By Dave Workman
Editor-in-Chief
This week’s report of an attack by a collared mountain lion in Washington’s Olympic National Park served to underscore my philosophy about always being armed when in the wilds, and I’ve probably spent a good portion of my adult life in areas “off the pavement.”
Shooting an animal in self-defense is a “last choice” sort of thing, and should only be considered when you’ve tried everything else, and you’ve run out of options. Typically, this process may last only a few seconds, and it reinforces the notion that it is better to have a gun and not need it, than to need a gun and not have it.
Choosing a sidearm for personal protection is no casual enterprise. Your choice should be based on these criteria:
- A gun that comfortably fits your hand
- A caliber capable of ending a threat
- Weight is an important factor
- How much recoil can you comfortably handle?
- Can you hit the target consistently?
My fondness for the .41 Magnum is well-documented, but there are other options worthy of consideration. Bear in mind that while it is legal to carry firearms for personal protection in national parks, provided individuals comply with state law, the National Park Service says “Visitors should not consider firearms as protection from wildlife.” Presumably some flexibility can be applied, say, if something is chewing on your arm or leg!
In the West, it is not unusual to encounter predatory animals in the wilds, but this isn’t just a phenomenon confined to land west of the Mississippi River. For example, it has long been known there is a black bear “problem” in New Jersey. Wolves have been spotted in Michigan. There is a lot of wild country in northern Maine, where bears are known to roam. Fortunately, most of the time such encounters don’t involve any danger.
Wild animal attacks against humans are rare events—discounting the ones caused by foolish tourists who try to pet the bison in Yellowstone—but they do happen, as evidenced by the Washington incident, and a couple of earlier attacks in that state, one of which was fatal in 2018.
There are lots of choices, and sticking to revolvers—which I favor in the back country because one only requires spare ammunition to make it work, while a semi-auto is a two-part gun and without the magazine, or with a malfunctioning magazine—seems the prudent choice.
At the low end of the scale, go with a .38 Special capable of handling +P ammunition. Even a 5-shot J-frame Smith & Wesson capable of launching a 125-to-158-grain bullet in the neighborhood of 1,000 fps might get you out of a scrape.
The .357 Magnum is a more versatile caliber than anyone imagined when it was introduced some 90 years ago. Nowadays, a wide range of ammunition with a variety of bullet styles and weights makes very good sense in regions where the nearest help doesn’t exist, and you are definitely on your own. For years I’ve carried a Smith & Wesson Model 19 in this caliber, stoked with my handloads or with stout factory loads, and never felt under-gunned, even in bear country.
Handguns from Colt, Ruger, Smith & Wesson, Taurus and others get the most out of the .357 Magnum.
The 10mm Auto, which has enjoyed a somewhat roller coaster-type of popularity with ups and downs, is a decent caliber and there are revolvers chambered for it. Its energy range is somewhere between the .357 and .41 magnums, and it is capable of discouraging bad behavior in the animal world.
A few weeks ago, I discussed the .41 Magnum at some length in this story, so we’ll dispense with a repeat performance. Suffice to say the .41 Magnum shoots flat, hits hard and gets the job done.
A .44 Magnum, for those who can handle the recoil, is a natural in the outdoors, as has been proven many times over the years by authorities dating back to the late Elmer Keith in his heyday as a writer and big game hunter.
Don’t overlook a revolver chambered in .44 Special, either. There are many available choices and this cartridge—despite being overshadowed by its magnum sibling—has been around for somewhere in the neighborhood of 150 years, delivering the goods whenever necessary.
And, I’ve also found plenty to like with the legendary .45 Colt cartridge, which I’ve found to be accurate and capable of delivering a wallop.
While mountain lions are powerful and quick on their feet, they don’t have thick hides. Black bears pose a more formidable challenge, primarily due to a thicker hide and, at certain times of the year, a layer of fat.
Early in 2024 a group of women cyclists on a trail in Washington state was jumped and a young cougar injured one of the women. Her companions were able to actually pin the cat to the ground until a Department of Fish & Wildlife officer showed up to shoot the critter.
One should not count on being that lucky in the rare instance you might encounter an angry cougar or bear.
Make plenty of noise, carry bear spray repellent, and consider the gun you’re carrying to be your last resort.
