It Seems Like Call to Arms for Hikers, Backpackers

You’re hiking deeper into the woods, leaving civilization behind. You are finally one with nature.

Or are you?

Around the bend could be a bushwhacker, waiting to take you for everything you’ve got. Down in the valley could be a gang of rowdies looking for trouble. Lurking in the shadows . . . Who knows?

A paranoid attitude? Perhaps. But with crime and violence rising in the backwoods of most states, people aren’t feeling as safe as they once did. And because of this, more seem to be considering packing weapons to bolster their confidence.

A recent informal survey by Backpacker magazine, in its web site (https://www.bpbasecamp.com), asked visitors: Should hikers and backpackers carry guns on the trail?

Response--both to the question and to the responses of others--was heavy, with pro-gunners being the more vocal.

A sampling:

--”I think the problem is with the person who is carrying the gun. It takes a lot of responsibility and also a cool head when you are faced with different situations. It would be better if nobody carried a gun.”

--”The Constitution of the United States affords us the means and responsibility to protect ourselves, our loved ones and our property. Unfortunately, society has digressed to the point where we are no longer secure in our cities, towns and homes . . . and it is creeping into the back country as well.

“As more and more criminals-vermin expand their sphere of crime, we can no longer count on the law enforcement agencies to come to our aid in the time of need. . . . No, the problem is not the person carrying a gun. The problem is the scum of the earth who thinks that I’m just a victim waiting to hand over everything I own, including my life.

“Carrying a gun on the trail may not be for everyone. But don’t deny me my right to carry one.”

--”I’m not a gun nut, I’m not the NRA, I don’t own a pistol or a semiautomatic. But I would never hike into the wilderness unarmed.

“Granted the chances of running into a psycho are slim, but even a slim chance is too much. More than one time I’ve encountered people that made me glad I had a gun in plain view. If it’s only one in 10,000, someone’s got to be that one. It won’t be me.

“Then there’s animals. When you’re a mile off the trail, 10 miles up the trail to the nearest road, and you see a bear cub appear in front of you, you know mamma bear is nearby. You’ll thank God you brought the gun. I know I did.”

--”My favorite camping locale is about to open its hunting season. That necessarily entails the presence of armed people in my beloved woods.

“Unfortunately, many of these people like to imbibe some of our more famous recreational beverages. As a result, sometimes I fear the presence of drunk hunters over curious bears. When my wife and I camp, we are always armed. . . .

“I am not a dangerous man. Weapons are a necessary evil in our society. I did not make the rules.”

--”Think about it! If you were a nut running around the woods, wanting to shoot someone, could someone stop you just because he or she is brandishing a .44 magnum on their hip? They would simply walk up to you and it would be lights out.

“The No. 1 deterrent to crime is a large dog. You see, most people are more fearful of a dog’s bark and possible bite than they are of the possibility that someone is armed and could get to their weapon in time. Next time take Fido along.

“I enjoy solo trips into [the wilderness] and my German shepherd always goes along! Great company and the most loyal defender you will ever have!”

--”That you would even . . . ask this question signifies a deep problem with our “great outdoors.” Here in the Pacific Northwest, I have never seen nor heard of anyone packing a weapon into the back country, including state and wilderness authorities.

“To do what [a pro-gun respondent] proposes would seem to be in direct contrast to the whole spirit of a wilderness experience. I would never consider packing along a weapon myself and if a time ever comes when when I feel it might be necessary, I’d hang up my hiking boots and go find a new activity.”

--”NO WAY!!! I used to hunt (more for the walk in the woods than the shooting), until I saw too many abuses, i.e. poaching, wasting meat, innocent people being shot by mistake, etc. . . . Now we want to carry handguns to protect ourselves? Sounds like we’re taking our urban problems with us into the wilderness. Take this advice and take your chances; forget the guns, go somewhere remote, relax, and get a life.”

FISHING REPORT

Catfish lovers may want to stop at Irvine Lake, where the fishing has been excellent.

Chuck Doucot of Costa Mesa caught a 61-pound 5-ounce catfish and another weighing 52 pounds near Santiago Flats. Just off the island has also been a hot spot, as has the west shore near the upper launch ramp.

