[Layback]

I beleive threads with guns in them are by definition gun threads. Also, the question is a dumb one because nobody in their right mind would choose a wolf's life over their own.

[Malachai Constant]

The question assumes all sots of things e.g. that you are armed, that you know your life is in jepordy, that you can in fact shoot the wolf etc.

[Dogpatch]

[Dave Workman]

Layback: You'd be amazed at what some people might "say" they would or would not do. Mal: Point taken. Of course, the question is one of a presumptive nature, but I think I'm getting a bit more thoughtful reaction here than over on the other forum, where there does not seem to be much thought going into the reactions at all. But, I've been reading the "Wolves need help NOW" thread off an on for months, and this seemed like a good venue to pop the question. Dogpatch: The two wolf attacks specifically mentioned in the query did not involve "sick or otherwise distressed" wolves to my knowledge, so your inclusion of that remark is, at best, a straw man. Up to four wolves were reportedly involved in the death of Candice Berner in Alaska, and Kenton Carnegie was offed by healthy wolves as well in Ontario 2 1/2 years ago. Perhaps this thread is a means of reminding ourselves that there are unintended consequences to many things we do, and maybe I''m trying to gauge whether we can confront that nd get beyond it, rather than engage in denial, about ourselves and about wolves.

[Slugman]

I would kill anyone or anything in self defense if I felt I had to. I would even kill a person who attacked my dog, if it was absolutely necessary to end the attack. So, a wolf? Sure. Bear? Yep. Psychotic meth-head? Ya sure, you betcha. No gun right now, I would have to use pepper spray followed by a knife. I am considering getting a gun now that they are allowed in the national parks, but wolves have nothing to do with that decision. Nor bears, etc. I think the most likely self-defense use of a gun would be to show some human that I was not the best target for his crime spree right now, or to fire a warning shot to deter an animal attack. I would avoid killing anything if I could. (The national park thing: if I were to carry a gun, I want to carry it all the time while hiking, due to Murphy's Law.) PS: I understand what Dave meant by this not being a gun thread. The real question isn't about guns, though guns may be involved by the nature of the situation postulated. Imagine if you had a button you could push and the wolf or whatever would drop dead. The principle is still the same.

[Malachai Constant]

IMO anyone who says they would not defend them selves if they have the ability and opportunity is either lying or certifiable. if the later, they will soon be removed from the gene pool.

[Dogpatch]

[tmatlack]

Comrades, Can't say. Don't carry. Can't hit squat. Met many rattlers in AZ hiking and never croaked any of them...but, I do hate those Mojave rattlers very very much. Tom

[509]

Ditto's with what Treswarper said with 40 years. I do carry a gun, but only in the fall to remove noxious avian birds from our beautiful shrub-steppe ecosystems.

[treeswarper]

[graywolf]

I would shoot in self defense. However, in 41 years of backcountry travel (hiking, backpacking, climbing, kayaking, cross country skiing) I have never packed a gun, even though I do have a permit to carry. On the other hand, I have packed a gun in "civilization"; humans have been much more of a potential threat than any wild animal I have ever been around.

[Cascade Hunter]

My grandfather always told me that the only animals to be afraid of are the two legged kind. Boy was he wrong. I got charged by a black bear in the green horn mountains in CA in 2002 while on a mule deer hunting trip. I shot it dead with my 10mm S&W 1006. He was running at me full speed, foam and drool dripping from his mouth. I didn't wait to see if it was a false charge. He could have killed me. Moral of the story: Only a fool goes into the wilderness unarmed. I have never had a problem with wolves though. But I won't take any chances.

[Chief Joseph]

Yes, I would shoot a wolf or any other living being that put my life or the lives of my loved ones in a potential life threatening situation.

[Josh Journey]

I will admit, if I had to, I would. After all, the wolf struck first, perhaps I might go for the leg or something, but then if it still kept going... well... you get the idea. I try to be anice guy to nature, but I don't put with wolf bullies. But the odds of me having a gun are slim, if anything I would have to use my ice axe.

[jimmylegs]