Excellent of you to touch upon something that is rarely mentioned. And importantly you point out the best & most useful option: avoid the conflict or situation where you may end up requiring protection. Thank Will.
As a 25 year veteran of Police duty and an Overlander upon retirement, you video is SPOT ON! Thank you for sharing the valuable information to our community! Great job.
Thank you very much...that's a huge compliment. I'm actually writing a follow up to this video, where I hope to interview a police officer to walk through what de-escalation looks like.
Thanks, great subject that is often overlooked! I read an article once that said pepper spray is far more effective at neutralizing wildlife encounters than gunshots. I found that quite interesting as it challenges my old school thought process. Of the three, I think human conflict is the most dangerous. Thanks so much for sharing.
I agree with you 100%. Humans are the most dangerous. I think the jury is in on Bear Spray...it works..and is non-lethal to humans if you misfire it. Firearms work too lol...but if you're not practiced or trained, they can be quite dangerous as well.
Will, thank you for touching on this topic. I think your the first channel I’ve seen that has covered it. We’re new to Idaho and overlanding and we had no idea of the various threats that are up in our mountains. All the channels make it look so lovely and peaceful. My wife and I both carry and we keep pepper spray and bear spray inside the Jeep. I agree that evasion and de-escalation are the best options. Love your channel, bro. Keep ‘em coming.
Just subscribed. I am also a father and in charge of family security while overlanding in our Jeep. Great points, on all fronts. I also carry a rifle after having an encounter with a moose in camp here in Colorado. They are very VERY large animals and a handgun just won’t do the trick. Rifle stays close by or on my back at all times while at camp. The adult bull moose came out of a avalanche shoot and didn’t hear or smell us across the river. By the time it was upon us it was startled and acting erratic. Didn’t have to shoot the animal because a rifle crack was enough to get his attention to move on. If it had not been, a follow up shot from the lever action would have been required. Can’t mess around when toddlers and wives are at camp. A Glock may not be sufficient.
This is a great comment. Moose can be very dangerous. We don’t have as many here in Idaho, but we do have some. I’ve had a moose encounter as well, but not at camp…we’ve used the panic button on our Jeep to really good effect as well…the noise is probably enough to clear out most animals…but it’s no gaurentee. Our process is: Car Horn (if at camp). Shot in the air, shot at target (or bear spray).
Sometimes a rifle isn't enough. While gold panning with a small dog on the coast of Alaska, I, a 21-year old, looked up from my panning and realized that the dog had alerted a mother brown bear who stood up. I was about a hundred yards away. I looked down at my little rifle (A Winchester model 94 30-30.} and it looked like a toy. Luckily the breeze was blowing from the bear to me. The bear went into the woods and I quickly walked the quarter mile from the creek to my skiff and rowed back to our commercial fishing boat.. I never did that again.
Will , I have been following your videos for some time now. Enjoyed your Id BDR trip. I have lived in Hailey over 40 years and what a great state to live in. Your personal protection video was right on!!! So I am not a Jeep guy; 2015 Tacoma 4x4 with a lifted Rpod trailer is my back country setup. We spend a lot of time in copper basin. Also am a ham radio guy WX7XX which I use in the backcountry. Your videos really highlight Idaho and what a great place to visit Keep up the videos Joe
Thank you. Love Copper Basin, Boulder Basin, Washington Basin, Germania Basin…there’s too many to mention out near you!!! So glad you’re liking the channel. Thank you so much for following along!
Will, thank you so much for this well needed video - I understand that it could be contentious via the internet rules and you navigated it wonderfully.
