Bow hunting and hand guns

[Dahitman44]

First of all I know it is NOT legal to take a handgun with you when you bow hunt, but I am not sure why. When you think about it -- you have to shoot something with your handgun for it to be against the law right?

So why can't you carry a Glock 20? or .357? It isn't like I am going to shoot a deer with it and say it was an arrow. That is kinda dumb.

I'll be somebody is going to ask why? Well, when you are tracking a dear and it is bleeding that can bring in Big cats wolves etc. That does not make me very comfortable. I have heard a lot of stories about cats stalking people and wolves in a pack looking for meat.

I know I am not overreacting -- It ccan be a little creepy. Is it against the regs for SURE not to carry? Is it legitimate to consider a side arm?

Thanks

Hit

[tealitup]

Wow, where to start. It is not legal - why? No idea, maybe the perception of archery hunters with a handgun is just wrong.

I have heard of brown/grizzly bears going after a recent kill, but that is usually from a gun shot. They hear the gun and walk towards the sound.

Cats usually get someone from behind. I have heard that if you face them or they see your face - your okay.

Wolves: Honestly, I have hunted in an area with a wolf population for the past 20 years. (Wow, I am that old!) THere has always had a large wolf population up there. Well, I see them when we are out hunting, but have never ever had one come close when gutting a deer. They stay away from you in the woods like you are the plague. (On a side note, next year I am going to put a trail camera up next to a gut pile for some wolf pictures & maybe a mountain lion, since we have seen 2 in the past 5 years).

You know that feeling in the woods you get ... thinking something is watching you... is it a crazy bear, a mountain lion or a wolf pack. I just think... hey if I am going to go... I only hope it is in the woods. Doing something I love to do -

Do not be afraid of animals in the woods. How many years have man been hunting. How many times have you heard of an attack? Think about all the bear hunters who bait - They are taking food to them - However, I have not heard of an attack.

Have fun in the woods - enjoy -

[Dahitman44]

I do know what you are saying, but it can be a little creepy based on the stories you hear.

[tealitup]

Quote:

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I do know what you are saying, but it can be a little creepy based on the stories you hear.

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Thats part of the excitment being in the woods!

[Nate McVey]

When I was in CO and MT a few years ago, I carried a 9mm. In MT it was for the Grizz, but in CO it was for those nasty sheep dogs that watch the free range sheep. Those things might be the scarriest things ever! Once I tried to pretend that I was being charged and I could not get the gun out of the holster fast enough (I know it was make believe, but it still seemed slow). After that I started looking at alternatives and I stumbled accross bear spray. Doesn't weigh nearly as much as a gun and is MUCH more effective. I now carry one with me on most of my hunts for the exact reasons you stated above.

Last year on my elk hunt in CO, I crossed a fresh, fresh set of cat tracks, so I stopped and put a clip knife on my backpack strap, just in case I had to go hands-on

I get that creepy feeling in the woods all the time and I kind of like it......it hightens the senses and gets the blood flowing.

[Dahitman44]

I hear ya shiner. I think it is the "lone ranger" in all of us that likes that feeling. I just feel a little better with a gun.

Odds of ever using it? .01456 but there is that one time ...