Carrying while you hunt?
- Thread starter darkknight
- Start date
- Status
countryrebel
Member
Why
You're already armed, and any pistol you carry will be much weaker than your rifle or shotgun.
If you're really worried, just carry extra ammunition for your long arm. If you have a shotgun, slip three or four slugs in an inner pocket somewhere, and you're "loaded for bear."
WHY NOT
What happens if your rifle gets damaged in a fall or something internal breaks on it?I know,I know, you have one of those super duper rifles that nothing will ever happen to just like the $1500 scope on top of it right.Give me a break,but if thats what you like then to each his own.I carry a 1911 45acp as a secondary with extra ammo and a 30-06 as my primary.Like Pumpkinheaver said you just never know.
You're already armed, and any pistol you carry will be much weaker than your rifle or shotgun.
If you're really worried, just carry extra ammunition for your long arm. If you have a shotgun, slip three or four slugs in an inner pocket somewhere, and you're "loaded for bear."
WHY NOT
What happens if your rifle gets damaged in a fall or something internal breaks on it?I know,I know, you have one of those super duper rifles that nothing will ever happen to just like the $1500 scope on top of it right.Give me a break,but if thats what you like then to each his own.I carry a 1911 45acp as a secondary with extra ammo and a 30-06 as my primary.Like Pumpkinheaver said you just never know.
javacodeman
Member
Art,
Good luck. I've read several stories about lions. There was an article in Reader's Digest a while back (1-2 years?) about people in Boulder, CO. Talked about a family that saw tracks around their place and didn't think much of it. But all of their dogs went missing and they started be stalked by the lions too before something was done (can't remember now what resolved the situation). I think this probably only happens when they start getting starved, but I don't know when they're hungry or not, so if I'm ever in the bear (cat) woods, I'll have something handy with me.
Good luck. I've read several stories about lions. There was an article in Reader's Digest a while back (1-2 years?) about people in Boulder, CO. Talked about a family that saw tracks around their place and didn't think much of it. But all of their dogs went missing and they started be stalked by the lions too before something was done (can't remember now what resolved the situation). I think this probably only happens when they start getting starved, but I don't know when they're hungry or not, so if I'm ever in the bear (cat) woods, I'll have something handy with me.
Starving Lions? Not in Boulder, CO. People plant eco-friendly gardens year round in Boulder, and it attracts deer, which literally live in the city part of the time, the deer aren't very skittish and are easy kills for a lion with brass enough to go into the city. Cats and dogs are even easier prey.
I always carry a sidearm when hunting, if it's big game season you'll bet its a big-game legal pistol. Usually a .44 mag single action.
I always carry a sidearm when hunting, if it's big game season you'll bet its a big-game legal pistol. Usually a .44 mag single action.
javacodeman
Member
I'm not in a "been there, done that" or "feet on the ground wildlife conservationist" position to argue my point. In fact, my point could be (as some of you have asserted) wrong
. I'm just relating what I read in a few magazine articles. I can't find them on the www, so I'll stop by the library and see if I can look them up and post them here (or at least a relevent summary).But in the mean time, I'll always go packing when I go hunting, which is ... um...
hardly ever.Art Eatman
Moderator In Memoriam
Well, I have beaucoup lion stories. And I've read of the folks killed in Colorado and California. We've had three lion attacks up in Big Bend National Park since I moved here--but that's three in 23 years.
I worry more about Africanized honey bees. They're far more of a likely problem, and the key word is "likely".
One difference I've noticed between me and the average fella who's out wandering in the boonies: I'm regularly stopping for a "look around", looking up as well as out or down. Like deer, most folks don't look upward.
I learned about Cooper's "four colors" back in 1980. I've added to Condition Yellow some "how to" on living there. Hey, so far, so good. I'm still here.
Art
I worry more about Africanized honey bees. They're far more of a likely problem, and the key word is "likely".
One difference I've noticed between me and the average fella who's out wandering in the boonies: I'm regularly stopping for a "look around", looking up as well as out or down. Like deer, most folks don't look upward.
I learned about Cooper's "four colors" back in 1980. I've added to Condition Yellow some "how to" on living there. Hey, so far, so good. I'm still here.
