do you carry a handgun in the field?

[jdog300]

Hi folks,

I am currently in the process of setting up hunter education courses in person and online. I am reading as much as I can on the internet about how to effectively and ethically hunt.

I went to a shooting range for the first time yesterday and shot my .308... boy that thing kicks. I hope the limbsaver recoil pad I just ordered works   

I shot 10 rounds at 25 yards and another 10 at 50. My plan is to shoot at least 20 rounds each week until the season starts, and trying to increase distance, accuracy, and intention with each shot.

My goal is to hunt black bears as I consume a lot of meat and would like to acquire it myself. What are your thoughts on carrying handguns as an additional safety precaution? I see some deals on parros and will need to check my local stores, but am a bit overwhelmed by all the possible ammo types for handguns (9mm vs .45 ACP vs magnum 44).. also, I am attempting to purchase non-lead ammo if possible and also practicing shooting with it (i don't know how foolhardy this is), so if you know of a non-lead caliber with relatively economic pricing i'd love to hear about it. Do you folks carry handguns in the field? If so, what kind?

I picked up my savage axis fp 110 .308 with a scope, bipod, case and shooting rest for 400$. Glock handguns seem to be 500-1000$! Naively, I would've expected the rifle to be more expensive than the handgun, since it's bigger lol. I was also considering a 20 gauge shotgun to take down grouse. I thought I'd only be getting a single gun, but in just a few weeks i'm now considering 3. I want to be very careful about the guns I purchase, otherwise I will end up with a bunch.

I am aware i may not achieve everything i intend during my first season but nonetheless am excited to try. I am pretty comfortable in the woods as i play another outdoor "middle-of-nowhere" sport, but this is the first time i'll be doing that with weapons.

[pianoman9701]

I'm a bow hunter and I carry a compact 9mm for two legged predators.

[bb76]

I carry a Blackhawk in a Kenai chest holster. Check the used market. Sometimes you can find a good deal on a handgun. As for lead free ammo check online.

Sent from my SM-S916U using Tapatalk

[trophyhunt]

.45 in my chest holster, for close encounters and 2 legged creatures.

[Sliverslinger]

When rifle hunting I don’t carry a pistol. When bow hunting I carry a Glock 20 or a 19 depending on where I am. I modified a Gunfighters Inc Ronin to attach to my Marsupial bino harness in a cross draw configuration which was way more comfortable than the holsters that go behind or below the bino enclosure.

[MADMAX]

G20
Diamond d holster

[Bullkllr]

Never felt the need. Why deal with the extra weight when my primary weapon is right there?

That said, yeah; buy more!

[dreadi]

Y'all aren't carrying a cross draw suppressed Glock 40?


Black Hammer Arms
www.blackhammerarms.com
https://www.youtube.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms
The Guy On HuntWA Selling Suppressors
Poopsmith
@blackhammerarms

[wadu1]

Most of the time it’s a .22 for grouse but in areas where two legged creatures roam it’s a compact 9.

[ghosthunter]

I carry every day , wherever I go. I have several handguns and switch off depending on what I am doing.

Elk hunting muzzy it’s a 1860 colt army, cap and ball.

Cruising the field in two Bond hand cannons in double shoulder rig.

Grouse only it’s a judge along with SS 410.

Bear is a SVE in 40 SS or same gun in 9 mm with 17 round mag.

[WapitiTalk1]

I only carry my hand cannon when going back to kill site for second and subsequent loads during archery elk season in big bear country.

[jstone]

Always carry pistol in the mountains

[fowl smacker]

I usually only carry my S&W 10mm in a Kenai chest holster when bow hunting.  I do throw it on when rifle hunting after making the first trip to the truck and heading back for another load.

[KNOPHISH]

Go with a 12 gauge for your shot gun, just pick a hand gun and go with it, can get a used one for cheaper.

[EnglishSetter]

When rifle hunting I would carry a small sidearm.  Started with 22 revolver (my first pistol) when I was 14.  Later a .22 mag Derringer.  Now a .22 mag NAA revolver.  This is just for snakes and a coup de grace.    Bird hunting (shotgun) I don't bother, but would throw some a few slugs in my pocket if I was in an area that had pigs.  I suppose same for black bear.

[follow maggie]

Always. More for the 2 legged vermin instead of the four legged. Practice w/ cheap bullets & use the expensive ones for whatever you’re buying them for.

[hunter399]

I don't carry handgun,while hunting.
Just personal preference really, nothing against it,better safe than sorry.
With that said.
Was out the other day in a wind storm,kinda pushed my wife out the way and was ready to shoot.
Thought a moose or something was gonna trample us.
It was a dead snag falling like 20 yards from us.
I believe I'm probably just fast enough with a rifle if needed.

[Sakko300wsm]

I don’t carry when rifle hunting - Glock 20 during archery elk

[Hunting Cowboy]

In Grizzly country, Glock 20 10mm with +p hard cast ammo

[mountainman]

In 50+yearschasing critters, 2 bear charges up close, 1 cougar that wouldn’t stop. All 3 stopped with a rifle. That being said, never not carrying my G20, even fishing or hiking

[timberfaller]

Always carrying weather I am hunting or not.  Rifle only holds 3 rounds, carry gun holds a lot more!  Sometimes "pests" come with four legs and more then one!!

[Skillet]

I only carry my hand cannon when going back to kill site for second and subsequent loads during archery elk season in big bear country.

This is the most practical advice.   I lost a friend a little over a year ago to a brown bear attack (rip Tad) when he went back the next morning for the last load.

