Rethinking sidearm carry while hunting

[TN Outlaw]

I always carry a pistol when hunting or otherwise in the woods. I carry a pistol everyday anyways.

There's several reasons as has been stated here but another I've found is on the way in of a morning or out at night. A scoped rifle leaves me pretty much unarmed at dusk/dawn. Lots of predators are on the move when the sun is down so I feel better with an easy to get to handgun.

 

[MCgunner]

I used to carry, usually a light medium frame .357 magnum, in the mountains (bear country), a just in case thing. Never had to worry about that. Now days, I'll carry my .45 Colt Blackhawk with hot loads when pig hunting to have something quick on target while tracking pigs shot in the dark. Any shot will be quick. I've had to do it before, was a wounded boar and I was carrying a .357 magnum. I've upgraded to the .45 since then. It did the job, though.

I used to carry a 1911 in .45ACP when pig hunting with knives at night...again, just in case. This guy's dogs were good and I never had to resort to it.

 

[MCgunner]

Usually carry a sidearm when hunting. Mostly with ratshot, for venomous snakes.

I never see snakes in hunting season. Wait till spring, that's when they come out. I can hit 'em with a bullet, though, don't need no rat shot.

I left my friggin' snake boots in the motel when we left Uvalde the other day. Dang it! That's the best defense to snakes. I've had a rattler hit mine, bounced right off, field tested. I ordered a new pair. Those had the zippers busted on both of 'em, anyway. They were getting old. I just got my new ones yesterday at the PO. I'll need 'em today, not for snakes, but for all the water and mud. It rained big time last night.

 

[MaxP]

I’m a handgun hunter so I always have a “sidearm,” but that said, try taking your rifle into your sleeping bag with you....just saying.

 

[Obturation]

I always carry a handgun, hunting or otherwise. Hell, ive swam in the ocean a time or 2 with a handgun just because i didnt want to leave it with my beach stuff. Choose something powerful enough for the worst you may encounter and call it good. In the north woods super redhawk , southern states glock 20 for me ( glock 42 for ocean swimming)

 

[Browning]

I believe that if I am attacked in the mountains, there is a 99.9 percent probability it will be a predatory human, not a predatory animal.

This is usually the reason I carry in the field when hunting.

For two legged predators, not four legged. Just because you're in the woods doesn't mean that you're safe from other people.

 

[Armored farmer]

after I drop one, I leave my rifle in the blind, and the pistol is in my hand when I 'dead check" the piggy.

Ohhhhh tsk-tsk!
The rule around here is to never leave your primary, especially when you still have a tag.
[That's always when the big buck/gobbler/ coyote/ etc shows up.

 

[LoonWulf]

It's not legal here to have a sidearm on you while hunting, so I've never carried one. I have carried handguns as primary tho that was mostly a 7-30 contender with a 4x scope.
For me a handgun is always a compromise, it's what I carry when a carbine is too cumbersome. It's also what I carry when I don't actually need to bring anything home.

That also means I'm not very GOOD with a handgun. I wouldn't stand still inside of 100yds with me shooting at me, but I'm slow to apply the weapon.
I'm definitely faster and more accurate with any long gun.

That obviously affects my thoughts on the matter.

The only way I see the handgun being an advantage is if I can't get to my rifle quickly, especially if I'm engaged by something, or someone who has an advantage in awarness. Also I'd be inclined to carry a gun that was comfortable, and easy to shoot.
That for me would be my .44 SBH, or the new .44 Gp100, but I haven't got that one in hand, dunno.

Again this is just me, and I'm sure someone with more skill, and practice, would have a different view.

I should also say I've never had any sort of altercation while hunting, including running into poachers.

 

[Armored farmer]

I used to pack my single-six around when I hunted upland game in hopes of getting a shot st a sitting rabbit. The older I get, the more I lightened my load.
Sometimes my lcp goes along now, but not too often.

It's funny how different we all are. If I want to get on target quickly, I reach for a long gun.

 

[FL-NC]

Ohhhhh tsk-tsk!
The rule around here is to never leave your primary, especially when you still have a tag.
[That's always when the big buck/gobbler/ coyote/ etc shows up.

I don't leave it behind hunting in the daylight for "game animals". Going into thick FL swamp in the dark after a hog, and knowing every step I take is another one I have to take back in the other direction (usually uphill) dragging a dead pig, in addition to whatever else I brought in- different story. Also little danger of ANY other animal presenting itself with me stumbling through that mess with a flashlight, making more racket than a drunk elephant lol.

 

[22250Rem]

One of my fondest hunting memories will always be the coup de gras I did on a wounded buck in a shotgun/handgun zone with a 9mm German Luger. Inherited it from an uncle who brought it home from Germany in 1945. Four years before he passed we were talking about it and how something like a 9mm or 38 spl. would be great for a close range finishing shot on a wounded deer. He thought his old Luger would be perfect for that. Carried it afield in a soft case every year for almost 10 years before I had a buck on the ground still alive but unable to even get up. I'll never forget standing over that buck with the Luger and looking up at the grey sky and thanking my late uncle for that Luger and saying; "I know you'd get a kick out of this" and putting two rounds into the back of the head and neck area. The deer expired instantly and I fulfilled my ethical obligation for a quick clean kill. And it was better than using a 12 ga. slug gun from two feet away. Lots cheaper, too... have you seen the price of 12 ga. Sabot slugs? LOL.

 

[Dibbs]

I never see snakes in hunting season. Wait till spring, that's when they come out. I can hit 'em with a bullet, though, don't need no rat shot.

Down here, in Florida, we get them all year round. They turn up in the darndest places, too. Heavy
rain gets them moving to higher ground, sunshine gets them trying to dry out and warm up, and you see
a surprising amount of Rattlers and Moccasins in roadways, and near buildings.

 

[Good Ol' Boy]

Put me in the "I'm always carrying anyway" or "why not" group.

Better to have it and not need it.

A shoulder rig or even better chest rig is ideal in the woods.

 

[HB]

I dont like leaving my pistol in the truck so I take it with me in the woods

 

[Dr T]

In Colorado, it is only legal to carry a handgun that is legal for the game you are hunting. Colorado has a list of approved loads. I rarely hunt in Colorado.

In West Texas, when I carry a handgun during deer season, it is usually a 22 WMR. It has two purposes: Snakes and coup d'grace. I have killed rattlers on the ranch after Thanksgiving day upon occasion (The closest was 6 inches from my boot--purely an instinctive reaction shot). I prefer the jacketed solids to put down a wounded deer. That said, I have not needed one in over 10 years.

 

[Loyalist Dave]

Dr. T and LoonWulf both pointed out, you might want to check local laws. I carry a handgun for two-legged problems when hunting..., even this might not be legal if you're on public hunting lands. However, as the OP mentioned, he might want to finish off a deer with his 9mm. Well in some states, doing that would be a huge violation. "Harvesting game with unapproved method", for example would be the violation if it was done in my state with a cartridge and handgun combination that didn't meet hunting regs. The argument that you were "putting down" an already mortally wounded deer would not suffice. IF I was in the Western part of my state where they have a black bear population I'd be carrying a S&W model 13 or 65 in a thigh holster, sportin' 180 grain Federal hollow points. Don't have to worry about a jam, and the sights aren't going to get banged about and be off target.

LD

 

[buck460XVR]

In Colorado, it is only legal to carry a handgun that is legal for the game you are hunting. Colorado has a list of approved loads. I rarely hunt in Colorado.

^^^This, and this........

Dr. T and LoonWulf both pointed out, you might want to check local laws.

Wisconsin has a Chat Ap on their DNR website, most other state DNRs/F&G websites have the same. Just as easy to go there and ask what's legal and what's not for your state as come here. Few years back I asked about my CWC weapon and Turkey Hunting. I was told that as long as the gun remained holstered, it was legal to carry in the field while hunting turkey. Otherwise there are regs against having anything but a legal weapon for turkey in your possession, while actively hunting turkeys. I made a copy of the reply just in case I got questioned by a warden who interpreted the laws differently..

 

[Ks5shooter]

I do........

 

[TN Outlaw]

One never knows what position they might end up in if an attack occurs. 2 legged or 4 legged predators that have the drop on you may very well get you to the ground before you even know the fight is on.

Even the fact they may only be inches from you before you see them. Too close to raise a rifle even, or at least too close for even a 3x scope to see much other than a blur. Same if it's dusk or dark.

That handy dandy rifle we all feel so secure with becomes a club with not much room to swing in these cases. It may be difficult or slowish to retrieve a pistol in the same circumstances but I'd rather take my chances with a usable weapon than none at all. It's surprising to me more hunters don't carry sidearms, but it's our choice either way and neat to see where people stand on the matter.

A handgun (lately a G29), a flashlight, and a knife are always part of my woods attire.

 

[Axis II]

For you guys saying your not worried about walking in and out at dark because you have a rifle. A lot of states its illegal to have a loaded long gun walking in and out. I wasn't aware this was the case in Ohio because they allow a sidearm when hunting but you must have a CCW and cannot use it to dispatch game. However, your allowed to use any type of weapon to hunt coyote and there is no time restriction when having a loaded gun for coyote just a restriction on caliber during deer gun week. Ohio sure does try and get you in the trick bag! One section says no handguns while deer hunting unless its a deer handgun then another section says you can ccw while deer hunting you just cant shoot a wild animal with the ccw. However, your allowed to shoot coyote all year round, no time limits and with whatever weapon you like, except in the deer gun season. I don't get how im allowed to carry a loaded 18round handgun to and from the stand but not my loaded primary rifle to defend myself.

 

[Robbins290]

I always carry a sidearm, always been my current CCW pistol. That changed 2 years ago when i had to dispatch 3 out of 4 rabid raccoons within 4 feet from me. Wearing gloves and trying to shoot a 7 round subcompact handgun is not fun. Now i carry a fullsize pistol with a OWB holster that's easy to use with thick gloves.

 

[Choctaw]

My land is in Texas and there just isn't any animal of which I'm afraid. In my circumstances I don't see the need for the extra weight of a handgun (unless of course it is my primary arm). Plus, I carry everyday on and off duty so when I'm at our place it is nice not to be packing iron...uh, heavy plastic. I've been tromping in the woods for 50 years and the only critter that has ever attacked me was a stupid, maniacal wasp. But if I hunted where some of you guys do, I would definitely carry. Everyone's circumstances are different and if you want to carry, you really should. You don't have to justify your needs, just strap on and go to it.

 

[Bfh_auto]

That sure sounds like a wolf. Don't tell NY Fish & Game. For whatever reason, they seem to be avoiding reintroduction or acknowledging an existing population, in which case, they would be listed.

They will probably be like Michigan. Deny everything until they have a large population and say they're here and there is nothing you can do about it.

 

[Birdhunter1]

By all means carry, I carry a 4" Springfield XD loaded up with 17 124 gr XTP's outside the belt on my right hip. I've had to actually use it twice against dogs and had it drawn and in hand while walking out in the dark when something that kept well hidden was following me. In the saddle, bow or gun hunting its on my hip.

I used to carry a S&W Shield 40 cal concealed as it is lighter and less obtrusive, one dog incident that I just couldn't get to it under all my clothes in the dark and I've never carried concealed when hunting again. Bow in one hand, coffee cup in the other... luckily the dog gave up and went a different direction when I kicked it in the jaw.

 

[mokin]

I usually carry my Ruger MkII just in case I get a shot at a sitting bunny. In fact, the last rabbit I bagged was with that pistol. I also take my EDC (Glock 29) with me.