Art
Yes, a SW Mountain Gun in 41mag with hardcast, and bearspray. Black bear, Griz and cougar, and now add wolf, are potential predators, that to some extent are responding to the "dinner bell" of a rifle shot. Biggest danger is when field dressing game. In areas close to Jackson and Yellowstone. I have also brought back a 12ga shortie with slugs to load up a deer onto the ATV, which has a scabbard strapped with it. Never had it messed with sitting on the ATV on the trail while I go hunt. Also figured, if someone needed it in an emergency, its there for them. I'm getting more spooked though these days hunting in Grizz country, and chose an outlying area for elk this year. But then had to deal with a whole mess more hunters. A trade off. Didn't get an elk.
i carry my S&W 642 38spl. they do have FLa Blackbear and FLa Panters but ive only seen one wild black bear and he in a hurry to get back into the forest and the only panthers ive seen are at the JAX zoo. so im not really worried about those two predators (not saying they arent around just very seculisive) i can say though if i ever did get attacked and a huge cat or bear was on top of me i would rather have my .38 in hand than my .308 laying on the ground next to me.
im from KS so this thing about not being top predator while being in the woods is kinda new to me
im from KS so this thing about not being top predator while being in the woods is kinda new to me
skers69
Member
I always do.
Anyone remember that news story of the guy that guy that was tresspassing and shot up 6 or so members of a hunting party? I think it was in Wisconson. You never know who you might run into in the woods.
Better to have it and not need it...then to need it and not have it.
Went and found story....see below.
Man Convicted Of Killing Hunters
HAYWARD, Wis., Sept. 16, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chai Soua Vang, 36, enters a Sawyer County courtroom before a hearing in Hayward, Wis. in June. (AP)
Quote
Vang, dressed in a business suit with family members seated behind him, showed no visible emotion as the judge read the verdict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AP) A jury on Friday convicted an immigrant truck driver of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of six deer hunters during a confrontation over trespassing, rejecting his claims that he fired in self-defense after one hunter used racial slurs and another shot at him.
Chai Soua Vang, 36, faces mandatory life in prison. Wisconsin does not have a death penalty.
The two survivors of the shooting had testified the white hunters never shot at Vang before he opened fire after they confronted him on Nov. 21 about trespassing in a tree stand on private property in the isolated northwestern Wisconsin woods.
The jury deliberated about three hours before convicting Vang on six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted homicide.
Vang, dressed in a business suit with family members seated behind him, showed no visible emotion as the judge read the verdict.
The crime rocked the north woods in part because four of the victims were shot in the back and all but one were unarmed, according to testimony.
The slayings also occurred during the state's beloved deer hunting season and exposed racial tension between the predominantly white north woods and immigrants from the Hmong ethnic group of Southeast Asia.
Anyone remember that news story of the guy that guy that was tresspassing and shot up 6 or so members of a hunting party? I think it was in Wisconson. You never know who you might run into in the woods.
Better to have it and not need it...then to need it and not have it.
Went and found story....see below.
Man Convicted Of Killing Hunters
HAYWARD, Wis., Sept. 16, 2005
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
Chai Soua Vang, 36, enters a Sawyer County courtroom before a hearing in Hayward, Wis. in June. (AP)
Quote
Vang, dressed in a business suit with family members seated behind him, showed no visible emotion as the judge read the verdict.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
(AP) A jury on Friday convicted an immigrant truck driver of first-degree murder in the shooting deaths of six deer hunters during a confrontation over trespassing, rejecting his claims that he fired in self-defense after one hunter used racial slurs and another shot at him.
Chai Soua Vang, 36, faces mandatory life in prison. Wisconsin does not have a death penalty.
The two survivors of the shooting had testified the white hunters never shot at Vang before he opened fire after they confronted him on Nov. 21 about trespassing in a tree stand on private property in the isolated northwestern Wisconsin woods.
The jury deliberated about three hours before convicting Vang on six counts of first-degree intentional homicide and three counts of attempted homicide.
Vang, dressed in a business suit with family members seated behind him, showed no visible emotion as the judge read the verdict.
The crime rocked the north woods in part because four of the victims were shot in the back and all but one were unarmed, according to testimony.
The slayings also occurred during the state's beloved deer hunting season and exposed racial tension between the predominantly white north woods and immigrants from the Hmong ethnic group of Southeast Asia.
shenck
Member
You can carry in PA
carterbeauford, you can carry in PA, It must be a wheel gun or a single shot, but you can not conceal, and you have to have a sportsman permit. If you have a protection permit you do not need the sportsman permit, but you still can't carry concealed. If you are archery hunting you can not carry.
carterbeauford, you can carry in PA, It must be a wheel gun or a single shot, but you can not conceal, and you have to have a sportsman permit. If you have a protection permit you do not need the sportsman permit, but you still can't carry concealed. If you are archery hunting you can not carry.
screamin eagle
Member
i always carry my amt .45 in a shoulder holster just in case.
