Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

JHS, I wanted to add my own two cents. Being a female, I can readily identify with your post! I have had this worry most of my life, as it seems females, both young and old, can be and are preyed upon. We don't just face the threat of attack in our dotage.

But I wanted to add a few suggestions. I have found out that auto tours are really the way to go. On an auto tour, the birds and animals are not so frightened away. But just open your car door, take a few steps from behind the car, and they are gone. However, from the car, I get lots of closeups and get to use my Nikon 200-500 lens, which is so heavy I could never carry it on a hike--or if I could, I couldn't keep it steady enough anyway. I use pool noodles taped up and slit halfway through to cushion the lens on the window.

So I see you are in Carmichael, not far at all from us, about 25 minutes. We go to the Yolo Bypass Area very often. Right now, it is particularly awful due to the drought and hunters flying through in their trucks way too fast, in a hurry to kill ducks in the lower 40, with lots of dust and the birds mostly away from the road. But once it rains (soon I pray), you can bet we will be back there almost daily. So much to see there if you are patient and go often. Try to avoid weekends as there are too many folks driving through and walking around scaring off birds. I have seen many, many lone women in their cars with their cameras and binoculars, so I assume it is safe. I have never heard of any problems there.

There are also great auto tours through Colusa NWR and Sacramento NWR that seem perfectly safe to us. Both don't allow walkers on the tour route and you can get great opportunities from your car. Both are about an hours drive from us, maybe a bit longer for you.

Another place that seems very safe, in the southern part of the state, is Big Morongo Canyon, great in the spring. On one vacation, hubby wound up working alot and he drove me there and left me for the morning. Trails are less than a mile, in a bunch of different types of terrain. It is fantastic birding in spring. And you WILL see Vermilion Flycatchers in the nearby park (very safe). Part of the fun of staying in this area is the hot springs hotels nearby in Desert Hot Springs which have pools of all different temperatures to relax in during the windy, cool evenings.

We go often to all three auto tours and if you'd like to come along with us for the day, message me privately.

Hope this gives you some new options--without having to pack a gun!

lev29 Loc: Born and living in MA.

Katydid,
That’s most nice of you to make that offer to JHS, and truly, your last statement is so SPOT ON!

Katydid Loc: Davis, CA

Thanks a bunch, lev29. I really meant it, too!

E.L.. Shapiro Loc: Ottawa, Ontario Canada

Pleas enjoy your great equipment to its fullest extent. As long as you don't aspire to street photography, at night, in a crime ridden neighborhood, you shoud be OK. I don't know what you are into shooting- landscapes, flowers, nature, wildlife, birds, portraits. All of this can be done in relatively safe and civilized well populated (with nice folks) environments.

OK- I'm 74 years old and still work full time at my photography business. Insanely enough, I still ALSO do photography as a hobby and hit the streets, the parks, the zoo, the roads etc- whenever I have time off or when traveling out of town for work.

I have a certain mindset that works for me. The gang members in my native Brooklyn, the Viet Cong, The North Vietnamese regular Army, my latte mother-in-law all did not succeed in doing me in- not that they didn't want to and some of them tried without success. So...some young "punk" who needs money for a fix- ain't gonna get very far far either. All I have to do is put on my "axe-murder face"- that will stop an 8 day clock and make run backward! Even my regular face is kind scary- age has endowed my with an acute case of perma-frown!

I had an orthopedic issue a few years back that since has been corrected by surgery. For a while I had to use a walker, canes, wakin' sticks etc.- I rigged equipment to all those devices and kept on shooting. Thankfully, I don't need any of those mobility aids anymore but I did keep a fine old waking stick that a friend gifted to me- it's a Shillelagh- hand carved in Ireland of black hardwood! It's a kinda a stylish truncheon.

So...when I am out and about in the evening with the cameras- well I now live in Canada and the law takes a dim view of concealed firearms- so I just carry my walkin' stick like an old gentlemen with a very slight limp!

So. I ain't ever gonna stay home and stop shooting and if "they" kill me, the cameras will go into the coffin with me!

So...please don't become reclusive and stop shooting. It's therapeutic- when you get involved in the work all the aches and pains go away or subside and so do the fears of ageing. The only problem I have with age is ageism- so go out a show those young whippersnappers how to shoot!

Stay well!

AndyH Loc: Massachusetts and New Hampshire

Now that’s what I’m talkin’ ‘bout.

Fearless!

Andy

tinwhistle

Can't add much to what has already been said, however at the age of 73 I do know what your saying. I solved that problem by finding another retired photographer and we spend a lot of time together taking pictures. Helps to have a friend along if for no other reason than to keep me company...

Shootist Loc: Wyoming

At our age (74 for me) your thoughts are very natural and time in grade does give us a keener sense of mortality. As far as being concerned about being hurt while out in the boonies several things can help with that. One is knowing and understanding your personal physical and mental limits so you can stay well inside of them. The other is to leave a detailed plan of where you are going with a dependable person and when to expect you back. Then have the discipline to stick to the plan with no deviations unless you can contact that person. As far as protecting your gear, in my opinion no gear is worth hurting someone else much less killing them for. I am more concerned with four footed things such as bears, cougars etc. I am considering a S&W 686 .357 as I frequent places these critters also frequent. Often I do this late in the evening. I suppose I am saying knowing yourself, taking reasonable precautions and not letting yourself get into situations beyond your capacity can free you up to just go and enjoy your life. Nothing in life is certain but what time we have is too precious to not use in the fullest.

blackest Loc: Ireland

Seems a group is a good idea, safer anyway. Google Maps can help, basically someone creates a custom map and other people add pins to the map in their general location and UHH user name (don't need to give the full address). Then you can check on the map to find users close to where you want to shoot. PM that user and with a little luck you can arrange a trip out. Did something like this for a gardening group also had recommended garden centres, maybe camera shops and shooting locations in this case...

