What's the deal with the "back up" gun while hunting

[Stevehazard]

I've had other hunters tell me I should carry a sidearm for protection. Always seemed like a paranoid mind set if you ask me that if a situation arose that the rifle or shotgun I was carrying would somehow not suffice. Like you I feel snakes top the threat list followed by another hunter or person on a vehicle that is unaware. An additional gun wouldn't benefit either of those threats.

[Reelemup]

Just for bow hunting (in bow season) as far as I know, unless condor zone, but then again I am a noob.

Not a good idea carrying a firearm in bow season.

[fremont lapua]

I think most people that carry a backup firearm when hunting do it because they can. My take on it is it is better to have it and not need it then to not have it and need it.

[realgreenfire]

living in the Weed' country of california myself, a sidearm can come in handy... never had to use mine personally but have heard many times about people shooting at each other up in the hills if they got too close to someones grow. most of the time, and most places you go there is no use for a sidearm while hunting, and even tho it is permitted in some areas fishing as well, but believe me, i would rather carry 3lbs of sidearm than end up too close to someones crop and run out of bullets...

[pieeater]

Not a good idea carrying a firearm in bow season.

Its a good idea, just not legal in this state.

[zio707]

Nice pics Frank!!!, what caliber rifle were you using during your hunt(s)?

[lewdogg21]

Its a good idea, just not legal in this state.

Exactly. However a bill was passed in 2012 allowing LEO's to carry during bow season. Someone can look up the exact verbiage but that is a slap in the face to the general public as far as I am concerned.

The only time I get a little bit freaked out in the woods is in the pitch black with only my bow when you know something big is close to you and you're alone.

[pieeater]

I got bluffed charged by a sow in D5 right at daybreak while archery hunting. I had walked right up on her cubs and didnt see them in the grass. They saw me 5' from them and started crying for mama, and she didnt dissapoint. Thatll wake you up in the morning.

Exactly. However a bill was passed in 2012 allowing LEO's to carry during bow season. Someone can look up the exact verbiage but that is a slap in the face to the general public as far as I am concerned.

The only time I get a little bit freaked out in the woods is in the pitch black with only my bow when you know something big is close to you and you're alone.

[StraightShooter]

I often carry a 22 pistol not as backup gun but for shooting smaller critters that I don't want to have my ears ringing after firing a larger gun. Came in handy yesterday when I was checking and setting up game cams.

ImageUploadedByTapatalk1368893030.848673.jpgImageUploadedByTapatalk1368893053.381355.jpg

It also comes in handy if you're fur hunting and need to dispatch a wounded animal without having to shoot it with another high caliber round.

[falawful]

Old friend got chased up a tree by a hog in TN while deer hunting. Problem was that he dropped his rifle on the way up. Piggie kept him in the tree for 6 hours! He said he was kicking himself for not having a pistol to shoot the damn pig. He still hears about that one to this day.

All the reason I need!

[DirtyDave]

I often carry a 22 pistol

It also comes in handy if you're fur hunting and need to dispatch a wounded animal without having to shoot it with another high caliber round.

FYI and others reading this. You cannot use a rimfire, even as a coup de grace, on Big Game. Not a legal method of take. I dont advise carrying a rimfire while Big Game hunting.
I've had to put the final touch on a deer once and putting the barrel of my rifle at the back of the head worked just fine. No need for a pistol.

[StraightShooter]

FYI and others reading this. You cannot use a rimfire, even as a coup de grace, on Big Game. Not a legal method of take. I dont advise carrying a rimfire while Big Game hunting.
I've had to put the final touch on a deer once and putting the barrel of my rifle at the back of the head worked just fine. No need for a pistol.

That's why I said fur hunting, but yes you are correct for big game.

[VaderSpade]

I have never carried a sidearm, BUT I wish I would have had one when I was held at gun point by pot farmers a few years ago.

I had killed a buck and had my rifle securely strapped over my head on my back. NO chance of beating anyone to the draw with that setup, but I was dragging my buck and needed the rifle out of the way.

A 1911 would have been nice.

[Fjold]

Nice pics Frank!!!, what caliber rifle were you using during your hunt(s)?

That's my Model 70 in 375 H&H magnum, I also brought a 300WSM along on that hunt for smaller game but now I just use the 375 H&H.

[JDay]

Bears.