I occasionally see the series "I Was Prey" on I think Animal Planet.

Last weekend the episodes I saw included two attacks by cougars and one by a grizzly.

These stories are told by survivors...no survivor, no feature on the series.

As you might expect...the survivors are pretty well disfigured, scarred, missing appendages, etc., and spent long times in hospitals and went through many surgeries.

Some things jump out as obvious.

First, the victims went out into the wild and into the domain of predators. They chose to be out there "doing their thing." Hiking, running, biking...in areas that are the everyday home of animals that have to hunt and kill in order to survive.

Second, the victims don't have any appreciation of the risk. The attitude is to just go out and enjoy the day, nothing significant will happen to them. They cannot imagine anything bad happening to them worse than maybe a blister, a bump, a bruise, a scratch.

Third, the victims do not expect to be cut off from communications, if they have a cell phone, they might not take it with them, and they have no idea whether it will work if they do carry one.

Finally, considering the lack of thought and expectation of potential trouble, they also often, maybe almost all the time, have no means of self-defense if they were to be attacked by man or beast.

So, since this is a knife forum...what are your thoughts about having and maybe having to use a knife if stuff hits the fan?

OK...I know that a gun makes more sense for self-defense, but in many places that is not allowed. And also, the attitude of many people who go outside for recreation might go against having guns.

But, again, since this is a knife forum...any thoughts along that line?

Larry

Roxborough State Park, Near Denver, April 30, 1998.
Andy Peterson was attacked by a Mountain Lion while hiking back down from Carpenter's Peak.
He backed away slowly, Pack and Coat in front of him, yelling as loud as he could.
The mountain lion pounced and got his paws on each of side of Andy's neck.
Andy used his pocket knife stabbing at the lion, as I recall it was a Swiss Army Knife, and his thumb to gouge the mountain lion's eye.
The mountain lion ran off and Andy survived.
Andy has since started the Mountain Lion Ministry and told his story for a number of years.
I have hiked at Roxborough a number of times, and I do carry a pistol along with a Swiss Army Knife when I do.
Maybe the Sergeant's Model being built in another thread would be the better knife choice.
But, I really do not want the lion to get that close.

My thoughts..."BEYOND A DOUBT", carry a multi-blade...multi-function Swiss Army knife...."INSIDE" the handle of your Model #18 (either blade length)...& your ass is covered!
Stay Sharp,
Capt. Chris

CYAWBH

There is an excellent book 4 Seconds Until Impact by Bruce "Buckshot" Demming documenting many wild animal attacks.

My advise to those wanting to use a knife for defense against such large animals is to use a nice small knife. That way it won't hurt as much when the bear (or whatever animal) shoves it up your butt.

Most folks suggest a firearm which sounds good but I think that a good bear spray is better. The Alaskan Sate Police use UDAP brand bear spray.

In my area,a couple of years ago,over a period of one year,6 folks,while walking their dogs were attacked by coyotes. Three dogs were killed,three injured. And this was in suburbia not the woods.

We have a serious coyote problem here.

Wayne

Wayne--

Good points, all.

My impression is that bear spray can work sometimes. But from stories I see--once the bear has committed to attacking, the spray has no time to affect it, and it cannot be deterred. Something is better than nothing, so I would still want the spray.

(One of the stories about a bear attack said the dead guy had two empty bear spray cannisters nearby.)

But...using spray or anything else takes presence of mind, commitment to "doing something" for self-defense, and manual skill in deploying it. "Having" it does not mean you can and will use it quickly and effectively.

Sort of like the lady who "has" a gun in her home for self-defense, but she has developed no skill in shooting, and the gun is in a drawer "somewhere" in the house, and not anywhere near her as she goes about her daily affairs.

Thanks for the book title. I will look it up.

Larry

Larry,
In all honesty,most folks do not have the savvy or skill to use a large caliber handgun accurately when the popcorn hits the fan.

IN watching one episode of I was Prey,it was of a guy who had bear spray but did not even draw it when he saw the bear coming at him from a distance. Then while he was being attacked could not draw it out.

Bad time to learn fine motor skills for sure!!!

About 16 months ago,I was sitting in my squirrel stand (flat rock with my inflatable LL Bean cushion) and I decided to use my distress squirrel call. No squirrels answered but a coyote came out about 50 ft away and started towards me.

My 22 high powered air rifle would not be up to that task and when it got within 20 ft of me I used my Ruger SP-101 in 357.

I have the tanned pelt in my living room. The coyote was in good health and weighed about 60+ pounds.

And yes,I agree with you about some,probably most folks,once they get their permits,pretty much forget about any further practice.

Even practice with a BB gun or air rifle is beneficial.

I have loaned that book out,but when I get it back,I will PM you and see if you want me to send it to you.

Wayne

Wayne--

Your experience with the coyote is interesting. You apparently were not very camouflaged, not in a blind, yet it came towards you!

Now, maybe you had a squirrel in your pocket? And he wanted to get at it?

They seem to be getting very bold, but I wondered how close it would have gotten to you before realizing you were a person and took off?

But...when you moved it probably should have taken the hint and run!

The title of the book is interesting...if the author says a person has about 4 seconds before contact...that puts the victim at a huge disadvantage.

I would enjoy reading it, and happy to return it whenever.

Larry

P.S.: In our everyday environment among civilized society, there are other similar risks. I collect whatever stories I come across about dog attacks. Might as well be done by a grizzly as by some of the dogs.

https://www.ammoland.com/2023/11/handgun...#axzz8iJwrynnO4

Pap

Mike--

I "think" I had seen that previously. Need to save the link.

A most recent such case was when the hunters were deliberately hunting bears. Without going back to find the article, they were on Kodiak, had a license to kill a boar bear, I don't recall if the bear had already been wounded, but circumstance led to the use of a pistol to kill it.

The study at the link you gave goes to verify that, if needed, a person might succeed in defending themself with a pistol "if" they are trained, "if" they are prepared, "if" they are alert, "if" they have time, and "if" they respond appropriately.

Larry