How Are You Protecting Yourself While Camping?! 

I do not care what the laws say When I camp I make ABSOLUTELY certain I am adequately equipped to ensure the safety and survival of myself and if with my loved ones as well.

As a commercial backcountry wilderness guide for 10+ years. People would always ask, "What's the most dangerous part of guiding?" I would always say, "Humans." Safe travels everyone.

I have participated in camping for over 60 yrs. now and I cannot remember ever going camping without a firearm. Over the last 50 yrs., I not only carried a firearm, I always had a dog with me as well. On my most current camping trip, I was accompanied by my wife (who also carries a firearm) and my Boxer that weighs in at 115 lbs. I definitely agree that you should be ready to protect yourself while camping. There's a lot of predators out there that can and will do you harm...the most dangerous of them all is humans.

You demonstrated the number one item in self protection, situational awareness, well done.

Not having a firearm when camping? That’s like not having water! Glad y’all were aware and proactive. Damn fentanyl is everywhere.

Looking into that Byrna… I highly appreciate you for posting this video. You are 1000% in regards to never trusting the area where you camp and always be ready! Thank you so much

-- Pending where I am and what season, I always have a Mossberg 12g and a Glock 19 on hand. My daughter is 7, attends private military academy (never send my children to public schools) so she's certified with AR platforms and getting there with pistols (final beginners course next year). I don't go anywhere unarmed. And I always go with a couple teammates and their families (save state campgrounds which I find safe enough - least the ones around here). I'll ask RU-vidrs that do off the grid camping (there's a bunch of them) questions. How much does your kit weigh, what brand is this, that, etc. They're happy to answer until (especially the women that go out alone) I ask them what sort of firearm do you carry for protection. Half of them don't answer (in such a manor that leads me to believe they're not carrying), the other half say, 'A gun? Oh, heavens no I don't carry.' Of course I carry in bear country too, but 99 percent of the time if you encounter an aggressive bear, you've done one or multiple things wrong, or, you're out during the wrong time of the season. Had more problems with people similar to your experience than aggressive animals. Good advice you have there, thumbs up. But I'd stress, off the grid camping requires a buddy system (you have it) and the correct firearms. If I can't camp in an area because it doesn't allow firearms, most of the time I don't camp there. Sometimes I just break the law (don't recommend that). I'd rather be alive than dead.

First, I never camp where I am prohibited from possessing my firearm. Secondly, I have equipped my truck with auxiliary lighting front and rear. The lights come on and illuminate the entire space, 360 degrees, when I push the lock or unlock button on my key fob. I always position my truck so that it will light up camp in all directions. Always put the key fob in the same place for easy access. I also keep a small but bright tactical light near my firearm. Thankfully, I've had to use all of this once to run off a curious bear that took shelter under my camper in the middle of a nighttime thunderstorm.

Moral here? Don’t do any solo camping or backpacking. I backbacked on the Old Chimney Trail in Great Smoky Mountains with a friend. Set up camp at a lean-to as darkness encroached. It began to rain. A stranger entered camp. He was wearing a garbage bag serving as a rain parka. He also had on cutoff blue Jeans and Converse basketball shoes. Me and my friend got the impression this guy was an escaped prisoner or someone on the run from the law. At any rate, no sleep because we had to keep our eyes on this guy as well as keep our knives handy. At dawn we ate some oatmeal and broke camp, continuing our hike into Gatlinburg where we finally got a good nights rest at a Holiday Inn.

Go with your gut feeling. If or when camping and there is a group that is close by and they are loud and most likely drinking. It is best to move camp. Do not get discouraged going camping. You can have great time. Just make sure you are aware of your surroundings and keep a weapon of some sort close. Get out doors, just be smart about it.

You got really have really good descalation skills and avoided conflict really well. Excellent lesson and thank you!

That is crazy dude. Way to stay diligent and aware of those around you. Prayers that the officers recover. And I’m gonna need one of those NDK hats you were wearing. Just bring it to the next ALC.

Well done sir👏🏻 I carry my blade at all times. Even in my swim trunks at the beach. Becasue you never know what you will encounter, and when. Thanks for this video!

My daughter's used to think it was funny that I never went camping without a pistol under my pillow. Now that they're older they understand.

There was a time I was crazy enough to hike and even camp without a firearm. Not anymore.. can't believe I used to camp like that, bad idea. The number of druggies, psychos and crazy people has skyrocketed

Thanks for making me aware of Byrna. Had never heard of them before I saw this video.

