Who carries a sideram when they go deer hunting? What is it? Ammo?

[john 800]

For most of my life I have declined to carry any kind of sidearm when I go deer hunting, I considered it but always ultimately decided it was not worth the extra item to carry around. You know, got all those candy bars, and sammiches and mountain dew filling my pockets. I am thinking about it again and may change my mind, but I really dont have any handguns that are ideal for it. I have a couple full size 9mms and a compact Kahr cw45. No revolers, nothing in 10mm yet. My brother has used his carry guns in 9mm or 40 to finish off deer a few times over the years, and seems to think a handgun is worthwhile to have around.
Has anyone else seen a benefit to carrying a handgun? If so what? Or is it not needed?
If you did, between those cartridges what would you carry and what loads? Given my choices I am thinking of loading some hard cast 45s to plus p speeds.

 

[Coyotefurharvester]

Center fire rifles are not legal in my area. Back before rifled slug barrels were mass produced, pistols and muzzleloaders were allowed in shotgun zones. One year I carried my brothers .44 Desert Eagle, we would do numerous deer drives during midday. I had the corner position on a tree grove push. A 2 1/2 year old buck ran past me out into a section of worked soybean ground. Other guys yelled to shoot. Well I let 5 go, never hit the deer. I couldn't hear for an hour, last time I borrowed the Eagle.

 

[CADDIE5]

Yes. I carry 4" 357mag 125gr gold dot hp. Illinois requires 38 caliber minimum and no 45acp. Fend off coyotes in packs coming after you shoot deer. Out west carry 44mag for black bear and cougar protection.

 

[Dusty Stevens]

I carry a 38 or a 9mm as long as theres no bears

 

[JSH]

Lol, I handgun hunted only for a long while and wondered why anyone needed a rifle for.

 

[drop_point]

I don't care a sidearm for deer. I carry it for people. Typically its a Glock 19.

 

[johnfred1965]

I handgun hunted for a long time until I sold my .44. Now I carry along a .357 Blackhawk for under the tree shots, self defense, and coyotes.

 

[Rick in Oregon]

For my entire hunting life, I've always carried a Smith 22LR or 22WMR revolver to finish off deer or elk, shoot grouse for the pot or other "edibles" that I may encounter. Used it many times for those events, seems to work well for the intended task.

When I hunt the black timber for elk, I usually pack my Smith M29 Classic 3" .44 Mag for a possible cougar encounters, as we've had multiple cat encounters in the thick dark stuff over the years. Never had a problem with black bears, see them about every time I'm out. I don't bother them, and they don't bother me.

 

[Dub]

I always carry a sidearm. It varies depending on the need but most of the time when hunting it is a .357 or .44 magnum.

 

[CaptainMal]

Either a 22 mag ... teeny one that I once finished off a friends' 8 pt with after tracking it, or my normal 380. Thinks happen or show up, like coyotes, snakes (common) and other vermin. Mostly like the teeny NA Arms 22 mag and have used it more than a couple times for rattle snakes close. That first snake shot in a revolver is a bonus over any semi.

 

[BlueWater]

Who carries a sideram when ...

Always have. Always will. Reason being that one never knows what might occur. IMO, it's always worth having a defensive sidearm suitable for the conditions you plan to be in. Even if it ends up not being used 10 of 10 outings.

In "bear" country, personally I'd want a .44mag with "heavy" loads, or better. If a bit less risky country, I'd likely feel okay with a decent .357mag. In the past, I've gone out with a .44mag lever-action for the deer and a .44mag revolver. Haven't ever been hunting in grizzly regions, but I'd want more than that.

 

[David Milisock]

For most of my life I have declined to carry any kind of sidearm when I go deer hunting, I considered it but always ultimately decided it was not worth the extra item to carry around. You know, got all those candy bars, and sammiches and mountain dew filling my pockets. I am thinking about it again and may change my mind, but I really dont have any handguns that are ideal for it. I have a couple full size 9mms and a compact Kahr cw45. No revolers, nothing in 10mm yet. My brother has used his carry guns in 9mm or 40 to finish off deer a few times over the years, and seems to think a handgun is worthwhile to have around.
Has anyone else seen a benefit to carrying a handgun? If so what? Or is it not needed?
If you did, between those cartridges what would you carry and what loads? Given my choices I am thinking of loading some hard cast 45s to plus p speeds.

Model 29 S&W 44 mag.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

I don’t see the point in carrying a handgun deer hunting when also carrying a rifle. Carrying a handgun for protection when archery hunting makes sense of course, but not really when rifle hunting.

...And I live in the heart of Grizzly, mountain lion, and wolf country.

 

[john 800]

For reference, when I hunt in northern mn There are black bears, although I rarely if ever see one. I do occasionally see mt lions and timberwolves. Either would be far from ideal with a 9 or a 45acp

 

[john 800]

I don’t see the point in carrying a handgun deer hunting when also carrying a rifle. Carrying a handgun for protection when archery hunting makes sense of course, but not really when rifle hunting

Yes and oddly enough in our state we can not be in possession of a handgun while archery hunting unless it is for black bear

 

[Ledd Slinger]

Yes and oddly enough in our state we can not be in possession of a handgun while archery hunting unless it is for black bear

I remember Wyoming used to do that during archery season until enough people were attacked by grizzly bears with no way to defend themselves. Typical to have no regard for safety from the government until enough people die. Just like they never put up a guard rail on a steep highway drop off until a few people die driving off it

 

[SSL]

I always carried either a Ruger 5 1/2" .44 or a S&W 629 5". Originally for possible close shots on game coming in from angles too difficult to maneuver a rifle (happened twice), but once to back down a very drunk and highly belligerent 'hunter' who was trespassing and being more than a little careless about where he pointed his rifle during the ensuing 'conversation'. That .44 bore must have looked like the Holland Tunnel.

 

[Ledd Slinger]

For reference, when I hunt in northern mn There are black bears, although I rarely if ever see one. I do occasionally see mt lions and timberwolves. Either would be far from ideal with a 9 or a 45acp

People shoot and kill treed lions with 22LR handguns up here. You’d be surprised what +P loads can do in a 9mm or 45 with a good bullet. Easily defend against lion or wolf.

Now for grizzly that might be a little light. I like 10mm and up but hopefully never have to find out what works best. Have come face to face with grizzlies and black bears but they spooked in the other direction. The only real scary bear is a sow with cubs. You see cubs you immediately get out of the area.

 

[waverly]

Model 29 with magna ported 6” barrel. I carry 3 snake shot & 3 185 grn. hollow points. I’ve had this gun 35 + years. I’ve killed 10-12 deer with the hollow points, and way too many snakes over the years.

 

[LonewolfMcquade]

I always carry a pistol when hunting. I use a drop leg holster, easier to draw wether sitting (ground blind/tree stand), standing or walking. Bears aren't abundant here, so mostly for defensive purposes from two legged varmint .