Great job identifying the threats that exist , being from our mountain environment it is easy for us others from the metropolitan areas not so evident. Great subject to have a class on
Well, this was very interesting, and I have learned a few things. I'm just getting into overlanding and being from the Midwest, I don't have much experience with mining claims, so your video prompted me to start researching. And it seems like a whole lot of land out west has been staked with mining claims. First of all, as a man, you have a duty and obligation to protect your wife and children, which also includes protecting yourself, so you are there to provide for them. You did the right thing by leaving when the claimholders showed up. There is no shame in backing away from a conflict with irrational strangers over nothing. On the other hand, I have had to deal with property bullies, i.e. neighbors, all of my life and I am not one to let these types of thieves push me around. I can also be a grumpy old man when people start bothering me. It amazes me that people can so brazenly just push the boundaries of their property rights beyond what they are entitled to and steal another man's property and make the victim seem like the bad guy! The first thing that I notice looking at his mining claim 3:05/4:16 is that it is unpatented, which means the land is still owned by the feds. It is also a placed claim as opposed to a lode claim which means that his rights on that particular parcel of land are only to extract minerals from the surface of ground and that is it. Mr. Warren has zero control of parcel 101745162 other than that. He can do absolutely nothing else with that parcel of land that you can't do. So, if the land is administered by the BLM and it is open for camping, you have every right to camp there as long as you are not interfering with Mr. Warren's mining operations. I repeat, this is public land. A mining claim from the BLM only gave Mr. Warren the right to scratch around in the dirt and take anything valuable he sifts through. It's like getting a permission slip from a farmer to go pick a few ears of corn from a corner of his property. You should have simply stated that you were camping and not prospecting, since the penalty for claim jumping is pretty stiff. It is my understanding that if Mr. Warren impedes the public from any other permissible use of the land, he is in violation of his mining claim and stands to lose it. Oh, by the way, it looks like Mr. Warren lost his mining claim in the fall of 2023 because he failed to pay his maintenance fee on it. Go figure. I would suggest to always use an app like OnX Offroad as well as another backup app to establish land ownership and confirm camping regulations before stopping and settling down for the evening. I think that armed with a knowledge of the law about mining claims, a GPS unit and a detailed property boundary map, you might be able to convince these types of bullies to back off. Maybe you could solicit some legal advice and do an entire Venture2Roam episode just on this topic? btw - I am glad to be a subscriber and I enjoy your videos!
This is a really great and insightful comment. You are right on all accounts...and I think this is a commonly misunderstood topic...but yes, we knew we could have stayed there if we wanted to, the guy in fact invited us to stay (not that he could make us leave)..but I subscribe to a philosophy in the backcountry that people are the most dangerous animal you can encounter because they are extremely unpredictable (we did all of the things you mentioned)....and and there's a bit more to this story that I won't put on the internet...in any case, it was a very good decision to leave. That said - your suggestion that folks have a Private Land layer on a mapping app is excellent. Both Gaia and OnX have private land listed (this is how we knew we were on NFS land). I really like your idea of turning this into a video topic...it goes hand in hand with understanding private land rules...especially when they block public land. It can be very confusing. Great points. Great comment. I hope people read this and learn a bit!
Kuddos, this doesn’t get talked about enough and it’s so important IMO. It’d be nice 2 c a video by Overlanders about how to organize camp to prevent predators 👍
All great points here Will . My wife & I are looking forward to traveling a bit more abroad once I fully retire beginning of next year & I am hopeful we never need protection that becomes life or death related . As my 95-1/2 year old Dad has always said “ Plan for the worst , but hope for the best son “. Words to live by . And on one more note here , when my wife & two young daughters ran the Tamarack lodge up in North Lake Tahoe one year between ‘91 -‘92 I ran into a forest Ranger whom I asked about the best way to handle the pesky brown bear problems we and several neighbors had been seeing & the Ranger said he recommended pepper spray & wearing bells on either wrists or ankles to make some type of noises while out walking trails & such so as to alert animals & others of your presence. When asked if it worked , he kinda looked at me a bit outta the corners of his eyes & answered “ Dunno , all we keep finding are big piles of Bear scat with little bells in it & the pepper smell burns yer eyes really bad “ 😳😬 😏. Any way thanks for ALL you post & share , and just maybe we will cross paths in years to come & can share some epic camping sometime. C-ya 😎👍
😂 That goes right up there with the fact that you don’t have to outrun a bear, you only have to outrun the person next to you! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!!
Will, you forgot the most dangerous overlanding critters: Buffalo (in Eastern ID) , elk, and mooses (meeses?) . I've seen way more elk and there's NOTHING more dangerous than a momma and her little ones. Additionally, having the firearm is legal, showing the firearm may lead to a "brandishing" charge, or, as you said, escalation. It is best to mind your P's and Q's in the backcountry, for sure! Great video, as always!
You're not wrong. I just covered our apex predators, but Moose and Elk are massive creatures and very dangerous. Humans are the unpredictable though..which is why I'm usually very kind and flexible with everyone I meet in the Backcountry...weird stuff happens out there!
I live in Pocatello. Last year they had to close a hiking trail because a cow moose was charging hikers. But you should also consider poisonous snakes to be a risk. Just be prepared. I don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard bear spray will stop a Mountain Lion attack. Udap offers a portable electric fence, battery powered that you can erect around your camp. Again, I don't know how well it works, but it's worth looking at.
I think just the animal aspect of this could be a great video topic one of these days. You have people from all over the country visiting your area that don't understand mountain lions or wolves (where as bears are more commonly known across the country). Just a thought on this but yet another great video Will
@@Venture2Roam Absolutely, and it's one you could even do in your house this winter, especially if you have any pics or old video of animal signs you can incorporate.
