Why do you carry a sidearm while hunting?

[yorketransport]

The thread about what do carry as a sidearm got me wondering why do some of you carry a sidearm?

I've never carried one for self defense, for me it was always an alternative weapon for targets of opportunity. Maybe I'm carrying a large caliber rifle and want something smaller for critters like rabbits or porcupines. Other times I'm carrying a smaller caliber rifle while out for coyotes and I might want something bigger in case I have a chance at a bear.

[jdb]

When recreating self defense is really pretty low on the reason I carry an handgun. Mostly it's because I like to shoot stuff, sometimes that stuff is vermin sometimes it's rocks, or cans. Like York if I have a big rifle I probably have a small caliber handgun and vice versa.

[buglebrush]

In the NE corner and North Idaho I carry 100% for self defense.  I have a plethora of predators including many Grizzlies on my game cameras.  I have also had some hair raising encounters and killed predators with my sidearm.

[Sutherland]

💯 percent self defense. Out in the woods a lot archery  hunting. Got to have something for my safety as I do a ton oh hiking in and out while it's dark to get to my locations where I spend the day or sleep over in the high country.

[KFhunter]

Only once did I wish I had it when I didn't, and I don't ever intend to have that happen again.

[fly-by]

When predator calling I've had animals appear well inside optimal range for a scoped rifle but perfect for a handgun. 

[WapitiTalk1]

Only when going back to a kill for subsequent loads in grizz country; too cumbersome when just hunting.

[bornhunter]

Not just while hunting. All day, everyday. Rather have it and not need it, you know the rest.

[SGTDuffman]

Mostly for 2 legged predators, but after an uncomfortable situation with a bear and only a bow, I decided something that kills a little faster than an arrow would be good.

[MADMAX]

Why ?
Because I can

[bearpaw]

I never used to carry a sidearm most of the time, except I did when hunting cougar and bear, now that there are so many predators I carry far more often. One of my neighbors was attacked by a wolf that stalked him for quite a ways, he shot it in mid air leaping at him, confirmed by WDFW, but almost no media about it.

[ghosthunter]

Back in the 70s hunting we had cb radios but they were big and bulky. We all carried handguns to single to each other. We had differnt shot codes to say we had a animal down, to get  picked up. Or call for help.
Now days I carry in case of a fall.

In the 80s I took a bad fall off a slippery slope rock face. My rifle  ended up some where else but I still had the handgun to hep my buddy locate me and help me off the mountain.

Since than I am never without a handgun.

[BigGoonTuna]

Got mine after a cousin of mine had a run in with a cougar guarding a kill in one of the areas we hunt. Nice to have a back up when hunting muzzleloader season, and a lot more convenient than packing a rifle while berry picking.

Like I said in the other thread, I don’t usually bother packing while rifle hunting, but I have been thinking about getting a nice .22 to carry along for targets of opportunity.

[Oh Mah]

I carry because most predators like cougar try to get you from behind,If i get jumped on from behind by 2 or 4 legged predators the rifle wont be of much good.If i'm fighting something off while on my back on the ground i want to be able to fit that handgun into the scenario some how. 

[dreadi]

For my personal protection.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I carry because most predators like cougar try to get you from behind,If i get jumped on from behind by 2 or 4 legged predators the rifle wont be of much good.If i'm fighting something off while on my back on the ground i want to be able to fit that handgun into the scenario some how. 

I carry a SOG combat knife in my turkey vest as well as my side arm after a cougar ruined a day of turkey hunting a few years back. I figure same scenario, on my back and can't draw my pistol I have another option.

[Oh Mah]

I carry because most predators like cougar try to get you from behind,If i get jumped on from behind by 2 or 4 legged predators the rifle wont be of much good.If i'm fighting something off while on my back on the ground i want to be able to fit that handgun into the scenario some how. 

