are lighter weight and more effective skills that help you avoid confrontation in the wild without a gun. That said, then take what you have trained with prejudice and makes sense for the mission.
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For sure I would. Obviously it depends on where and how you’re camping but even then just carry. Because if you don’t, you’ll wind up looking like you’re from my neck of the woods with the movie Wrong Turn becoming a reality and wishing you had something
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Funny movie I saw it.
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I know its not camping per say, but it is definitely related to this thread. No matter where you are, stay prepared and stay alert. Thank god the boy is ok physically.
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I live in interior Alaska. Carrying weapons on camping and hiking trips is not only common but recommended. Heavy caliber handguns and shotguns are recommended. Top of the food chain is sometimes in dispute, and 2- legged predators can occasionally be a problem.
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Doug, i like the comment “top of the food chain is sometimes in dispute”…i want to take my mrs to Ak, on my bucket list, and fish for a few days. I caught a big salmon on the Kenai, years ago, was a rush! Loved Soldotna!!!
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Glad you had a good time. I’m originally from Pennsylvania but now have lived in Alaska almost as long as I did in PA.
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NOT Specifically camping, but I live in a very rural area. The last month has been very dry, ground just crunchy. Larger animals, Elk, cougars, bears coming down out of the hills looking for food and water.
Withing the last week there have been 3 separate/different cougars within a one mile radius of my place. We know this by their killing patterns. One rancher lost 3 sheep in 2 weeks, another two one sheep each the last 10 days. Everyone carrying arms when surveying their property. Also had 3 bears come down within a mile and a couple miles up the road a herd of maybe 25 large Elk are scavenging fields for food.
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Help is a long way away, especially if you have no cell service. So it is only prudent to carry.
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Great topic.
I really like the “ spray ” idea, though worried about it being too “close quarter” of combat against a large animal, plus what if it’s windy or gets on me
I’m very interested to learn more from others about “ lighter weight and more effective skills that help us avoid confrontation ” (like citizendo shared 
), as an animals’ speed and adrenalin are literally super-human
What do you all think about this ammo as a woods-gun caliber?: Underwood or Lehigh brand of Xtreme Penetrator, in .357 magnum
Do you all prefer shot-gun or rifle?
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I think caliber is going to be location specific… Alaska-- bears, a large caliber. Kansas-- coyotes, 9mm great
I’d be more concerned about 2 legged predators…they are less likely to be afraid of you and less likely to run from you.
In the trailer I keep a tactical shotgun with a 6 or 7 shot load.
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Underwood is the bomb digity. It’s what is in my carry gun, my home defense .357 mag, and I carry 180 grain Underwood hardcast during deer season. Of course, it helps the Underwood facility is only a 1/2 hour drive from me. I just go over and pick it up.
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That just about covers it.
Cheers,
Craig6
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Thanks PAC, you lucky dog. I happened to have ordered one small box which arrived just before the 2020 Pandemic. Another thing I like about em is that the bullets are full copper, not just copper coated, in case God forbid I ever have to shoot an attacking animal when out in camp, there are no remnants of poisonous lead which could be passed onto birds or scavengers, out of respect for wildlife. Carry-on.
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I spend a lot of time outdoors camping, hiking, mostly working. I am generally not concerned with 4 legged critters though with the drought and fires in the West the chance of running into a starving or sick animal has me slightly more concerned than usual. Bear spray is generally more effective then a gun in most situations. I rarely carry it when not in grizzly country but have been carrying it more lately working on ranch land with bulls. Had a group of 20+ surround me last summer which was a little unnerving. Most bear charges are bluff charges (have experienced this first hand with black bears) so the spray is a good tool for not escalating the situation and can be effective against feral dogs as well though I have never had to spray an animal yet. Usually just talking to them calmly and backing away slowly works the best. Have had to yell, charge and throw rocks on a couple of occasions with dogs and aggressive bears that had been habituated to humans.
Have also had several sketchy encounters with 2 legged critters in the backcountry so do carry for that reason when allowed to.
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Comes down to the legality of open carry in camp as well as what sort of camping you’re doing,
Car camping a .44 revolver is do-able but back packing requires something lighter—a lot lighter.
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