You need to carry a pistol. It's better have and not use. Than to need and not have.
I was just walking on my usual trail when I heard some rustling branches a couple feet away. I kept walking casually, thinking it’s probably a deer.
Then I heard a loud grunt.
I know all the “black fight back” and what not but I was PETRIFIED. I got super hot and dizzy.
After the initial shock I slowly looked back to nostr:npub1cj8znuztfqkvq89pl8hceph0svvvqk0qay6nydgk9uyq7fhpfsgsqwrz4u who was about 20ft behind me and motioning to me not to run.
We began a brisk walk back to the car, the rustling moving parallel to us before abruptly stopping.
Hearts pounding, we made it home.
Moral of the story: be careful even on familiar trails, and be aware that sometimes you don’t respond how you think you might in a dangerous situation.