Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Deer Hunting Do you carry a sidearm while deer hunting?

Not asking if you use a handgun to hunt with but do you carry a handgun holstered in ed'n to your rifle? Seems like I'm seeing more of it. Just curious. Mb

Not usually. Although in the early season I have, specifically for rattlers. A Ruger 22, that obviously wouldn't be as loud as a centerfire. But that's rare. Figure I have a rifle if a firearm is needed for other than taking game.

I do during muzzleloading season and I keep asking myself why I put up with the weight. I think my mindset of never going anywhere without being properly armed (where legal) carries over into the field. I always have a handgun when I am on the farm working, and with a single loaded muzzleloader I feel that I am not properly armed. Now during the general firearms seasons having a repeating rifle makes me feel properly armed.

no but usually have it in the truck so I have it when I get back

Both of those apply to me. Early season when rattlesnakes and copperheads are still poking around I usually carry an LCR 22. During muzzleloader season I'll often swap the 22 for an LCR in 357 with a couple of shot capsules in the first two chambers....or I may just bring a small 9mm.

After it cools off I rarely carry one when I have a centerfire rifle.

Always.

A G19 or G26 is my constant companion.

Yes but in my backpack, that is unless I’m riding a horse / mule or in bear country… then it’s on my hip.

Always. I have an ancient Titan 25 ACP in my pack I have used for coup de gras if I am not also carrying my Kahr CM9 or Kimber 357 or Colt 45 ACP Commander or Glock 24 or S&W 329.

I carry a sidearm everywhere. Period.

I read your OP and

I used to carry & hunt with a 44, RSBK, SW 629 or RSRHWK but I don't anymore.

While hunting obviously I have a rifle or shotgun so I don't pack a sidearm.

Jerry

Never----if 4 rounds out my 30/06 isn't enough---I reload. When I'm in Ohio hunting with my brother---3 slugs out of an 870 is enough----extra rounds in my pocket.

I have carried a small 9mm or 380 for the last ten years or so while hunting. Used them several times to finish things. Actually most any time I have my pants on, I am armed.

When I’m hunting the ranch in Colorado, I seldom pack a sidearm unless it’s before season opens or after it closes picking up blinds, cams, etc. Plenty of cats and bears around at times.

If I’m hunting public land or timberland at home, I always pack. Vermin, both 2-legged and 4-legged, are usually around. I certainly won’t leave a gun in the truck for some tweaker to steal.

Yep, when not at work I do. Carry a 45 when hunting, fugging pigs are everywhere at the place I hunt. It wouldn’t be good to walk up on a mamma pig with little bitty piglets.

Sometimes just for the fun of it.

Occasionally, mostly depending where/when I'm hunting.

I've shot a few coyotes with .22 MAG revolvers while deer hunting from elevated stands.

There aren't any bears where I have hunted in IA/KS/MO/NE and you'd be in serious trouble with the authorities if you killed a mountain lion, unless you could show them bleeding wounds that had been infliced by the dead mountain lion.

Now that I'm in my mid-60s every ounce of extra weight has to have enough use/value for me to want to carry it far afield.

Always. I've had to use it quite a few times on hogs and snakes.

Yep, got one on me as I type this. Glock 19 with me on my stand.

Same here. It's about like carrying a pocketknife. Naked without it......

Glock 22 on my hip… deer lease pines and tall grass is up to my chest and there’s nothing like walking in dark with a pack of hogs running into you. Had that happen a few times