what size pistol should i carry for elk hunting?

[huntnnw]

never carried one for a long time, but run ins with bears is the reason I bought one. I don't feel real comfortable being charged by a bear with no firearm. Ive used it twice this year blood trailing bears..walking up on wonded bears that are not dead.

[usmc74]

Glock 29 - 10mm during archery elk.

  This is one of the ones that I was looking at and as of right now I am leaning towards this setup.

+1:  I chose the Glock 29, and put in a Wolf barrel to get over 4" (WA min barrel length to hunt).  Self defense doesn't matter barrel length.

I have drawn it twice while hunting, but have not had/got to fire.  (cougar are fast)

[pianoman9701]

During Archery season, it's illegal to hunt with a firearm while you're bowhunting, USMC74. The firearm can only be used for personal protection.

[trophyhunt]

I carry a .45, it's kinda a pain in the butt because my pack and holster are always in the way of each other, rubs against my hip.  But, I never leave the pistol at home or camp. 

[floatinghat]

Ran into a game warden on a trail in Wyoming I got to talking with him and I noticed he had a 44 and bear spray on the other side. I asked him oh so you have back up when the spray doesn't work. He said NO the gun is for crazy hunters and the spray is for the bears. He said on 4 different occasions he had bears charge him on a full run and he hit them with the spray and they stop on a dime and run off breaking everything they hit. Keep in mind most spray is for 10 to 15 feet. In Wyoming I carry bear spray.

I have the same thought process.  I don't practice drawing and shooting my pistol under stressful situations.  We have experts here who can and good for them if they can perform under those conditions. I started carrying when tweekers killed a couple of people about 15 years ago.  I carry a 9mm for 2 leggers and spray for 4's.  Bottom line though now when I go deeper I am looking to loose all the extra "baggage".

[pianoman9701]

I carry a .45, it's kinda a pain in the butt because my pack and holster are always in the way of each other, rubs against my hip.  But, I never leave the pistol at home or camp.

Try a leg holster or shoulder carry. When I carry my .45 in a shoulder holster, it doesn't mess with my pack or shooting at all.

[trophyhunt]

I carry a .45, it's kinda a pain in the butt because my pack and holster are always in the way of each other, rubs against my hip.  But, I never leave the pistol at home or camp.

Try a leg holster or shoulder carry. When I carry my .45 in a shoulder holster, it doesn't mess with my pack or shooting at all.

Do you have a bino harness?  I wear one and wonder if it would mess with it?

[pianoman9701]

I do and there's no problem. I put on the shoulder harness before my pack or bino harness, so it's right against my shirt. I can still draw it just fine, too.

[HotRod]

I carry my pack and bino harness over my Clark Fork chest holster supporting my Glock 20 10mm with no problem. Easy & quick to draw from the chest.

[usmc74]

During Archery season, it's illegal to hunt with a firearm while you're bowhunting, USMC74. The firearm can only be used for personal protection.

It was archery, but being 15 yards away, on the same trail as me, I drew the Glock.  The cougar quickly reconsidered me as food, and left the scene.  Pistol was 3.9" at the time.  I changed barrels so I would be ready for all circumstances in the future 

[usmc74]

Dang

[SniperDanWA]

I carry a .45, it's kinda a pain in the butt because my pack and holster are always in the way of each other, rubs against my hip.  But, I never leave the pistol at home or camp.

Try a leg holster or shoulder carry. When I carry my .45 in a shoulder holster, it doesn't mess with my pack or shooting at all.

Yeah PMan, I use three different holsters - depending on weather, clothes and time of year.  I too, mostly shoulder carry, but I use my leg holster as a close second.  My least favorite when hunting is on my hip.  I've tried attaching it to my pack, but it's awkward for me.

[snake]

In case of a bear attack, your chances are at least 10 times better with bear spray vs ANY pistol.  But you are probably more likely to be struck by lightning that be attacked by a bear.  Either way, don't be scared.

I have no idea where your getting your info, it is not factual.
A guy just recently stopped a charging bear with a 10mm in Alaska.

http://www.backpacker.com/news-and-events/news/trail-news/ask-a-bear-how-many-bear-attacks-really-2/
I could get you at least 20 other sources.  Its a common fact.  you can shoot a Grizz in the heart with just about anything and it will still live long enough to kill everyone within at least 50 yards.   

[copasj]

During Archery season, it's illegal to hunt with a firearm while you're bowhunting, USMC74. The firearm can only be used for personal protection.

I'm not sure if that was the intention, but when I looked back at the regs book, that seems to be how they wrote it...

Not sure what the thought process behind not allowing someone to carry something like a .44 Mag for bear/cougar while bowhunting deer/elk is.  I guess this was the consolation prize for removing the crazy stipulations they used to have on hunting grouse with a pistol.  Maybe I'll just switch to carrying the 3" .44 Special when bow hunting...

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[WAcoyotehunter]

I would echo what others are saying about bear spray.  It's more effective and lighter weight than a pistol.  It doesn't show the bravado, but it's a better tool. 

If I'm hunting somewhere that I could get a chance encounter with a wolf, I carry a 6" titanium .357.  It's 22oz unloaded and is pretty accurate, though I think I would be better with my bow at 40 yards than a pistol