[scotjute]

I had a friend in high school years ago bragging about how he and a friend had killed 50 ducks on a hunt. After observing him shoot, I concluded that he must have around 250 shells to have killed that many. I couldn't imagine taking that many rounds on a hunt.
I always traveled light when hunting, seldom more than 10 shells. When deer hunting, seldom more than 8-10 rounds. If I couldn't kill something by 10 shots, I'd be embarrassed.
So how many rounds do you carry when hunting? Any particular logic or reason for that amount of ammo?

[FunGunner]

5 rifle

25 shotgun

[Virginia7]

For deer hunting I'll have the 4or5 in the rifle, plus a belt carrier with an addtl. ten rounds. When out small game hunting with my 22, it's a clip full plus a box (50rounds). Shotgunning gets 3 in the mag., plus a box of 25.

[tuna]

Small game with a .22 I'll carry a box of 50 or 100 (whatever I've got on hand).
Bird hunting I'll pack my bag about two months prior to the season with a handful of 12, 16 and 20 gauge and take them when I get to there, depending on what I'm carrying. I don't usually take more than 10 -12 rounds into the field at any time.
Deer Hunting I'll either take 10 slugs (5 in the gun and a spare box) or 2 reloads for the muzz.
Bird hunting, I always leave the plug in the gun so that I never fire more than 3 shots. This way, if people see me firing a pump only 3 times, it looks like I've got self control (has anyone ever hit on the 4th or 5th shot?). That's another reason why I like doubles or single shots, even if you miss, anyone that hears one or two shots will think its a hit and not come over to find your missed bird, giving me another chance to find it. :neener:

[DigMe]

Duck hunting: Usually 10 shells or so but I hunt on my own land and I can easily go back and get more if I need them and then be back at my hunting spot in five minutes.

Deer: Just the five rounds of .30-06 that my rifle holds. Plus I usually have a .357 mag with cast loads on my belt.

Hogs: 6 rounds of cast loads in my blackhawk and usually another 10 to 15 rounds in my pockets

Dove: a bunch in a fanny pack or something

Chupacabra: 6 wooden stakes in special stake holsters on my belt

brad cook

[Lennyjoe]

Deer, 4 in the gun and 4 extra in the fanny pack.

Birds, pouch with 25 shells and 4 extra boxes in the truck.

Sidearm is a 10MM with 1 full mag and 2 spare mags. What can I say, I hunt near the border. :eek:

[Guns_and_Labs]

Deer/Elk/Boar/Bear: four rounds in the rifle, ten in the pouch. I've never touched the pouch.
Birds: two boxes of shells, remainder of the case in the truck. I miss a lot.

Plus a 10mm or .44mag on the belt with one reload.

[SLCDave]

Brad, do your special stake holsters dispense the necessary goat's blood, or do you have to dip them manually? :neener:

[Art Eatman]

CenTex deer hunting, I was either in a stand--occasionally--or walking hunting within a mile or two of camp. So, I'd carry maybe five spare cartridges.

Out here in the Terlingua back country, I usually would carry a spare box. Aside from misses on long running-deer shots, there was always the potential for needing the old three-shot "I need help!" signalling.

Art

[nico]

I usually just stick a box in a backpack, along with knives for field dressing, rubber gloves, and a poncho.

[sumpnz]

Deer/Elk hunting - 5 in the gun plus 2 stripper clips (5 rounds each) in a pocket. Total 15 rounds. The clips aren't useful for loading, but they do keep the rounds neatly together.

Rabbit - 17 in the gun (tube mag) plus a handful of spares in the pocket.

[ACP230]

I've gone out with just four rounds for my deer rifle.
Usually take 10, and have the rest of the box in the truck.

For bird hunting with my 20 gauge OU I fill up my hunting vest and add two in the gun making 12. More in the truck then too. I've missed enough grouse on occasion to get low on shells on the way back out of the woods.

I usually have Smith snubnose too. I carry five in the gun and two Bianchi Speed Strips with six in each for 17 rounds.

One of the reasons is to have extras is for signalling, although I've never needed them. Another reason is so I could break one or two down and use the powder to start a fire. Never had to do that either.

[dakotasin]

big game- whatever the rifle holds. usually 4 or 5.
calling predators- usally whatever the gun holds plus that many more in a pocket.
pheasant- whatever the gun holds (limit is 3 birds, so no need for more shells).
goose/duck- 25 total.
prairie dog- usually bring 400 for each 22 centerfire, and 100 for each bigger centerfire. no 22 rimfires on a dog town.

[Larry Ashcraft]

Years ago, my brother talked my mom into modifying a hunting vest for him, just for dove hunting.

It has 48 shell loops and NO game bag. :D

[Dave R]

It has 48 shell loops and NO game bag. LOL! Sounds like he hunts dove like I do.

Actually, there was one year when I harvested a dove with my first shot of the season. It was all downhill from there.

Upland hunting--I carry 25 or so.
Varmits--20 per hour of hunting time ;)
Waterfowl--25 or so

I have never hunted big game, but always wanted to.

[MassHunter2190]

Deer- A slug and two buck in the mag with another couple slugs and 5 more buck in a pocket.

Varmint with 10/22- Usually 3 ten round mags for the ruger.

Coyote- 5 .223 HP in the mag, with another 5 or so in a pocket.

Grouse- 3 birdshot in the mag, another 10-15 in a pocket. (unless I decide to use the .410 super single, then It's one in the chamber and 20 ((for squirrels too)) or so in a pocket)

Pheasant- ^Same as grouse.

[birddog]

For deer:

5 in the rifle, 5 in my jacket
6 in the revolver, another 6 in a speedloader.
5 in the shotgun, 5 in my jacket.

For pheasants & woodcock:

1 box of 25 spread throughout my vest

For ducks and geese:

2 boxes of shotshells if it's practical to carry them. 1 box if it's a long walk.

For rabbits

1 box of shotshells.

[Dr.Rob]

Elk/Deer/Bear

4 rds 30.06 in rifle, 1 spare mag = 8 rds
6 rds 44 magnum in revolver, 18 on belt = 24rds

If I need to 'signal' I'll use a handgun.

Antelope:

4 rds 30.06 in rifle, 1 spare mag = 8 rds (extra boxes of shells in the truck)
handgun to taste w/2 spare reloads.

Upland birds:
Shell vest w/20 rounds or so. +3 rds in shotgun.
Large bore handgun (I hunt in bear country)

Small game:

(3) 7 shot magazines of .22LR, remainder of box of shells in fanny pack.
handgun to taste w/2 spare reloads.

[Lennyjoe]

Lately I have been conserving shotshells. I wait for 2 or 3 doves to line up and hit them with some 7 1/2 shot. Hate being down on funds until the next fiscal year.

[ARGarrison]

Deer, firearms
3 slugs in the shotgun, 5 on the stock.
6 rounds in the revolver, 6 rounds in a speedloader.

Deer, Muzzle loader
One loaded and five or so extra.

Small game
I'd say 50 rounds or a box of .22 LR.

Varmits
.22 LR 20-30rds, .223 Rem 20rds

[22-rimfire]

Handgun hunting-Big Bore > usually 20 rounds including whats in the gun.
Centerfire Rifle hunting> One box of shells although sometimes only take 10 rounds.
22> usually a box in the pocket. More in the car.
Shotgun> Depends on what you're hunting.... usually about 15 rounds total in the vest, and a full box in the car.

[Flyboy]

One in the gun, one in an EZ-loader.

Plus a can of black powder and whatever's left in the box of bullets. :neener:

[Zeke Menuar]

Rifle: 10-20 rounds

Milsurp Rifle: as many strippers as I can carry.

LW Commander: as many mags as I can carry, usually four mags.

ZM

[HSMITH]

Usually 15-20 rifle rounds when big game hunting, one to shoot my game and the rest for signaling should I break a leg or something. The hard part is carrying more than 5 or 6 quietly, it's not like they are heavy.

Duck hunting I carry 100+, it is my boat, and I have a big dry box with a season worth of gear in it.

Upland I carry 10-15 shells, I have gone out with 5 rounds before and had a terrible day shooting along with the LONG walk back to the truck for more ammo. Never again, it's not like they are heavy.

