Home Forums Hunting & Shooting Elk Hunting Sidearm for Elk Hunting

MOWZER - "...I found that out the hard way."
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How about a story or two, Mowzer. True incidents are always interesting to those of us who bust the boonies.

Thanks. L.W.

Given my habit of traversing steep and high terrain. Weight is an issue. If I took a handgun and it's attending ammo, then I would leave the rifle at home. Mostly, though I favor rifles. I never even bring a sling along when hunting, so the speed of going into action only hinges on disengaging a safety. I missed a couple of opportunities due to over the shoulder carries as a kid (1960's), and swore it would never happen again. 1Minute

BTDT.
Ya gotta know when to hold 'em and know when to should'em. (that rhymes) <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/grin.gif" alt="" />

I would guess that this 44-Mag at "26.5" ounces is going to make or break your Elk Hunt...I doubt it and if it did,You don't belong in the hills...26.5 ounces.Granted there not all that light...But some are lighter than others..All in choices and I don't knock those that pack as I do both myself sometimes.


Jayco

1Minute,
First thing a hunter needs to understand that the PROPERLY selected and adjusted rifle sling is FIRST for better stability for the shot in the field and NOT primarily a 'carry strap'....

Especially when the hunter is in good game country during prime time and at any moment he may have a shot opportunity presented...
Show me a big game hunter who can bring up his rifle from the ready and hit, and I will better his accuracy without compromising speed using a proper shooting sling..jim

Jim: A fellow Oregonian! We're in great country. I would agree that a sling is a good tool for shooting some arms in some conditions. If I was doing the military thing, biathalons, or small bore 3-position competition, I would probably get all trussed up too. I do most of my hunting in open space or big canyon country now days. That being the case I have not taken an offhand shot in about 20 years. Spot and stalk only. If they are up and running, they are perfectly safe. In some instances, I've had the rifle sitting there bedded with the animal in the scope for 2 or 3 hours waiting for it to stand up. I sat with the wife 4 years ago from 11:00 AM until 4:30 PM waiting for a bull to get out of bed. Again I don't use the sling, but I've assembled some rock solid rests on the edges of rims or in some snow banks over the years. As a kid, I was back in the eastern forests where a quick response was paramount. I had lapsed into some shoulder sling carries that cost me. I stopped that practice, and it's just carried over into old age. I would suppose the second reason I seldom sling up is that I'm always out with an external pack frame on my back (rope, lunch, water, spotting scope, and tripod). I'm too lazy to go 3 or 4 miles back to camp, and I get the first load of meat in straight off. Any sling rigging that puts a rifle over my shoulder or back is going to generate wear and tear on the rifle or my spotting scope. I don't want it over my chest either as that's where the binoculars ride. If I could do the TV thing with a guide that packed all that stuff, then I'd probably stroll along with a sling and cup of coffee. Thirdly, but not often, I've done a little long-tom shooting for elk and pronghorn. My rifles are well tuned for working from rests, but I insist on wooden stocks, and sadly, they are not rigid enough to take the additional torques, tugs, and twists that are induced by tightly bracing up in a sling without altering point of impact. Also, when I do get braced up in a sling with my finer rifles and scopes, I just can't get my heartbeat out of the picture. It probably doesn't help that the adrenalin tends to kick in. With practice, I am told, one can eventually work between heart beats, but I'm not that much of a die-hard. With the rifle bedded on the backpack, log, or rock, heartbeat is not an issue. Over the years, I can't say I've seen many bench resters trussed up in sling either.

I believe the original question in this post had to do with elk hunting. Had the author indicated his true reason for packing extra iron, we might have all saved a bit of time. Take care, and remember that application time is nearing. Good luck in the draws. 1Minute

It was clear but there have been a lot of tangents to this thread.

Well there are a lot of opinions out there on a forum this big. Some are even worth reading. <img src="/ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif" alt="" />

After having a friend almost eaten by a mountain lion during archery season and a couple close calls myself. I have started carrying a handgun while hunting, granted it's only a 41mag ti revolver but it's light, and makes me feel better knowing I have it.
Though I have noticed that when I'm hunting the really rough country it seems to stay at home/the truck with all my other extra gear.

If I had something lighter than my .454,I would carry it all the time with or without rifles.When I sell my Yamaha YZ-250 Dirt Bike,I am going to get that light weight 44-Mag from Smith and Wesson.To many odd things happening with animals and humans anymore and with the Goverment shipping "More" problem Grizzlies to my back yard,can't be to carefull let alone the pet eating Wolves!!!!
Sorry!!!

Jayco

I would think a 41 mag would be about perfect if the giant Alaskan bears were'nt a consideration and then still a good choice if a guy shoots it well and will carry it.

Taurus makes a light 44 mag that is quite a bit less expensive than the Smith FWIW.