[R.W.Dale]

or any kind of hunting for that matter with the express purpose of delivering a coup de grâce close in should the need arrive without the mess of a rifle at close range.

[HM2PAC]

On occasion I carry a BUG, but not with the sole purpose of a coup de grace.

[Sinixstar]

Been a few times where I wished I had one.
Only problem is - where I hunted at the time (Indiana), if you had a handgun in the field, it was assumed you were hunting with it - so season restrictions applied.
Most of the times I wish I had one was Muzzleloader season, which would rule out any kind of handgun.

It was great, they don't let you carry anything in the field (even if you're CC) - yet they look at you like a maniac when your deer is missing half it's head from a 50cal blast at close range. :banghead:

[huntershooter]

I do, but not for a finishing shot.
I carry one in hopes of being able to use it as the primary firearm.

[SleazyRider]

Lots of reasons to carry a handgun in the field. It wouldn't be the first time a hunter was attacked by a bear while gutting out a deer. Also, there's the possibility of being "caught with one's pants down" by a 2-legged attacker who wants to steal your rifle when you're getting in and out of a car or other vulnerable moment. It can be used as a signaling tool in the event of an injury or failure of your primary weapon to fire.

[3pairs12]

During rifle season I open carry everytime I go hunting. The only reason is wild hogs. To date I still havent needed it. Just scared that I may piss one off in the early morning or late evening when it is to dark for the rifle scope. I voted yes and never needed it. I probably should have voted no since I don't carry it as a finisher.

[Shawnee]

Here in Ohio it is illegal to carry more than one firearm during any of the deer seasons and, of course, no firearm may be carried during the archery season. However, it happens that I hunt with a SBH during the regular deer gun season.

When shooting deer on agricultural damage permits during the Spring and Summer I switch off and on between my SBH, my Contender and one of my rifles. Since I work pretty hard at making one-shot, DRT kills I have not taken anything but the "primary" firearm.

So I answered "no" to the poll even though I hunt with the .44 magnum.


:cool:

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I carry a .22LR revolver loaded with Velocitors and speedloader. I've used it once to finish off a deer and several times to take small game when deer hunting wasn't panning out.
I'm also apprehensive about some bad situation developing where I may actually really need it.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I voted no, but I have in the past. Not so much for coup de grace, but as a chattering squirrel silencer (Aguila Super Colibris).

[BigBuckMaster]

yes. in my 45 country hunting experance, most of the time i have a large frame revolver (.45 LC in most countrys, but in Africa or when hunting dangerious game, a .460 S&W). i have used my ole .45 a few times to finish off game bout five times. i have used the .460 twice, and i stopped a lion from going any farther when my .470 went empty. uesed a hip shot, anchoring him so i could finish him off without tracking him for three hours again.

[bang_bang]

I usually carry one of my pistols, used it the first time this season on an 8-point. I carry my .45 Witness with me, for 3 reasons really.

1. Personal defense against any type of animals (skunks in particular) and against the pissed off out of state hunter that might wonder on the land I hunt on. Out of state hunters in my area have been known to be awful shots, and have been known to also jump fences and shoot at everything that moves.

2. I am often put in situations where a full power scope is obsolete. Having a pistol, .45 or .357 at 10-15 yards is deadly. Still haven't shot one though, but I will one day.

3. Making a mortal wound quicker. I can't stand to see animals in pain, so I have always took one for that reason. I've used it only once, having make a lucky but bad neck shot on an 8-point. I immediately ran up and put a .230gr bullet through its vitals, making the animal expire within seconds.

[koja48]

I carry one all the time and for a variety of reasons . . . a man can't have too many tools.

[Mr. Chitlin]

Glock 27.

[F3RR3T]

carry a fullsize 1911 whenever i go hunting. not for the game. but for the other retarded hunters here who have a habit of trying to claim your kill and your deer

[357sigRog]

Glock 33

[351 WINCHESTER]

I used to carry a .45 1911 especially when hog hunting. Had to use it once on a hog that refused to die. My backup (brother in law) was armed with a 12 ga. and when the hog charged he hauled his but back to the truck and left me holding the bag. Last time I ever took him hunting.

[mikle76]

I won't be carrying a "small handgun" this year but I will be carrying my 686 in hopes of a deer getting close enough to put 'er to use!

