Hiking/Exploring with a bullwhip.

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:08 pm

Here is a different topic. How many of you carry a bullwhip when you go hiking and/or camping and/or exploring?

I've been carrying a bullwhip on my belt for well over a decade. I admit, it is because of 'Raiders of the Lost Ark' that I became interested, more like infatuated, with the bullwhip. When I got older and received my first, *caugh*, "real" bullwhip (a cheap swivel handled one while visiting Mexico) I promptly had my Dad help me make a whip holster to hang from my belt. Ever since then the whips have gotten better and the holsters have gotten better but I still go out hiking with a bullwhip hanging at my left side. Like my knife, I don't feel comfortable going into the back country with out it. It's my security blanket of sorts. I've used a whip more times than I can count to haul myself up a tree or incline, to scare off animals (usually dogs but also a coyote once), to signal my whereabouts or to just have fun cracking out in the woods. (A funny thing about signaling: To this day if I am visiting my folks and out walking around my childhood stomping grounds in the woods I will send out three consecutive cracks to let them know I'm coming back if I hear someone calling for me.)

It has never been an odd thing for me to carry. Up until just a few years ago with my discovery of whip enthusiasts on the internet I thought I was alone in my appreciation and interest in the bullwhip. It's an amazing and wonderful tool.

Oh, sure, I still get the occasional odd looks and even snide comments if I pass someone on the trail. Nothing new. I figure if I'm happy with it hanging there then so what.

So, am I alone in this practice? Anyone else brave ridicule and take their whip adventuring?

mechinyun · Post by **mechinyun** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:36 pm

Hey man your totally not alone! I do the same thing and enjoy every minute of it no matter what looks or remarks I get. Remeber most people just dont have the balls to do or wear something different and bust on people that do to make themselves feel better!. Wear your whip proud people, for you will only get one life to do it!

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 2:39 pm

I definitely bring the whip on overnights in the backcountry. Since firearms are not an option on federal lands, the whip does at least provide psychological comfort. But I have to remember to bring it on hikes. I just have not programmed myself to carry it with me on all hikes. At least as far as critters, they do seem to have a universal response to loud noises.

-Sergei

Post by **Mike** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:12 pm

If I take it, I generally carry it along. Makes the hike go by quicker when not worrying about, or adjusting the whip from falling out of the holder.

Mike

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:47 pm

Sergei wrote:At least as far as critters, they do seem to have a universal response to loud noises.

It's either noises or this motion.

Just kiddin'

Cheers,
Pyro.

ecwhips · Post by **ecwhips** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:51 pm

While I don't carry it on my belt, I never leave home without a whip. Anytime I go away somewhere or out for the day when the weather is nice I always make sure I have a whip or two with me. You never know who you might run into or if you'll wind up in a spot that was just made for cracking whips.

Jim

Pyroxene · Post by **Pyroxene** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:54 pm

ecwhips wrote:You never know ... if you'll wind up in a spot that was just made for cracking whips.

Jim

Boy ain't that the truth. It's happened to me more than once where I was driving across Texas on a sunny day and stopped only to see a beautiful grassy field. That's when you think to yourself, "I should have brought my whip."

Pyro.

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 3:56 pm

Yeah got one on me there, Pyro. That's too funny.

)

It's funny that the QM looks like it's getting whipped into a frenzy, as in the picture by rocking back and forth.
-S

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 4:21 pm

Too funny! I carry a whip or two in my truck too. Instead of golf clubs I have whips.

Speaking of which, I would LOVE to go cracking on a golf course. Such perfect, beautiful grass...*drool*

Hey, Mike. I used to have the same problem with my whip holster as well. Anytime I needed to run or jump the darn whip would pop right out of it and fall to the ground. A while back, with Dalexs' help, I got some Pull-the-Dot fasteners and built a couple new whip holsters using them. The female snap has a tab inside the rim that will only allow the snap to come undone when opened from the opposite side. Let me tell you, these things work like a charm!

As an example, I was on a solo day hike (not far from civilization) which took me accross a large gulley with a creek at the bottom. On the other side of the gulley was a man made clearing where it looked like a house was going to be built. I stayed inside the tree line and surveyed the area. Just then a guy on the far side of the clearing came walking up what looked to be a dirt driveway. I ducked behind a tree. He did not see me but his path was heading in my direction so I high tailed it out of there not wanting to risk being charged with trespassing. Down the ravine I jumped rushing along the deer trail I had come up. I leapt across the 6' wide creek and raced up the other side of the gulley and hid behind a huge tree. As I caught my breath I realized that with all my rapid movement my whip was still hanging securely at my side. Since then I never worry about the dreaded whip drop.

(Note: I do secure the whip's handle inside the holster.)