Dan Mc Loc: NM

Gene51 Loc: Yonkers, NY, now in LSD (LowerSlowerDelaware)

My safeguard is equipment insurance. Much better and safer than any firearm. Someone wants my gear, they can have it. Carrying a gun, especially where I come from - a suburb of NYC - is not even an option. You need to be aware and alert, follow your instincts, and you'll be fine.

BlueMorel Loc: Southwest Michigan

Last year I went alone to shoot the sunset at the island park in our local lake. This year I'm feeling more vulnerable, too, for no particular reason. I remind myself that I haven't read of anyone getting mugged in wildlife areas, and elder murders here are usually perpetrated by relatives, often grandsons. Healthwise, though, I walk slowly and overcautiously through fear of falling and breaking my hip, even though I don't have balance issues, and I always have my cellphone with me. My feeling about guns is that the criminal always has the advantage of surprise, so what's the point? Pepper spray sounds good, though.

Largobob

Wow, tradio.....you have just given me a new reason to wear my Op/Tech dual shoulder sling/harness setup. One side to carry my camera gear, and the other side to carry my Springfield Armory 1911. Now I can shoot with both. Just hope I don't get confused and use the wrong one at the wrong time. <big grin>

Bipod

Hang on: he hasn't been mugged.
He's afraid of it. Some places in CA that's a worry, in others, it's an irrational fear.
We have no way of knowing which.

And you know, being mugged is not the end of the world. Nor would I feel great
if I just shot dead some addict who tried to rob me of my brand new Timex watch. sm01:

Shooting somebody is a bummer. So are the consequences. Just being interreogated
by the police is not a bunch of fun. Consider: you just committed a homicide--maybe it was
justifiable, maybe it wasn't. How's your criminal law? There no time to consult your
attorney before you pull the trigger, and afterwards, it's too late.

If the robber is armed, are you suggesting he get into a gunfight? In the freakin' park?
With kids running around? Oh, that never happens in the movies.

Wait until the"mugger" turns out not to be a mugger, but mentally ill. Or someobody
with Asperger's, or just deaf and trying to get his attention. "Sooo sorry I just shot you,
sonny. I thought you were a mugger."

Oh, and if he happens to be stopped by the LAPD while packing--now that's a really
fun situation. At night. In a bad part of town. He probably won't be
shot--unless he reaches for his wallet and they see that pistol. Then he's dead.
Guns aren't a solution--they are another problem.

If he was afraid of elephants, would you recommend he carry a Weatherby .300 rifle
in the park? (That would be safer than a pistol.)

My suggestion to the OP: carry two wallets: one in his back pocket with no credit
cards and $40 "mugger money", and another in his jacket inner pocket with his
credit cards and the rest of his cash. Oh, and if really is mugged, he has to try
not to smile when he hands over the dummy wallet.

Architect1776 Loc: In my mind

I carry concealed. But not just "Old", I was about 38 when some dirtbags tried to rob me of my camera gear in Phoenix. They were greeted with a .45.
That said, You need situational awareness, never wander around in condition white, maintain Yellow at a minimum your whole time while in public places and orange in specific areas. As said before travel with a companion, but if you both look vulnerable that will not work at all.
Finally if they get the drop on you because you were in white as most the population is in (especially with cell phones now) let them take the gear, it is not worth dying over unless they appear to have no value for life then cooperate until they get distracted taking your stuff, pull your concealed weapon and kill them as fast as you can.

dpullum Loc: Tampa Florida

I lived in Argentina for a while, Mar del Plata [MDP], a great beach/tourist area. Property theft ... grab run... is more likely when someone is walking around with a great white phallic Canon lens attached. There are great Compact Cameras that take marvelous photos and are not the theft targets. At a distance, they can not tell the difference between a $1500 Sony RX100 and $80 el'Cheap0 P&S.

Regarding self-protection, living in MDP many places were protected by dogs [attack cats are not reliable protection nor are the goats that mow the lawns]. I had a rectangular stun gun that attaches to my belt for quick access. I recall a dog trying to intimidate me ... the noise of the snapping voltage the dog stopped in his tracks, hightailed it and jumped over a wall [much lower than a Trump standard wall]. These stun devices do not cost much, perhaps $20. I like the one which is gripped in hand and a ring with electrodes is exposed. Anyone with ill intent seeing this and hearing the snap as the spark jumps between electrodes would wisely move on.
https://www.thehomesecuritysuperstore.com/self-defense-stun-guns-mini-stun-guns-sting-ring-stun-gun-black-18m-swsrg18bk-p=5275

Balance is a declining sense, inner ear and thick glasses with bifocals give confusing signals so falls are a thing we must be more aware of as age advances... I will be 83 in April.