Who carries a small handgun with them when deer huntin

[R.W.Dale]

or any kind of hunting for that matter with the express purpose of delivering a coup de grâce close in should the need arrive without the mess of a rifle at close range.

 

[HM2PAC]

On occasion I carry a BUG, but not with the sole purpose of a coup de grace.

 

[Sinixstar]

Been a few times where I wished I had one.
Only problem is - where I hunted at the time (Indiana), if you had a handgun in the field, it was assumed you were hunting with it - so season restrictions applied.
Most of the times I wish I had one was Muzzleloader season, which would rule out any kind of handgun.

It was great, they don't let you carry anything in the field (even if you're CC) - yet they look at you like a maniac when your deer is missing half it's head from a 50cal blast at close range. :banghead:

 

[huntershooter]

I do, but not for a finishing shot.
I carry one in hopes of being able to use it as the primary firearm.

 

[SleazyRider]

I do!

Lots of reasons to carry a handgun in the field. It wouldn't be the first time a hunter was attacked by a bear while gutting out a deer. Also, there's the possibility of being "caught with one's pants down" by a 2-legged attacker who wants to steal your rifle when you're getting in and out of a car or other vulnerable moment. It can be used as a signaling tool in the event of an injury or failure of your primary weapon to fire.

 

[3pairs12]

During rifle season I open carry everytime I go hunting. The only reason is wild hogs. To date I still havent needed it. Just scared that I may piss one off in the early morning or late evening when it is to dark for the rifle scope. I voted yes and never needed it. I probably should have voted no since I don't carry it as a finisher.

 

[Shawnee]

Here in Ohio it is illegal to carry more than one firearm during any of the deer seasons and, of course, no firearm may be carried during the archery season. However, it happens that I hunt with a SBH during the regular deer gun season.

When shooting deer on agricultural damage permits during the Spring and Summer I switch off and on between my SBH, my Contender and one of my rifles. Since I work pretty hard at making one-shot, DRT kills I have not taken anything but the "primary" firearm.

So I answered "no" to the poll even though I hunt with the .44 magnum.

 

[Marlin 45 carbine]

I carry a .22LR revolver loaded with Velocitors and speedloader. I've used it once to finish off a deer and several times to take small game when deer hunting wasn't panning out.
I'm also apprehensive about some bad situation developing where I may actually really need it.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

I voted no, but I have in the past. Not so much for coup de grace, but as a chattering squirrel silencer (Aguila Super Colibris).

 

[BigBuckMaster]

yes. in my 45 country hunting experance, most of the time i have a large frame revolver (.45 LC in most countrys, but in Africa or when hunting dangerious game, a .460 S&W). i have used my ole .45 a few times to finish off game bout five times. i have used the .460 twice, and i stopped a lion from going any farther when my .470 went empty. uesed a hip shot, anchoring him so i could finish him off without tracking him for three hours again.

 

[bang_bang]

I usually carry one of my pistols, used it the first time this season on an 8-point. I carry my .45 Witness with me, for 3 reasons really.

1. Personal defense against any type of animals (skunks in particular) and against the pissed off out of state hunter that might wonder on the land I hunt on. Out of state hunters in my area have been known to be awful shots, and have been known to also jump fences and shoot at everything that moves.

2. I am often put in situations where a full power scope is obsolete. Having a pistol, .45 or .357 at 10-15 yards is deadly. Still haven't shot one though, but I will one day.

3. Making a mortal wound quicker. I can't stand to see animals in pain, so I have always took one for that reason. I've used it only once, having make a lucky but bad neck shot on an 8-point. I immediately ran up and put a .230gr bullet through its vitals, making the animal expire within seconds.

 

[koja48]

I carry one all the time and for a variety of reasons . . . a man can't have too many tools.

 

[Mr. Chitlin]

Glock 27.

 

[F3RR3T]

carry a fullsize 1911 whenever i go hunting. not for the game. but for the other retarded hunters here who have a habit of trying to claim your kill and your deer

 

[357sigRog]

Glock 33

 

[351 WINCHESTER]

I used to carry a .45 1911 especially when hog hunting. Had to use it once on a hog that refused to die. My backup (brother in law) was armed with a 12 ga. and when the hog charged he hauled his but back to the truck and left me holding the bag. Last time I ever took him hunting.

 

[mikle76]

I won't be carrying a "small handgun" this year but I will be carrying my 686 in hopes of a deer getting close enough to put 'er to use!

 

[JackOfAllTradesMasterAtNone]

I usually pack a 44mag when rifle hunting.

I don't hunt farm land. I hunt back country. I may start in open timber and end up in dense brush. Wolves, Coyotes, Kitty cats, and Bear are certainly potential close in. In dense brush I have taken Deer with pistol, while the rifle was cradled. I've used the pistol as finishing shot on Bear when I was hunting alone. Then again, I've hunted successfully with just a handgun.

If I've got an iron sighted lever gun in my hands, I may or may not have a side arm. If I've got a scoped rifle in my hands, I'm more apt to have a SBH, RH 44mag or at leas a .357 revolver on my. Maybe a 1911 in .45acp.

-Steve

 

[35 Whelen]

I used to, but:
1) I never needed it
2) If I can deliver the coup de grace with a handgun, I can do the same with my rifle
3) If I can't hit it with my rifle, then I damn sure can't hit it with my pistol
4) The extra weight can be a real pain especially when hunting the high country for elk.

35W

 

[X-Rap]

Perfect logic Whelen, and spoken from experiance as to the weight I'll bet. People should consider a little extra water or survival gear instead of an extra gun.
I do however carry when bow hunting for the simple reason of bears and cats.

 

[Shawnee]

Good post, .35 Whelen !

It probably wrecked your chance to appear on the cover of "Guns & Blast 'Em" though.

 

[tunnug]

glock 20 with cor-bon loads, cause you just never know who/what you might encounter in southern arizona, we are allowed to have sidearms on the regular deer season and our muzzeloader season is HAM (handgun,archery,muzzeloader) take your pick.

 

[Dr. Tad Hussein Winslow]

Ha ha. I once carried a .44 mag revolver in addition to rifle during gun season while in a stand, "in case a deer walked under the stand and I couldn't arrange my rifle in a way to take a shot". Talk about carrying a lot of weight - won't be doing that again.

If I can deliver the coup de grace with a handgun, I can do the same with my rifle

Although true during rifle season, during archery season, you can carry a handgun here if you have a CCW, but not a rifle. If you decide to make your CCW a .22, it will work well for coup de grace. I sure wouldn't want to be in the position of shooting my archery deer with a full-powered handgun (9mm or larger) for a coup de grace, and then have the game warden sniffing around the check station questioning which hole is the fatal hole (the initial shot), so a .22 makes a lot more sense for a head shot coup de grace.

 

[CB900F]

Fella's;

I carry a handgun all the time. It's not there to "finish off" a game animal as it's specific purpose. I've decided that it's simply a very useful tool to have with me at all times.

As a note, I do have my concealed carry permit in Montana. Therefore the specific tool may vary, but it's always there.

900F

 

[paintballdude902]

ruger single six in .22 magnum i keep 3 shotshells and 3 solids in it

shotshells for snakes it works pretty good, if you get so close you cant back away and need it it does the job nicely