Most of the big fish have been caught on mackerel, but night crawlers and chicken livers are also working.

LAKE PERRIS--Lots of 13- and 14-pound bass near the dam and the island, taking mostly salt-pepper, purple plastics and night crawlers. Greg Bradford, Bellflower, seven-pound largemouth near the rock pile along the island, using a six-inch Doc-Craw. Joseph Massey, 6-4 largemouth bass, in east end with an Audio angler.

LAGUNA NIGUEL LAKE--Catfish showing in deep water, mackerel still best bait. Lots of limits near dam. Juan Sanchez, Paramount, 52-pound catfish at Three Pipes on mackerel. Bass bite slower.

SILVERWOOD LAKE--Stripers slow, mostly small, taking anchovies near the dam. Bass action fair near the dam and in the coves with night crawlers. Crappies taking jigs near the dock. Catfish biting everywhere but best in the channel.

GREEN VALLEY LAKE--Fishing fair. Josh Hall, trout of 3-2 and 2-4 on trout teasers. Alpers trout being planted Thursday night, nothing smaller than three pounds and up to 12.

LAKE CACHUMA--Bass and red-ear perch biting best. Red-ear taking night crawlers 22 feet deep on the flats. Bass fishing spotty. Deep-diving crank baits taking some early in the morning. Trollers taking a few trout.

LAKE CASITAS--Bass action slow. Randy Crabtree, Oak View, 17-pound catfish using mackerel at Station Canyon. Biggest bass 8-5.

PYRAMID LAKE--Catfish action excellent, best in the marina with mackerel. Bass bite fair, plastics best in Beartrap and Prazos. Stripers slow.

LAKE PIRU--Bass biting 10-30 feet deep during the day. Bruce Andree, North Hollywood, three- and four-pound bass on spinner with a plastic worm at the north end. Ken Riddle, Reseda, bass limit with total weight of 14 pounds 5 ounces on plastic worm. Trout fishing fair, best with Powerbait and night crawlers, or trolling with needlefish. Some catfish.

CASTAIC LAKE--Bill Henderson, North Hollywood, 11-5 striper on a Henderson Hammer at Upper Lake. William Seymour and Mike Nordenstrom, 9-7 largemouth bass on lower lake on Castmaster. Christina Leach, Castaic, four bass, largest 9-5, on Anglers Choice in the upper lake ski arm. Lower lake yielding bass on lures. Lower lake stocked with trout. Stripers in upper lake taking live shad.

LAKE SKINNER--Largemouth bass biting, best at east end and at the handicap area using rainbow Rapalas and plastics. Stripers hitting plugs at the inlet early mornings, taking anchovies and chicken livers later in the day. Catfish action strong, mainly at dam with mackerel.

EASTERN SIERRA--Bishop: Best fishing late in week with Thursday and Friday plants. Salmon eggs and worms best. Mammoth Lakes area: Good fishing at Crowley Lake at north end. Troll shallow with gold lures. Quality fishing throughout region.

Saltwater

The Times accepts and publishes the catch count as a public service. Any responsibility for accuracy is that of the landing operator.

MORRO BAY--(Bob’s Sportfishing)--13 anglers (1 boat): 70 rock cod, 125 bass.

AVILA BEACH--7 anglers (1 boat): 26 red rock cod, 45 assorted rock cod.

SANTA BARBARA (Sea Landing)--21 anglers (1 boat): 28 calico bass, 23 sand bass, 1 white sea bass, 2 sculpin, 25 mackerel, 5 barracuda, 9 rock fish. (Hornet’s Landing)--7 anglers (1 boat): 48 calico bass, 21 sand bass, 3 barracuda, 2 rock fish, 50 mackerel.

VENTURA--31 anglers (2 boats): 32 calico bass, 21 sand bass, 1 halibut, 76 rock fish, 2 sculpin, 1 ling cod. (Harbor Village)--19 anglers (1 boat): 12 calico bass, 30 rock fish, 1 white fish, 2 sculpin, 1 blue perch.

OXNARD (Cisco’s)--40 anglers (3 boats): 75 calico bass, 3 halibut, 2 ling cod, 239 rock fish, 13 sand bass, 15 sculpin, 6 sheephead, 246 white fish.