[TMM]

i've never hunted(yet!), but i planned on carrying 8 of .30-06 in my gun (Garand) plus a varying amount of En-Bloc's. maybe 1-2 for deer, 3 more moose, 5+ for bear country. or a 12g. mossy 6+1 with slug for bear, plus 10-20 shells. backup, a revo of .357 and one reload for deer; moose, maybe a .44mag and a reload, or a 1911 with 2 reloads; bear country, a BFR in .45-70 or S&W500 with 2-5 reloads.

for bird, probably as many as i can carry.
...i tend to overdo things. i attempted to remind myself i'm hunting, not getting ready for SHTF.

~TMM

[dakotasin]

...i planned on carrying 8 of .30-06 in my gun...


be sure to check your local regs... here, it is illegal to hunt big game w/ a gun that is capable of holding more than 6 shells. in order to hunt here w/ things like an ar or auto pistol or garand, the mag has to be blocked off to only allow 5+1...

[LHB1]

Deer:
a. Rifle (Past): Full magazine in the rifle (4-5) plus 5 on belt slide. Never had to use shells in belt slide.

b. Pistol (Current): 6 in S&W .44 mag revolver plus two 6-round speed loaders in belt pouch. Never had to use speed loaders.

Doves: one box in my vest plus 2nd box in shooting stool. Always have to use second box when there are enough birds to fill out limit. :cool:

Good shooting and be safe.
LB

ps: Lennyjoe: LOL. I believe that! ;) I did it last year by accident. Killed two doves with one shot AND managed to find them both in knee high grass.

[Lennyjoe]

Killed two doves with one shot
I had a first this morning. Took down 4 doves with 2 shots. 3 on the 1st and the last one when he jumped up to bugg out. :D

[Slingster]

When hunting deer here in the States, a full magazine and a full buttcuff or belt carrier is plenty.

In Africa, though, where you might encounter more than one shootable trophy animal and be away from camp all day, I like to add another ten rounds or so in a pocket carrier, for the equivalent of a full box of 20 rounds. You never know whether you'll get into a running gun battle with a recalcitrant zebra or wildebeest!

[TMM]

good point dakotasin.like i said, i've never hunted, so i don't know the state regs.

[jdkelly]

Deer Hunting:

One in gun (270 Win or 35 Whelen), two in my pocket and seven in the backpack for signaling.


Respectfully,

jkelly

[Mannlicher]

If I have the Marlin 1894S out in the swamp, I carry just the 11 rounds it holds. I almost always have a Ruger SA with 6 rounds, and one reload.
Dove hunting, I will darn sure take a couple of boxes of shotgun shells, and if its off squirrel hunting, a pocketful of Stingers usually does it.

[Malamute]

I guess us overcautious guys are in the minority.

I usually have a cartridge belt with 20 to 30 rounds, plus what the gun holds, Usually have a few light loads for small game, sometimes in the belt, sometimes in the pocket.

Usually have at least 3 boxes of ammo in the truck for whatever guns I have along at any given point in time

Usually carry a 44 or 45 Colt and 6 spare rounds in pocket also while rifle hunting.



In summer, when just hiking/camping, have a 44 or 45 Colt pistol with belt of shells, and a belt slide with 6 extra 45-70 rounds for the 86 carbine. (the summer carry gun)

[Nicky Santoro]

I carry what's in the rifle or shotgun plus 5 rounds.

[JOE MACK]

Have what's in the revolver and the twelve rounds on the belt. For upland birds it's what is in the o/u and in the vest.

[formerflyer]

Deer/Elk/etc.: Rifle and butt-cuff loaded, usually one spare ammo carrier in Camelback (about 20 rds total), sidearm (.357 or .44) with full cylinder plus one speedloader or speedstrip.

Boar: Rifle and butt-cuff loaded, spare ammo carrier on belt, plus spare box of 20 rds in Camelback (about 40 rds total), full sidearm plus two reloads (magazine, speedloader, speedstrip, whatever). Haven't run out yet, but have come close. Hunt with H&H Hunter and you'll need all the ammo you can carry. Pig-a-palooza! Nothing like a running gun battle with 20 or so hogs to burn up lots of ammo.

