Bowhunting side arm ammo question

[sakoshooter]

I have read your question a few times, now, and started to answer a couple of different times but not sure quite how to do it on account of the fact that my opinions are probably much different than yours.

 In my opinion there is nothing to "defense" against, out in the woods. Well, at least around here. I have never heard of a cougar attacking a full grown man, the least of my worries, and a black bear? Meh, not in my lifetime. The few I have seen were breaking trees out of the way to get away from me.

 So, that gets me thinking the way that I think, which is, I feel more need to protect myself from humans than anything else. Whether it be a tweaker gone mad or a pot farm that I stumble across. Perhaps I hear dueling banjo's off through the woods....

 Aight, seriously, getting to and from your hunting grounds by driving and maybe stopping for gas and some food is a lot more risk to your life than walking through the woods. I would protect myself from that, first and foremost, and use the woods "defense" as secondary. I would use what you have mentioned, the 185gr. Cor-Bon's and be happy,  but that is just my opinion.

 If I lived in Grizzly country, it would be a revolver, a big revolver. At least a .44 Mag, but I have always wanted a .454  Casull and that would be my excuse to buy one:)

I'm happy to finally read another post similar to one I posted a couple months back.
I carry a Ruger Single Six in .22 and load it with CCI 'CB' Shorts. They sound like a pellet gun going off so they don't spook game when I shoot a grouse. They're smaller than regular shorts. Sometimes I don't even carry that simply because I don't need the extra weight.
As far as 'defense' goes: Against what? I cannot agree more with your reply.

[Instinct]

A question: I'm new here, so please define "tweakers"

And, I'm thinking about getting my concealed carry this year because I'm also more concerned about two-legged beasties than the four-legged ones.

Tweakers = druggies crazies psychos

[ZogTheFuzzy]

Tweakers = druggies crazies psychos

Thanks.

[BallisticsNut]

A question: I'm new here, so please define "tweakers"

Actually this pertains to a "state of mind" that typical meth users arrive at,  at about day two of continual use and no sleep.  At this point, their minds become foggy, paranoid, they start halucinating, they are unable to fucus on any singular item or discussion.  Their inability to concentrate or focus prevents them from completing simple tasks, such as finding a item they just sat down two seconds ago.  Typically, you will find them trying to fix or find something, that would take the normal person minutes, will take them hours if not daysl.  (hence the term "tweaking") This also contributes severe paranoia episodes, believing that everyone is out to get them.  The longer they continue to use and stay awake, the worse the episodes become, the more violent they react and the more likely they are to cause someone else bodily harm. 

[Cylvertip]

And the more they use, the more likely they are to try to help themselves to the contents of your vehicle

[Dirty Mike]

10mm auto double tap ammo

[Machias]

I think you guys need to find some new hunting areas if that's your concerns while you're in the woods. I spend 6 mos a yr in the woods counting weekends and a lot of week days for over 45 yrs and have never had a situation in which I needed a large bore handgun for security reasons. Now I'm talking normal hunting. Bear and cougar hunting with hounds might make a handgun appropriete if I wasn't carrying a rifle already. Otherwise it's just more weight to carry and something else to clean and oil after each trip. Hunting griz/brn bear might make a back up gun handy but I honestly cannot think of any other reason. It'd also have to be carried on your hip etc(accessible)to be of any use. Remember that you're already carrying a bow or gun as it is.
The woods is the safest place I know of. I even get to take real naps in the woods cuz I know there's nothing out there that is going to bother me. Unlike in town.

I look at it this way, do you go into the backcountry with a firestarter?  Matches? Knife?  Rope or 550 cord? Survival Blanket? Signal Mirror? Whistle? Any number of other survival type gear?  If your smart you probably carry things with you that will aid in your rescue should you become injured or lost.  That is all a firearm is, another piece of survival gear, nothing more nothing less.  It's a piece of gear, one I like having the option to carry or not to carry.  I carry all those items listed, but in 30+ years of hunting I've never needed them in a pure survival situation....but I believe I'd be silly not to have them with me if the time ever arises that I do need them.  Just because a man or woman chooses to strap on a sidearm doesn't mean they venture into the woods scared, it only means they step into the woods a little better prepared for whatever may come their way.  It's kind of the same argument the 2nd Amendment foes like to throw at us, oh you'll never have time to get your gun if someone breaks in so why even have it.  It's just an option that should be left up to the individual.  Nothing more, nothing less.

[Wazukie]

Everyone has their reason for caring in the wood I guess.  When I am not hunting I do carry my 4" .357 with 180grn SWC.  The reason, to kill coyotes  .  No I havent gotten one with it yet    People do get attacked by cats in this state almost every year.  Just last year in Glenwood a turkey hunter was attacked but lucky for him, he was faster than the cat and the cat ended up with a nice hole in it.  As for stumbling on tweakers or the cartel in the woods, the answer is to know the woods better then they do and dont be seen.  Where I hunt, hike and play in the woods, I notice when something changes.  But then again, I don't live in the city and hunt in the woods, I live in the woods    to the OP, what ever you decide to carry, learn how to use it.  Practice to the point that shooting and hitting what you shoot at becomes instinctive.  If you have to think about shooting a charging anything, it's to late and the sidearm will more than likely do you no good.

[Machias]

I If I lived in Grizzly country, it would be a revolver, a big revolver. At least a .44 Mag, but I have always wanted a .454  Casull and that would be my excuse to buy one:)

P.S. anyone who hunts in the NE part of WA, hunts in grizzly country.

[sakoshooter]

 I'm not taling about grizzlies or cougars. I'm referring to most of the posts that talk about tweakers etc. Those guys need to get a little further out of town.

As for survival stuff. I've used mine a few times when storms have come in fast. There's pretty good odds of getting caught out in the hills in a storm if ya spend enough time out there. Of course for those guys hunting in tweaker country, just walk back to the truck since it's probably pretty close.

As for the turkey hunter with a short super mag shotgun, shooting super heavy lead loads, I think he's covered self defense wise.
I'll take a shotgun any day over a handgun for self defense. Especailly since he was already holding the shotgun.
Lots of folks carry handguns in their packs. Try getting it out while you're wearing your pack. Or rolling around with a cougar. Like I said before, it's gotta be right handy or it's not of much use. Also, remember, you're already carrying one weapon. I can put an arrow on my bow, draw and aim much quicker than I can get my handgun out of my pack. Pulling it from it's holster on my pack hip belt would be about the same as using my bow except I'd have more shots after the first one, faster than the bow.
IE: If you pulled your handgun on a charge from a wolf, cougar or bear, I'm guessing you'd wait till it was pretty damn close for a couple reasons: To be sure it isn't a bluff charge and so you knew you'd hit him well. Couldn't you do the same with a bow and possibly do even more damage. All this is providing you don't panic and miss but who says you're gonna hit anything with your handgun in that situation? Or drop it while in a panic trying to get it out from its holster? Lot's of variables.
I spend a lot of time in the woods -days and nites and never feel scared. Weapon or not. The item I would never leave at home is a sturdy knife. That's the one tool that will do most everything plus protect you.

[brew]

not trying to get into a 'peeing' match with you sakoshooter but the comment you made about pulling a pistol out of a hip holster and shooting it would be akin to shooting something with your bow except for more follow up shots I have to disagree..a bullet hitting flesh has shock value where an arrow hitting flesh only has cutting value (unless you spine the animal or as in the case of my wife shot it straight up the nose on a blackie buck that fortunately wasn't charging her and it dropped in its tracks).  if i got into a situation where i had only one shot I'd rather take it with a bullet than an arrow...as far as the cougar situation in the woods a few years back we hunted elk out of packwood in the snyder mtn area and there was plenty of snow.  I went up the trail about about 1/2 hour before my buddy who followed me and he saw cougar tracks in my tracks for 1/4 mile or so before it went another direction.....don't know if it was "stalking" me or just using my tracks on the trail for easier travel but either way made the hairs on the back of my neck stand up....yes a bow does major damage to an animal but i'd rather have the shock value a bullet provides in a "life or death" situation.  just my    for the record i carry a s&w 44 mag with 230 gr hollowpoints on my hip...it may be a little extra weight to pack around but as the saying goes " when the hammer drops the bullsh*t stops"  good hunting

[Swatson]

Ok Sakoshooter-your driving back to camp on forest service road A after a long day of elk huntin when you come around a corner and theres two vehicles blocking the road with a couple of terds standing next to them, you stop because there's no where to get around them.  Wishing you had your handgun yet?  One of them approaches your drivers side door and the other walks towards your passenger side.  The one on the driver side asks you where your going, you look over towards your passenger side and *censored*bag two is holding a knife and says get out!  Dude got out and gave his truck away along with all his huntin gear!  Happened in this state this year!  I don't care how far back in the woods you walked its never a bad idea to carry! 

[Wazukie]

I agree with you Sako, one thing I never leave home without is a good knife.  A good sharp knife is probably your best bet against a cat thats on you anyway.  I do like to have my little .357 with me too but don't always.  Like I said, it doesnt matter what you use, what matters is that you know how to use it instinctively. If you have to think when a bear a cougar is charging, you're probably going to get hurt.

Brew, I don't know how many times I have seen cougar or bear tracks in my own tracks.  Like I said, if Im hunting, I have my 300 WSM with me.  If I'm out packing or hiking, I have my little ole .357

Swatson, about that time I would've dropped in reverse, then forward and ran over at least one of um.  Amazing how much damage one can do with a vehicle.

[Swatson]

I'd a rather put two in his snot locker there Rambo!

[sakoshooter]

Swatson,
Sittin in a 6600 lb, 350 hp, 4 wd truck worrying about a guy with a knife? Reverse would probably be the smartest move but since I'd want to make my point, I'd probably go forward damn hard and then those two would be without transportation while I drove to a good spot with a cell phone signal. Easy pick up later as they'd be walking.
Remember: Your brain is your best weapon.
I once had a motorcycle gang(name withheld)surround my wife and I while driving on a highway going to the upper peninsula of MI. Very little harassment acurred because they found out what brakes are all about. They went their own way after that. No weapons aboard at that time.
I like guns but if you ever pull one out, you'd better be 100% ready to use it and then deal with the consequences.

Brew,
You are correct on a bullet having shocking power but the main reason for my statement is based on my own hunting style: I'm already carrying my bow in my hand. Arrows right there in the quiver. The gun is securely holstered or stored in my pack. Also, odds are that you've got a tag for the black bear of cougar or irrate deer in your wallet so you're already putting an arrow on the string. If it's a charge and happens in the blink of an eye from out of no where, then your guess is as good as mine what we'd do at that point. I'd have to think that using your bow as a club might be a much better idea than being mauled while trying to get a handgun out.
There is nothing wrong with carrying a handgun ever. I'm just amazed by some of the examples given.