I carry my 9mm Taurus Millennium Pro when I hunt, basically for two reasons:
1) I'm used to doing so. I feel naked or as if I'm forgetting something if it's not there - ie my chi or whatever is off.
2) If I down an animal without a quick kill shot, I'm not going to ruin meat in the body with a second high-velocity rifle shot - particularly at close range. I'll finish it off with a pistol round to the temple/upper neck and not ruin any meat.
1) I'm used to doing so. I feel naked or as if I'm forgetting something if it's not there - ie my chi or whatever is off.
2) If I down an animal without a quick kill shot, I'm not going to ruin meat in the body with a second high-velocity rifle shot - particularly at close range. I'll finish it off with a pistol round to the temple/upper neck and not ruin any meat.
carterbeauford
member
A special sportsman permit in addition to my CCW?
my woods carry gun is a wheelgun (Taurus 65) so that would be ideal.
FireArmFan
Member
If you have the space and don't mind the extra weight then why not? Better to have it and not need it. If an animal or attacker gets the drop on you a scoped rifle is only good as a beating stick. a sidearm could save your life.
The whole thing with Chai Vang was a pretty big thing here. If I recall correctly most/or all of the victims were from Minnesota.
The whole thing with Chai Vang was a pretty big thing here. If I recall correctly most/or all of the victims were from Minnesota.
mljdeckard
Member
When hunting big game, I am wearing a army-issue tactical vest. The magazine pockets and belt are filled with a spare orange vest and head cover, paracord, first aid kit, extra food, flashlight, zippo, magnesium firestarter, radio, (me and my dad use motorolas,) gloves with inserts, a folding ammo carrier with 20 extra rounds of .270 or .308, my buckmaster, a diamond dust sharpener, a CKRT folder, a leatherman tool, game dressing gloves, (mostly because I hate blood under the fingernails,) a day's worth of food that I can stretch to two if I really need to, a 3-liter camelbak, MY LICENSE, binoculars, and a stripped-down G.I. rifle cleaning kit. On a drop-down leg holster, I have my Kimber 1911 with a WWII 2-mag pouch over it on my right side.
Twice now, (it happened to me again this fall,) doing my Ute indian impersonation, sitting quietly wondering if I'm really going to see anything, I got jumped by a doe which would have been to close to scope. Both times, I had a hand on my pistol before I realized there were no antlers. I think I'm going to switch to a chest holster, because this time I was sitting down, and I had trouble pulling. When I get around to it, I'm also going to get a .400 Corbon barrel. I would LOVE to send a photo back to Kimber of me over a deer with my .45.
My dad giggles at me a little bit. But I remember he used to carry a lot more than he does now when he could move easier. A couple of years ago, me and my little brother went out with him to look for deer a few weeks before the hunt. We took our shotguns because it was also grouse season. The plan was, to drop us off at the top of a big canyon, we would walk down and meet him at the bottom. Long story short, we shot one bird, read the landmarks wrong, got caught in the big brush, and came out at 11:30 pm. If we hadn't had radios to let my dad know what was going on, the Sheriff would have found us halfway down in the morning, dehydrated, feeling sick from trying to eat one lead-riddled bird we cooked badly on a fire from my little brother's bic lighter, because that's all we had. The moral of the story: A short walk can become a long one. You are better prepared and trained if you always just carry everything. The only place in Utah I would be too far away from civilization to find a road in a day or two if I got lost would be in the big desert in the west part of the state. I could live for two days with what I carry.
We do have mountain lions, but they aren't my primary concern. I have heard of guys who hunt them with dogs, tree them, and drop them with a .45. I honestly think if I get jumped by one, having a sidearm, and staying focused enough to get to it before it snapped my neck are two different things.
Twice now, (it happened to me again this fall,) doing my Ute indian impersonation, sitting quietly wondering if I'm really going to see anything, I got jumped by a doe which would have been to close to scope. Both times, I had a hand on my pistol before I realized there were no antlers. I think I'm going to switch to a chest holster, because this time I was sitting down, and I had trouble pulling. When I get around to it, I'm also going to get a .400 Corbon barrel. I would LOVE to send a photo back to Kimber of me over a deer with my .45.
