Extra Gun While Hunting - .22 or 9mm

[crunker]

A bayonet's a good idea, but so's carrying another gun. 9mm would do you good if you don't want to get a 10mm (completely understandable) or a .357 or a.44.

 

[S&Wfan]

Hi,

For about a decade now, I've carried both a scoped .270 Remington BDL and my S&W Model 29-5 revolver topped with a Holosight.

I've just realized that I've been toting around two guns . . . but I've rarely used one of them . . . the rifle.

So this year I'm leaving the .270 at home and dedicate this year to 100% handgun hunting. I think this will make for a very exciting year, and one of fine challenges!

CHECK YOUR LAWS! Each state is different, but ignorance is no excuse in court. IMHO, if one is toting a handgun during deer season, it needs to ba a legal handgun for deer . . . and one totally capable of humanely getting the job done.

 

[Sunray]

Neither. If you don't kill the deer with one shot with a rifle, a .22 or 9mm handgun won't help. If you need a second shot, use your rifle. And your local game laws may prohibit it. Mind you, if it's legal, a .22 will be handy for head shots on grouse etc.

 

[gezzer]

In NH I carry a .22 pistol for small game durring the deer season. Perfectly legal.

 

[Babarsac]

Anyone know how this applies in Virginia ?

 

[Art Eatman]

I've sometimes carried a .22 handgun for use for a coup de grace on a deer that's dead but doesn't yet know it.

In Texas, no permit or CHL has ever been needed when hunting on private property, whether or not the handgun is used as the hunter's weapon.

Art

 

[foghornl]

The Ohio "Game-n-Fish" folks are right snippy about that. You are limited to shotgun/slug (3 rounds max capacity) UNLESS you are using a handgun...which must be a minimum of .357 calibre, and a 5" minimum length barrel. So, your 3.5" ultra-compact 9MM is a no-go.

PLUS, the Ohio Game-n-Fish folks have also been really ahhhh uhmmm heavy-handed about giving the CCW license holders a lot of grief...you CANNOT carry your handgun concealed..even WITH your CCW license. So, don't let your hunting jacket fall over your holstered 6" GP-100.

 

[bclark1]

i've carried a 9mm in the field during turkey season when i've camped alone. i'd prefer to have something bigger than #4, as i'm worried about 2-legged problems as a lone camper in public woods. that said, i'd have trouble believing a warden would call you on it unless you were up to something else bad, but it's still worth checking the regulations everywhere you hunt in terms of what you're allowed to have in the field with you. some states expressly prohibit it, other states have openings saying you don't even need a CHL if you're hunting or fishing.

 

[BIGR]

Not stupid but smart. It always pays to have a back up just in case things get nasty. I carry a .357 smith & wesson pistol at all times. I have used it a few times to finish one off, but do not plan on using it as the primary killing gun. And yea I carry it around hunting camp for a little protection.

The 9MM would be better than the .22 .........

 

[ChefJeff1]

Tomorrow I'm gonna have my sp101 loaded with those mini shotshells. I saw alot of grouse while looking for deer.

 

[Jrsmith]

I was curious about this for Wisconsin as well, I looked through the deer hunting handbook, and the one for small game and 2 guns were never mentioned. I do know that the specific types were mentioned, so I could see carrying my 9mm during deer season could be bad (need at least a 5 1/2 barrel I think) but carrying that same 9 (which seems to be legal for small game... ... ) while shotgun hunting seems like it might be ok.

Anyone know anything about this in WI?

 

[Bottom Gun]

My vote is for the .22.
It's the best way to finish off an animal without making a mess or ruining a mount.

 

[quatin]

Mmmm..just to be clear. I remember Texas state law says it is illicit to "take deer or larger game with rimfire". So...do you have to prove you shot the deer with the centerfire first if you had to take a final shot later?

 

[Bottom Gun]

"Yes officer, my .22 shot to the head didn't kill the deer so I had to finish him off with a spine shot from my .30-06".

 

[MNgoldenbear]

Looks like you're good to go with the 9 if you go with 10 round mags. Some states will not allow you to have either firearms or ammunition that does not conform to the regulations for the game that you are pursuing/have taken.

In CA, I used to take slugs along when small game hunting, as the areas also had a low population of feral hogs. I asked about this while talking with DFG, and they pointed out that CA law indicated that I could only POSSESS suitable ammunition. Even though they agreed that any sensible person would not employ a slug for bird/rabbit/squirrel (though those hyrax photos in another thread looked pretty threatening ), nor birdshot against hogs, they pointed out that HAVING both types of ammunition on my person in the field was in itself a violation.

Personally started carrying either my S&W M29 or M686 deer hunting. Just for finishing or if I get an ideal opportunity to actually take one with pistol rather than shotgun. As for defense vs. 2-legged critters, I think I'd stick with the 12 ga slug gun if I had my choice.

 

[rlt7272]

I have carried a 22 of some kind for years, either a Ruger MKII or a Single Six. I have used a 22 to finish off wounded deer 2 times.