Handgun worth the weight?

[Angus]

Until about 10 years ago I never carried a sidearm for anything, never had any need for one. Then 1 morning while steelhead fishing I had a close encounter with a rott and a large mutt, luckily I was able to wade out into the river and wait them out until they finally wandered off and I made a dash for my rig. Really not sure what would of happened had I not been in a spot I could wade but I don't think it would have been good, the rott didn't seem to have good intentions.
If I have another run in with him or any close friends of his I'm standing my ground and introducing him to "my little friend", don't go anywhere without my SP 101 .327 mag.
I was over a mile from the nearest house and not on private property.

[carpsniperg2]

It is worth the weight for sure. I have used mine more then once or twice and was glad I had it.

[dawhunt]

Better to have then to have not !!!!!
Bob

[Plainswalker]

Just have to ask yourself; "On the off chance that something does go awry, how would I 'LIKE' to respond".  That should answer your question. 

Of course, being a former boyscout and possessing a CCW, if it is legal to carry it there, my little "equalizer" goes with me 

[JackOfAllTrades]

I never leave home without it. 
 
-Steve

[jaymark6655]

Where I hunt now, bowhunters are not allowed to carry.  I have heard more than one story of four or five coyotes circling a tree stand and the guy looks at his quiver to see only three arrows.  I am in favor of carry, you wouldn't leave the spare tire out of your car because you haven't used it in years or not carry a first aid kit for the same reason.

[bobcat]

When I'm hunting, 99.9% of the time I won't be carrying a handgun. I feel the weapon I already have in my hands is enough protection for any situation that may arise. I don't feel the extra weight is worth it.

Now if I'm just going for a hike, especially if I have my little girls with me, then I may carry my 9mm.

But while hunting, no. One gun is enough, in my opinion.

[JackOfAllTrades]

When I'm hunting, 99.9% of the time I won't be carrying a handgun. I feel the weapon I already have in my hands is enough protection for any situation that may arise. I don't feel the extra weight is worth it.

It's not always about protection. But I have arrived back at my truck after dusk to see 5 guys drinkin and such in the bed of my truck.  They were not exactly kind when I asked them to get out.

So..  Many years ago I was making my way through some thick young alders on a trail that was about 2' tall.... It was what was left of an old overgrown skidder road.  On my left was a drop down a couple hundred feet to a swamp. To my right an incline. It was extremely thick with brush but I was making my way, one half step at a time. To my left below I heard a critter coming up. There was no discernable trail that I could make out since I couldn't see but a few feet ahead. The wind was in my favor as a Blacktail buck came up and just passed within four feet of me to the level ground and stopped. He knew something was up, but couldn't see or smell me yet. There was no way in the world I could have moved the rifle (held right handed, muzzle pointing the wrong direction since I couldn't really figure out where this guy was going to end up), to put the irons on a kill zone without that buck spooking. I did manage to draw my pistola with right hand and put a disabling shot in him at 5' or so. The shoulder holster is sheepskin lined and very quiet to draw from. Without the handgun, I doubt very much that I'd have harvested that deer.  That said, I have killed more deer with handgun than with rifle, but I still take my rifle most times.
 
-Steve

[bobcat]

With this particular topic being posted in the muzzleloader section, I was under the impression that the question was intended to mean "is a handgun worth the weight for protection?" Since it would be illegal to actually hunt with it during a muzzleloader season.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Oh good golly!  And I'm really supposed to be aware of what forum I'm posting in!   
 
That said, If it was legal to carry while Muzzle load hunting, I'd still probably have one with me. Might not be the big 44 or a heavy 1911, but if Grouse was open, I'd rather pop a birdie with a pistola than burn powder form the smoke pole.
 
-Steve

[Smossy]

The odds of being harmed in Washington by a wild critter are close to 0. Humans, perhaps but I can't recall reading of a hunter being intentionally harmed by another human in Washington.

There are items that would be of far greater survival value than a handgun: satellite phone, well stocked first aid kit, etc.

That said you really don't need to ask for anyone's opinion: if you want to carry and it makes you feel safer, then there's your answer.

Good 13oz can of Bear Mace, and your good to go IMO. Works on virtually any living creature, including humans, something to where the law enforcement would need to be contact if an incident came about. (Having to blast a bear or person in the face for whatever reason) and Its super lightweight. Irritates/shuts down respiratory system and makes it virtually impossible to do anything or think about doing anything but grab your face and eyes. You could shoot an animal/person and they could still come at ya.

[washelkhunter]

OMG lookout he's got an aerosol can in his hand! No. ill keep the iron.

[Smossy]

I don't understand everyones reasoning here.....  I also conceal carry durring every day life, knowing that I will likely never have to use it.  However!!!!  if I need it to defend myself, I want it.  If I need it and don't have it....I may be as good as dead.  The same applies for when I am hunting or hiking. 

There are multiple reasons one should carry while in the woods:

1.  Meth Lab
2.  Marijuana Grow
3.  Dirt Bag
4.  Bear, cougar, wolf
5.  Survival after being injured
6.  Signaling after being injured or lost
7.  Gun powder makes great fire starter
8.  Piece of Mind

Please add if I forgot anything...but 8 reasons is enough for me to have mine.  Still will probably never need it, but if I do...I will have it.

I think this is very well put. I would be interested in seeing the list of why not too carry.

Previous life involving crimes preventing you from owning firearms. You get a  little smarter and learn alternative methods instead of just always resorting to a potentially very deadly weapon. Not knocking you guys who carry, That's great. I probably would to If I was allowed to, But Im no longer allowed to have that "false sense of security" to make you feel all high and mighty like alot of people. It helps me actually consciously try to avoid bad situations, and be alittle more careful with what I do, what I say, and how I act. Big plus for me.

[woodman]

OMG lookout he's got an aerosol can in his hand! No. ill keep the iron.

No kidding, also the wind won't blow your bullets back in your face and incapacitate you. Also the bear that I had to shoot a bullet into the ground to get it the quit challenging me in the woods did not have to be so close to me when I discharged my weapon.

[Plainswalker]

Previous life involving crimes preventing you from owning firearms. You get a  little smarter and learn alternative methods instead of just always resorting to a potentially very deadly weapon. Not knocking you guys who carry, That's great. I probably would to If I was allowed to, But Im no longer allowed to have that "false sense of security" to make you feel all high and mighty like alot of people. It helps me actually consciously try to avoid bad situations, and be alittle more careful with what I do, what I say, and how I act. Big plus for me.

I still try to avoid bad situations and be careful.  Has nothing to do with feeling high and mighty.  It is just that I prefer to be as well armed, if not better, than what I confront that means me ill will.

On the matter of bear spray, downside of it is that if you are injured out in the woods and need assistance, three blasts from a canister of bear spray just makes the surrounding area smell nice and peppery.