@@Venture2Roam Yes absolutely, I was going to suggest the same thing. Expanding on how to react and actions to take base on different scenario and animal. That would be awesome.
Spot on about deescalating. One note I would like to mention is that a mining claim on Federal property does not mean it is private property. So when confronted with that, it is always something to school whomever is trying to kick you off. Naturally after you tell them that you are leaving. Don't forget to get into Bear valley early this Spring to see that fabulous colored flowers. Keep up the great video's. Idaho native here.
Great comment. I had not considered Bear Valley as a Spring destination…but maybe I’ll get out there if there’s flowers in the meadow…that would be epic.
Well its Idaho soooo everyone here including me seems to always "pack". But I totally agree de-escalation is key saying things like "your right" or "ill leave" work great and my favorite " I am so glad I ran into you so you could tell me blank" For example if you see someone and right away before you talk you think its gonna be a fight just start of the conversation with "Hey could you help me?" A lot of egos out there it seems. But I have spent a ton of time out in the wilderness of Idaho and I still think the biggest threat is people not taking the environment serious. I use to run deliveries all over Idaho in the winter some to Lowman Idaho city Centerville not great roads especially for a truck I would always ask my partner could you walk home or even 5 miles in what your wearing?
Great stuff Will, when I go out o n an adventure, I carry and hope I never have to use it or even think about it. So far I have never had to use it. But it is nice to know if I need it, I have it.
I cant stop watching your videos, we are heading out in July from Florida. Hope to have contact with you and have you share some of your knowledge first hand.
I thought it was good short video. I mostly tent it alone as a 79-year old widower living in the mountains of the Idaho Panhandle. Once while my wife, and I, in our 30's, were camping in a campground in Arizona with no neighbors, a guy on a motorcycle came to our campfire and asked for a match. I said no and he looked around our camp and saw my hand through the back part of our Bronco and said thanks and left. We didn't sleep well that night and later found that we had been 10 miles from a minimum security prison.
very well said 👏 can't be too careful when in the backcountry. have you ran into wolves yet in Idaho? I've heard them, but not seen one. I've seen a lot of coyotes though
Lots of coyotes. Lots of “evidence” of wolves (tracks, kills, etc). But seeing a wolf is rare. If they don’t want to be seen, you won’t see them unless you know their safe zone and/or den location. There are packs near Boise though.
A couple years ago, I was sitting on my 20hp tractor looking for firewood some two hundred yards from my front door when about 50 yards away I saw two mountain lions walking up my driveway. I remained still as they walked on. But the worst animal to see or worse not to see, when one is camping is a rattlesnake. Lots of excitement when camping in the mountains of Idaho.
This covers the most fundamental problem with boondocking: some local comes out to his "favorite spot" and finds you in it and a conflict breaks out. I would rather explore the backwoods but stay in a regular campground, unless I have a large group with me, armed.
Interesting video... I appreciate your comments concerning firearms, and the idea of not having to brandish it at all times. Me being Canadian, you never come across anyone other than police carrying a pistol. Long guns are very much popular especially where I travel however. Myself, I travel unarmed but I can appreciate yourself (traveling with family) owning and having available a firearm for personal protection. Assuming everyone is "packing" is a disconcerting thought, but unfortunately, you're probably right
It’s a way of life here in Idaho, so many people carry…especially in the backcountry. We have a massive sportsman culture too. But 99 times out of 100, there’s no need..even with wildlife IMO.
It’s not just the predators you have to worry about, the deer and elk can also be a threat. If they stumble into your camp not knowing you are there, they could get spooked and do very unpredictable things. Also moose are extremely territorial, get too close and you’re gonna have a bad time
I agree...I'm actually making another longer video about this that will cover more animals. Moose worry me more than Elk...but a male Elk has razor blades for Antlers.
@@Venture2Roam absolutely, there is no question about it, if I go into the woods. I am armed. I have heard stories of bear spray working to ward off a bear. And stories of the spray just making the bear mad an it going into a rage… so I don’t chance it
Re: firearms. Yeah, they can de-escalate but it will likely escalate. I always carry a pistol in the backcountry, along with bear spray. If you ever have to pull a firearm, it better be because you’re going to use it.
Valid points. However the only thing I would add, is the Ar15 is better for a pack of violent animals (Wolves mainly, especially if you have pets, or kids. Im ok with a pistol, but would rather have something with more rounds for a pack. I still wouldn't use it unless last resort. However a pistol with a Moose is like a crackhead with a taser. Brushes right off those majestic beasts. For humans yes, "de-escalation" is key. Assume everyone is armed, be respectful, but vigilant. Communication is crucial. Misunderstandings are a thing. As overlanders we can always move and find new camp. Great video as always Will 🤙🏻🔥🏔️
Personal protection is so subjective. Everyone has their own opinion on what it takes to keep them safe, and have to measure the risk/benefit of each approach.
