Where is your gun?

[10 poyntr]

After reading some posts, I'm interested in what you hunters do with your gun while on stand?I hold it ready to shoot at ALL times, with my gun rail coming in handy. Do some guys actually hang your gun on a branch and wait for a deer? And the only food I bring is easy to reach in my top pocket only. I strive to never miss a deer because I'm not shooting ready. Also where is your gun when nature calls and your squating in the woods? Mine is perfectly grabbable leaning on a tree in front of me at arms reach. Has anyone ever shot a deer with his drawers down? I love deer hunting!!

[ironranger420]

Great question!!! I used to let my gun reest on my lap with the gun upside down and the scope between my legs. But, several years ago, I had a HUGE NONTYPICAL standing 75 yards away broadside, eating. I have no idea how he got there without me seeing him, but he did. He never knew I was there, until.......I slowly slipped off my gloves, grabbed my gun and began to pick it up. Well, the scope hit an extra clip in my pants pocket and went TING. He bolted and by the time I got my gun up all I saw was a white flag disappearing into thick 7 year old Aspens. My Uncle saw him the next year Bow hunting but was too far to get a shot. My uncle said he'd never seen a buck like that in real life. The infamous "tirty-pointer". I learned my lesson the hard way. now I hold it in my hands at all times ready to shoulder. Man I wish I would have got that deer. Honestly guys, it was one of those record book deer that if I had my gun in my hands, and was able to keep from shaking out of control, would have been on my wall!

LIVE AND LEARN!

[bigbucks]

I hold it a lot & it's always in easy reach even while gutting deer, but I also lean it against my shooting rail or hang it from a hook by the sling. My main gun stand is so high on a ridge that the chance of them seeing me is virtually nonexistent & the trails aren't real close to it either. If I'm posting a drive, hear shooting, or any other noise in the woods it's in my hands.

[Harmonica Bear]

In stand I pretty much have it across my lap, one hand on it. I hung my gun up on hook "once". You guys know the story. After that I pretty much keep in contact with my gun so I bring it up effortlesslym quietly and with out any noise.

[BDR]

I rest mine inside against the rail. I keep a five gallon bucket in my stand just for the"dutie calls" with the drawers down and on the bucket I hear that twig snap straight behind me. I use a enclosed box stand so the deer couldn't see me as I tried to turn. I get the gun up and slowly start to twist around. Just as I get almost on it my belt swings and hits the side of the bucket and off it goes. It was only 30 feet away but I didn't get a shot. I keep my back to the brushy area.

Oh well next time

[half2fish]

Hey 10 poyntr,

Funney you mention where is ur gun while squating in the woods. Las year on the second day i shot a 8 point buck. The very next morning i was sitting in my dads stand trying to get a doe. I stood up and had to pee. I went in my pee bottle and sat down. Looked right into the field and left into the woods about 10-15 yrds away stand another 8 pointer. I couldnt see him coming because we have enclosed stands and my head was past the window. So i didnt get him because he say me before i could get my gun up. Then i thing it was the following wednesday or thursday i was hunting back in my field. I had to go bad so i went about 80 yrds into the woods and squated. Just as i reach for my pack to get my tp i see a buck running the edge of my field. Grab my gun and put the scope on him. It was a 4 point. Couldnt get a shot through the thick trees but just thought i would share my "funney" stories with all of you.

[paceman]

I pretty much never hold my gun or bow. It is leaning against the rail or hanging nearby. However I do practice reaching for it. Nice and quiet. I have never had a deer bust me reaching for it. But after typing this I'm sure it will happen soon......

[Perch Jerker]

Make sure not to put the scope too close to your body where the lenses can fog up. Scope mfgrs claim 'fog proof' but I've had plenty of top end scopes fog up on me.

PJ

[tripper]

I use mostly a hand gun so it lays in my lap.

[Gus]

I use a handwarmer muff type thing and lay my gun accross my knees. Being carefull to not fog up the scope!

[half2fish]

I thought this pic. would be good for this topic, talk about squating in the woods. But aint the picture right, it does happen, at least i know it does.

[MikeYager - Suzuki]

I keep it as ready as possible. My current tree stand has a padded safety bar around me and it sits across that right in front of my chest. Very convenient. I don't move it until I know they are not looking. If one slips right on top of me I wait till the pass.

[89Bronco]

Like Tripper, my Ruger stays in my lap.

[echotrail]

I use a ground blind and sit in a chair. The rifle lays across the arm rests with the saftey on top. I leave my right hand on the rifle with my index finger resting lightly on the saftey. Deer just seem to "Appear". I've hardly ever heard one comming, it's just there when I shift my eyes.