Wow, that's crazy! I've been thinking about getting my wife and I each a Byrna. Seen the reviews on them and they are nice. Right now, in gun free camping zones, I have an old Tippman paint ball gun set at 405 fps. with a 14 in. barrel. Works great on coyotes. With that said, I still have my EDC. I'll never go without it. Especially on land my taxes pay for.

Area alarms can be useful. Even the cheap battery-powered motion detector lights can do a lot to enhance your peace of mind and are not too heavy to pack in. Honestly, I would have called Security Forces immediately after the first interaction. Eglin is a place where lots of fun stuff is done. (I know....) Random folks just wandering about could be anything from junkies to spys to terrorists. When they didn't know about the pre-use brief is when they needed to have a talk with the motivated 19 year old with an M-4. And his/her friends... And "Fluffy" the fur-missile, who is the bestest of doggos... For what it is worth, I think you did well. Choose the engagement zone. Defuse any issue. Keep alert. Less lethal is better than nothing, but I have a deep distrust of the effectiveness of those systems. I have health issues, so I don't think going hand-to-hand would go well for me now. If you come to the San Antonio area, there are some nice MWR areas. Glad y'all were safe.

Wow as a single woman camping by my self, I was thinking about my safety today as I was doing research on gun laws in other states. I think that non lethal gun might do the trick for me. Thanks for the information.

In this day and age, I would never go anywhere alone, especially into the woods. I lock my doors and say my prayers at night and during the day if I have to go out, I wear a whistle around my neck and I always look under the cars to see if someone is hiding there, I’m afraid of animals like bears wolves and deer. Watch yourself.

I would never camp without the real thing...wife and I always take pistols and keep an SBR within arms reach. Unfortunately camping isn't safe like it was "back in my day" and I've had too many strange things happen to take chances with my life and those around me

Thank you sir for the video information as well as the weapon options on protecting yourself. Here recently I've been doing alot of solo camping and this has definitely been on my mind. As well as setting perimeter alarms around camp.

Just so you know - my moment of subscribe was the shinobi line. Perfect. Love the idea of mixing up those projectiles to create a cocktail of pain.

Wow that was crazy. Glad to hear everyone was OK 👍 hopefully those officers are OK. Perfect way to think. I'm the former warrior on a boat trying to grow a garden. Wait.... I might have jumped out of too many airplanes ✈

The Byrna gun may be an option for shop owners that don't want to or are not legally allowed to keep a gun in the store too.

Yeah...we have Fentanyl problem up here in Northern Canada. The Police issue warnings to people, that they wipe down their own Shopping Carts at the Grocery stores, cause addicts, who touch the grocery cart push bars, leave that shit on there and have poisoned innocent shoppers.

Well said and true ! I like that device that shoots the different balls , great idea to carry that !

Never heard of a Byrna!! Thank you for putting that out there!!

I’ve carried the tipman version for over a decade. I used to smoke herb and didn’t wanna carry a real firearm cuz that’s a Felony

Well me personally I’m protecting myself anywhere I go with the “Constitutional Republic”. To be more clear the 2nd Amendment 🇺🇸🇺🇸

I’m a veteran and carry naloxone for any one around me that needs it. I tell people if you know anyone with od symptoms to call 911 Everyone should be carrying this. I know the police do. They probably already used it on this officer already but he needed more. God bless you stay safe

Thank you for all the info and for sharing💜

Better to be judged by twelve than carried by six.

Rule number one for us: Never give away your means of protection, where it is located or how you will use it. Not everyone on the internet is your friend. It's fine to speak in generalities but never give specifics. I like to play "what if?" Think about different scenarios that could possibly happen and how you would react. Then practice, practice, practice. Prepare for the worst and hope for the best.