You know what’s crazy is people just don’t realize how many mntn. lions there are. You don’t have to be deep in the wilderness. I came across a mom and 3 small one on a ski run. If you spend anytime in the woods in lion county you’ve been in the crosshairs whether you knew it or not.
I would consider leaving wolves off this list entirely... since there have been like 9 wolf attacks in North America in the last hundred years, with only one of them happening in the lower 48. People love to ask about protection from animals and humans in the woods, but for overlanders car crashes, weather (as you mentioned) and accidents involving the mishandling of tools like chainsaws and winches are much bigger risk factors.
I agree with you that breakdowns and accidents are much more of a threat than any wild animal. I covered our three apex predators - which are all important to know about if you are venturing out in the backcountry. I think this might deserve a follow up vid as it was very summary info and I've gotten a few great comments like this one that call for a more detailed approach.
It's great to live in a constitutional carry state. But like you said you'll need to assume everyone it's carrying a firearm. I do think that an armed society makes for a polite society, usually. I agree de-escalation is you're best bet. Even if your right and someone legitimately is being a knucklehead it's not worth the potential risk to your family.
Re: mining claim guy, near certain that does not have any private property implications. You are free to move about his claim except for active mining areas or equipment, which is a public safety issue. That guy had no right to demand you not ‘loiter’ in the public land that he has very limited use rights within. If wrong on this, I’d love to see the citation.
You are 100% right. He thought we were mining his dirt…when he cooled off we were able to have a non confrontational chat…we didn’t have to leave..but after the initial conflict, we wanted to leave.
Speaking about safety. Do you thing that the RTT provides adequate protection against PNW wildlife? RTT is Australian invention so it's designed to be a shelter in THAT conditions.
No. Not at all. Maybe a wolf…but a mountain lion or bear would climb the ladder and tear through the canvas. Never bring food in the tent. Always change clothes before bed, so you don’t smell like food.
@@Venture2Roam Exactly. People in tents are just soft tacos in the bear world. That's why I sleep inside my truck under a hard shell, especially when traveling solo.
Protect yourself against AGAINST overlanding... That's a good title. Haha The best thing to protect yourself is just don't do it! Don't get in the overlanding game. 😜 Maybe "while" overlanding 😋
@@twotoomanyproductions You know I am sure you actually could (the 'overland' moniker gets thrown around pretty casually) it's just that if you watch these types of videos you see they have every possible creature comfort including the kitchen sink. This channel is pretty cool but others you see it's all about monetizating their brand using 'ovelanding' as their tool. No big deal and good for them but I think they forget the reasons they started going out in the first place. Anyway whatever you call it or however you can do it just do it and enjoy the experience and memories. That's what I do. 😁
I’m sure you’ll delete this comment, but the basics of the laws of nature, tell us clearly that if we run away from a conflict, it will usually escalate a situation that needed to be back down. He run from a bear he can run faster than you. running is not a defense, a defense is a defense.
The basic laws of nature don’t tell us anything like that…the basic law of nature is to survive…so in some cases that means running, in others it means fighting…it means understanding the situation you are in and making the best choice possible to live. I never said you should run from a bear or anything else for that matter.
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Excellent of you to touch upon something that is rarely mentioned. And importantly you point out the best & most useful option: avoid the conflict or situation where you may end up requiring protection. Thank Will.
Thanks for the comment. It super hard to make a video about, but important to raise the topic I think.
As a 25 year veteran of Police duty and an Overlander upon retirement, you video is SPOT ON! Thank you for sharing the valuable information to our community! Great job.
Thank you very much...that's a huge compliment. I'm actually writing a follow up to this video, where I hope to interview a police officer to walk through what de-escalation looks like.
Thanks, great subject that is often overlooked! I read an article once that said pepper spray is far more effective at neutralizing wildlife encounters than gunshots. I found that quite interesting as it challenges my old school thought process. Of the three, I think human conflict is the most dangerous. Thanks so much for sharing.
I agree with you 100%. Humans are the most dangerous. I think the jury is in on Bear Spray...it works..and is non-lethal to humans if you misfire it. Firearms work too lol...but if you're not practiced or trained, they can be quite dangerous as well.
Will, thank you for touching on this topic. I think your the first channel I’ve seen that has covered it.
We’re new to Idaho and overlanding and we had no idea of the various threats that are up in our mountains. All the channels make it look so lovely and peaceful.
