woodsloafer,

How about a mammal with rabies? Or a mountain lion that is sickly and has decided you are an easy meal? One dragged off a young boy at Lake Pleasant a few years ago. Also a few years ago, in Scottsdale, a pair of coyotes attacked some kids. Here in the desert everything has claws, fangs, or stickers. I was at a remote location with my boys a few weekends ago. There were coyote prints and scat around. I was glad I had a sheath knife on my belt. I was wishing I had my Glock with me. A sharpened pole is good, a pole with a fixed blade is even better. Where can you get a pole in the desert? There are often dead Saguaros around. The ribs make excellent poles for hiking or whatever. I don't think they would sharpen very good. <img src="/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />