What does everyone carry with them when hunting? I am thinking about getting a pistol to carry with me while hunting. I will be hunting in Fl / Ga. Wanted to carry something on me for the unlikely encounter with a bear or coyotes. Also be used for at home defence. Wanted something not too heavy but will be able to take down any large critters in the southeast.
only times i carried a side arm, was when i was guiding hog hunts (would be my primary, and only firearm) and in the summer when i work on my lease. for rattlesnakes.
if carrying a scoped gun and hunting from the ground I like to carry a pistol also for those times/places where the brush/palmetos are so thick shots would come at feet not yards, scopes are almost useless at some times unless using buckshot.I don't want a pistol that is very heavy or uncomfortable to carry, but powerfull enough to get the job done. I have used a glock 40 cal 15, or 10 shot, ruger sp101 snubbie in 357 mag, but mostly the sig sauer 220 stainless in 45 acp, I wouldn't mind a S&W 44mag mountain pistol with 4" bbl, or a freedom arms 454 casull with 4-5" bbl. there are larger/longer bbl'd more powerfull pistols out there but I would not want to carry one of them and a rifle/shotgun. one of them alone would be plenty.
archery and m/l seasons i carry my springfield xd 4" 45cal in a shoulder holster. cooler weather i carry my ruger redhawk in 44mag on a belt holster. both calibers are available in shot shell==snake shot.
it is more important for you to be comfortable and confidant with your choice,, good luck :gangsta
