I guess I've moved one step closer to the stereotypical Texan. I bought a pistol.
My boss (who can practice law with one hand on his cell phone and shoot a dove with the other on his shotgun) and the guys at the gun shop all mentioned the possibility of using it against a person, but that didn't enter into my decision to buy it. People rarely give me any trouble. Actually, neither do non-human predators, but I don't have experience dealing with them.
The morning before I bought it, I saw a mountain lion munching on a roadkill deer across the road from my place. That afternoon, I heard it making irritated noises near my home. That settled it. Years ago, camping in Big Bend with three friends, a demon baby circled our tent for about half an hour. I had no idea then what could make that sound, except of course a demonic baby. The current mountain lion didn't make that sound; it sounded more like a bass cat being teased, but I've never felt more exposed.
I hope I don't have to shoot it, but I'd rather have the option available.
Rumors of a 500# russian boar in the vicinity didn't quite inspire me to do more than keep my rifle close by when out and about. The newspaper story of the woman who got attacked by the rabid bobcat didn't even make me consider arming myself. That sound, though, struck a chord deep in my old brain, and I went out the next day and purchased a S&W Sigma .40. Practical and affordable.
My first clip (and the third time ever I fired a pistol) I put 9 of 14 in the kill zone from 10 yards, and on my second I hit 11 with two inside the second bullseye ring. I attribute it to my Welsh ancestry. I look forward to more practice.
My boss (who can practice law with one hand on his cell phone and shoot a dove with the other on his shotgun) and the guys at the gun shop all mentioned the possibility of using it against a person, but that didn't enter into my decision to buy it. People rarely give me any trouble. Actually, neither do non-human predators, but I don't have experience dealing with them.
The morning before I bought it, I saw a mountain lion munching on a roadkill deer across the road from my place. That afternoon, I heard it making irritated noises near my home. That settled it. Years ago, camping in Big Bend with three friends, a demon baby circled our tent for about half an hour. I had no idea then what could make that sound, except of course a demonic baby. The current mountain lion didn't make that sound; it sounded more like a bass cat being teased, but I've never felt more exposed.
I hope I don't have to shoot it, but I'd rather have the option available.
Rumors of a 500# russian boar in the vicinity didn't quite inspire me to do more than keep my rifle close by when out and about. The newspaper story of the woman who got attacked by the rabid bobcat didn't even make me consider arming myself. That sound, though, struck a chord deep in my old brain, and I went out the next day and purchased a S&W Sigma .40. Practical and affordable.
My first clip (and the third time ever I fired a pistol) I put 9 of 14 in the kill zone from 10 yards, and on my second I hit 11 with two inside the second bullseye ring. I attribute it to my Welsh ancestry. I look forward to more practice.
Am I right to assume I've met you, perhaps in portland?
Yeah esozone is coming next year in October, I highly recommend. Another interesting site is irreality dot net. Things are a buzzing over there.