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I don't hunt farm land. I hunt back country. I may start in open timber and end up in dense brush. Wolves, Coyotes, Kitty cats, and Bear are certainly potential close in. In dense brush I have taken Deer with pistol, while the rifle was cradled. I've used the pistol as finishing shot on Bear when I was hunting alone. Then again, I've hunted successfully with just a handgun.

If I've got an iron sighted lever gun in my hands, I may or may not have a side arm. If I've got a scoped rifle in my hands, I'm more apt to have a SBH, RH 44mag or at leas a .357 revolver on my. Maybe a 1911 in .45acp.

-Steve

[35 Whelen]

I used to, but:
1) I never needed it
2) If I can deliver the coup de grace with a handgun, I can do the same with my rifle
3) If I can't hit it with my rifle, then I damn sure can't hit it with my pistol
4) The extra weight can be a real pain especially when hunting the high country for elk.

35W

[X-Rap]

Perfect logic Whelen, and spoken from experiance as to the weight I'll bet. People should consider a little extra water or survival gear instead of an extra gun.
I do however carry when bow hunting for the simple reason of bears and cats.

[Shawnee]

Good post, .35 Whelen !

It probably wrecked your chance to appear on the cover of "Guns & Blast 'Em" though.:D

:cool:

[tunnug]

glock 20 with cor-bon loads, cause you just never know who/what you might encounter in southern arizona, we are allowed to have sidearms on the regular deer season and our muzzeloader season is HAM (handgun,archery,muzzeloader) take your pick.

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Ha ha. I once carried a .44 mag revolver in addition to rifle during gun season while in a stand, "in case a deer walked under the stand and I couldn't arrange my rifle in a way to take a shot". Talk about carrying a lot of weight - won't be doing that again. :)

If I can deliver the coup de grace with a handgun, I can do the same with my rifle

Although true during rifle season, during archery season, you can carry a handgun here if you have a CCW, but not a rifle. If you decide to make your CCW a .22, it will work well for coup de grace. I sure wouldn't want to be in the position of shooting my archery deer with a full-powered handgun (9mm or larger) for a coup de grace, and then have the game warden sniffing around the check station questioning which hole is the fatal hole (the initial shot), so a .22 makes a lot more sense for a head shot coup de grace.

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I carry a handgun all the time. It's not there to "finish off" a game animal as it's specific purpose. I've decided that it's simply a very useful tool to have with me at all times.

As a note, I do have my concealed carry permit in Montana. Therefore the specific tool may vary, but it's always there.

900F

[paintballdude902]

ruger single six in .22 magnum i keep 3 shotshells and 3 solids in it

shotshells for snakes it works pretty good, if you get so close you cant back away and need it it does the job nicely

[glockgod]

You can carry a handgun while bowhunting(or any hunting) in Ohio if you are a CCW holder.However you can't shoot critters with it.

[HB]

I used to, but:
1) I never needed it
2) If I can deliver the coup de grace with a handgun, I can do the same with my rifle
3) If I can't hit it with my rifle, then I damn sure can't hit it with my pistol
4) The extra weight can be a real pain especially when hunting the high country for elk.

35W
Exactly... I sometimes carry my buckmark or a single six but there is really no point. If I'm out to shoot a deer, squirrels are safe. If my rifle can't handle it, I'd better have my boots laced up or my car keys handy...

HB

[BornAgainBullseye]

Here in Ohio it is illegal to carry more than one firearm during any of the deer seasons and, of course, no firearm may be carried during the archery season. However, it happens that I hunt with a SBH during the regular deer gun season.
I do believe that the liberals won Ohio didn't they. Come on down past the Mason-Dixon we all for the most part share our love of all guns.

[5ptdeerhunter]

I used my Ruger P90 to finish off my buck today. It was either that or the shotgun. I chose the P90 hoping for a small whole. It worked very well. I have had to finish off deer before, and the less power/smaller caliber is better as long as you use good shot placement.

[countertop]

I always carry a small handgun when hunting, but I answered no cause its not to finish off game. I carry it cause I always carry it.

[mswestfall]

I carry a knife to finish off game.

[mod700]

i dont, but i think i'm going to during archery season (mostly due to some too-close-for-comfort coyote encounters and wrestling matches i've had with deer with my knife) but i need to check state regulations about that. but as far as rifle season....they'll die the rest of the way by the same rifle that first knocked em down.

