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How do you protect yourself when travelling?

ScottGScottG Administrator Posts: 5,548
edited November 2019 in Camping & Travel
The recent discussion about the camping couple murdered in Texas has generated some interesting commentary about personal protection. Responses are anonymous so you will not tip your hand by participating. For simplicity, poll options have been left deliberately broad.

You welcome to elaborate on your personal attitudes and experiences if you wish to do so. However, in accordance with forum rules, please refrain from political arguments regarding gun rights or gun control. Comments deemed politically provocative or inflammatory will be promptly deleted.

Which of the following best describes you when you hit the road with your T@B? 

2015 T@B S

How do you protect yourself when travelling? 89 votes

I bring a gun at least some of the time.
31% 28 votes
I don't bring a gun, but I do bring another non-lethal form of protection (such as pepper spray).
14% 13 votes
I don't bring any form of protection, but I think maybe I should.
14% 13 votes
I don't bring any form of protection, and I don't feel that I need to.
39% 35 votes
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Comments

  • CbusguyCbusguy Member Posts: 771
    edited November 2019
    Depends on the planned weekend for us.   If it is on public land or national forest yep.    Harvest host or a developed campground no

    Luck favors the prepared.
    2009 GMC Canyon,   3.7 liter 
    2020 320s Boondock lite, With Lots of mods
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  • rkj__rkj__ Member Posts: 641
    edited November 2019
    I camp with my dog friends. They are typically very alert of approaching people or animals. They can sound rather unwelcoming when strangers approach. 
    2016 T@b 320 CS-S - 2018 GMC Sierra - St. Catharines, Ontario, Canada
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  • ezusmanisezusmanis Member Posts: 20
    Developed campgrounds, no. Boondocking, yes. 
    2019 T@B 400 BD Lite / '95 4WD GMC Yukon
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  • VernaVerna Member Posts: 6,878
    My little Sunny Day, a Shih Tzu, has stood between myself and two different men. One I knew was a threat, the second I thought he was OK, but I left the area with the second one because my dog had better taste in people than I do 😂
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 3,942
    With the knowledge that crime rates in the US have declined for years.  Since local news stories hype mayhem, we only imagine crime is increasing.



    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • ChanWChanW Member Posts: 3,160
    Good point @pthomas745. Thanks for that.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • HellFishHellFish Member Posts: 21
    Crime rates decreasing overall is, of course, a good thing.  And, now days the media tells you about crime everywhere, so it can seem that there is more than there actually is.  On the other hand, decreasing crime rates didn't help those two campers recently murdered in Texas.  Their crime rate spiked suddenly...so we get back to the question of what one can reasonably do to avoid their fate.
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  • rfuss928rfuss928 Member Posts: 1,015
    “Do not stop thinking of life as an adventure. You have no security unless you can live bravely, excitingly, imaginatively; unless you can choose a challenge instead of competence.” - Eleanor Roosevelt



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  • BaylissBayliss Member Posts: 1,357
    I carry a concealed handgun in states (including state and national parks) where I am able to do so with my concealed weapon permit.  The biggest bummer for me moving from California to Arizona was losing my California CCW license.  Not easy to get, so it was hard to give it up.  I also stay current on the concealed carry laws. 
    2019 T@B 320 S Boondock Lite; 2007 Toyota Tundra 4x4
    (Alde: 3020; Refrig: Isotherm Cruise 65 Eleg; Battery: BB 100Ah LiFePo4; Solar: Renogy 100Ah Suitcase; Victron BMV-712; Pwr Cntr: PD-4135KW2B; EMS: PI-HW30C)
    Greg & Marlene (Tucson, AZ)


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  • CbusguyCbusguy Member Posts: 771
    @pthomas745  I disagree with your fbi reports.

    Theft is at an all time high.     Our local LE  has stop taking theft reports for minor theft or damage.     Had my aluminum down spouts stolen called to get a report take for insurance purposes.   the responding LEO wouldn't take a report.    Son had a car window knocked out to get his book bag.    Responding LEO didn't create a report.    Daughters car was unlocked and ransacked again no report taken.    Kids rolled down the street shooting out windows with a bb gun,  no reports taken.    

    I am not sure about the dollar amounts but locally they won't take a theft or property damage report unless it is a big ticket item.

    I imagine that the hyper policed and gated suburban enclaves are safe enough but for the rest of us,   not so much




    2009 GMC Canyon,   3.7 liter 
    2020 320s Boondock lite, With Lots of mods
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  • ChanWChanW Member Posts: 3,160
    Heh! I hope I wouldn't consider theft a reason to use a firearm. That would be pretty extreme.
    Sounds like your police department needs a refurb.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • CbusguyCbusguy Member Posts: 771
    refurb or are they simply over whelmed?  I believe the second is the case.       It is worse now than it has ever been. 
    2009 GMC Canyon,   3.7 liter 
    2020 320s Boondock lite, With Lots of mods
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  • pthomas745pthomas745 Moderator Posts: 3,942
    I understand the point about underreporting.  So, how do you describe the drop in violent crimes? 
    2017 Outback
    Towed by 2014 Touareg TDi
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  • ScottGScottG Administrator Posts: 5,548
    ChanW said:
    Heh! I hope I wouldn't consider theft a reason to use a firearm. That would be pretty extreme.
    ...
    Not only would it be extreme, but almost certainly not legally justified either. Plan on some quality prison time if you pop someone for trying to pilfer your Weber Q.
    Deadly force is only defensible in cases of eminent bodily harm. And, in many states, only if you can not safely retreat from the threat.
    2015 T@B S