My wife and I both carry and we keep pepper spray and bear spray inside the Jeep. I agree that evasion and de-escalation are the best options.
Love your channel, bro.
Keep ‘em coming.
I'm glad you found the video helpful, and glad you're taking precautions! Welcome to Idaho!!!
Just subscribed. I am also a father and in charge of family security while overlanding in our Jeep. Great points, on all fronts.
I also carry a rifle after having an encounter with a moose in camp here in Colorado. They are very VERY large animals and a handgun just won’t do the trick. Rifle stays close by or on my back at all times while at camp.
The adult bull moose came out of a avalanche shoot and didn’t hear or smell us across the river. By the time it was upon us it was startled and acting erratic. Didn’t have to shoot the animal because a rifle crack was enough to get his attention to move on. If it had not been, a follow up shot from the lever action would have been required.
Can’t mess around when toddlers and wives are at camp. A Glock may not be sufficient.
This is a great comment. Moose can be very dangerous. We don’t have as many here in Idaho, but we do have some. I’ve had a moose encounter as well, but not at camp…we’ve used the panic button on our Jeep to really good effect as well…the noise is probably enough to clear out most animals…but it’s no gaurentee. Our process is: Car Horn (if at camp). Shot in the air, shot at target (or bear spray).
Sometimes a rifle isn't enough. While gold panning with a small dog on the coast of Alaska, I, a 21-year old, looked up from my panning and realized that the dog had alerted a mother brown bear who stood up. I was about a hundred yards away. I looked down at my little rifle (A Winchester model 94 30-30.} and it looked like a toy. Luckily the breeze was blowing from the bear to me. The bear went into the woods and I quickly walked the quarter mile from the creek to my skiff and rowed back to our commercial fishing boat.. I never did that again.
Will , I have been following your videos for some time now. Enjoyed your Id BDR trip. I have lived in Hailey over 40 years and what a great state to live in. Your personal protection video was right on!!! So I am not a Jeep guy; 2015 Tacoma 4x4 with a lifted Rpod trailer is my back country setup. We spend a lot of time in copper basin. Also am a ham radio guy WX7XX which I use in the backcountry. Your videos really highlight Idaho and what a great place to visit Keep up the videos Joe
Thank you. Love Copper Basin, Boulder Basin, Washington Basin, Germania Basin…there’s too many to mention out near you!!! So glad you’re liking the channel. Thank you so much for following along!
Will, thank you so much for this well needed video - I understand that it could be contentious via the internet rules and you navigated it wonderfully.
Thank you! It’s very hard to make a vid about this, but very important to raise the issue I think.
Great job identifying the threats that exist , being from our mountain environment it is easy for us others from the metropolitan areas not so evident. Great subject to have a class on
Thank you!!
Well, this was very interesting, and I have learned a few things. I'm just getting into overlanding and being from the Midwest, I don't have much experience with mining claims, so your video prompted me to start researching. And it seems like a whole lot of land out west has been staked with mining claims.
First of all, as a man, you have a duty and obligation to protect your wife and children, which also includes protecting yourself, so you are there to provide for them. You did the right thing by leaving when the claimholders showed up. There is no shame in backing away from a conflict with irrational strangers over nothing.
On the other hand, I have had to deal with property bullies, i.e. neighbors, all of my life and I am not one to let these types of thieves push me around. I can also be a grumpy old man when people start bothering me. It amazes me that people can so brazenly just push the boundaries of their property rights beyond what they are entitled to and steal another man's property and make the victim seem like the bad guy!
The first thing that I notice looking at his mining claim 3:05/4:16 is that it is unpatented, which means the land is still owned by the feds. It is also a placed claim as opposed to a lode claim which means that his rights on that particular parcel of land are only to extract minerals from the surface of ground and that is it. Mr. Warren has zero control of parcel 101745162 other than that. He can do absolutely nothing else with that parcel of land that you can't do. So, if the land is administered by the BLM and it is open for camping, you have every right to camp there as long as you are not interfering with Mr. Warren's mining operations. I repeat, this is public land. A mining claim from the BLM only gave Mr. Warren the right to scratch around in the dirt and take anything valuable he sifts through. It's like getting a permission slip from a farmer to go pick a few ears of corn from a corner of his property. You should have simply stated that you were camping and not prospecting, since the penalty for claim jumping is pretty stiff. It is my understanding that if Mr. Warren impedes the public from any other permissible use of the land, he is in violation of his mining claim and stands to lose it. Oh, by the way, it looks like Mr. Warren lost his mining claim in the fall of 2023 because he failed to pay his maintenance fee on it. Go figure.
