We can't use handguns for hunting in Australia(well legally anyway )
Just wondering if any of the US guys(or other countries) carry for backup/finishing, when you are hunting by yourself for game?
If so what?
Also how many guides have you seen carrying a handgun as well as their normal arm?

Karl.

Back here in the colonies, Karl, handgun hunting is virtually a sport unto it's self. I believe some states have handgun seasons or at least allow certain handguns to be used during big game seasons. I've carried a wide variety of them myself and seen many hunters do the same, although the practice is actually pretty useless.
I've not heard of anyone having to throw down their rifle and really use a "back-up gun."

Most shooters grow out of carrying a pistol along with their rifles on big game hunts. If a person has to hike very far, packing an extra three of four pounds of steel, holster and ammo is no advantage and gets old quickly in the mountains. Guides use them less for this very reason.

Still, all this aside, handgun hunting is alive and well in the USA. Thank goodness.

For years my dad carried a .38 special for those coup de grace shots. Never needed it as he seldom even shot a deer. I always thought carrying the extra weight dumb as if you need to shoot the deer again just use your rifle. However after talking to guys who hunt in thick laural and having to craw on my hands and knees searching for a deer last year I decided to get a handgun for a backup when I go bear hunting. As I hunt close to my truck I figure I will carry it deer season also for those close shots. i took one deer several years ago with a handgun and it was alot of fun.

I carry one a lot just for the fun of it. but not because I really need when I have a rifle. I do hunt with one but I hardly carry a rifle when I do. But when I am back backing in bear county I carry one all the time. Nothing like being many miles from anywhere and needing something you left in the truck.

Karl, I carry a .45 LC Bisley Blackhawk loaded with 300 gr hardcast slugs when hunitng alone here in Alaska due to bears. I hunt with a single shot TC Contender and the 6 shots from the revolver gives me a little extra comfort factor. Never needed it as yet.

I always carry a handgun while hunting, but then I only hunt with handguns . I also carry a handgun when I'm not hunting so I have one with me 99.9% of the time. The only time I don't have it is in those places where I can't carry buy law here in NC.

Karl,

About 75% of my hunting is with a handgun. Mostly a T/C Contender in 44 mag but sometimes with a S&W 629. Last fall I took a black bear, whitetail deer, and a Russian Boar with this combination and they were all one-shot kills. The key is to know your range limitations and choose your shots carefully.

I agree with Crawfish, I carry one most of the time. I hunt only with handguns so the only time I even have a rifle is down in the gravel pit with my friends, plinking with a Mod 9422 or blasting with the SKS. I do also agree with Pecos45, even in my love for them, backing up a rifle with a handgun is like "backing up a battleship with a rowboat". Pretty useless. But I carry all the time hunting, fishing, cutting wood. If you ever really do need it, it will be nice to have. Slim

I carry a 41 only because I only hunt with a scoped t/c. Bear hunting with a scoped single shot pistol is one thing but going after a hit bear in 5-6feet berry patchs is not the thing I want to do. I'll pack the wieght of my 415 41 all season long EVERY time I go out.

Having SOMETHING with you, just in case you need it, is very comforting. I carry a 5-1/2" Ruger Blackhawk .45 with hot cast bullet loads, or, for lighter duty, like when I'm cutting brush and clearing land and stuff, a 4" Smith 66 or Ruger GP100 with 170 Speer Gold Dots. Never had to use either one yet, but, it's nice to know they're there.

A guy on another forum's signature line includes "You never need a handgun until you need one VERY badly". He's right.

R-WEST

For the last 7 years I havent carried a rifle into the woods I do all my hunting with handguns.

I live in a county in agricultural land in the US where you can only hunt deer with a shotgun (slugs only), muzzleloader, or handgun.

The idea is these are guns of (usually, generally) shorter range than a 30-06, so stray bullets will not fly as far.

When I take my muzzleloader I take my Contender as backup in the odd chance of total equipment failure. Both present unique challenges and advantages.

Pete

Pete,
Those reasons that you guys use the shotgun/handgun are precisely why Aussies AREN'T allowed to hunt with handguns... confused?
yeah us too

There's not a great deal here you need a handgun for if you are tramping about the bush, otherwise unarmed. Excpet possibly for camping near the most crocodile infested waterways in the far north-(however other aussies may chastise me for saying that!)

From the stories we get on Tv Docs ('when animals attack' etc) bear country is portrayed as fairly perilous.Also we hear of the do's and don'ts when camping in certain areas over there.
Is this all blown out of proportion?

Karl.

Karl,
Isn't that odd. From what I see on US TV I wouldn't fish from the bank in your neck of the world on a bet, sure to be eaten by a croc. Have no fear of our woods bears and all. Think more of feral dogs than bears as the animals that will eat you.