I hope my comments don't bring Charlton Heston, or for that matter Michael Moore knocking at my door. I don't always want to lug some cannon with me <img src="images/graemlins/blush.gif" alt="" />. Were I in Alaska, a adequate firearm is prudent and a social given. There are some nieghborhoods in California where anything less than an assault rifle is courting trouble. But then some of Old Bald Guy's peers would pull me over and ask my business there in the first place. Wilderness survival weaponry is more of a food gathering exercise than defense against large animals. Fishing, snaring,netting and plant material gathering will be the norm in most environs. O.K. We all have romantic notions of bringing down some wild pig with a spear, stringing the tusks into a necklace and getting tobasco sauce all over our survival vest. But big animals can push back. The Neanderthals had multiple injuries from close contact spear hunting. Later peoples show a dramatic drop in such wounds. Why? A remarkable invention called the spear thrower. The projectile is actually a dart, heavier than an arrow, lighter than thrusting spears. People had distanced themselves from harm with increased killing power. Smaller game uncooperative with passive traps can be taken with throwing sticks. These implements have the added advantage of anonymity. I went on a Sierra Club Hike where even my Fallkniven recieved judgemental looks of approbation. An adequate handgun was out of the question. I had this really funny looking hiking staff ( club leader to Chris," thats a really funny looking hiking staff <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />") It was my spearthrower with the darts secured with ranger bands and the points hidden. Had we been assaulted by Sahara Club 4WD goons, I was equipped to put 3 darts into tire,radiator and windshield. I didn't have to, to my relief. I'd rather wear pig tusks than hood ornaments <img src="images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />.