Carry Both a Handgun and Rifle? NOT for SD/Backup

[WNC Seabee]

****NOT AS A BACKUP or for Self Defense****

How many folks carry a handgun for deer/elk hunting and carry a rifle at the same time?

In other words, how many of you head to the stand thinking, "If it's a 50 yard or closer shot, I'm going with the revolver...longer shots get the rifle."

Or do you only carry 1 or the other as a primary hunting tool and set up accordingly?

 

[critter]

All the time. Killed many deer with a handgun that way.

 

[slicksleeve]

Every time I go, I carry my rifle and my .41 Magnum revolver, in case I get a really close shot.

 

[MCgunner]

I have carried one handgun or the other, especially spot and stalking in west Texas where I might get a shot at camp meat with my .38. I got to carrying my TC Contender in a shoulder holster out there when still hunting, too, with a choked .410 barrel. I'd often be walking so slow I'd find myself right in the middle of a covey of scaled quail. I took a few that way with that hand shotgun.

Stand hunting, the only handgun/s I will have on me is/are my daily concealed carries. I don't leave home without at least one and usually 2, though one is a NAA mini so some might call it, perhaps, 1/2? I put down a deer I'd shot with it, head shot, the other day. It's a neat little gun I've had for 25 years and accurate enough to head shot snakes at 10-15 feet. I even popped a few rabbits with it out to about 25-50 feet or so just because it's all I had for that when the opportunity arose. I've ALWAYS got that gun in my weak side pocket.

 

[RhinoDefense]

Rifle is main weapon and my 10mm pistol is my backup. If I have to relieve myself, I'll leave the rifle in the blind and keep my pistol on me.

Also sometimes it is less movement to get the pistol into action than it is the rifle. I like having options.

 

[widowman10]

yep, while hunting elk. rifle on a strap, .44 in shoulder rig in case of close shot.

 

[Dr.Rob]

My dad used to do that with a scoped .44 and a pump action 30-06.

I did so with a Vaquero .44 when going into heavy timber. I'd sling the rifle and take out the handgun. I very rarely did this, but it was an option for me.

 

[suzukisam]

I like having both, usually a 243 or 45-70, and a 45lc or 357 mag.. sometimes it's hard to find a close one in the scope, easier to just pull out a wheel gun. plus when they walk right under your stand its easier to use a pistol than aim a rifle straight down

 

[newfalguy101]

I have in the past, either a .357 mag or .44mag.

I prefer the .44, especially when fired sans ear protection while hunting.

 

[matrem]

I'd love to But..In my state, carrying two guns for "big game" is illegal unless you're a CHL holder & even then, your handgun can't be used to "shoot, shoot at or kill a wild animal".
Geesh... We've got to fix that!!

 

[joshk-k]

I keep a .22 pistol in my pack. It's for emergencies, for delivering a close-range mercy shot to a downed but alive animal, for shooting a quail if I'm coming down the mountain empty handed. Not for self-defense or for shooting big game.

 

[TNboy]

I carried a .357 and a rifle last year. I wanted to take a deer with the .357. Didn't happen though. I got 2 chances to take deer, both with less than 5 minutes of legal light left and both at 200+ yards. Obviously the rifle got used and the revolver stayed holstered.

 

[JEB]

the past few years i have carried my glock 22 while deer hunting. more for delivering a head shot to a wounded animal so as to not make as much mess as i would if i were to use my 12 gauge. this year it will be my .44 mag in hopes of getting a close range shot.

 

[Arkansas Paul]

I do. I carry by .45 Blackhawk in addition to my rifle. I really want to kill a deer with a handgun but if I see a good one 150 yds away, I don't want to miss the chance.

 

[Geno]

It depends on what I am hunting. When I hunted Russian boar, I carried a rifle and a revolver, either .44 Mag or a .454 Casull.

Geno