I would suggest to always use an app like OnX Offroad as well as another backup app to establish land ownership and confirm camping regulations before stopping and settling down for the evening. I think that armed with a knowledge of the law about mining claims, a GPS unit and a detailed property boundary map, you might be able to convince these types of bullies to back off.
Maybe you could solicit some legal advice and do an entire Venture2Roam episode just on this topic?
btw - I am glad to be a subscriber and I enjoy your videos!
This is a really great and insightful comment. You are right on all accounts...and I think this is a commonly misunderstood topic...but yes, we knew we could have stayed there if we wanted to, the guy in fact invited us to stay (not that he could make us leave)..but I subscribe to a philosophy in the backcountry that people are the most dangerous animal you can encounter because they are extremely unpredictable (we did all of the things you mentioned)....and and there's a bit more to this story that I won't put on the internet...in any case, it was a very good decision to leave. That said - your suggestion that folks have a Private Land layer on a mapping app is excellent. Both Gaia and OnX have private land listed (this is how we knew we were on NFS land). I really like your idea of turning this into a video topic...it goes hand in hand with understanding private land rules...especially when they block public land. It can be very confusing. Great points. Great comment. I hope people read this and learn a bit!
Kuddos, this doesn’t get talked about enough and it’s so important IMO. It’d be nice 2 c a video by Overlanders about how to organize camp to prevent predators 👍
It’s something I might expand in a future video. It’s probably the most effect way to keep everyone safe.
Excellent video and your thoughts are right on! Please do more on the topic that's normally not mentioned. Thank you for addressing this subject.
All great points here Will . My wife & I are looking forward to traveling a bit more abroad once I fully retire beginning of next year & I am hopeful we never need protection that becomes life or death related . As my 95-1/2 year old Dad has always said “ Plan for the worst , but hope for the best son “. Words to live by . And on one more note here , when my wife & two young daughters ran the Tamarack lodge up in North Lake Tahoe one year between ‘91 -‘92 I ran into a forest Ranger whom I asked about the best way to handle the pesky brown bear problems we and several neighbors had been seeing & the Ranger said he recommended pepper spray & wearing bells on either wrists or ankles to make some type of noises while out walking trails & such so as to alert animals & others of your presence. When asked if it worked , he kinda looked at me a bit outta the corners of his eyes & answered “ Dunno , all we keep finding are big piles of Bear scat with little bells in it & the pepper smell burns yer eyes really bad “ 😳😬 😏. Any way thanks for ALL you post & share , and just maybe we will cross paths in years to come & can share some epic camping sometime. C-ya 😎👍
😂 That goes right up there with the fact that you don’t have to outrun a bear, you only have to outrun the person next to you! Thanks for sharing and thanks for watching!!
Will, you forgot the most dangerous overlanding critters: Buffalo (in Eastern ID) , elk, and mooses (meeses?) . I've seen way more elk and there's NOTHING more dangerous than a momma and her little ones. Additionally, having the firearm is legal, showing the firearm may lead to a "brandishing" charge, or, as you said, escalation. It is best to mind your P's and Q's in the backcountry, for sure! Great video, as always!
You're not wrong. I just covered our apex predators, but Moose and Elk are massive creatures and very dangerous. Humans are the unpredictable though..which is why I'm usually very kind and flexible with everyone I meet in the Backcountry...weird stuff happens out there!
I live in Pocatello. Last year they had to close a hiking trail because a cow moose was charging hikers. But you should also consider poisonous snakes to be a risk. Just be prepared. I don't know if it's true or not, but I've heard bear spray will stop a Mountain Lion attack. Udap offers a portable electric fence, battery powered that you can erect around your camp. Again, I don't know how well it works, but it's worth looking at.
I think just the animal aspect of this could be a great video topic one of these days. You have people from all over the country visiting your area that don't understand mountain lions or wolves (where as bears are more commonly known across the country). Just a thought on this but yet another great video Will
Since publishing this, I’ve had the same thought. I think that would be a really useful video.
@@Venture2Roam Absolutely, and it's one you could even do in your house this winter, especially if you have any pics or old video of animal signs you can incorporate.
@@Venture2Roam Yes absolutely, I was going to suggest the same thing. Expanding on how to react and actions to take base on different scenario and animal. That would be awesome.
Spot on about deescalating. One note I would like to mention is that a mining claim on Federal property does not mean it is private property. So when confronted with that, it is always something to school whomever is trying to kick you off. Naturally after you tell them that you are leaving. Don't forget to get into Bear valley early this Spring to see that fabulous colored flowers. Keep up the great video's. Idaho native here.
Great comment. I had not considered Bear Valley as a Spring destination…but maybe I’ll get out there if there’s flowers in the meadow…that would be epic.