I carry a SOG combat knife in my turkey vest as well as my side arm after a cougar ruined a day of turkey hunting a few years back. I figure same scenario, on my back and can't draw my pistol I have another option.

Never hurts to have a plan b or c. 

[Jellymon]

I saw this movie......   

[NorseNW]

If I may be so forward - Top 3 answers on the board:

Jellymon
Madmax
bornhunter

[hunter399]

I don't carry one.If I'm hunting I already have a firearm.
The only way I would carry a side arm is if they brought back bear baiting and I was just checking baits before season.
357 mag.

[Jpmiller]

I carry because I don't want to need it and not have it. I carry a G19 pretty much everywhere because I'm comfortable with it and shoot it well. I do have a couple of spots I carry a .22 with sub Sonic's for grouse and rabbit when I'm out in the woods but in all reality I figure the .22 and the 9mm will both get my point across in all but the most dire scenarios, four legs, two legs, or no legs.

[fishngamereaper]

Honestly because I carry all the time. The woods are no different for me.

[RB]

Why ?
Because I can

 

You beat me to it!
But seriously it is usually because I can and to be prepared for anything that may go wrong while in the outdoors vermin or other wise.

[Lincoln4]

Why would the woods be different than anywhere else?

[mountainman]

After run in's with cats and bears both, never head to the woods un armed. Around town either more and more lately.

[jasnt]

My side arm has saved me twice from a cougar attack.  Both times it was less than 5 yards away.  First time it was in thick cover where you could not have maneuvered a rifle fast enough.  I have also harvested many grouse and rabbit and coyote with my pistol.  Multipurpose I suppose but you won’t find me without it.

[Bluemoon]

I bird hunt in Grizzly country. I want something heavier than a load of #6's

[buckfvr]

I honesty think here in newa youd be a fool not to.

[Fl0und3rz]

Honestly because I carry all the time. The woods are no different for me.

That and with small children and the increased threat of pack predators.  Have you ever encountered a pack of teen girls?

[Stein]

I used to carry a .22 revolver because I had this pipe dream of shooting a grouse.  It somehow emitted a force field with a 100 yard radius that prevented any grouse from getting near me.  Surprisingly, when I added archery hunting to my bag of tricks, a $10 small game arrow had the same effect, but not a $30 hunting arrow.

Most of the time I carry a .357 for the same reason I carry it around town.

[D-Rock425]

Tweakers!

[Cougartail]

I carry because I'm paranoid..

But having 3 illegal aliens and a Yakima Indian try to kill me made me so.

[Fl0und3rz]

That's worthy of its own thread.

[chiwawadan]

I carry because I'm paranoid..

But having 3 illegal aliens and a Yakima Indian try to kill me made me so.

Story time?

[konradcountry]

Carrying is not paranoia in any scenario.

I had to deal with a psychopath in the woods near a public park in what seemed like a decent area. Wasn't packing at the time and won't make that mistake again.

Also went to check a duck blind once without a gun and the nicest coyote I have ever seen walked about 10 yards in front of me and stopped.

I don't go into the woods without a handgun. I carry a compact so I don't even notice it. You can get a decent compact for $300 so to me the question is why wouldn't you?

[timberfaller]

Two reasons, one,  Wolves  two, crazy two legged low life's.

[KFhunter]

Carrying is not paranoia in any scenario.

I had to deal with a psychopath in the woods near a public park in what seemed like a decent area. Wasn't packing at the time and won't make that mistake again.

Also went to check a duck blind once without a gun and the nicest coyote I have ever seen walked about 10 yards in front of me and stopped.

I don't go into the woods without a handgun. I carry a compact so I don't even notice it. You can get a decent compact for $300 so to me the question is why wouldn't you?

 



Preparation ≠ Paranoia   

[Yondering]

Why would the woods be different than anywhere else?

This, except IMO the woods are different but not in the way some guys are thinking. Bad people can be found anywhere, and out in the woods = few/no witnesses to see what they do/did to you.