Fishing in Alaska: .44 loaded plus 2 speedloaders, plus 18 extra rounds sealed in plastic in Camelback. When carrying shotgun, Brenneke slugs fully loaded (2 or 7, depending on whether SBS or Pump) plus full butt-cuff, plus spare box sealed in plastic and in dry bag/box.

Hunting in Dangerous Game areas in Africa, Rifle and butt-cuff fully loaded, culling belt w/20 rounds (31 rds total), spare box of ammo in my pack (stays on hunting truck).

Yes, I carry a lot of ammo. Ammo is used for primary game hunted, secondary game (rabbits, squirrels, badgers, coyotes, etc.), signaling, fire starting and self-defense.

If you are forced to use a firearm for signaling, don't expect it to be heard or have someone respond on the first try. Do you know how many people in the field actually KNOW the cadence for signaling with a firearm? How many will respond to it when they hear it out of the blue? Trust me on this, you may be signaling for a while before you get someone to notice, no matter how many people actually hear it.

[sumpnz]

Do you know how many people in the field actually KNOW the cadence for signaling with a firearm? Is it something besides 3 shots in a row (usually most effective after dark since hunting's only allowed during daylight hours).

[Oldnamvet]

For deer, I usually took 10 rounds with me. Normally I come back with 9 :D .
For pheasants I usually take about 15. I leave the rest of the box in the car.

For my one time dove hunting near El Paso, a truck couldn't have held enough.

[JShirley]

When hunting deer, there's always the chance of running into varmints including hogs. I usually carry what's in my gun, plus two extra rounds, and a sidearm. I'm also usually stand hunting, so typically have a Camelback with water, binocs, extra flashlight, gloves, watch cap, and snack. And book. ;)

John

[formerflyer]

Yes, boys and girls, there is more to signaling your distress with a gun than shooting three times. Below is a quote from Jeff Cooper’s Commentaries (http://www.dvc.org.uk/~johnny/jeff/jeff3_3.html):

“Do you know about the standard 3-shot signal? If you do not, here it is: When you are lost in the wilderness or disabled so that you cannot travel, you break out your watch and fire three shots spaced exactly 60 seconds apart. Then you wait for 15 minutes and repeat the same procedure. Then stop. The idea is that a single shot, or three shots spaced quickly, might be inadvertent, but that three shots spaced precisely apart suggest that communication is being attempted. If anybody hears and heeds, he will note your second series of three and home in on you. If no one hears, it is best to wait a couple of hours until your absence has been noticed and then repeat the procedure.

“This is why a hunter should carry more ammunition with him in the field than he will probably need to bring home his venison.”

As a scout I learned it as 3 shots with 15 seconds between them, wait 5 minutes, then repeat the 3 shots with 15 seconds between them, then wait at least an hour. Again the idea is the shots need to be precisely spaced so as to not be confused with normal shooting at game, followed by a pause of a few minutes, then repeated. Don't wait until after dark, signal as soon as you determine you have a problem. After dark you will have lost most of your audience to the comfort of their hotels or Winnebago's.

[scout26]

Deer hunting: 15 rounds (shotgun slugs) - 2-3 for deer (I normally draw 2 tags and figure I might need at least one more for a finishing shot, only had to do that once though.) The rest are for coyotes/emergency use only.

Upland birds/small game - One box in the vest. If I need to go back to get more, I'm going home. :neener: :mad: :neener: :mad: :neener: :mad:

[Twycross]

.270- around 25 cartridges.

Bird hunting- 100+. I am a miserable shotgunner who likes shooting. I carry as many shells as I can, and usually need all of them. Then I go for a second bird. :o *note to self- buy some 50-round bandoleros*

For my .40 S&W, 40 rounds, unless I am heading into a majorly snake-infested area.

[Polishrifleman]

10 rnds dear, bear, elk

6 rnds .38

I'd pack more except my cabela's crazed hunting style doesn't allow room past the game calls, scent blockers, binos, radio, knife, rope, and now chupacabra stakes. :neener:

Twy, how many .40 do you pack when going into snake country. Sounds like you shouldn't even pack a rifle due to your attention being at your feet. :D I started hunting on the Palouse and toward Troy 17 yrs ago and fortunately haven't had a run in with a serpent I didn't like yet.

[Twycross]

Most places around here are pretty snake-free. A few small places, and there are snakes under every rock :what: . 100 rounds +.

