Who carries a sidearm while hunting?
- Thread starter shafter
- Start date
In Ohio you are allowed only one hunting implement at a time. You are , however, permitted to carry your CCW but can't use it other than for protection. I always carry my CCW and sometimes hunt with a Single Six for squirrels. It's the fact that I usually hunt alone that makes me feel more secure with my hide out gun.
I carry either a .44mag or .357mag with me when wild pig hunting. If you wound a wild pig (highly doable) and it runs up under thick brush then you'll need to crawl in and get that fella. Easier to do this with a handgun then a rifle. Oh yeah...watch out for rattle snakes under those bushes too.
Double Naught Spy
New member
While I agree with Ricky to a certain extent in that you don't have to shoot everything, I similarly find the excuse that handguns are too much weight to carry to be similarly hokey (save for those who have actual physical maladies that preclude things like carrying extra pocket changes and the like).
However, I see no reason not to carry a pistol.
It was noted that pistols may not be much use against bears especially given the lack of range, power, and accuracy at distance of pistols compared to rifles. However, I have been surprised by the number of bear attack stories where hunters managed to lose their rifles in the attacks and those where were attacked that managed to produce knives, pepper spray, or pistols while the bears were chomping on them. Having a "get off me" weapon does seem like a good idea.
I don't know about quickly, but at close range, it should not be a problem. Given parameters of sight height, velocity, weight etc., basically POA/POI differences out to 100 yards for most centerfire calibers should not have a difference more than 0-3"
Say you have a .223 rifle firing a 55 grain spitzer hunting round at 3000 fps with a sight radius 1/2" over the bore radius and sighted in at 100 yards. The POA/POI difference ranges from the greatest value of 1/2" low at contact to 1/3" high at 60 yards.
How about with a scope 2" over the bore? Then you are 2" low at contact and the difference reduces to zero as you approach 100 yards, so never more than the difference between the sight radius height over the bore radius.
How about a big ole heavy .45-70 325 grain Leverevolution round? Out of my Marlin, I get about 1860 fps and have a sight over bore radius of about 1.5". At contact, the round would be 1.5" low and it will climb to a grand height of 3/4" over line of sight at 60-70 yards.
So unless you are trying to shoot off a particular toe on a creature, being sighted in at 100 yards for a hunting rifle should not produce such a difference in accuracy that you could not make a good shot.
However, I see no reason not to carry a pistol.
It was noted that pistols may not be much use against bears especially given the lack of range, power, and accuracy at distance of pistols compared to rifles. However, I have been surprised by the number of bear attack stories where hunters managed to lose their rifles in the attacks and those where were attacked that managed to produce knives, pepper spray, or pistols while the bears were chomping on them. Having a "get off me" weapon does seem like a good idea.
I don't know about quickly, but at close range, it should not be a problem. Given parameters of sight height, velocity, weight etc., basically POA/POI differences out to 100 yards for most centerfire calibers should not have a difference more than 0-3"
Say you have a .223 rifle firing a 55 grain spitzer hunting round at 3000 fps with a sight radius 1/2" over the bore radius and sighted in at 100 yards. The POA/POI difference ranges from the greatest value of 1/2" low at contact to 1/3" high at 60 yards.
How about with a scope 2" over the bore? Then you are 2" low at contact and the difference reduces to zero as you approach 100 yards, so never more than the difference between the sight radius height over the bore radius.
How about a big ole heavy .45-70 325 grain Leverevolution round? Out of my Marlin, I get about 1860 fps and have a sight over bore radius of about 1.5". At contact, the round would be 1.5" low and it will climb to a grand height of 3/4" over line of sight at 60-70 yards.
So unless you are trying to shoot off a particular toe on a creature, being sighted in at 100 yards for a hunting rifle should not produce such a difference in accuracy that you could not make a good shot.
Well...
Depends where your woods are.
In southern Louisiana...?
...Cottonmouths that will chase you on land, and will drop off a low branch into your bateau (boat).
...Alligators...? check.
In Central Louisiana...
...Rattlers and Copperheads in and around your stands, blinds, and hides.
...Hogs (big ones, 300 lbs. plus) and sows protectin' shoats.
...Panthers and the occasional black bear...? Check.
I don't go in the woods w/o one.
A .22 when carrying a shotgun or high-power rifle, ... 40 S&W w/ 180 gr. FMJ or the .357 Mag w/ 180 gr. TMJ.
Depends where your woods are.
In southern Louisiana...?
...Cottonmouths that will chase you on land, and will drop off a low branch into your bateau (boat).
...Alligators...? check.
In Central Louisiana...
...Rattlers and Copperheads in and around your stands, blinds, and hides.
...Hogs (big ones, 300 lbs. plus) and sows protectin' shoats.
...Panthers and the occasional black bear...? Check.
I don't go in the woods w/o one.
A .22 when carrying a shotgun or high-power rifle, ... 40 S&W w/ 180 gr. FMJ or the .357 Mag w/ 180 gr. TMJ.
beckett1911
New member
I do
most of the time i carry my xd 40 or my sig 226
most of the time i carry my xd 40 or my sig 226
I do alot of grouse hunting in Wisconsin, an Quite often also carry my .22 Trailside pistol on my hip to dispatch the occassional rabbit if I get the chance. i've always hated picking shot out of bunnies and prefer to take them with a double-duece.
