Do you carry a handgun as a backup when hunting?

[A207X2]

I've carried a 1911 in .45 ACP as a backup when out hunting as well as fishing down here in FL. Recently I've switched over to a 10mm. I'm curious to know how many of you carry a backup when hunting.

 

[Redman]

I carry a .357 Mag Ruger here at home while hunting. Killed several deer, yotes, and other vermin. Cheaper than a rifle round and is good deer medicine at close range.

 

[MTLabrador]

When I’m hunting with a bow in bear country, yes. With a rifle, no.

 

[grizzly63]

I truck camp and keep one within reach for the tweakers.

 

[Zootownelk]

No, but I would in some situations I haven't been in yet.

 

[WNC2500]

Yes, 44 Mag Super Redhawk. If game is extremely close, I have used that. Plus, additional support if need be.

 

[D_Walt]

I carried my 45 colt last year archery hunting western Wyoming for elk on the edge of grizzly country, but that’s the only time I’ve carried while hunting out west. I made a homemade chest rig that attaches to my Bino harness, it really wasn’t in the way and I could shoot just fine with it on (not that it mattered since I suck at archery hunting elk!)

Around my normal hunting grounds in south Texas I carry my 45acp at all times day and night - we’re close to the Mexican border and in a pretty heavily used smuggling corridor. Pretty much every person down here carries all the time; the border situation ain’t the greatest right now. Ymmv

 

[silasd]

I've carried a 1911 in .45 ACP as a backup when out hunting as well as fishing down here in FL. Recently I've switched over to a 10mm. I'm curious to know how many of you carry a backup when hunting.

.45 acp 1911 here.

 

[jdf]

Always. 44 mag

 

[Willy Dee]

45 colt or 357 mag. First two rounds are snake shot. The rest are usually Hornady xtp handloads.

 

[Rzrbck918]

I carry a handgun when hunting out west in case of bears or cats and when bow hunting early season in the midwest and south for snakes.

 

[D4570]

Not as a Backup.
I carry a 22 auto.
If the deer/elk, or bears are not cooperating.
It becomes a grouse hunt...

 

[44hunter45]

45 colt or 357 mag. First two rounds are snake shot. The rest are usually Hornady xtp handloads.

I used to do this for grouse. Until that time I couldn't get a shot on a grouse and de-cocked. I dis-integrated the next grouse with a 158 grain HP

 

[KB_]

lol I do carry, but probably nothing worth carrying in the bear woods. Makes me feel better tho.

 

[stk]

Only in grizz country. Nothing else scares me.

 

[MTGomer]

If I’m bow hunting where there’s grizzly bears or border bandits.

Or if I’m truck camping in New Mexico where there’s rogue tweakers.

 

[Gunner46]

The 1st question that popped in my mind was....WHY?

I'm not going to schuck my rifle in any defensive situation, whatever that may be.

I'm not going to pop off a .22 at a small critter when I have a $200-$1000 tag in my pocket and announce my presence to that $200-$1000 tag.

In my thinking, it's just extra weight for little to no reason.

 

[D4570]

I'm not going to pop off a .22 at a small critter when I have a $200-$1000 tag in my pocket and announce my presence to that $200-$1000 tag.

Sorry my tags are under $20

 

[EYJONAS!]

When I’m hunting with a bow in bear country, yes. With a rifle, no.

What about predator calling spring black bears in griz country

 

[Moeness]

H to the e l l yeah. Not much up in MN except bears but I don’t carry it for the wildlife.