Who carries a sidearm when hunting?

[JEB]

For those who do carry a sidearm, how do you carry it if you wear bibs

for once i actually feel very qualified to answer this question! i always carry a sidearm while hunting, i always wear bibs (walls insulated bibs to be exact) and i even have a glock 22 that i have carried!

when i carried the G22 i used a longer heavy leather belt and a fobus holster. surprisingly, retention was never an issue, and i crawled and jumped through some pretty thick stuff.

i have since upgraded my hunting rig to this:

7 1/2" ruger super blackhawk .44 magnum carried in a triple K Laramie holster and triple K Wyoming western drop belt. some folks will think i must be some sort of "dude" to go hunting with this rig but it is all very well thought out and it works very well for me. 1) i dont have a lot of pocket space left over with the other items i like to keep with me and i only carry ammo for my main gun in my vest, so the cartige loops are a very handy way for me to carry extra ammo and keep it easily seperated. 2) i am always wearing a jacket or coat of some sort and this low ride style of holster keeps my sidearm free and clear of the bottom of my coat and always within easy reach. 3) should the opportunity for a quick close range shot present itself, the draw is quick, smooth, and compleatly silent. once again retention is not an issue due to the long barrel and there is also a hammer tie-down should i feel the need to do so.

EDIT TO ADD: forgot to mention how i wear the whole thing. i ordered the belt just a couple of inches larger and wear it over my bibs. this way it is easy to remove when we go in for lunch and the cartidge loops are always accessable.

 

[Rail Driver]

I carry a pistol every day, nearly everywhere I go... why wouldn't I carry it when hunting too?

 

[BigN]

I always have a Smith 629 in a shoulder holster when hunting or trout fishing in the Adirondacks. I had a black bear follow me about 2 miles back to the car about 2 years ago. He didn't seem to want to bother me but I guess he was just curious. I've carried one ever since in case one wants to get more than curious.

 

[41 Mag]

I carry while on the farm working or when out hunting. I have one Bianchi Accumold holster on a wide stiff nylon belt which will accommodate my 7.5" Redhawks in 41,44, and 45 Colt and my 8.375" Raging Bull in 454 Cas. The belt is long enough to get around everything I wear including my insulated Carhart bib's.

I wear it weak side for cross draw as it is MUCH easier to get the revolvers out and on target for me that way, especially if riding in the truck, tractor, or on a 4 wheeler.

When I am in the country there is ALWAYS the chance to come across a sounder of hogs and I do not want to miss out on the opportunity to send something downrange after them.

 

[sixgunner455]

Always carry one, but I can't recall owning a set of bibs since I was 3 or 4.

 

[critter]

FA .454 in a shoulder holster.

 

[AABEN]

I cary my S&W 40

 

[Pilot]

I carry what I typically carry when not hunting. A CZ PCR 9MM.

 

[X-Rap]

Can't recall the last time I carried a sidearm when I had a rifle in my hand while BG hunting. The extra weight and bulk just never made sense to me. I often carry a fairly heavy rifle so that may be some of it. I do carry when going along as a non shooter as I will be this weekend, the gun I carry depends upon the need I may percieve be it small game which is something I don't shoot at while actually in the BG hunt or as protection. The actual gun varies from a 22 MI Ruger or 1911 conversion to a 66/686, 29, G32, or 454 Alaskan.

 

[allaroundhunter]

When dove hunting out on our farm I wear an M&P or Glock 19 on my hip in case we have a run in with feral dogs.

Sent from my HTC One X

 

[1911 guy]

I carry my normal CCW when hunting. If I need to protect myself from anything larger than a squirrel, the .22 I usually carry isn't going to cut it. Going black powder next week, one shot doesn't thrill me in a S.D. situation.

Ohio law allows for CCW when hunting, but positively forbids using it to shoot game animals unless that CCW is also legal to take game and is the only weapon carried. Mine's a 1911, so it's not legal to hunt deer during gun season and impractical for small game.

