Who carries a small handgun with them when deer huntin

Do you keep a handgun handy when hunting for "finishing off" mortally wounded game.

  • No

    Votes: 49 15.4%
  • Yes

    Votes: 165 51.7%
  • No, but I wish I have on ocassion

    Votes: 31 9.7%
  • Yes but I've never needed it

    Votes: 74 23.2%

  • Total voters
    319
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I carry because we have wolves in Idaho. I had a pretty scary experience a few years ago. I had just got my first archery elk and was elbow deep into dressing it when the wolves started in about a 1/2 mile away or less. I was close to filling my shorts.
 
yep s&w model19 357 mag new ftx 180 gr will finish off most any thing , she is my best friend! have a great day!
 
I carry a Ruger Vaquero in .44 Mag loaded with 240 grn softpoints. I keep that with me because it is easier than hauling a bow or rifle through the brush, and in south Texas, there are plenty of things that you might need a gun for.
 
i carry a large one in addition to my rifle, either a Blackhawk in .45 colt or smith 29. Rifle could malfunction, might not be able to reach your rifle for whatever reason (happened to me) or it's just fun to take a deer w/a handgun if they get close.
 
I agree with you publiss. I usually carry a .357 and next year plan on using a S&W 1076. Having a chance at a deer at close range with a pistol is a hoot. Not as much fun as with a bow, but still fun. I use the rifle for the far shots, at the ones I can not pass up on.
 
I hunt with a savage ML, so i carry my 629 as a back-up. Haven't needed it but its nice to know you still have fire-power available if you need it. A empty gun is just a club.
 
I used to pack my Kimber in .45 acp and finished off a few deer with good old hardball. Now a days I carry my single six in .32 mag, used it for the first time this year.
 
sometimes Browning .22. for squirrels or fox if I'm bored. Sometimes a .38 or 9mm for a finishing shot (hopefully never need it).
 
I used to when I first started hunting for exactly the reason stated, but after a few trips I realized that it really wasn't necessary and that it weighed far more than it was worth. So I stopped. Haven't needed one ever.
 
pistol? heck yea

moet of the time its just a rossi 6 inch 38 with shotshells, killed a bunch of snakes with it. some times its a judge loaded with 7.5's. only for snakes never carry ball ammo for either one.
 
If I recall correctly you can't in New York. A hunter can only carry one gun I believe. However if I had a handgun, it would be a substantial one (41 mag and up) and it would be the only gun I would carry anyway.
 
Yep, a 1911 loaded with 200 gr. semi wadcutters at about 1000 fps. Mostly for surprised hogs and the crackheads that populate our wilderness areas.
 
I carry my .44 Mag or pepper spray while hunting in grizzly country. I much prefer the .44.
Too much pepper taints the meat.
 
If you consider a .44 Mag Ruger SBH small,.......but I ALWAYS carry it in the woods,...yes even when deer hunting with a rifle. Not necessarily as coup de'grace item,...but for "other targets of opportunity" when my rifle is not handy. "tis what I do,....YMMV
 
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