do you carry a handgun in the field?

[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).