[X-Rap]

I've seen a number of posts stating that they will finish off shotgun or archery wounded big game animals with a hand gun.
I would definatly check and recheck the game laws since I don't believe that would be legal in most states.
In some states even carrying a center fire with rifled barrel during shotgun and archery is illegal.

[mgregg85]

I carried my XD45, its not exactly small, but I did use it to finish off my 9 point this saturday. I shot him in the spine at about 130 yards with my .30-06 and he was still kickin pretty hard after about 5 minutes so I gave him a shot in the neck and he was all done. I used a 230 grain federal HST +P and it did the job pretty well. The taxidermist pulled the bullet out for me yesterday, it had penetrated most of the way through the neck and stopped before making it through the other side. From the looks of it, it seems to have hit some bone. Other than that it expanded perfectly.

Here is the deer...
http://img238.imageshack.us/img238/2913/p1010277ak0.jpg

If anyone wants to see it I can take a picture of the expanded bullet.

[MountainWalk]

A good shot never requires a finisher. Why pack a pistol when you already have a superior gun in a rifle? Same goes for self defense in the case of animal attack. Why use a pea shooter when you have a rifle?

[csd4682]

I always carry a pistol in my pocket, its a 9mm, so I have no hopes of shoting any game, its for protection only, we have lots of black bears, and coyotes. I had a friend encounter a black bear and 3 cubs last year during muzzleloader season, and he had no defense other than that one shot. Fortunatly the bear did not become aggresive, and moved on. I would much rather explain to the game dept. that im alive due to carring a pistol, rather than them explain to my family that i'm not coming home.

[bikerdoc]

357, only had to use it once

[WardenWolf]

I'm going javelina hunting next spring, and the area I'm going to be hunting in is a known illegal and drug runner trafficking corridor. Because of this, I will be wearing my Ruger P90 .45 on my hip during the hunt. While my Saiga .223 ought to be more than sufficient for any threat, I feel better having a backup gun. I won't run into any legal issues, either, because Arizona has no magazine restrictions for handgun hunting and the rules for javelina and deer simply say "Centerfire handguns" with no caliber restriction.

Another big motivator in this choice is that my guide will be unarmed, and in an emergency I can hand him my pistol.

[mbt2001]

going to be hunting in is a known illegal and drug runner trafficking corridor.

That is the #1 reason why I carry a sidearm when hunting. Drug fields in national parks and forests, illegal immigrants, drug runners, criminals, psychopathic nutcases listening to the gospel of the misquitos, Hogs, rabid animals, cougars, bears, big foot...

Using it as a finisher is something to do with it, but the actual reason is listed above. Also, I like strapping on the cowboy rig.

[KINGMAX]

S&w 686-1

[M'bogo]

A seven shot S&W .357 rides in my hunting pack. It has dispatched a couple of animals and its comforting just knowing its there if needed.

I think if one carries a BUG hunting it should be able to disapatch the intended quarry being hunted and be able to serve in a self defense mode also. For me, the areas and game I hunt a 3" .357 fills that role nicely.


M'bogo

[Ridgerunner665]

My 1911 goes EVERYWHERE with me...and I have killed several deer with it.

Its not really a small handgun...but I do carry it with me hunting and sometimes (in thick cover) I'll put the rifle on my shoulder and get the 45 out and ready for a quick shot.

[TAB]

When its legal to do so, my 627 v comp is on my hip. I've debated in the last couple of years of swaping it out for a delta elite.


Lots of reasons to take it, only one reason not too.( wieght)

[JEB]

i carry my glock 22. i would rather carry my G27 but even for finishing game it must be legal to hunt with so i am required to use the G22 due to the longer barrel. it dosent add much weight and i have already used it 7 times since deer season started.

[The Bushmaster]

And for camp protection when the rifles are unloaded and stowed...

[lgbloader]

When I hunt, I carry a 357 Mag or 44 Mag as a side arm depending on what mood I am in when I'm packing for the trip and what outfit I'm wearing. Just kidding on the outfit...
Maybe it's just to complete the costume but I've always had a sidearm with me when I'm in the woods.

And for camp protection when the rifles are unloaded and stowed...

I keep a nice shotgun loaded with OO Buck and slugs handy in camp.