I *DO* wonder about the legality of popping a coyote with it, though. I expect to see a few where I'm headed. Have to check the laws before I head out Sunday evening.

 

[JC98]

Glock 23 OWB with an extra mag or 2 if I am not wearing bibs.
With bib's typically carry in a shoulder holster. or bring my .380 and just stick it in my pocket.

 

[matrem]

When carrying a bow or ML I always have a .357,.40 or .45 with me. Usually in an owb belt holster. Once in a great while not in the holster, in my backpack.
When carrying a shotgun or repeating rifle, a handgun is often with me but not always.

1911 guy wrote
"Ohio law allows for CCW when hunting, but positively forbids using it to shoot game animals unless that CCW is also legal to take game and is the only weapon carried."

As I understand it, that is correct as long as you don't conceal it.
Edit to add: 1911s are legal for deer in Ohio as long as it's a government model (5" bbl)

 

[Kahr33556]

357 sometimes but looking for a holster for my 9 because its lighter and I.m not hunting with it.

 

[andrewdl007]

I do not carry a sidearm when hunting, but that is mainly because the duck club I hunt at is not very remote and there are usually at least 5 other hunters plus staff in a relatively close area and I feel no need for the extra weight and no need to risk dropping a pistol in a lake. If I were to ever go hunting in the back woods, safari, etc. I would likely want to bring a .357 mag or something similar especially if hunting dangerous game, you never know when your bolt is going to jam...

 

[25cschaefer]

Montana issued a warning to bow hunters in our area to carry a side arm because of "agressive wolves" in the area.

I carry my HK

 

[CountryUgly]

No bibs. Glock G20 OWB. The great thing is I change nothing but my clothes when hunting. The G20 is not only my EDC it's my deer gun also

 

[Mykey]

I carry a Glock 36 in an OWB holster.

 

[Captcurt]

I carry sometimes, whenever the mood strikes. Luckily it is legal to carry concealed if licensed here even when bowhunting. But you can't use it to dispatch an animal until firearm season.

 

[crazysccrmd]

Glock 20sf owb, no bibs. Good enough for man or beast and gives me 16rds of one handed operation just in case.

 

[grubbylabs]

I carry a Smith 329 PD when ever I go out in the field for hunting. I have not had to worry about bibs since I have owned this gun since I have mostly hunted pre heavy snow, so some polar fleece lined pants have worked just fine so far. But with a 4" barrel it is easily carried in a large pocket.

 

[interlock]

in the uk sidearms are a bit dificult to get. I have a ppk but am not allowed to carry it whilst hunting for hunting with.... but often i will have it with me becuase i have been practising with it. I kill deer (and other animals) with it from road accidents. It is excellent for a 5-10 ft coup de grace. I dont wear a bib (because in the uk we are careful where we put our bullets).
In germany i understand that hunters have to carry a pistol.

 

[Renegade Ziggy]

Due to the horrible coyote and bear problem here in KY, I always have my Glock 22 on my side while hunting, while wearing bibs I try to wear a shoulder holster.

 

[Sniper66]

This year Kansas made it legal to carry a sidearm when hunting, so now I do, mostly just for fun, since I feel no threat from anything. Often, I will end the hunt with a bit of target practice with my Browning Buckmark or my GSG 1911. Shooting at floating objects down a creek is really good practice and a lot of fun.

 

[buck460XVR]

Wow I'm somewhat surprised at how many (seemingly all answers so far) carry while hunting. And my wife called me 'weird' for bringing the walther p22 with me into the woods in an OWB leather holster I made.

My sidearm is generally my primary weapon when hunting. If using a long gun or shotgun as a primary, they will suffice for any threat in the woods I hunt, thus the carrying of a sidearm also is just extra weight. Since most of my hunting holsters are chest/shoulder rigs, the wearing of bibs has no affect on their use.