During COVID, I brought my RV out to the woods on a Wednesday in preparation for a weekend outing with my family. I came back on Friday afternoon to find somebody had set up a tent in my camping spot right next to my RV. Not only that, but there were several piles of human feces along the trail to the creek, and used toilet paper scattered all about camp. And they used the firewood I left stacked next to my camper door! Needless to say, I was furious. I dragged the tent up to the roadside so that they would see they were unwelcome before ever entering my campsite again. Unfortunately, it didn't deter them. It was about 11pm and pitch dark when they decided to show up again. It was a young man and a woman, both of them squatters from out of state. And I just so happened to be in their now-empty tent site, happily processing firewood to replace the stuff they burned, with my trusty Gurkha Kukri. One would think it's not a good idea to pick a fight with a strange man in the dark woods miles from nowhere. Especially when he's got a big knife in his hand. But against all odds, these two twits wanted to scream at me for moving their tent and kicking them out of my camp site. After a prolonged, and mind-numbingly stupid verbal tussle, I finally got fed up and flipped my hefty blade around so the tang faced them, and offered them two choices. "Either you two get out of my camp right now, or I do you both a favor and beat you senseless with the blunt end of my Kukri!", I said with enough authority to let them know I was serious. Now mind you, that's 1/4 inch of blunt, cold steel and about 3 pounds worth of blade. And they could see it from where they stood, thanks to my headlamp illuminating it. The sharp end would have dismembered them, and I didn't want that kind of trouble. But even the tang of this blade would have left them with broken bones. I had no other option. The argument had gone on for nearly half an hour and they wouldn't leave. They kept threatening me and wouldn't listen when I told them to leave. I couldn't call the police because I was several miles away from cell service. Without another choice and having only a lethal weapon in my hand, I made the decision to make a less lethal, but still very serious threat. In the end, it chased them off. But they weren't done with me yet. Later in the night when I had gone to sleep, they snuck back into camp and slashed the tire of my truck. In the end it was only a minor setback. Just me having to swap in my spare so I could get back to town. The tire shop I bought the tires from replaced it for free, so at least I wasn't out any money. But ever since that time I keep my Kukri close by. And a Sub-2000 hanging just above the door inside my camper. Because there definitely will be times when you're camping and you can't call for help.

Damn, I would've thought crank heads would've stuck to more populated areas.😂 Shame there's no permit for that😂👌 Also, I know you do outdoor content, but Phil needs inside my dude😂 it makes it hard to comprehend and plus I keep thinking someone's parking behind me or something like that😅

Bro glad you didnt get to their camp that could of been you! Stay safe out there!

I must say we carry if not on us it's in our rig. But we do carry Bear Spray of course depends where we're camping. Both carry knives. Appreciate this insight; never thought about this type of protection.

We are living in a scary times, we have no idea of who is around ourselves or comes around at night. their is always an odd ball, a person or two looking to do harm.

I absolutely agree with other comments about basically not stepping foot in an area that will not allow me to legally carry my firearm, which has been my constant daily companion for about the last 13 yrs now. ALSO, personally, I don’t plan on shooting any projectile, at anybody, which is not a lethal projectile, more than likely made of lead. Just sayin…

Wise words indeed, but one correction: the TSA will NEVER let you take a Byrna or any pepper spray device on a plane. Not in a million years.

Thank you for the recommendation on the Byrna, I've been looking for an option like this

I am always armed when we camp. Our two dogs camp with us - Cane Corso and a Staffordshire. You will not sneak up on our campsite.

Wow I feel like I just watched a 7 minute commercial, thanks for sharing

Mr Smith and Mr Wesson make great camp ground protectors! Mr Colt does too!

It's a shame that we need to be armed just to have a peaceful camping trip. The world has definitely changed.

I'm sure criminals will follow any gun prohibition rules just like law abiding citizens.

You have to be ready to defend yourself

Bro, I'm solo camping in the mountains of Alabama and I finally found a fantastic clearing to park and I'm getting all my gear organized to set out and pick a campsite and I was completely caught off guard by this heavyset, bearded fellow, throwing out a well placed "running through the dark, like Shinobi" Bro, I want to film short parody recreation of yo Jimbo starring all actors with thick Appalachian accents and call it "YO!!! Jimbo!!

Always True Words Im An Air Force Brat And Brought Up To Always Keep Protected even With Jesus And Guardian Angels Smart Weapons Not Deadly HarshLooking for Trouble

Can take that byrna on a plane but TSA gets to keep my 2.5” folding pocket knife 😂😂

Man thats crazy , thank you for thie video

Great video! I always wonder how to do this effectively while motorcycle riding/camping

Pretty sad you can't even camp anymore without worrying about some idiot, possibly, harming you or your family!!

So he didn't have a permit huh? LOL The fact that these people were out there with heroin, crack, fentanyl is crazy! I always carry a small monocular night vision (@$100 and half the size of a bar of soap) and it works pretty dang well for situations like you were in, to see trailers or other scouts that were not carrying a flashlight like that crackhead was. Stay safe and thanks for the video.

Never try to commit crimes on Federal Land!

