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What would you have done?

A

Anonymous

Guest
This has been on my mind for a while and I wanted to get some other opinions.
I was at Virginia Beach about a year and a half ago working my way back to the hotel about 3AM when someone ran up behind me at full speed, threw his arm around my neck and tried to throw me down. I was able to stay on my feet and when I turned to see what was going on there was a tall, young guy staggering and dancing around me growling like an animal and threatening to kill me. If he'd had a gun or knife there is no doubt in my mind he would have stabbed, cut or shot me. He was completely gone on drugs and/or alcohol. I could see some beach workers about halfway to the boardwalk working under lights and I knew If I could get to them they would have the means to call the cops. I started essing that way and the guy followed me growling and threatening all the way. I could have given him a "scoop sandwich" but there were no witnesses to what he had done and I didn't know what I might be charged with. When I got to the beach workers the guy said something to one of them and the worker slammed him on the ground and called the cops. I started on to the hotel and by the time I got to the boardwalk it looked like 300 cops coming from every direction. I didn't wait around because I was tired but I
m sure they took him in. My question is: If this had happened to you what would you have done? I always work hard to maintain public relations but there must be a limit as to what we have to take just because we happen to have a metal detector in our hands.
 
You handled it good only because of your abilty to run.My choice at my age and knee condition would have had to be a scoop and knuckle sandwich.Your life has to be protected by you no matter how.I suggested on a post somewhere to wear a local police hat,or if you can find or obtain a boken cell phone wear it,while detecting.(good one is better,but anything to stop an attack helps).
 
I didn't run, I just eased my way toward the workers, keeping an eye on the crazy guy as I went in case I did have to hit him.
 
Sorry guy, but thats asking for trouble.
Nothing out at that time of nite but drunks and nuts.
 
First off, you don't have to be out at 3 AM for something like this to happen - it could happen at any time now days. It's a shame you can't enjoy yourself without fear of idiots. You did the right thing at the time. I am out in the wee hours of morning at times, low tide does occur at night, and requires some late night hunts. I'm not young or could defend myself against several people, but if my life was in danger and no other way out. I would take whatever course needed, this means the old scoop or sock full of fishing weights.
 
First, I would have tried to be detecting with another person. That offers some protection.
Secondly, I have a concealed handgun license, and I am armed at all times when out metal detecting. Under the coneditions you cite, in Texas, as well as other states, a drawing of my glock, along with the accompanying red dot flashed in his eyes and then centered on his chest, would have possibly redirected his footsteps. Would I have shot him? Depends on the circumstances at the time.
I once went to Alaska for 45 days of hunting, fishing, and gold prospecting. A LOT of good meaning folks told me that since I was in bear country, I should whistle, talk loudly, and carry a can full of rocks, and generally make noise.
Odd noises seem to ATTRACT bears, and cans full of rocks sound amazingly like dinner bells. The most sound piece of advice I got, was from a friend who had been in bear country. He said "You should ALWAYS have the ability to STOP the bear. Period" I was thus, ALWAYS armed in Alaska, in country, with either a .44 mag, or a 12 ga. shotgun.
Now, since you might be in one of the misguided states that don't allow you to carry a firearm, you can still get you a can of "Bearstop". This mace dispenser sends out a fog of capsicum spray, that will stop a full charging bear. they have also been used by vets on bulls.
I would not let the sun set on my rear end after reading this post, without going to the Cabellas or other store, and buying a big canister. They can be carried on your chest. Here ia a URL for Cabellas page with it. UDAP Bear Stop is the name.
http://tinyurl.com/6426t
Clearly, this idiot must have been high on something, or else he probably would have taken you out on his first attempt.
Dennis, who always has the ability to stop the bear...
 
its the best time to hunt..but you have to be alert and buy some pepper spray or arm yourself in some legal way.look behind yourself often.you handled this last problem well.
 
Roger, You did the right thing, even when your in the right its better to avoid a confrontation..once you kill or severly injure another person your never the same with yourself..messes with your brain..First rule..NEVER hunt at night or in isolated areas alone NEVER..Second..Carry the mace and a Very Bright light and a cell phone.. most beaches do not allow firearms or knives..Practice with your scoop on a telephone pole until you can cut a good gash about knee high..If your ever confronted at night again, shine the light in their eyes(they can't see your body now so you can dodge a knife) If they come after you after a loud warning move aside and cut off a kneecap.You can stroll away
now because they can't get up.. In a daylight confrontation, back away and yell HELP THIEF..Some BIG beach guy will run to your rescue to impress his girl and get a reward..Never wear Big Padded Earphones at the beach..Light weight cheap ones are fine just turn the volume up..when theres no signal then you can hear someone near you running..Always hunt zig/zag from water to dry sand at night so you can see up/down the beach..Never start north or south and hunt in a straight path...HH BIGdave
 