LGB

[CoRoMo]

I voted Yes, but the Blackhawk that I carry isn't small.

[schlockinz]

Carry a 1911 in the field with me, I've chased a few hogs with it while I didn't have a rifle, and the shotguns had 4 steel shot in them. After those experiences I'm looking at a blackhawk in 45LC or 44 mag

[kimbernut]

The Colt Pocket Nine is my 24/7/365(except for the exceptions) Carry gun. That includes hunting as well. I've used it for finishing off two spine shots on quickly moving hogs. They were down but upon approach would have torn me apart if they could have gotten up. One head shot apiece quickly put an end to that. One other time this past fall I shot a nice 9 point buck at the base of the neck as this was the only shot offered. He went down and never got up. I normally allow 20-30 minutes before I will follow up a shot animal but he was in sight and still breathing. He would have expired soon on his own but there was no need to prolong the inevitable.
Yes, the rifle would have finished them off as well but I appreciate the CCW for the coup de grace when I deem it necessary.

[jimmyraythomason]

I do sometimes. It is not legal here to have a handgun in your possession during a bow hunt(unless the gun season is also open). If you have a handgun while deer hunting during gun season it must be of legal caliber for deer(centerfire only).

[UpTheIrons]

I carry a 1911 with me while hunting because I can. Texas allows a CHL holder to carry concealed during archery season, and any centerfire round is legal during rifle season, so I keep it mainly for 2 legged predators and also on the hopes that I can take a deer with it (hopefully next season).

I'm not hiking all over creation, so the extra weight isn't an issue for me, as some others have said, which I understand completely. If I were out and about that much, I'd think twice about it, too.

[ArmedBear]

I've carried a .357 Model 60 while bird hunting. #7.5 and #6 birdshot might not stop a badger or a coyote getting into it with my dog, but a full-house .357 load with a Keith-style bullet in it will.:)

Like Texas, I can carry while archery hunting. However, I've never hunted with a bow. If I do, I may well carry that same .357.

(That said, I have a rule against shooting animals that make me laugh as much as badgers do, unless absolutely necessary.)

[CajunBass]

I carry a Ruger Bearcat. Mostly "just becase." I suppose I could use it to finish off a criple, but never have. The times I've had a cripple down, a load of No. 8 birdshot to the back on the head did the job.

[Nico Testosteros]

I'm only a newbie hunter but I'm with Whelen and Mountain Walk.
I've thought about taking along my 681 but I can finish off an animal with my rifle if need be. That, and it's an encumbrance to have it on my hip while getting in and sitting in the stand.
But I may take it next season so I can try it instead of my rifle on close in shots. That'd be fun!

[Nicky Santoro]

Yes, but not for the reasons noted in the poll. Sometimes you may encounter odd people in the woods. My BIL was approached by someone who claimed to be a game warden and was told to put his shotgun on the ground and put his hands behind his back. He held the gun at high port and asked to see a badge and ID. At that point the "game warden" fled.
I no longer hunt but I always carried my 1911 in a GI shoulder rid under my coat.

[kdean]

I always carry a 357 when going into the woods. Never had to use it for finishing off game. I did fire a shot into the ground to scare off 2 of my neighbors pit bulls that walked up on me. The coyotes around here have more balls than they use to also.

A friend of mine told me a story that made me think twice of ever leaving my revolver behind. He was on a huge piece of public land and way back where no one should have been. When a meth head popped up out of no where asking him for a lighter. He simply pointed his 270 at the guy and told him he didn't have a lighter. But where alot of us hunt is the same place these meth heads go cook up there drugs.

[MCgunner]

My CCW. I usually stop for coffee at a convenience store on the way home if hunting the morning. Can't be unarmed, ya know. :D

[RumRunner]

i carry one, usually a .22 whenever legal. i dont carry it for 'finishing off wounded game', its for small game on the way back (ie squirrel, rabbit, coon, ect). if i have wounded game i shoot it with my rifle/bow (if i can hit it with a handgun i damn well better be able to hit it with my rifle). if i recover an animal that is down but still breathing i use my knife. i carry a KA-BAR with me at all times when hunting. only had to use the knife once, the only animal i have wounded (fingers crossed) so far.

[Supertac45]

It's not for finishing off game.

[IveSeenEnufDeer]

wow.. that's crazy.. and the meth head wanted a "light" huh?