When I'm rifle hunting in brown bear country, however, I don't carry a sidearm.  The rifle in my hand is far, far more effective. I pactice snap shooting my deer rifles as well,  both for quick shots at jumped blacktail in thick terrain and getting on a bear quickly.

[30.06]

I do not carry while rifle hunting, and keep a few loose rounds of buckshot when shotgun hunting. Re: Copper Ammo, not required in WA. People have been eating meat killed with lead for a long time. It's harder to get copper to expand, so most people use a little lighter grain weight bullet to get a higher velocity. Get a .22 pistol before a centerfire. Works great for grouse. Careful with that target ID on bears before pulling the trigger. Vitals location and shot angles are good homework, too.

[str8meat]

Smith 10mm or Redhawk 44 both loaded with buffalo bore. Either one is fine definitely attitude changers. Carry either one or both everyday. There are plenty of foolish people in the world.

[poor_choices]

I’ve always carried a handgun of some kind, not for self defense though. I just love a good target of opportunity when hunting. No reason to use a rifle on the odd rabbit or possum that wanders out!

[fishngamereaper]

OP
Just doing Hunter's ed? Young or new to hunting.?
I wouldn't run out and buy a handgun. Do you have all your gun safety paperwork in order.
Go to a reputable range and try different calibers. Different platforms.
If you think a 308 has kick...I wouldn't recommend a 10mm or a 44.
I carry everyday, everywhere... hunting, fishing, mowing the lawn..... mostly a 9mm, Glock 43x. Sometimes a snub SW .357 that's loaded with +p .38. Unless you live in griz country I'd be more worried about 2 legged foe than 4 legged.

Everyone has their flavor. Find what you like, and most importantly what you shoot comfortably. Cause if you can't hit what your aiming at you're better off with a knife.

[mountainman]

I only carry my hand cannon when going back to kill site for second and subsequent loads during archery elk season in big bear country.

Hunted that same area (Halleck Is., Allan point). Country can be tight and the bears big. RIP Tad..
This is the most practical advice.   I lost a friend a little over a year ago to a brown bear attack (rip Tad) when he went back the next morning for the last load.

When I'm rifle hunting in brown bear country, however, I don't carry a sidearm.  The rifle in my hand is far, far more effective. I pactice snap shooting my deer rifles as well,  both for quick shots at jumped blacktail in thick terrain and getting on a bear quickly.

[Alchase]

I carry a handgun with me everywhere it is legal. That includes hunting and fishing.

[metlhead]

Yes, unless I am carrying a gun for hunting. Don't feel a need for a sidearm

[Pathfinder101]

Normally, I don't.  But if I'm bowhunting or bear hunting, I do. 
Often, when you shoot a bear, they spin around a couple of times and dive off into the brush.  Walking (or crawling) through thick brush after a bear that may or may not be fully dead is something I prefer to do with a handgun, and usually "backup" (son or buddy with a rifle). 
I also met a guy that came face to face with a cougar while bowhunting at about 5 yards.  He shot it with his bow, but said he wished he'd have had his sidearm (back in those days you couldn't carry when bowhunting).   

[pianoman9701]

Normally, I don't.  But if I'm bowhunting or bear hunting, I do. 
Often, when you shoot a bear, they spin around a couple of times and dive off into the brush.  Walking (or crawling) through thick brush after a bear that may or may not be fully dead is something I prefer to do with a handgun, and usually "backup" (son or buddy with a rifle). 
I also met a guy that came face to face with a cougar while bowhunting at about 5 yards.  He shot it with his bow, but said he wished he'd have had his sidearm (back in those days you couldn't carry when bowhunting).   

The owner of the now-closed Archery World, had a cougar stalking him (I think he was deagging a deer), and shot it in the face with a .45. Jarheads love their Colts.

[ganghis]

No - the small risk isn't worth the extra weight to me.  I've yet to archery or muzzleloader hunt in high density grizzly country though - kind of waffling between a glock 20 or bear spray in those cases.  I'll probably at least take bear spray with me when rifle hunting in WY this fall.  One thing I usually do on pack outs is to hide my rifle 300 yards or so from the meat, and then carry it with me the final 300 yards in case something is on my game bags (has yet to happen).  Then I pack the rifle out with my last load.

[ctwiggs1]

I'd focus on rifle more than anything else.  Remember - practice makes permanent, not perfect.  If you're not able to keep 1-2" groups at 100 yards, maybe get some training/lessons.  If you're at a local range, some of the older RSOs might be able to give you some good tips. 

I carry a handgun anywhere that has browns/grizzlies.  I will carry one if I'm bowhunting as well, depending on the area.  Generally speaking though, they're a lot of extra weight to carry and not a lot of value. 

Your rifle, a good pair of boots and decent binoculars will go a lot further for you than a handgun.  Oh, and tires and plenty of gas money.

...And Swedish fish

[jason stevens]

10 mm is a great choice for the mountains. Ive never had to use my pistol but i carry all the time. Always when bow hunting. Things can go sideways fast.

[MADMAX]

Always

[Fidelk]

I try to be aware and cautious.......these days I carry a hide out piece to the Senior Center.

[BeerBugler]

It sounds like your new to hunting, there’s a lot of things you are going to need in order to be successful and more importantly not be miserable. If you are rifle hunting, a pistol is unnecessary. Good binoculars, quality boots, quality clothing and a good pack are absolutely necessary. Get the necessities to hunt and then get a pistol later. Palmetto state armory is where to get it when the time comes, check out the LE trade ins for a quality side arm at a discounted price.