Although i usually go into the woods on private property, I have gone to a few public woods, and they do not permit the carrying of long guns or rifles, which would limit me to a handgun on public lands.David Pilates who wrote missing 411 recommends going into the woods with a phone, a transponder and a gun. He says no one with all three has gone missing to his knowledge. There is some speculation that these missing people have fallen victim to these cryptid creatures.