What else do they do in the woods besides cook drugs? We had a guy in our town who finished off his own dad, cuz he wouldn't lend him money no more for drugs! Watch out for the druggies!

And the coyotes have become that aggressive huh? Strange, cuz they used to be a rather shy breed around humans! guess cuz there's so many fewer wolves around now, they are taking on a new precedence in the hunting world!
Wonder how many wild wolves are out in the woods now? we got some wolf urine to scare off all the bucks coming near our house..
I don't want wolves wandering around outside, but have never heard of them coming near our area, honestly!
I bet the dog would get along better with a wolf than he would a wild buck too! His bark always changes to something deeper and rather sinister sounding when the deer are around! I don't think he likes the deer honestly, though he likes all sorts of other domesticated animals, even horses, :)

[dmazur]

Washington State has finally relaxed the regulation that prohibited carry of a pistol during archery and muzzle-loading seasons. Now a hunter is permitted to carry a pistol for self-defense, but not for hunting or for dispatching wounded game (during those seasons.)

From the regulations (red showing the new language), language for archery similar -

A modern handgun may be carried for personal
protection if that person possesses a concealed
pistol license as defined in RCW 9.41.070.
Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big
game or dispatch wounded big game during
a big game hunting season for muzzleloading
firearms.

So, while it might be legal for me to use a 1911 for "dispatching wounded game" during modern rifle season, I just don't think along those lines. The rifle is for hunting, and dispatching wounded game if necessary. The pistol is for protection, during the journey, while hunting and at camp.

[content]

Hello friends and neighbors // +1 to post #4

If you consider a 6" model 586, .357 small.

[wyohome]

When I lived in Washington and Oregon, I carried a K-22 for grouse. It isn't an issue here so I don't carry anything unless I am in grizzly country.

[noob_shooter]

it's better to have it and not need it than need it and not have it. That's what goes through my mind every time. So yeah, i always carry...

[d2wing]

.357 is the minimum allowed here for deer hunting. I've carried one and used it. A head shot at close range with a rifle can wreck a rack and turn a skull to mush.

[LeontheProfessional]

I do carry my Glock22 but I just got a Buckmark so I think I will be using that for now on. Plus it will give me something to drop those pesty squirrels with:).

[Joe Demko]

I did a couple times, but it was just excess weight. The .243 and the .300 Savage put deer down with enough authority that I've never even had to do much tracking, much less "finish one off."
I have, though, hunted with just a handgun.

[lgbloader]

Just remembered... there was a time we were teaching my cousin the how to at calling in 'yotes and one came in from the side so close, I could have slapped it. Exaggerating a bit but.... , you know what I mean...
We only took one rifle, a 22-250 which my cousin was handling.

I had a 357 Mag with me which I quickly pulled, but I didn't take the shot. It wasn't my kill. But the fact that it was handy made me feel better because the 'yote could have took a snap at us.

LGB

[22-rimfire]

If I carry a handgun in addition to a rifle deer hunting, it is primarily for taking shots of opportunity at deer. Essentially, if I were in position, I would take a close shot with the revolver over the rifle. The reality is unless you are in a blind and have a lot of cover, you seldom get the opportunity to use the handgun if it is the secondary gun as you often make the sure choice to use the rifle and then the deer just comes close and you take the shot.

I carry a handgun often as my primary gun and do not carry a rifle for a coup de grace. :)

[BMF500]

Some times a S&W .38, sometimes Heritage .22Mag, most of the time .44Mag Redhawk:D

[2ndAmFan]

Texas law allows carrying a handgun while hunting. Since I habitually carry all the time anyway I carry a .357 while hunting. Also carry a good knife for field dressing. The .357 is not for finishing off a wounded deer, it's in case I encounter two-legged varmints while field dressing a deer, and my rifle is not within my immediate reach.
I've never had trouble with two-legged varmints while hunting, but I've had to run some off my property at other times so I always carry a handgun.
No, I've never needed it, but if I ever do I won't be able to go to the truck or the house and get it so I carry it.