Totally agree 👍
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Great stuff Will!
Thanks dude.
Thanks . Very good message.
👍👍
Nice job that's all that needs to be said I totally agree.
🙏🏻🙏🏻
Well its Idaho soooo everyone here including me seems to always "pack". But I totally agree de-escalation is key saying things like "your right" or "ill leave" work great and my favorite " I am so glad I ran into you so you could tell me blank" For example if you see someone and right away before you talk you think its gonna be a fight just start of the conversation with "Hey could you help me?" A lot of egos out there it seems. But I have spent a ton of time out in the wilderness of Idaho and I still think the biggest threat is people not taking the environment serious. I use to run deliveries all over Idaho in the winter some to Lowman Idaho city Centerville not great roads especially for a truck I would always ask my partner could you walk home or even 5 miles in what your wearing?
This is such a great comment. Thanks for sharing!!
Great summary to a huge topic!!
Thank you sir. There's much more we could say about this topic...maybe for a longer, more in-depth vid.
Great Points! Thx
Thanks for watching!!!
Great stuff Will, when I go out o n an adventure, I carry and hope I never have to use it or even think about it. So far I have never had to use it. But it is nice to know if I need it, I have it.
Great comment. Glad you haven’t had to use it!!
I cant stop watching your videos, we are heading out in July from Florida. Hope to have contact with you and have you share some of your knowledge first hand.
That's so awesome to hear. Idaho is a Looooong way from Florida! Hope you have an awesome trip!
I thought it was good short video. I mostly tent it alone as a 79-year old widower living in the mountains of the Idaho Panhandle. Once while my wife, and I, in our 30's, were camping in a campground in Arizona with no neighbors, a guy on a motorcycle came to our campfire and asked for a match. I said no and he looked around our camp and saw my hand through the back part of our Bronco and said thanks and left. We didn't sleep well that night and later found that we had been 10 miles from a minimum security prison.
Oh wow! What story!!! Thanks for sharing.
very well said 👏 can't be too careful when in the backcountry. have you ran into wolves yet in Idaho? I've heard them, but not seen one. I've seen a lot of coyotes though
Lots of coyotes. Lots of “evidence” of wolves (tracks, kills, etc). But seeing a wolf is rare. If they don’t want to be seen, you won’t see them unless you know their safe zone and/or den location. There are packs near Boise though.
Good stuff always. Watch out for those mountain lions!
indeed...because they are certainly watching us.
A couple years ago, I was sitting on my 20hp tractor looking for firewood some two hundred yards from my front door when about 50 yards away I saw two mountain lions walking up my driveway. I remained still as they walked on. But the worst animal to see or worse not to see, when one is camping is a rattlesnake. Lots of excitement when camping in the mountains of Idaho.
This covers the most fundamental problem with boondocking: some local comes out to his "favorite spot" and finds you in it and a conflict breaks out. I would rather explore the backwoods but stay in a regular campground, unless I have a large group with me, armed.
100% agree with that.
Interesting video... I appreciate your comments concerning firearms, and the idea of not having to brandish it at all times. Me being Canadian, you never come across anyone other than police carrying a pistol. Long guns are very much popular especially where I travel however. Myself, I travel unarmed but I can appreciate yourself (traveling with family) owning and having available a firearm for personal protection. Assuming everyone is "packing" is a disconcerting thought, but unfortunately, you're probably right
It’s a way of life here in Idaho, so many people carry…especially in the backcountry. We have a massive sportsman culture too. But 99 times out of 100, there’s no need..even with wildlife IMO.
@@Venture2Roam some people sleep better at night with a 9mil under the pillow or a 30 ought 6 in their sleeping bag 🤷👍
Keep the Targa,love the original look.
It’s not just the predators you have to worry about, the deer and elk can also be a threat. If they stumble into your camp not knowing you are there, they could get spooked and do very unpredictable things. Also moose are extremely territorial, get too close and you’re gonna have a bad time
I agree...I'm actually making another longer video about this that will cover more animals. Moose worry me more than Elk...but a male Elk has razor blades for Antlers.
@@Venture2Roam absolutely, there is no question about it, if I go into the woods. I am armed. I have heard stories of bear spray working to ward off a bear. And stories of the spray just making the bear mad an it going into a rage… so I don’t chance it
Re: firearms. Yeah, they can de-escalate but it will likely escalate. I always carry a pistol in the backcountry, along with bear spray.
If you ever have to pull a firearm, it better be because you’re going to use it.
That was exactly the point I was trying to make too. Well said.
Exactly this.