PORT HUENEME--16 anglers (1 boat): 55 calico bass, 1 halibut, 43 sand bass, 1 sheephead, 7 ocean white fish, 1 sculpin, 1 blue perch.

MARINA DEL REY--36 (2 boats): 1 barracuda, 100 calico bass, 81 sand bass, 108 sculpin.

REDONDO--52 anglers (2 boats): 10 bonito, 15 calico bass, 48 sand bass, 4 perch, 1 halibut, 44 sculpin, 15 white fish, 1 sheephead, 1 cabezon, 2 sole, 3 rock fish.

SAN PEDRO (L.A. Harbor Sportfishing)--25 anglers (2 boats): 14 calico bass, 13 white fish, 9 bonito, 6 sculpin, 7 sand bass, 3 sheephead, 7 blue perch. (22nd St. Landing)--9 anglers (1 boat):5 halibut, 47 sand bass, 2 bonita, 12 rock fish.

LONG BEACH--40 anglers (2 boats): 19 barracuda, 19 calico bass, 6 sand bass, 36 white fish, 17 perch, 115 rock fish.

SEAL BEACH--22 anglers (2 boats): 21 barracuda, 8 calico bass, 34 sand bass, 4 sculpin, 146 rock fish, 3 ling cod, 53 red snapper, 26 salmon grouper.

NEWPORT BEACH (Newport Landing)--36 anglers (3 boats): 2 sand bass, 35 calico bass, 7 rock fish, 196 sculpin, 34 bonita, 10 sheephead, 1 white fish, 12 blue perch, 25 half moon perch, 80 mackerel. (Davey’s Locker)--78 anglers (7 boats): 95 yellowfin tuna, 6 skip jack tuna, 1 yellowtail, 155 bonito, 54 calico bass, 84 sand bass, 14 sculpin, 3 sheephead, 2 rock fish, 1 mako shark, 1 blue shark, 195 mackerel.

DANA WHARF--117 anglers (4 boats): 42 yellowfin tuna, 1 yellowtail, 95 calico bass, 10 sand bass, 59 mackerel, 5 bonita, 9 blue perch, 1 barracuda, 5 rock fish, 5 sculpin, 7 sheephead, 2 white fish.

OCEANSIDE--56 anglers (3 boats): 48 bonito, 145 calico bass, 141 sand bass, 1 halibut, 5 sheephead, 3 black sea bass (released), 4 blue perch, 58 mackerel.

SAN DIEGO (H&M; Landing, Fisherman’s, Point Loma)--136 anglers (8 boats): 29 yellowtail, 385 yellowfin tuna, 3 dorado, 2 big eye tuna, 18 skip jack. (Seaforth)--101 anglers (5 boats): 41 yellowfin tuna, 43 skip jack, 1 yellowtail, 1 barracuda, 36 bonito, 1 calico bass, 1 sand bass, 40 rock fish, 30 mackerel, 1 sheephead, 9 sculpin. (Islandia)--46 anglers (3 boats): 18 skip jack, 13 bonita, 1 yellowtail, 3 calico bass, 9 sculpin, 45 rock fish, 127 mackerel.

Trout Plants

SAN BERNARDINO COUNTY: Mojave Narrows Park Lake.

INYO: Baker Creek, Big Pine Creek, Bishop Creek (lower, middle, south forks, Intake II), Diaz Lake, Goodale Creek, Independence Creek, Lake Sabrina, North Lake, Lone Pine Creek, Owens River, (Laws Bridge downstream to Steward Lane and below Tinnemaha), Pleasant Valley Reservoir, Rock Creek Lake, South Lake, Taboose Creek, Tinnemaha Creek, Tuttle Creek.

MONO: Convict Creek, Convict Lake, Ellery Lake, George Lake, Grant Lake, June Lake, Lee Vining Creek, Lundy Lake, Mamie Lake, Mammoth Creek, McGee Creek, Mary Lake, Saddlebag Lake, Trumble Lake, Twin Lakes Bridgeport, Twin Lakes Mammouth, Virginia Lakes, Walker River (Chris Flat Campground to town of Walker and Leavit Meadows Campground to Sonora Bridge).