[kgbowhunt]

so.cal, yep hand gun ok, just not during bow season :(

[baldeagle93]

I always carry my 1911 while hunting for many reasons, two legged predators as well as four. Growing up, we had many instances of people being robbed in the field, therefore I wanted to have a surprise, just in case! Second I keep it for the occasional instance that I might be mauled by yotes while dressing a deer...you may think I am crazy, but a study that my hunting club conducted by putting field cameras over gut piles showed that on most occasions predators made it to gut piles within 20 mins...I'm not taking chances of trying to get to my rifle if I'm surrounded by dogs.

There was also a story a few years back out of Dothan, AL where a hunter was attacked by a bear while he was getting down from the stand. He had lowered his rifle to the ground to make a safe descend and low and behold a bear comes and begins to climb the tree after him. He obviously can not retrieve his rifle as quick as the bear can climb the tree. He drew a pistol from his person (if my memory serves me correctly it was a .22lr) and emptied it into the bear. The pistol was not enough to put the deer down, but it did knock it off the tree and allowed him a chance to retrieve his rifle and finish the bear off. Sad part of the story was they tried to charge him for killing the bear...:cuss: LIBERALS!!!

In my state it is illegal to carry during bow season...but I take my chances, I'd rather be tried by 12 than carried by six! :evil:

It is legal however to kill a deer with a pistol so long as it is larger than .22 cal and has a 4" barrel, thus the reason I carry my 1911. I have not had the chance yet that I felt like taking a deer with my 1911, but do want to do that one day...stupid does are generally the only ones that get that close and I'm generally waiting for big bucky to come into my cross hairs.

I know that this is a long post, but the story is worth telling as it relates to deer and hand guns...

Three years ago I was in the stand on a particularly blustery day. Tennessee has a split rifle season (stupid in my opinion, but that is another topic all together) and it was the last day of the first season and I had yet to put any meat in the freezer. I had decided that I was killing something more than time for my efforts in the first season so when three does walked out with less than 10 mins of legal shooting time, I had no choice to attempt a 320 yrd shot with a 15-20 mph cross wind. My shot dropped her, but as I got out of the stand I realized that my shot was about 8" to her rear and had broken her spine, not hit the neck and finished her (I don't like wasting meat on deer not going on the wall, head or neck shots!).

As I approached her I realized I was going to have to finish her with another shot...I elected to do it with my 1911 loaded with Hydro Shocks...I took steady aim and put one in her head...she took it like a lazy jab and tried to get up! In shock, I gave her another...she gave a loud bellow and laid out.

I got my truck and proceeded to load her up. When I grabbed her legs and picked her up for the heave to the truck she bellowed again, scaring the bejesus out of me! I shook it off as the last bit of air in her lungs, grabbed again and tossed her in the truck.

When I got to the check in station at the club I thought to myself, "self you haven't put a tag on that doe and someone is liable to throw a fit if you don't have her tagged." I opened the tail gate to tag her and she jumped up and was trying to get away>>>:what:!!! I'm thinking to myself...this doe has just taken a .308 (which although it hit high in the back and broke her back striking no vitals is still a wallop of a shot to take), not one, but TWO 45ACP Hydro Shocks to the HEAD and she is still trying to escape...I've never seen a deer with such a will to live...but there is more!

Parental Advisory: Animal rights wacko's please refrain from reading and if your children are reading, you may want to stop them at this point of the story!

I pulled her out of the truck and realized I was going to have to do something I HATE doing...cut her throat. I grabbed my K-Bar and grabbed her by the ears (starring into her cranium wondering how in the world she is still alive) and attempted to cut her throat. I will admit, I couldn't do it! I've never been able to do that! So I tuck my tail and head into the club house and ask one of my peers to come do it for me...yeah, that's manly! So, one of the guys come out to finish her off! He makes a beautiful cut and she is bleeding and gurgling like you wouldn't believe. I drag her off to a corner and help another hunter get his buck unloaded and scored for the club.

About 10 minutes go by so I figure she must be expired by this time and I can go get her to check her in. I shine my mag light over to check on her...SHE'S STILL TRYING TO GET AWAY!!! I'll save you the details, but we the next scene ended much like the end of Mel Gibson's movie Braveheart.

I tell you that story to conclude with the fact that there are some vampire/undead deer in the woods, if you are going to use your pistol to "finish" an animal, put in the vitals...although the story gets a lot of laughs and attention, it wasn't that fun to live out...and you'll never live it down around the camp fire!

[devildog32713]

I was told recently by a guy at the gunstore to carry a small derringer or NAA with birdshot for snakes, that's justifiable in my area...

