I spend a lot of time in the desert. Usually several days a week, several hours a day in a truck, gator or horseback. Most important thing to carry is water. I usually carry a sidearm and mostly a Cimarron Lightning in 38 special. In the truck I carry a lever rifle in the same caliber as the handgun. Sometimes I carry a rifle on the gator and once in a while on horseback. My favorite rifle on horseback is a Marlin Guide Gun in 45-70. Also carry a 22 rifle and/or handgun a lot. Main reason to carry a firearm is in case I encounter an animal that needs to be put down or a varmint of some kind. Rattlesnakes I can usually kill with a rock, a stick or the knot end of my rope. Most everything else I enjoy watching - hawks, deer, javelina, quail, coati mundi.