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  • DougHDougH Member Posts: 1,110
    Except under Texas 9.42.  Not morally justifiable, but legally justifiable even if a naer-do-well is running away from your RV with your Weber Q.  But only at night.  Texas. 
    2021 Jeep Gladiator, 2021 tiny toy hauler, Austin TX
    Former steward of a 2017 T@B S Max

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  • ScottGScottG Administrator Posts: 5,548
    edited November 2019
    Yeah, for some reason I was thinking Texas when I added the qualifier "almost certainly..."
    I don't think I'll be T@bbing in the Lone Star State too soon, but I'll keep this in mind if I get there. I do really like my Q!  ;-)
    2015 T@B S

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  • HAWAIIANTABHAWAIIANTAB Member Posts: 18
    With only boondocking available on my island. County and state parks off limits to RVs due to homelessness I only have motion detectors and pepper spray and will try to camp in groups for security and social reasons.  Too bad that the world has become so dangerous for us who just wanna live simple and enjoy nature. 
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  • cbarnhillcbarnhill Member Posts: 330
    I travel With friends. 
    Cindy with my 2015 MaxS (Puppy) and my 2015 Subaru Outback (Boo)
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  • CbusguyCbusguy Member Posts: 771
    @pthomas745 same goes for violent crime.   The area of town I live in is in transition.    The Hip crowd are gentrifying neighborhoods and forcing the poor out the locations they used to live.    We are lucky enough that as people sell their houses they become rentals and the low income poor move in and bring their problems with them.   

    This group does not trust LE and will not call them ever.    




    2009 GMC Canyon,   3.7 liter 
    2020 320s Boondock lite, With Lots of mods
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  • coylizardcoylizard Member Posts: 8
    While solo camping, wilderness camping, and boon docking, I've come across a good number of unusual individuals...
    some of which have been concerning.

    In remote areas where there is little or no chance of professional law enforcement coming to one's assistance, I openly carry a .32 revolver on my hip, pack a six inch hunting knife on my belt, and have plenty of bear spray at the ready.
    For pesky critters who are not dissuaded by any of the aforementioned, I have a pistol gripped twelve gauge Mossberg shotgun loaded with one ounce slugs available.

    Unusual, concerning, or down right irritating, people (unfortunately) often times represent wrongdoing and misdeeds.

    While frequently on alert, I never really feel threatened... only tempted.
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  • dragonsdoflydragonsdofly Member Posts: 1,927
    @coylizard, X2!
    2017 t@b sofitel(Dr@gonsFly)TV 2015 Silverado 2500hd(Behemoth). Wyandotte, Michigan.
    Draco dormiens numquam titilandus.
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  • RatkityRatkity Member Posts: 3,770
    I also travel with a service dog. A very large German Shepherd named Rocket. He loves everyone, but when working, he's pretty stoic. At 10 mo, he's 83 lbs! He's going to be as big as his Daddy.

    2017 820R Retro Toy Hauler from 2015 Tabitha T@B from 2009 Reverse LG Teardrop (but a T@Bluver at heart)
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  • VernaVerna Member Posts: 6,878
    @Ratkity, he is so handsome!  You have the best protector of all...but Sunny Day might beat him on noise detection😂
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • ChanWChanW Member Posts: 3,160
    @Ratkity, beautiful pup!
    Makes me want to find a young and healthy pooch,v to 'replace' our slightly demented and going deaf Shepherd mutt...
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • VernaVerna Member Posts: 6,878
    @ChanW, but you can never “replace”, you can “acquire” another because no other dog will fill those paw prints left on our hearts.
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • ecyfotoecyfoto Member Posts: 83
    I carry what I call my idiot stick. It's a T-ball sized aluminum bat. Light, handy and hard. Hope I never need to use it.
    2019 T@B 400 Silver/Black
    2018 Chevy Colorado Z71 Duramax oil burner
    Tampa, Florida
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  • ChanWChanW Member Posts: 3,160
    Yes @Verna. Makes me sad just seeing the word!
    No way to even think about it at this point... We have to reject those thoughts until it's unavoidable.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • ChanWChanW Member Posts: 3,160
    @ecyfoto, around here it's smart to carry a big stick for the Eastern coyotes. Multi purpose, I suppose.
    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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  • VernaVerna Member Posts: 6,878
    @ChanW, I always carry a walking stick when walking Sunny Day in AZ. Those coyotes are far too used to humans and love their small dogs....unfortunately.  It seems that some people think it’s fun to feed the wild coyotes which make them less afraid of all humans. 
    Verna, Columbus, IN
    2021 T@B 320S  Boondock “The T@B”
    Towed by a white 2019 Ford F-150 4x4 Supercab, 3.5L V6 Ecoboost “The Truck”
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  • ChanWChanW Member Posts: 3,160
    edited November 2019
    @Verna ... Small dog treats! I know someone who lives in a Phoenix suburb whose pug was eaten by a coyote in their back yard. In AZ are they still the scrawny skitterish Western coyotes that I've known so well in the past?
    From what I've read, around here in Western NY, the Eastern coyote is more aggressive and larger. I believe I saw one dashing across the road one evening. Very fast. Larger than a large German Shepherd. We hear them all the time now, most nights, much more often than 10-15 years ago. We're in farm country. I've read that they're aggressive enough to stalk people.
    I don't know if my geezerly, broken-down (medium size) pooch would be a temptation to them when I'm hiking, so I try to carry a big stick. I don't think it's worth all that's involved, training, etc,  to carry a firearm.

    Chan  -  near Buffalo NY
    2014 S Maxx
    2011 Tacoma 4cyl ... edit: 2022 Tacoma 6cyl - oh yeah! 

     A_Little_T@b'll_Do_Ya
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