While I wouldn't plan to use my pistol if I have a rifle in my hands while hunting, that rifle isn't always at hand and gets set down for various tasks. I choose to be armed all the time.

[bornhunter]

Carrying is not paranoia in any scenario.

I had to deal with a psychopath in the woods near a public park in what seemed like a decent area. Wasn't packing at the time and won't make that mistake again.

Also went to check a duck blind once without a gun and the nicest coyote I have ever seen walked about 10 yards in front of me and stopped.

I don't go into the woods without a handgun. I carry a compact so I don't even notice it. You can get a decent compact for $300 so to me the question is why wouldn't you?

 



Preparation ≠ Paranoia

If its predictable, its preventable.

[h2ofowlr]

I always carry in the woods as well.  You never know what you will run into.  About 8 years ago I was archery hunting and I had a cougar follow me for over 150 yards.  I didn't have a tag for a cougar, but when it got within 20 yards I was about to shoot it and then it finally took off.
Also have ran across several grow operations while out hunting and you never know what one might do to protect their crop.  If you were to get lost you could fire 3 consecutive shots and hope someone realizes you may need help or alert someone of your location.

[gaddy]

I never used to until I had a close encounter with a wolf. I then thought about my rifle only holding 4 shells. If shtf how fast can I get my other clip out of my pocket, reload and cycle it. What if something went wrong ? Pretty sure I could get my pistol into play faster. Also, my rifle is old. If something went wrong with it back in the woods, I at least have something with me. I do wish I had bought a lighter hand gun though.

[buckfvr]

Closest Ive every come to using a side arm was berry picking with my wife and we were encroached upon by a complete screwball.  When he was nearing my comfort zone I lifted my shirt and turned so he could see my hand gun and it was either he kept getting closer and would get lead, or he would move along.  He got out of Dodge as fast as his screwball feet would carry him.  He was the only other person we saw in that particular spot, and we were certain he was up to something.

[ThurstonCokid]

I used to have the attitude of certain areas I’ll carry and others i wont.. now it’s more of carrying regardless. I’d rather carry a pistol 100 times and need it 0-1 time than never carry and need it 0-1 times.


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[follow maggie]

I carry all the time in case I need to protect myself. I"ve needed it twice to keep from getting rolled up in the woods by crack heads- once near Index & once near Forks. Also needed it one December night in my own driveway. Each time I was glad I had it.

[Alchase]

Last season I had a big sow pig step out of the brush 15 ft in front of me. In reflex I hit her in the face with a 300 Win mag that dropped her without a step. I had my .40 cal drawn and ready after the shot. At that distance there would not have been a second shot with my rifle hade I missed and she charged or if she was not alone and had a boar with her, it would have been dicey quick.
But that is not why I carry, that is just a benefit.
I carry because I carry pretty much everywhere. Why would hunting be any different 

[kselkhunter]

Same answer I gave in the other thread.  I carry my revolver in chest holster for archery and muzzleloader.  I don't carry a handgun in rifle season.   


Sometimes the decision depends on which state I'm hunting.  For example in Oregon you can only shoot grouse with a shotgun or rimfire, and I like the option of taking a grouse on big game backcountry hunts.   So for there I sometimes carry my Little Badger along on my big game hunting trips because it's light and folds down, or if my best friend is with me he's packing his 22lr revolver for grouse.     

[jeffro]

I carry a side arm 24/7
Why would I ever leave it home to go out in the woods

[Yondering]

I carry a side arm 24/7
Why would I ever leave it home to go out in the woods

That's really the best response.

Why wouldn't you carry a pistol in the woods?

And I mean with something you can be effective with too, not a mouse gun like a KelTec .32 or a grouse gun like a .22 Buckmark. Why do any of you choose not to carry an effective fighting pistol in the woods, regardless of hunting or not?

Personally I've never had a situation where I was glad to be unarmed.