Najataagihe

In Alabama, if you go into the woods without a firearm, you are an idiot.

"Bad guys" or "big, dangerous predators" are not the main reason to be armed.

It is:

the rattlesnakes (when they get too close to inhabited areas with children, otherwise, leave them alone)

the packs of coyotes (which have staged several attacks on people around here - even in the subdivisions)

the feral dogs (domesticated animals gone back to the wild and extremely aggressive towards ANY creature)

the rabid raccoons (few, thankfully, but still extant)

the occasional hungry bobcat (they get stupid when they get hungry) and

the full-grown cougar we have prowling around in the woods across the road. (Oops, Alabama doesn't have cougars - yeah, right. Tell that to the horse hospital next door that had to close because of one who thought it was a big kitty buffet.)


The black bears only come off the mountain (those of you in the West feel free to laugh) when there is a drought and food gets scarce.

They would rather eat than attack.

Just leave them alone and they usually ignore you.

If they don't, they might growl at you to tell you you are too close for their comfort, but backing off usually results in them going back to shoveling food in their face.


That being said, some of the best photo subjects are in the woods.

The abundance and variety of wildlife, down here, is amazing.


In spite of all the people problems, it really is a beautiful place to be.

CamB Loc: Juneau, Alaska

The last few posts have had some good reasons to carry a gun. Still, I don’t think I will and when I meet someone carrying I will hope that person is together and knows what they are doing. Thanks all for keeping this civil. On to other things.
...Cam

Photographer Jim Loc: Rio Vista, CA

I always carry:

Extra batteries and memory cards
Remote shutter release cable
Tripod

I never carry:

A grudge
A tune
The weight of the world on my shoulders

Xbander Loc: South Mississippi

Flash light is a must

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Surprised how many say lens cloth. Best way to clean a lens is NOT GET IT DIRTY
EVERY LENS HAS PROTECTIVE FILTER from the day I open the box. From my astronomy hobby worse thing for lens is cleaning. Micro coatings get scratched and more issue than few specs of dust.

Sidwalkastronomy Loc: New Jersey Shore

Cant believe how many bring guns. In NJ cant get carry permits except under very limited cases. Mandatory jail if caught. People from other states have them and properly stored get
jail. Only outlaws are allowed to carry.

lmTrying Loc: WV Northern Panhandle

ALWAYS in my pockets:
1) pocket knife, I have carried one since 1954 when I was three.
2) money/credit card.
3) cellphone, and,
4) small flashlight.

When on a shoot:
1) extra batteries.
2) extra memory card.
3) circular polarizing filter.

After reading this thread I may add a few things.

cwp3420

I feel sorry for you living in a liberal’s utopia. Here in New Mexico we have many more rights than you folks do. Our politicians are trying to play catch up, but we’re fighting them every step of the way.

Xbander Loc: South Mississippi

Good to know if I ever visit NJ. In MS you can open carry with out a permit. Concealed carry requires paper work and $ and its limited. Enhanced concealed carry in MS requires a class, then you can carry concealed almost anywhere. Different world?

PRodacy Loc: New Mexico

extra lenses
tripod
9mm semiautomatic

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

Those three - plus a snack bar - live in inconspicuous corners of my camera bag, so I normally don’t even think of them.

Najataagihe

Heavens!

I DO hope you check that snack bar, once in a while!

rehess Loc: South Bend, Indiana, USA

I carry something because I have a metabolic disorder, which means I can be in the middle of nowhere and suddenly need anything very soon. But, yes, I do try to keep it reasonably fresh, but even a stale something would meet my need .

Najataagihe

Understood!

Just don't store anything with peanuts for a long period of time (months).

The eggs inside some of them start hatching and you get lots of little creepy-crawlies all over your chocolate.

JD750 Loc: SoCal

Just be sure to double bag those snacks so they don't end up ON your camera equipment.