[Jack O'Conner]

I backpack into remote areas of the Bighorn Mts. each August for superb fishing.
This is black bear and mt. lion country and a long, long way to the nearest medical help. In other words, I'm on my own.

I always carry a lightweight 16 gauge shotgun. It's just a plain break open single shot that weighs about 5 lbs. But a stock shell holder carries 5 rounds of ammo. An assortment of #1 buckshot, slug, and high base #6 is carried. This is my self defense gun and it is light and deadly. I carry a K-Bar bowie knife on my hip that was issued to me a few decades ago.

Someone will point out that my shotgun is only a break open single shot. But these mts were explored by trappers back when un-friendly Indians and fearless grizzlies were common. Yet these men carried muzzle-loaders with confidence. My single barrel shotgun loads much faster than those old muzzle-loaders!
Jack