PootPeak, Everyone's experience and terrain will be a bit different from the next fellow's. Whatever YOU are comfortable with and is safe for your hunting..continue to do it well.Same with anyone else in either 'camp' on this matter. ( and I knew you ain't had twinkies very often..:)
Concerning safeties on hunting firearms: They either work 100% of the time or don't use them and carry cold as you describe. or can the firearm.. That includes dropping the rifle ..or falling on it .
Mine DO work 100% of the time....But I have good time proven rifles with good designs...in perfect condition (and so few of them I can operate or even field strip them them in the dark..:) Jim