My dad giggles at me a little bit. But I remember he used to carry a lot more than he does now when he could move easier. A couple of years ago, me and my little brother went out with him to look for deer a few weeks before the hunt. We took our shotguns because it was also grouse season. The plan was, to drop us off at the top of a big canyon, we would walk down and meet him at the bottom. Long story short, we shot one bird, read the landmarks wrong, got caught in the big brush, and came out at 11:30 pm. If we hadn't had radios to let my dad know what was going on, the Sheriff would have found us halfway down in the morning, dehydrated, feeling sick from trying to eat one lead-riddled bird we cooked badly on a fire from my little brother's bic lighter, because that's all we had. The moral of the story: A short walk can become a long one. You are better prepared and trained if you always just carry everything. The only place in Utah I would be too far away from civilization to find a road in a day or two if I got lost would be in the big desert in the west part of the state. I could live for two days with what I carry.
We do have mountain lions, but they aren't my primary concern. I have heard of guys who hunt them with dogs, tree them, and drop them with a .45. I honestly think if I get jumped by one, having a sidearm, and staying focused enough to get to it before it snapped my neck are two different things.
Last edited:
trickyasafox
Member
my dad wants to start shooting these lightfield slugs. they go for 10 bucks a box. i see nothing wrong with a sidearm that is more affordable and may provide the animal with a quick clean kill if 1 shot from your primary doesnt put it down when you come up on it.
i'd rather 15 cents on a 40sw then another 2 dollars on a slug.
also i carry 5 slugs with me when i hunt. if ever i fell out of my tree and needed to signal for help, i'd like another firearm with a bit more capacity so i could signal properly.
i'd rather 15 cents on a 40sw then another 2 dollars on a slug.
also i carry 5 slugs with me when i hunt. if ever i fell out of my tree and needed to signal for help, i'd like another firearm with a bit more capacity so i could signal properly.
X-Rap
Member
- Joined
- Sep 23, 2006
- Messages
- 6,657
I have carried a hand gun while bow hunting in bear and cat country. When rifle hunting I carry water and survival gear instead of handgun simply because I have a rifle and thats what I would be wanting if the need for a pistol ever arises. The only case I could justify would be concealed in the border country or areas known to have meth labs or pot fields. This would be the logic I use. Someone got the drop on me and seeing the long gun I was disarmed, before physical contact is made hopefully I can draw from concealment and put my pistol into play.So a hand gun carried open is seen just like the long gun. But a hand gun concealed if being attacked by bear or cat will not be as quick or useful as open carry. In Africa and Alaska were people really have to worry about animal attacks I think the consenceous is stay close to your rifle use low power glass or iron and a shotgun feels real good when tracking in the brush. Awareness in the field is just as important as on the street. Hunt with a partner, use some com, approach your vehicle or camp with caution, people or camps that are suspicious eg. long term camps, trashy vehicles, dogs, folks that don't look like hunters or fisherman. Glass these situations from afar and if it doesn't look right go around and call the law.My 2 cents
earplug
Member
No
A smarter man told me he took away the pistols from the machine gunners in his platoon.
It made the gunners much more interested in keeping the machine guns working.
I don't understand the need to have a wimpy pistol while hunting with a rifle.
Keep the rifle handy and all is well.
A smarter man told me he took away the pistols from the machine gunners in his platoon.
It made the gunners much more interested in keeping the machine guns working.
I don't understand the need to have a wimpy pistol while hunting with a rifle.
Keep the rifle handy and all is well.
sm
member
I always do
I was raised to carry.
Add the nature of the business, we always carried, which included hunting or fishing.
One has to get to and from.
I don't do camo, still it is not hard to figure out who is hunting. Stopping for gas, something to eat, roadside car repair, and a long gun in the vehicle, is not handy.
Some folks have illegal activities in the woods/ outdoors. Never know if surprised, and that long gun is taken away. Have a backup plan always. Might fall, get hurt, cannot get to long gun...
Just how raised. It depends on what I am hunting, or where fishing.
Handgun Hunting - I like to handgun hunt, naturally open carry.
Still I have one concealed.
One never knows the where of when of next encounter - CR Sam
On our way to duck hunt in the wee hours. Coffee catches up and we pull over to a double wide dirt entrance with a gate. One lone light bulb off in the distance...hard to see, as it was dark, and foggy.
The two Jeeps appeared out of nowhere, with headlights off, and they had guns.
They wanted to know why we had stopped, and we said the coffee had caught up with us.
I was the only one carrying concealed a Bone Stock Combat Commander and I was off to one side away from others.
This ended fine we went on. Something in my gut said something, so later I mentioned it to a LEO buddy.
I remember a similar situation when I was a kid, going hunting - except all the Mentors were carrying concealed and there was a shotgun, loaded, and handy.