With ALL due respect Big Dave, Roger DID NOT do the right thing, as he was caught unaware, AND he was hunting alone. He is questioning what would have been the right thing to do. YOUR advice would likely get him killed.
Specifically, you try that trick you told him wtih the scoop, and you are in a kill zone. You are likely to get knifed yourself. Your adversary is pumped on adrenalin, drugs, or booze. HE is prepared, and within strking distance. Most folks don't have a clue how to conduct hand to hand combat. Of course, you can use that cell phone to call an ambulance for your bleeding, or ask the bad guy if he needs to call someone. lol.
The reason for the Bear Stop (as opposed to just mace), is that it puts out a fog like stream, rather than just a single small stream. Easier to hit than to use a small streamed device.
Finally, if you injure or kill someone in self defense, it will indeed affect you, but sir, I suggest that there are millions of people living every day, productive and decent lives, full of joy and happiness, that have been placed in just such a position. I would rather be alive for my family, than to allow some dirtbag to serve 7 years for killing ME, and then getting a life back. Because one has hardships, does not mean that one cannot cope. If it messes with your head, get help, and it is available. Better to live than to die.
I WILL give you credit, that you advise for Roger to hunt up and down the beach, perpendicular to the water. THAT was perfect.
Roger, take advice, and then go learn how to prepare for another encounter. Hopefully, you will never have one, but, again, when in bear country.......
Dennis who is not trying to start a war.....but expressing a far different opinion about how to NOT get killed.
 
First of all , I would have checked to see if I was wearing my brown shorts ! and then I would have done exactly the same as you did but I would have been prepared to go medieval on him with my trusty Reillys monster scoop at any time .
 
Everyone is entitled to their opinions but they fail to realize that someone high on drugs and alcohol feels no pain, even with being shot they keep on going. They have super human strength because their adrenalin is pumping so high, if you struck out at him you more than likely would have angered him into killing you. Low keyed, and slowly avoiding a nut case is the best way to win. I was witness to a 80 pound kid who was high on drugs, it took 5 180 pound cops to hold him down on the ground. Always carry a cell phone with GPS so if you are in trouble, you can be found by the police if you are in a situation where you can't say to much.
 
Dennis is right about the standard pepper spray.
Stores that sell equipment to hunters (any good gun shop) will carry or can order the pepper spray canisters that guys who hunt in Alaska carry to defend themselves from Grizzlys.
The cannisters are bigger and have a range of about twenty feet I think. They spray a heavy, concentrated stream of pepper spray a really long distance. They are enough to disable a Grizzly bear long enough so you can get away. Imagine what it would do to the jackass who attacked you!
I'm glad you're OK. It'd break my heart if we lost someone from the community.
 
You know, this can be argued back and forth, all day, and we just have to agree to disagree probably. I have carried a concealed handgun for 8 years now, and NEVER have I shot anyone yet. I did, however use it to convince 3 punks to go find another victim. AND, I would not have hesitated to shoot them to the point that they stopped what they were doing.
NOTE that I said shoot to stop them, NOT to kill them. But, on the other hand, I would have shot Center Mass to stop them.
You have to make a personal decision, each and every one of us, as to how far you will go in any situation. I chose a long time ago, to protect myself and my family, to be a God fearing father and Husband, and to be responsible.
Personally, I didn't just get a gun and start carrying. I took courses on combat shooting, shoot/don't shoot scenarios, and was born and raised with guns. They are simply a tool, albeit a deadly one, but, that is really all they are. a tool to accomplish a specific task, given circumstances that are dynamically fluid.
Roger asked for advice in the first one. No matter what the circumstances, the best advice is....prepare beforehand, and react as well as you know how.
Dennis
 
I read about this all the time. If someone is drunk or high on drugs pepper spray is lethal!
I've never heard about anyone who gets a face full of pepper spray who doesn't go down in violent pain.
Mace sucks! It's varies wildly in its effect on people. Pepper spray is a completely different animal.
 
and not feeling the pain. The only reason why they would die is because they inhaled a large dose of pepper spray into their lungs thus shutting down their ability to breath. I spent many years working as an RN in the intensive care units and ER......seen it all.
 
Just a suggestion, but I carry a stun gun that looks exactly like a cell phone. It kicks out over 180,000 volts and would put somebody down. It looks innocent, but it isn't. Nes
 
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