Packing for a family hunting trip tomarrow, me, my wife, 6 and 9 year old boys, and my mom and dad. Only about 40 miles from the house both species of buck deer, brow tine bull elk, and black bear are fair game. Also Mountain grouse and the boys really go after snowshoe rabbits. Great fun doubt if we will get much but you never know. Wolves have really raise hell in this area.
My question is one of curiosity, I always pack a hand gun when big game hunting. This is fairly typical as many of the locals pack a handgun on their belt shoulder hosters or in their backpacks. Is this typical in most locations? I know those of you hunting in Canada don't have the option but what about the rest of you.
Tomarrow I am going to pack a SW 686 .357 mag with a 4" barrel in a shoulder holster. I will load it with .357s but carry a handfull of low power .38s in my pocket. Other times I may opt for my little Walther PPK in .22 long rifle or if my wife is in a good mood her Taurus Millilium in .40 SW.
I started packing a handgun for grouse and/or snowshoe rabbits (legal to shoot with a handgun in Montana). Also comes in very handy for Coup De Gras work. If there is any doubt especially on elk I pop them in the back of the head just below the base of the skull. Doesn't ruin the skull and I have never had one exit. Then there are the safty issues, falling and being separated from your rifle and not being able to move you can still signal for help. Bear or cat attacks where you can't access your rifle, Montana has seen at least a couple of attacks every year and the trend is increasing. A couple of years ago the griz really pounded the bow hunters around Yellowstone.
My question is one of curiosity, I always pack a hand gun when big game hunting. This is fairly typical as many of the locals pack a handgun on their belt shoulder hosters or in their backpacks. Is this typical in most locations? I know those of you hunting in Canada don't have the option but what about the rest of you.
Tomarrow I am going to pack a SW 686 .357 mag with a 4" barrel in a shoulder holster. I will load it with .357s but carry a handfull of low power .38s in my pocket. Other times I may opt for my little Walther PPK in .22 long rifle or if my wife is in a good mood her Taurus Millilium in .40 SW.
I started packing a handgun for grouse and/or snowshoe rabbits (legal to shoot with a handgun in Montana). Also comes in very handy for Coup De Gras work. If there is any doubt especially on elk I pop them in the back of the head just below the base of the skull. Doesn't ruin the skull and I have never had one exit. Then there are the safty issues, falling and being separated from your rifle and not being able to move you can still signal for help. Bear or cat attacks where you can't access your rifle, Montana has seen at least a couple of attacks every year and the trend is increasing. A couple of years ago the griz really pounded the bow hunters around Yellowstone.