Valid points. However the only thing I would add, is the Ar15 is better for a pack of violent animals (Wolves mainly, especially if you have pets, or kids. Im ok with a pistol, but would rather have something with more rounds for a pack. I still wouldn't use it unless last resort. However a pistol with a Moose is like a crackhead with a taser. Brushes right off those majestic beasts.
For humans yes, "de-escalation" is key. Assume everyone is armed, be respectful, but vigilant. Communication is crucial. Misunderstandings are a thing.
As overlanders we can always move and find new camp. Great video as always Will 🤙🏻🔥🏔️
Personal protection is so subjective. Everyone has their own opinion on what it takes to keep them safe, and have to measure the risk/benefit of each approach.
@@Venture2Roam True true. All I know is I am not going to square up with fists to a mountain lion. That kitty will wreck my world 😂
You know what’s crazy is people just don’t realize how many mntn. lions there are. You don’t have to be deep in the wilderness. I came across a mom and 3 small one on a ski run. If you spend anytime in the woods in lion county you’ve been in the crosshairs whether you knew it or not.
This is very true. We usually assume Mountain Lions are around and have rules about food and kids playing that take that in to account.
I would consider leaving wolves off this list entirely... since there have been like 9 wolf attacks in North America in the last hundred years, with only one of them happening in the lower 48.
People love to ask about protection from animals and humans in the woods, but for overlanders car crashes, weather (as you mentioned) and accidents involving the mishandling of tools like chainsaws and winches are much bigger risk factors.
I agree with you that breakdowns and accidents are much more of a threat than any wild animal. I covered our three apex predators - which are all important to know about if you are venturing out in the backcountry. I think this might deserve a follow up vid as it was very summary info and I've gotten a few great comments like this one that call for a more detailed approach.
It's great to live in a constitutional carry state. But like you said you'll need to assume everyone it's carrying a firearm.
I do think that an armed society makes for a polite society, usually.
I agree de-escalation is you're best bet. Even if your right and someone legitimately is being a knucklehead it's not worth the potential risk to your family.
Thanks for this comment, great perspective.
I'd advise people to take a few tactical firearms courses. It helps you to know when and why to de-escalate.
Re: mining claim guy, near certain that does not have any private property implications. You are free to move about his claim except for active mining areas or equipment, which is a public safety issue. That guy had no right to demand you not ‘loiter’ in the public land that he has very limited use rights within. If wrong on this, I’d love to see the citation.
You are 100% right. He thought we were mining his dirt…when he cooled off we were able to have a non confrontational chat…we didn’t have to leave..but after the initial conflict, we wanted to leave.
Speaking about safety. Do you thing that the RTT provides adequate protection against PNW wildlife? RTT is Australian invention so it's designed to be a shelter in THAT conditions.
No. Not at all. Maybe a wolf…but a mountain lion or bear would climb the ladder and tear through the canvas. Never bring food in the tent. Always change clothes before bed, so you don’t smell like food.
@@Venture2Roam Exactly. People in tents are just soft tacos in the bear world. That's why I sleep inside my truck under a hard shell, especially when traveling solo.
@@Alex_556I'll be camping solo this summer in a tent. I keep a good light and my handgun close by.
Protect yourself against AGAINST overlanding... That's a good title. Haha The best thing to protect yourself is just don't do it!
Don't get in the overlanding game. 😜
Maybe "while" overlanding 😋
I can't afford to be an overlander, so great point Nigel! best I can afford is part-time camping type person.
@@twotoomanyproductions You know I am sure you actually could (the 'overland' moniker gets thrown around pretty casually) it's just that if you watch these types of videos you see they have every possible creature comfort including the kitchen sink. This channel is pretty cool but others you see it's all about monetizating their brand using 'ovelanding' as their tool. No big deal and good for them but I think they forget the reasons they started going out in the first place. Anyway whatever you call it or however you can do it just do it and enjoy the experience and memories. That's what I do. 😁
Hahahahaha. No one has every accused me of being good at grammar! I fixed the title...but had a good laugh when I read your comment!
@@Venture2Roam You kinda fixed it....delete "against" 😁.. Good work sir 👍
Excessive alcohol consumption and drugs make people unpredictable. If I see or sense that, I’m out.
Same.
I’m sure you’ll delete this comment, but the basics of the laws of nature, tell us clearly that if we run away from a conflict, it will usually escalate a situation that needed to be back down. He run from a bear he can run faster than you. running is not a defense, a defense is a defense.
The basic laws of nature don’t tell us anything like that…the basic law of nature is to survive…so in some cases that means running, in others it means fighting…it means understanding the situation you are in and making the best choice possible to live. I never said you should run from a bear or anything else for that matter.