My deal was drug runners on property not theirs , using a back road to run drugs the property owner did not know...
As a kid, stolen property and fencing it.
Even on private range, just shooting - concealed is concealed.
You never know.
I was raised to carry.
Add the nature of the business, we always carried, which included hunting or fishing.
One has to get to and from.
I don't do camo, still it is not hard to figure out who is hunting. Stopping for gas, something to eat, roadside car repair, and a long gun in the vehicle, is not handy.
Some folks have illegal activities in the woods/ outdoors. Never know if surprised, and that long gun is taken away. Have a backup plan always. Might fall, get hurt, cannot get to long gun...
Just how raised. It depends on what I am hunting, or where fishing.
Handgun Hunting - I like to handgun hunt, naturally open carry.
Still I have one concealed.
One never knows the where of when of next encounter - CR Sam
On our way to duck hunt in the wee hours. Coffee catches up and we pull over to a double wide dirt entrance with a gate. One lone light bulb off in the distance...hard to see, as it was dark, and foggy.
The two Jeeps appeared out of nowhere, with headlights off, and they had guns.
They wanted to know why we had stopped, and we said the coffee had caught up with us.
I was the only one carrying concealed a Bone Stock Combat Commander and I was off to one side away from others.
This ended fine we went on. Something in my gut said something, so later I mentioned it to a LEO buddy.
I remember a similar situation when I was a kid, going hunting - except all the Mentors were carrying concealed and there was a shotgun, loaded, and handy.
My deal was drug runners on property not theirs , using a back road to run drugs the property owner did not know...
As a kid, stolen property and fencing it.
Even on private range, just shooting - concealed is concealed.
You never know.
Always in the back country my ole 4" 29-2 is there. You hope you would never have to use it agansit Mr. Grizz. I had to use it many years back when a big female Lion decided I was on her property and would not let me retreat. I had put down my pack and rifle and was picking up fire wood at the time. The big one is when you take a fall most often the rifle is lost. The handgun is a real comfort if you lie wounded on a Mtn. all night. It is the only signal that you may have to contact the search party.
High Planes Drifter
Member
- Joined
- Feb 21, 2006
- Messages
- 1,204
quote:
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A smarter man told me he took away the pistols from the machine gunners in his platoon.
It made the gunners much more interested in keeping the machine guns working.
-------------
Off topic:
Who is he to take a weapon away from a fighting man
S#!t breaks, machine guns go down regardless of how they were cared for. Things happen in combat that arent always planned. To take a weapon away from a fighting man seems assinine to say the least.
Back on topic- Yes, I carry a pistol when hunting. I've had to help track deer and the pistol is just much easier to carry when moving through briers and such. Carrying a rifle through dense vegetation is very awkward because you find yourself having to move vines, thorns, and branches away from your face with one hand. A pistol fits in far better than a long arm in that situation.
--------------------------------------------------------------------------------
A smarter man told me he took away the pistols from the machine gunners in his platoon.
It made the gunners much more interested in keeping the machine guns working.
-------------
Off topic:
Who is he to take a weapon away from a fighting man
S#!t breaks, machine guns go down regardless of how they were cared for. Things happen in combat that arent always planned. To take a weapon away from a fighting man seems assinine to say the least.Back on topic- Yes, I carry a pistol when hunting. I've had to help track deer and the pistol is just much easier to carry when moving through briers and such. Carrying a rifle through dense vegetation is very awkward because you find yourself having to move vines, thorns, and branches away from your face with one hand. A pistol fits in far better than a long arm in that situation.
Lennyjoe
Member
Even bowhunting I'm armed. Just not open carrying.
Ran into a gamewarden when bowhunting in Georgia and had an open carry .357 mag. Guy talked to us a bit about the deer in the area and said smart move to have the revolver since we were hunting in swamps. I had the 1st three rounds as snake shot and the final three JSP bullets. Water moccassins are very agressive and need to be educated from time to time. Arrow doesn't work on them when they are heading your way.
Even out here I carry while bowhunting. Usually in illegal country when out in the field so I aint taking any chances.
Ran into a gamewarden when bowhunting in Georgia and had an open carry .357 mag. Guy talked to us a bit about the deer in the area and said smart move to have the revolver since we were hunting in swamps. I had the 1st three rounds as snake shot and the final three JSP bullets. Water moccassins are very agressive and need to be educated from time to time. Arrow doesn't work on them when they are heading your way.
Even out here I carry while bowhunting. Usually in illegal country when out in the field so I aint taking any chances.
- Status
