I firmly believe if you are taking these long hikes (especially in VT) during the spring season that you carry no less than a .45 ACP handgun or rifle if you feel like carrying it. There are more dangers in the VT woods than sketchy people. What happens if you cross a mama bear with cubs. She's not likely to walk away unless that big bang scares her or in a worst case solution doesn't put her down upon an attack. Then you have coyotes, wolves, mountain lion, etc
Re: “Going It Alone, and Female, in the Woods”
I firmly believe if you are taking these long hikes (especially in VT) during the spring season that you carry no less than a .45 ACP handgun or rifle if you feel like carrying it. There are more dangers in the VT woods than sketchy people. What happens if you cross a mama bear with cubs. She's not likely to walk away unless that big bang scares her or in a worst case solution doesn't put her down upon an attack. Then you have coyotes, wolves, mountain lion, etc