Side Arm Preference??
- Thread starter NorthT
- Start date
Old Hunter
Banned
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Depends. Here in Colorado I usually don't carry one, don't want to pack the extra weight and frankly really don't think I need one. BUT,last year I went on a wilderness hunt in Wyoming at the edge of Yellowstone NP (real Griz country) and i carried my .44 S & W mag. Outfitter said if I had one carry it, I still needed Bear Spray too, to satisify his & FS rules.
jenbickel
Veteran member
I carry a .41 mag 
and I always carry it!! I had to use it last year while elk hunting solo. I got charged by a long horn.... Or this last spring when I went in to get my bear baits out and there was a bear eating at one and he decided to have a stand off with me, it at least makes me feel a little better especially with all our wolves. And one time we had an America's most wanted fugitive in the mountains living as a sheep herder and so you just never know who or what you may run across! I'd rather be prepared. It's worth carrying the little extra weight with to me!
and I always carry it!! I had to use it last year while elk hunting solo. I got charged by a long horn.... Or this last spring when I went in to get my bear baits out and there was a bear eating at one and he decided to have a stand off with me, it at least makes me feel a little better especially with all our wolves. And one time we had an America's most wanted fugitive in the mountains living as a sheep herder and so you just never know who or what you may run across! I'd rather be prepared. It's worth carrying the little extra weight with to me!
Old Hunter
Banned
I was in grizz country once. I carried a .44 mag and bear spray. I didn't think my bowie knife was going to be enough.
I wasn't hunting though. Gold prospecting.
I wasn't hunting though. Gold prospecting.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I guess If I was a bow hunter, I pay the weight penalty and carry one....a real one too, not a pea shooter. If I need to use it, I want to kill it, not just make it mad!
Old Hunter
Banned
jenbickel
Veteran member
I usually carry a can of bear spray also... I've just had bad experiences with it..and I feel a little more bada$$ with my .41!
Old Hunter
Banned
You may feel bad, but I wouldn't count on it to stop a grizzly that's intent on getting you.
I have a friend who put 6 shots from a .44 mag into a grizzly, and it kept coming at him. It was his hunting partner that finally stopped it with a rifle.
I have a friend who put 6 shots from a .44 mag into a grizzly, and it kept coming at him. It was his hunting partner that finally stopped it with a rifle.
jenbickel
Veteran member
I think if the shot placement was correct it would kill a grizzly. I generally don't hunt in grizzly country. I'm more afraid of the wolves and mountain lions where I hunt.
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Chippy Hacky
Member
- Jul 21, 2012
- 83
- 0
In the areas where I hunt, especially in September (bowhunt) when the Green Leafy stuff is ready to be harvested, I am much more concerned about the two leg animals. By myself, I may or may not carry a pistol but with my daughters, I feel obligated.
September is a great time to get them out in the woods and at their age it is more about the crows/turkeys/does and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Dad (4 and 7 years old) then shooting something. I am much more tuned into who is “farming” next to the creek than a bear or cougar. That being said, I really like my 1911 with an extra mag and a couple of snake shot in my pocket.
Bear Spray must be great, everything I read about it says it works. Man, I would be ashamed though, of being mauled with an aerosol can in my hand! Better a .45 at slide lock, I would think……
September is a great time to get them out in the woods and at their age it is more about the crows/turkeys/does and peanut butter and jelly sandwiches with Dad (4 and 7 years old) then shooting something. I am much more tuned into who is “farming” next to the creek than a bear or cougar. That being said, I really like my 1911 with an extra mag and a couple of snake shot in my pocket.
Bear Spray must be great, everything I read about it says it works. Man, I would be ashamed though, of being mauled with an aerosol can in my hand! Better a .45 at slide lock, I would think……
HuntWYODon
Very Active Member
I didn't know you had wolves in the Bighorn's , yet...? What do you pack Jen besides a bow ? Or do you pack a sidearm ?
Probably like your first aid kit, nothing
jenbickel
Veteran member
Lol yes there are wolves in the Bighorn's actually. I always carry my .41 in my side arm holster on my pack and then I carry a lot of drinks and food in my pack.. LolI didn't know you had wolves in the Bighorn's , yet...? What do you pack Jen besides a bow ? Or do you pack a sidearm ?
Probably like your first aid kit, nothing
HuntWYODon
Very Active Member
Dang Jen ! I do appologize ! I didn't read your previous post...Good job. I'm glad you pack a sidearm.I carry a .41 mag
And one with some power too.
HuntWYODon
Very Active Member
You are one bad azz woman no doubt ! I'm surprised you don't carry a S&W 50 cal.I usually carry a can of bear spray also... I've just had bad experiences with it..and I feel a little more
bada$$ with my .41!