With more and more bears in the state, I've considered swapping the Sig .22for my .357 when hunting up north.
With more and more bears in the state, I've considered swapping the Sig .22for my .357 when hunting up north.
bdb benzino
New member
My father has been carrying a 357mag while hunting in the woods for 40 years, and it is to finish animals off if they were still alive. It is real akward to try to shoot up close with a scope on your rifle, a revolver works nicely!
If you were worried about bears or dogs why would you not just use your rifle?? You can tell from the responses who really hunts.
If you were worried about bears or dogs why would you not just use your rifle?? You can tell from the responses who really hunts.
FrankenMauser
New member
I don't shoot snakes, unless I have to. (I hunt in Utah, Idaho, and Wyoming, though. We really only have to deal with rattlers.)
When I carry a pistol, it is for predator defense (big cats, bears, moose, and pot farmers). You can laugh at the moose reference, all you want. When an angry, 800 lb female decides you need to be dealt with (for whatever reason...), you'll see why I list them with cats, bears, and pot farmers.
Due to firearm and ammunition restrictions in Utah (where I do most of my hunting), it is illegal to use my pistols for small game, big game, and upland game species. They're just there for non-game encounters (again - predators, as described above).
I'd like to get into the details of nasty encounters with two-legged predators, and the awesomeness of wondering if you're about to get shot in the back (for accidentally stumbling upon a poachers' camp, or jackasses that just think they own the entire mountain for a week), but I'll get too angry thinking about hunts that got ugly.
The moral of the story is: Nasty encounters with two-legged predators are a situation where the enemy knows you're armed. If you can have the advantage, by having a pistol they don't know about.... you're that much farther ahead.
Lastly-
Every so often, I am presented with a shot that is so close I don't want to use my rifle. The velocity will be too high, and terminal performance of the bullet unsatisfactory (or just undesirable for the available shot). Having the ability to make the shot with a pistol is a nice advantage.
When I carry a pistol, it is for predator defense (big cats, bears, moose, and pot farmers). You can laugh at the moose reference, all you want. When an angry, 800 lb female decides you need to be dealt with (for whatever reason...), you'll see why I list them with cats, bears, and pot farmers.
Due to firearm and ammunition restrictions in Utah (where I do most of my hunting), it is illegal to use my pistols for small game, big game, and upland game species. They're just there for non-game encounters (again - predators, as described above).
I'd like to get into the details of nasty encounters with two-legged predators, and the awesomeness of wondering if you're about to get shot in the back (for accidentally stumbling upon a poachers' camp, or jackasses that just think they own the entire mountain for a week), but I'll get too angry thinking about hunts that got ugly.
The moral of the story is: Nasty encounters with two-legged predators are a situation where the enemy knows you're armed. If you can have the advantage, by having a pistol they don't know about.... you're that much farther ahead.
Lastly-
Every so often, I am presented with a shot that is so close I don't want to use my rifle. The velocity will be too high, and terminal performance of the bullet unsatisfactory (or just undesirable for the available shot). Having the ability to make the shot with a pistol is a nice advantage.
Fish_Scientist
New member
Bow hunting = yes
backwoods flyfishing = yes
mountain grouse hunting = yes
rifle hunting = no
In all cases, I carry a 4" .44 mag Redhawk.
Fish
backwoods flyfishing = yes
mountain grouse hunting = yes
rifle hunting = no
In all cases, I carry a 4" .44 mag Redhawk.
Fish
Uncle Buck
New member
I do not believe you have ever lived on, or currently live on, a farm. The predation of just the coyotes is enough to put a man out of business. I'll drive a few miles to shoot a coyote.
Snakes: I shoot the poisonous ones when I can. I do not need my cows or goats stepping on a poisonous snake and getting bit. The non-poisonous ones get ignored for the most part, unless they are in the chicken coop stealing eggs.
I usually have a pistol with me when I hunt. I would rather use a .22 to finish off a wounded animal than use a 30-30 close in. (Luckily, the only thing I have had to use it on where coons and possums when running a trap line.) Old habits are hard to break.
Depends on where I am hunting and what I feel like carrying, but I always have a pistol of some sorts on me.
kyhareraiser
New member
ky's new hunting law
allows a person to carry a firearm for self defense while hunting or trapping.. i think this is great. ever since i was surrounded by a pack of wild dogs(6 or more) and had nothing to protect my self but a bow --5 arrows and a skinning knife .since that day i packed my ccw weapon while bow hunting..never saw the need for a handgun while rifle hunting ,,but a man might need a follow up,close range shot at a mad and wounded bear,deer ,coyote ,,maybe just a mad wildman lol
allows a person to carry a firearm for self defense while hunting or trapping.. i think this is great. ever since i was surrounded by a pack of wild dogs(6 or more) and had nothing to protect my self but a bow --5 arrows and a skinning knife .since that day i packed my ccw weapon while bow hunting..never saw the need for a handgun while rifle hunting ,,but a man might need a follow up,close range shot at a mad and wounded bear,deer ,coyote ,,maybe just a mad wildman lol
midlandwalther
New member
Yes
A 1911 with hollowpoints and an extra magazine.
A 1911 with hollowpoints and an extra magazine.