You can take the BRYNA in your checked in luggage but you can’t “take it on a Plane.” Stay safe folks!

Having both a Boerboel and an Anatolian Shepherd backed up by both Smith & Wesson and Armalite Rifle model 15 helps

I carry a Byrna at work. Piece of mind

Awesome.

I protect myself by not going. Too vulnerable in a tent and sleeping bag. If I were to go, I’d go with a medium size group of people and a firearm.

I use a luggage lock on the inside of my tent and keep the pewm pewm always 😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫😵‍💫 or wasp spray 😂 I’d rather get in trouble for having it than be in a situation(oh wait air force base you really can’t.. well then WHYTF ARE THESE WEIRDOS OUT HERE?!)

Good video. Thank you

Sounds like a Jordan Peterson comment? Love it! Sorry I will still carry. I would rather be judged by 12 than carried by 6.

Excellent story. There is one thing I have to say. It is virtually impossible those officers were poisoned by fentanyl. If that were the case, they would have to ingest the substance. That being said, it is likely they experienced a panic attack brought on by the hysteria surrounding fentanyl.

A legally carried firearm. Actually, several of them. I am fortunate to be LEOSA Certified, so I can pretty much carry anywhere in the US. Honestly, even if I weren't LEOSA, I would rather carry illegally and save my life than die at the hands of a bad guy.

Where ever I go, my 1911 comes with me. Yes, I know how to use it. Yes, I practice. That is as vital on a camping trip as is a well stocked first aid kit. Be safe and be prepared, my people!

I carry a 12gauge shotgun. Its acceptable in all jurisdictions, even California and Canada.

Great information.

That s a cool option but what if THEY have a firearm.....The 2nd amendment shouldn't be able to be taylored just because you are on an airforce base. You are still in the woods with Druggies.

If I am in the woods there is a Glock 27 in my pocket and a knife on my belt. Plus, there is 12 gauge in my vehicle. But, I don't camp/hike/on military land.

If i can't carry a firearm in a certain area I'm not going there. They were obviously counting on this.

A black powder revolver is not considered a firearm by the ATF it is considered as a weapon. However, they have very similar ballistics to a .45 ACP. If that's too much, you can get a modified paintball revolver and slugs instead of paintballs. C02 powered and WILL drop someone.

That Byrna is a nice tool. I recommend that you have one in you kit. Along with your .357 magnum.

Cop's walking up to a parked vehicle in the middle of the night is extremely dangerous.

Well, we know the bases aren't safe either now! Thanks for the heads up...

I used to prey on campers years ago. It was a bad time of my life. Breaking into the tent of a solo camper and doing whatever I want… it was a rush, I gotta admit. Burying them in the middle of nowhere along with their gear never to be found… there is some power in that.

And people make fun of me when I carry a gun camping I always tell them it’s not the wildlife it’s the crazy people you run into and help is usually a lot longer away

With the Bryma, would you use the kinetic or pepper rounds? Also, was looking into a more powerful less lethal, and saw the umarex 11 joules. Any knowledge or opinion on that?

I'd rather be judged by 12 then carried by 6

You, the law abiding citizen, are not allowed a gun on a military base. The criminal is allowed. If the criminal is caught the weapons charge will be plea bargained away.

Yeah no tents ever, too easy!

In Florida you can carry as much firepower as you want fishing or camping 🇺🇸👍🏻

Did you tell him he is not welcome near your camp nor any reason for him to come back?

Getting back into hiking after a 25 year hiatus. Plan on carrying a Fanny pack for my pistol, but this is a awkward to get to quickly. Any suggestions on ways to carry while wearing a backpack?

Just before you mentioned it, I was going to suggest the Byrna. I e seen videos in the past and there's always been questions as to whether it's a gun, or not. So, you don't need a CPL to carry this? If memory serves me correctly, I don't think their website talks about this.

I own rec property off grid but not too far from other habitants. Never even thought of going there without a gun. Life is too precious and people/ wildlife are too crazy. And this is Canada.