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 4:47 pm

kyle,
that must have been a good adventure ive heard that
story 3 times and it seems like each time the size of the
creek gets bigger and bigger

I carry 1 whip every
time i go camping or hiking, my short handled bullwhip
which fits perfectly fine in my mk vii. If it was bigger, then
i would put it on my belt.
Kindest Regards

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 5:22 pm

Molorom wrote:kyle,
that must have been a good adventure ive heard that
story 3 times and it seems like each time the size of the
creek gets bigger and bigger I carry 1 whip every
time i go camping or hiking, my short handled bullwhip
which fits perfectly fine in my mk vii. If it was bigger, then
i would put it on my belt.
Kindest Regards

LOL! Molo, you crack me up. It thought I was pushing it there but figured it was still somewhat believable. At least I left the ninjas out this time.

Seriously, if I do tell this story a lot I apologize. It is because I had just received the new Pull-the-Dot snaps from Dalexs a week or two prior to this experience and outside of jumping up and down like a fool my new holster hadn't seen any real world testing yet. I was soooo pleased with the results of not losing my whip that it is still my favorite example. To this day I have not had the whip break loose. There is some slippage every now and then that needs to be adjusted but nothing major.

Mola Ram · Post by **Mola Ram** » Wed Jan 14, 2004 6:48 pm

there is nothing wrong with that at all

you are just expressing how
happy you are with a item/good, its just the same as us telling our adventures with our hats.
kindest regards
mola

auntsugar · Post by **auntsugar** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:15 am

I remember seeing, on the "old" COW, a thread about someone hiking with their gear. This person has stopped on a large rock by the water, and encountered a snake. The person had used the whip against the snake, and it cut it down pretty good. I just don't remember who it was.
Anyone, anyone, Buller, anyone?

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 8:29 am

Sounds like fun. Now I've been told thou that you can get the bullwhip to wrap around something buy a few people and be able to swing. lol. I dont have a bullwhip. Hope some day to have one. I have 200$ should i get the Akubra Fedora from hatsdirect or a bullwhip from ECwhips? hmm...... wow. They had to be good with a bullwhip to be able to cut a snake down pretty good. Really the only person that I know that is afraid of snakes and that would attack it is Indiana Jones. Maybe you should contanct him but good luck finding him.

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:31 pm

Well, we've all heard Michaelson's fending off the dogs story, and that is reason enough for me to carry a whip next summer if ever I go hiking. A gun, in my mind, is far better for protection, but in Canada one cannot simply carry a gun around for protection. No laws against bullwhips though, and if they give you that wee bit of a chance against a perturbed bear or moose, I'm in.

Regards,

Farn

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:48 pm

Farnham54 wrote:Well, we've all heard Michaelson's fending off the dogs story, and that is reason enough for me to carry a whip next summer if ever I go hiking. A gun, in my mind, is far better for protection, but in Canada one cannot simply carry a gun around for protection. No laws against bullwhips though, and if they give you that wee bit of a chance against a perturbed bear or moose, I'm in.

Regards,

Farn

A bear would use a whip to floss with after he is done with you.

Moose are just as dangerous and deadly. If I ran into either I'd take my whip in hand just so I would be sure not to loose it while I'm running my ### off.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:53 pm

Most recently was the story by Koreana Jones who protected himself against 3 stray pitbulls with his pocket bull from the_edge, so it is a good deterent. Makes me want one Kyle's pocket bulls all the more, dang it!

Regards. Michaelson

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 3:55 pm

Ahemmm.... I actually scared off a "Black Bear" about 50 yards away that was on the same mountain trail as me. The crack made him run. However, as I write this there are many caveats. If that was a mother wiith her cubs, I don't know if the same reaction would have occured. Also, I did say "Black Bear", which is far differenct beast from the Grizzly. I am not sure a handgun can stop a grizzly.

-Sergei

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 4:14 pm

More folks have been mauled by black bears than Griz's, or so they say, and I'm not so sure there's anything under a .44 mag (and even THAT'S limited. a .454 Casul is the preferred 'medicene') that will take one down either, unless you place the shot perfectly. No, my friend, those caveates are well placed.

I'm glad you walked away from that one. Regards. Michaelson

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 4:22 pm

BTW, _ was the other person I know that has scared off black bears in the mountains. -S

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 4:27 pm

But then old Todd likes to walk bare handed through the woods, HOPING for a bear to cross his path

He heard from Dave Marshall that bear skin could make a GREAT A-2

Regards. Michaelson

Sergei · Post by **Sergei** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 4:41 pm

Michaelson wrote:But then old Todd likes to walk bare handed through the woods, HOPING for a bear to cross his path He heard from Dave Marshall that bear skin could make a GREAT A-2 Regards. Michaelson

Yeah we should now call him Mongo. "Mongo, no like bear! Bam!"