[wgp]

I carry a S&W 329PD .44 mag. This is the ultralight revolver that weighs so little I hardly notice it's there, and I carry it for finishing and really just because I want to. In Kansas you cannot carry any firearm while firearm deer hunting that is not by itself legal for deer in that season, and in handguns in Kansas that basically means .357 mag, .41 mag or .44 mag. When bowhunting here you cannot have any firearm in your possession. Having a carry permit here does not exempt you from these rules.

[grubbylabs]

I carry because we have wolves in Idaho. I had a pretty scary experience a few years ago. I had just got my first archery elk and was elbow deep into dressing it when the wolves started in about a 1/2 mile away or less. I was close to filling my shorts.

[crusty81]

yep s&w model19 357 mag new ftx 180 gr will finish off most any thing , she is my best friend! have a great day!

[Marlin_444]

.357 - Deer

.44 Mag - Hog

.454 Casull - Bear

All - 2 legged THUGS :)

[WestEnd65]

I carry a Ruger Vaquero in .44 Mag loaded with 240 grn softpoints. I keep that with me because it is easier than hauling a bow or rifle through the brush, and in south Texas, there are plenty of things that you might need a gun for.

[1prcntr]

44 mag Ruger SBH loaded with 240 gr Hornady XTP's

[publiuss]

i carry a large one in addition to my rifle, either a Blackhawk in .45 colt or smith 29. Rifle could malfunction, might not be able to reach your rifle for whatever reason (happened to me) or it's just fun to take a deer w/a handgun if they get close.

[Jonah71]

I carry a gun no matter where I am. Except in the shower. And even then I can reach one. lol. Not paranoid at all. Just glad to have survived and wanna keep doing so.

[chainsawmike]

I agree with you publiss. I usually carry a .357 and next year plan on using a S&W 1076. Having a chance at a deer at close range with a pistol is a hoot. Not as much fun as with a bow, but still fun. I use the rifle for the far shots, at the ones I can not pass up on.

[bogus mcall]

I hunt with a savage ML, so i carry my 629 as a back-up. Haven't needed it but its nice to know you still have fire-power available if you need it. A empty gun is just a club.

[Pumpkinheaver]

I used to pack my Kimber in .45 acp and finished off a few deer with good old hardball. Now a days I carry my single six in .32 mag, used it for the first time this year.

[ShootALot523]

sometimes Browning .22. for squirrels or fox if I'm bored. Sometimes a .38 or 9mm for a finishing shot (hopefully never need it).

[natman]

I used to when I first started hunting for exactly the reason stated, but after a few trips I realized that it really wasn't necessary and that it weighed far more than it was worth. So I stopped. Haven't needed one ever.

[scchokedaddy]

moet of the time its just a rossi 6 inch 38 with shotshells, killed a bunch of snakes with it. some times its a judge loaded with 7.5's. only for snakes never carry ball ammo for either one.

[2Ais4U]

I carry a just in case .357 but mortally wounded game gets the knife.

[GMFWoodchuck]

If I recall correctly you can't in New York. A hunter can only carry one gun I believe. However if I had a handgun, it would be a substantial one (41 mag and up) and it would be the only gun I would carry anyway.

[ScratchnDent]

Yep, a 1911 loaded with 200 gr. semi wadcutters at about 1000 fps. Mostly for surprised hogs and the crackheads that populate our wilderness areas.

[WYcoyote]

I carry my .44 Mag or pepper spray while hunting in grizzly country. I much prefer the .44.
Too much pepper taints the meat.

[bobbytm]

I carry my SW 22LR .
http://i581.photobucket.com/albums/ss255/bobbytm_2009/CpiadebulldogmountainmanSW4322lr-1.jpg?t=1269608327

[thunder173]

If you consider a .44 Mag Ruger SBH small,.......but I ALWAYS carry it in the woods,...yes even when deer hunting with a rifle. Not necessarily as coup de'grace item,...but for "other targets of opportunity" when my rifle is not handy. "tis what I do,....YMMV

[Deltaboy]

Yes a 357 with HP

[14mogul]

Always, when bow hunting. It's not legal here, but I have used it a couple of times.

[coop4u2c]

I use my CCW. Taurus 650 .357. Goes everywhere with me. Everywhere!!!