[Geno]

I usually take a total of 3 boses (60 rounds). I load up and carry the balance in the box in a jacket pocket. I leave the other two boxes in the Jeep. I have a habit of sharing my ammo. with other hunters. Also, I've actually know people (a friend of mine) who is capable of walking off to the hunt and forgetting his ammo. But, 250 rounds? How much would that weigh? When rabbit hunting, or other small game, simply 1 box.

[carnaby]

wow, a SW500 with reloads!? That'll hurt the next day, if you have to use it! :)

[cracked butt]

deer hunting- 10 rounds- the amount that fits in those handy old Federal red plastic ammo belt carriers.

Waterfowl- 2 boxes of hevi-shot (20 rds)

pheasants, woodduck, grouse- 7 or 8 rounds

squirrels- a 35mm film canister full of .22s.


Signaling ammunition- in my neck of the woods, signalling with a firearm is pretty much useless during gun deer season, there isn't anywhere in the state besides metropolitan areas where you won't hear strings of gunshots all day long any day of the week. I carry a small space blanket, a zippo lighter, and a small first aid kit with a charred piece of cloth in a ziplock bag.

[GunGoBoom]

-3 or 4 rounds for deer, rifle (overkill)
-4 arrows for deer, bow (way overkill)
-1 extra reload (so 2 shots) for deer, muzzleloader
-one box of shells (25) per half-day hunt for ducks, etc.

[Smoke]

Rabbit hunting - a brick of .22lr
Varmint hunting - couple of boxes usually.
Hogs - I have a belt that holds thirty .45-70 rounds. + 4 in the gun.
Deer - rarely hunt deer, what the gun holds is enough.
Quail - box and a half fits in the bag just right.
Dove (at home) - 3-4 boxes...just in case
Dove (Monahans) - couple of cases. :D :evil: :scrutiny:

Smoke

[TrapperReady]

Pheasant - usually a box of 25
Grouse/Woodcock - 10 shells or so
Ducks/Geese - 12 shells on my person, another couple boxes in a 5 gal. bucket
Dove - 2 boxes (more in the truck if need be)
Deer - 10 cartridges or slugs (* plus 6 more .357 in a S&W 686)

That's a rough estimate. Once hunting season starts, I usually have a box with a few hundred assorted shotgun shells in the truck. I typically put on my vest and fill up the pockets (I hate shells loops for bird hunting) with however many I feel like carrying, adjusting the load based on my level of optimism (or lack thereof).

There've been a couple times I've hunted grouse with nothing more than the three shells in the gun. On one occasion, I returned to the truck several hours later with the same three shells. On another, I returned within an hour, with one shell remaining and a bird in hand.

If I was hunting (out West) and was far from the vehicle for a while, I'd probably carry more ammo, just for signaling purposes in case of an emergency.

[Kurt S.]

Larry Ashcraft, can I get one of those game vests with 48 loops and no bag? Uh, better make that 60 loops...

Okay, for real:
Deer & Pigs- full mag in the rifle (4 or 5, depends on the rifle), 4 or 5 loose in a pocket. Full box in the vehicle.

Handgun: "Bounty Hunter" SA .45 Colt- 6 in the cylinder, 6 loose in the pocket; .44 Bulldog- full cylinder, 2 speedloaders; S&W .44 Mag (29 or 629) full cylinder, 1 speedloader.

Rimfire- box of 100 plus whatever's in the gun.

Birds: full gun, full vest (10), 3-4 extra boxes in a milsurp carry bag.

[birdv]

when dove hunting carry one case of shells per case of beer.

J/k
1:2

[Brian Williams]

Deer in brush 1984C and S&W 13 or 65 thats 16 round in the guns and 2 speed loaders makes 12 more with 1 or 2 speed strips for 12 more for 40 total.
Deer in woods or stand Win 70 in 7mm-08 one plastic box of reloads 20 and load the gun from it, carry the rest in backpack with a S&W 13 or 65 and 2 speed strips for a total of 38

Birds 1 box of 25
small game 1 box of 25 or 1 box of 22s (50).

I want to try my new Ruger Super Blackhawk Hunter this year so I will probably carry 6 in the gun and 18 more.