The current advice from the National Park Service, Forest Service, and several State departments of wildlife and fish is to 'carry and know how to use bear spray' when in 'bear country'. Given the growing number of states that have re-established active wolf packs within their boundaries, and rapid growth of wolf populations in general maybe that government advice might also apply to 'wolf' or 'cougar' country across the US? Most of these agencies either completely ignore firearms or strongly discourage carrying them.

So, is it an-good-idea, or is it a really-bad-idea to carry bear spray or the smaller pepper spray dodads in the cockpit of a SE or even ME aircraft which has open air connectivity to a luggage compartment of an aircraft? What about in a separate locker, say in the nose of and ME or cargo pods on the belly of a SE aircraft? If you would carry bear spray, how would you carry the stuff safely? FWIW, every US airline I know of bans bear spray and even the small personal defense spray dodads from both cabins and checked luggage on their aircraft. Is that a good rule to follow in your own aircraft?

Several states have laws that criminalize persons who carry on firearms on their persons and even in vehicles inside their jurisdictions without specific permits issued by the state, and in some cases their cities. Some make it illegal for transients or their own citizens to carry either pistols or long guns without permits. How do you address these legal restrictions when you fly across the country?

I don't have a lot of interest in landing recreationally off airport in the backcountry, BUT, "two [engines] is ONE [engine], and ONE [engine] can easily become NONE". I know several pilots who, myself included, have experienced a powered aircraft that became either severely underpowered (partial loss of power) or a glider. Landing off airport becomes a given. I know that since ADSB and 406 ELTs became common several years ago that rescue times have plummeted. But, it's all sat based, so we can easily go back to the bad 'ol days where the average 'find' time is 3-5 days, or longer. So we're back to survival tools and defensive weapons.

I really don't like the idea of carrying any of the pepper spray weapons in my aircraft. Other than an airtight, cylinder like one of the bear proof canisters designed for back country camping what other options would likely work? Bear spray cans are under a lot of pressure, and come in 7-10 ounce sizes.

Carrying a large caliber pistol with appropriate ammunition is a likely, effective defense tool... but not much good for hunting, at least in my hands. Would you carry both a rifle or shotgun when flying cross country plus a pistol? Here in the Pacific Northwest and the intermountain region my flights are often over pretty remote areas. That's true in most states in the lower 48. Do we need to equip for survival (including hunting and self defense) when we fly?

I carry a PLB for unwanted off airport landings. Garmin's [s]Inreach[[/u] would work great, but I've already got a PLB and a panel mounted 406 ELT with a panel switch. And I change batteries on schedule. But, stuff happens. It's possible that neither PLB or ELT would survive a post-fire, off airport landing [AKA crash]. So, back to bear spray and firearms... Several states have laws that limit or prohibit personal firearms and edged weapons. I'm a bit conflicted about whether I'd leave or carry these tools, and how I would carry them over "hostile" borders and avoid unintended post crash drama.

Thoughts?