Do you carry a sidearm?

Hunted in Colorado for many years and never felt the need to carry a sidearm even deep in the wilderness areas. Always thought it was just extra weight to pack. More worried about two legged varmits than cats or bears. Do carry bear spray for just in case.
 
I used to laugh at guys that packed a side arm while hunting in Colorado. But after working at a National Forest campground for several years and seeing some of the shady characters that go there, I won't leave home without one!
 
Hunt Backcountry Podcast EP 121 is about grizzly defense, and it has some pretty interesting information on defense calibers and penetration.  Might be worth a listen... 


After a scary encounter in the dark one morning, I carry a side arm every time I leave camp.  I never want to feel, "Damnit, I knew i should have brought that gun" again.  haha
 
Carried a Glock 9MM with me last year as I was planning on solo hunting. The added weight was a hassle. I had the pistol attached to my pack belt, so every time I would take off my pack it would pull down on the waist straps. If I go with another person this year I will likely leave the pistol in the truck


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I carry a .44 Mag in a Lobo Tactical Sportsmen thigh holster. I love the holster. It doesn?t interfere with my backpack hip belt at all and it is very comfortable. I?d rather have a pistol and never need it than need it just one time and not have it.
 
I would if I could... In Canada, pistols are "restricted" firearms and can only be carried and used at specially licensed gun ranges. If I could, I'd carry a Glock 10mm.
 
ozzy said:
I would if I could... In Canada, pistols are "restricted" firearms and can only be carried and used at specially licensed gun ranges. If I could, I'd carry a Glock 10mm.
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Wow, that's crazy. I hadn't ever heard that.
 
If I hunt Washington I don't carry. If I hunt Idaho where there are no Griz, I carry my Kimber micro nine just to scare wolves if they get close.
 
If you are hunting in grizzly country you should carry. Don?t rely on bear spray alone. Bear spray is good in certain situations but if the bear surprises you then it?s to late for bear spray. Carry a postal, know how to use it and make sure you have ammo designed for a bear.  There have been 4 attacks in 10 days on hunters in Montana.
 
Started hunting a few years ago and never go out without one. Oregon has so many mt. Lions that no longer fear people it was an easy decision, especially since I'm not going deep in the Backcountry.
Done a lot of homework and If you are in grizz country a high capacity 10mm is the way to go. Glock (not a Glock guy at all) there's also a double stack 1911 from Rock island maybe in 10mm.
A big bear walked up on us during lunch one time and my pack/gun was not in arms reach. So I have it, with rf and wind checker on a separate, under the pack rig.
While attacked people naturally go to fetal position and this is still accessible. This was diy but modeled after a kenai.
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I think the ammo you are shooting is just as important. My friend shot the grizzly 4 times in the face/neck area with a 45 long colt While it was chewing on his foot.  So maybe 12? from the end of the gun.  The bear lived. I think maybe wrong choice of ammo. 
 
westbound said:
I think the ammo you are shooting is just as important. My friend shot the grizzly 4 times in the face/neck area with a 45 long colt While it was chewing on his foot.  So maybe 12? from the end of the gun.  The bear lived. I think maybe wrong choice of ammo.
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Whoa!

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That's a pretty cool contraption you have strapped on Bareassissin! Might be OK for a rifle hunter but I'd be concerned about getting my bow string hung up on all that stuff. Then again, if you are a rifle hunter, why would you need a hand gun in the first place.
 
WW said:
That's a pretty cool contraption you have strapped on Bareassissin! Might be OK for a rifle hunter but I'd be concerned about getting my bow string hung up on all that stuff. Then again, if you are a rifle hunter, why would you need a hand gun in the first place.
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If have too many more years without success I may pick up a Rifle. But I've started off with the goal a roosevelt with a bow, dumb move haha.
No string interference, not really that close. I was surprised at the clearance. My ata is 33" and something would have to be high up on my shoulder strap to be in the way, like a radio or bladder mouthpiece.
I kept fussing with my gun on my pack belt and felt like if something ever did happen it'd be when my gun isn't accessible, Murphy's law. So now it's always accessible. I take my pack off I've still got rf, diaphragm, wind checker and sidearm.
I recently bucked my binos over top of the gun so you can't really see it.
This was a project a project that casually took 9 months or so. Stained/sealed the leather, firmed the kydex, ect. But it's all modular and I can swap a new shell on it for a different gun.
I'm cheap and enjoy making things so there are options out there to purchase.
Long story long, if you carry, chest is the best, no string interference if centered or right of.


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