Years ago I was out camping alone in the deep woods.. and while sleeping in my tent one night I heard some noise outside of my tent in the middle of the night. When I opened the tent and looked.. I saw this dude going through all of my shit! I had no weapon on me and didnt even stop to think if he had one.. I just reacted.. and I ran out of my tent bare ass naked and I tackled him to the ground. We got to throwin' fists around the campfire.. and it was the very first time I ever had to fight a man under the moonlight while completely naked! Well.. at first I was doing pretty good.. and I caught him with a few good shots to the face.. but this guy must have been an ex boxer or something.. as he started to really piece me up.. hitting me repeatedly with jabs, hooks, straight lefts and rights, and landing these big overhand shots that would drop me to the dirt. He was fast asf too.. his punches were so fast his hands looked like a blur! He would hit me 4 or 5 times before I could even swing on him once! He started to really bust me up.. and soon he split me open and I was leakin'.. my lips were split and busted.. my eyes were almost completely swelled up shut.. my nose was broke.. and he had even knocked a few of my teeth out. He was beating the living shit out of me.. at my own campsite.. under the light of the moon.. while the camp fire still smoked with glowing embers. The guy managed to land a hard front snapping kick that caught me right in the balls.. and it dropped me to the ground like a sack of potatoes! The pain was excruciating! It was a hard kick. He must have had steel toe work boots on.. because it felt like both my testicles were ruptured! Now.. I had been hit in the nuts before.. but nothing like what this guy hit me with! When he kicked me I felt a bolt of lightning travel up my spine.. from my nutsack all the way up to my brain stem.. and the pain just made my legs go limp and give out! The pain was just incredible! On a scale of 1 to 10.. the pain was 1000! As I lay on the ground curled up in the fetal position.. holding my damaged nutsack.. the dude flipped me over, got on top of me, and just started to ground and pound me out! I couldnt even defend myself.. as he had both of my arms pinned beneath me! I just had to lay there and take it.. straight to the face. He was just raining down punches and elbows and hammer fist blows straight to my face.. as I lay there pinned down beneath him.. helpless.. and totally defenseless. The guy beat me until I started to see everything go dim.. and then he got up, took a step back, and then soccer ball kicked me right in the head! That was it. That was all she wrote. I was done. That kick to the head turned my TV off.. closed my curtains.. and put my lights right out. When I woke up.. birds were chirping and the sun was just rising.. and when I looked around.. ALL of my shit was GONE! - the guy took EVERYTHING!.. even my f_ckin' tent was gone! All of my supplies.. my gear.. my food.. my clothes and boots.. everything was gone.. and I was left alone.. bruised. battered, busted up, broken and bloody.. and completely naked out in the wilderness. I was in really bad shape.. and I had to hike for my miles through the bush barefoot until I finally came across a young couple out hiking who helped get me to a hospital. I wish I had been protecting myself better while out camping.. never again.. never again.

I learned my lesson when i was 20 i had my wife and kid at campground,and 4 or 5 drunks was partying aat a picnick table 50 yard from us .loud cussing no tents ..long story short i jad to set up all night to watch over my family and epuipment.all i had was a stick .i said never again .il have my firearm all the time .hell with the rules..i stay at campgrounds with a gate and only way in or out is with a code

I wouldn't be camping somewhere that I'm not allowed to have my firearm in my possession.

With firearms! Of course. If firearms aren't permitted, no Campy camp!

I suggest one or more large dogs - there are many breeds that fit the bill - they provide threat detection, alerting, and possible offensive protection.

Good video. I do own a few non lethal protective devices. Such as a Tippman TPX paint ball pistol with two clips loaded with the nylon balls and skull breaker balls (glass balls), it will also shoot all the non lethal .68 caliber round,. Also a Umarex Tommy gun BB gun, semi and full auto ,And an Overlord Paint ball pistol loaded with the same ammo as the TPX. There are numerous non lethal ways to defend yourself if that's your preference. I love camping , but I have always protected myself and my family.

Just curious about the suspect's vehicle. Where was it parked and did they gain access to the camping area by cutting a hole in the fence or by other means? Hopefully the officers came out of it ok. Thanks

I would never ever ever ever camp anywhere without my firearm find another place that allows firearms

I don’t walk onto my porch w/o a weapon…Camping in unknown areas calls for a couple is them😏

Handgun and my 70lb Belgian Malinois always come camping with the family 😁😁

I NEVER go camping or in the woods without my firearms and self-defense or survival equipment. Seen too much in my 70yrs... but I love the outdoors. Why even camp out on Air Force property ? Although, that non-lethal pistol looked interesting. Thanks.

I would never even step foot into an area that I can't carry a gun.

I’ve solo camped since the 1970s. In the 1990s I took several multi-state trips, solo camping without any incidents except a bear sniffing my tent at 3 am. The world has changed. I never camp alone now.