-S

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 5:00 pm

Here here!! (grins) Oh, to add just a bit more to what Edge said about the bear using you for dental floss if you tried to ventilate him with a subpowered revolver.....I once read a letter to the Guns and Ammo editor YEARS ago from a fellow who planned on going up into Alaska on a hunting trip, and wanted to know what was the best lubricant to use in cold weather on his Ruger .357 mag. 4 inch revolver, which he was carrying as a backup gun on a bear hunting trip. The editor wrote that bacon grease was best, coating the revolver heavily, as if a bear DID come after him, to thow the gun away, and hopefully the bear would decide to go eat the gun, giving the fellow time to get way!

True story!

Regards. Michaelson

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 5:39 pm

Well, Edge, having dealt with blackbears on more then one occasion, and moose as well, I know that more often then not running is the WORST thing to do. They are rather timid creatures, and if you even have a problem to begin with (which is rare) you can usually scare them off with loud noises. That would be what the whip is good for; the noise. Actually hitting the bear would simply drive him into a frenzy, and then I suppose you COULD run, but you would just die tired

When you run, the animal sees you as prey, and will many times give chase. In the absence of a whip, you should make yourself as BIG as possible, yell at the top of your lungs, stand on your toes, raise your arms in the air and go nuts.

This tactic also works against muggers

If that doesn't work, well the old duck and cover routine of playing dead. However, that is a last option.

I should have clarified in my first post; a whip probobly wouldn't be a good defence, just a deterrent with the noise one can make.

Regards,

Farn

IndianaCollins · Post by **IndianaCollins** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:05 pm

WhipDude wrote:I have 200$ should i get the Akubra Fedora from hatsdirect or a bullwhip from ECwhips? hmm......

Dude, that's a hard one. I have a Fed Delux, and a EC whip, and love themboth dearly. Either way, you'll be pleased.

oh yeah, Michaelson, great story about the bacon grease and the bear

The_Edge · Post by **The_Edge** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:08 pm

Farnham54 wrote:Well, Edge, having dealt with blackbears on more then one occasion, and moose as well, I know that more often then not running is the WORST thing to do. They are rather timid creatures, and if you even have a problem to begin with (which is rare) you can usually scare them off with loud noises. That would be what the whip is good for; the noise. Actually hitting the bear would simply drive him into a frenzy, and then I suppose you COULD run, but you would just die tired When you run, the animal sees you as prey, and will many times give chase. In the absence of a whip, you should make yourself as BIG as possible, yell at the top of your lungs, stand on your toes, raise your arms in the air and go nuts.

Regards,

Farn

Farn,

I was just giving you a hard time, buddy. Something I'm known to do from time to time and which sometimes gets me into trouble.

Besides, Michaelson is correct in his assertion that black bears are responsible for more attacks on humans. My use of a whip to deter a bear would really depend on the situation. My first choice would be to avoid giving it a reason to kill me.

(Note: There used to be a link here to a bear attack but it must have been deemed to graphic for this forum even with my warnings. And so it goes.)

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:45 pm

Ok, I usually can stand anything gross.......but that man is the most gruesome pic or thing i have ever seen in my life. I would reconmend to everybody NOT TO LOOK AT THE PIC! you really should just remove the link. thats not right.

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 6:52 pm

What link?

I must have missed something, but based on WhipDude's response, maybe it's just as well!

Regards. Michaelson

WhipDude · Post by **WhipDude** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:07 pm

The_Edge just edited his post. Really Michaelson you dont wanna see it so just dont even ask for the link. lol .

Post by **Michaelson** » Thu Jan 15, 2004 7:10 pm

I'll take your word for it.

Regards. Michaelson

Farnham54 · Post by **Farnham54** » Fri Jan 16, 2004 2:18 am

Sorry, Edge, I didn't mean to come across as offended or anything. I honestly thing you and I are saying the same thing anyway--that it would really depend on the situation.

At any rate, if I didn't say that, I agree with you 100%

Very funny about the not-loosing-your-whip-while-you-run-your-###-off

.

Ultimatley, the best defense against BIG critters is to stay out of the bush.

but where's the fun in that, right?

Cheers, edge!

High Regards,

Craig

Major Mike · Post by **Major Mike** » Sat Jan 17, 2004 3:22 am

A young man was planning a hike through bear country and had done his research about what he should bring with him. He was told to put some small bells on his pack that would make noise and to carry pepper spray. Not long after he'd been hiking, he ran into an old hunter who'd been hunting in those parts for many years.

The old hunter said, "I see you have your bells on, do you have pepper spray also?"

The young man replied that he did.

The old hunter then asked if he knew how to tell what kind of bears were in the area. The young man said that he didn't, and would like to know.

The hunter responded, "You can tell from their dung. Black bear dung comes in small piles, smells awful, and is full of sticks and berries. Grizzly bear dung comes in large piles, smells like pepper, and is full of little metal bells."

Hiking/Exploring with a bullwhip.

Hiking with a bullwhip is ...

Hiking/Exploring with a bullwhip.