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What gun do you bring?

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by CofC, Jun 20, 2012.

  1. CofC

    CofC Newb

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    Whether I think I made a good shot or not, I bring a gun with me when looking for a down deer, you know, just in case it hops up on me. I prefer a .357, .40 or better yet, a shotgun. Do y'all carry a gun too when looking for down deer and if so what do you prefer?

    Jack
     
    CofC, Jun 20, 2012
    #1
  3. Fitz

    Fitz Legendary Woodsman

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    You have to be careful, it's not always legal to do this in all states.

    I personally do not carry anything, just my bow.
     
    Fitz, Jun 20, 2012
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  4. iHunt

    iHunt Grizzled Veteran

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    I carry a Para Ordnance 14-45, but its not to finish off a deer. I carry it incase I see a coyote, or something else thats not playing nice.
     
    iHunt, Jun 20, 2012
    #3
  5. LongIslandBowHunting

    LongIslandBowHunting Weekend Warrior

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    I dont bring any gun, but i keep an arrow knocked in case
     
    LongIslandBowHunting, Jun 20, 2012
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  6. Rancid Crabtree

    Rancid Crabtree Die Hard Bowhunter

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    Not legal to dispatch a arrow wounded deer with a firearm in WI. I always pack a .357 mag on my hip because of the increasing numbers of wolves, bear, now cougars, etc that are probably also tracking my wounded game. The best defence in this situation is to use Rage broadheads. Then the deer always fall within eye shot so no tracking is required.
     
    Rancid Crabtree, Jun 20, 2012
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  7. mads10bass

    mads10bass Weekend Warrior

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    my kershaw hunting knife. it is illegal to use a gun during michian bow season.
     
    mads10bass, Jun 20, 2012
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  8. CofC

    CofC Newb

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    Sorry didn't mean to get into legality, it is legal in my part of SC and I didn't realize it wasn't the same elsewhere.

    Jack
     
    CofC, Jun 20, 2012
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  9. jfergus7

    jfergus7 Legendary Woodsman

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    Wish that I could carry one of mine with me but not in IL. Hope that changes someday but I am sure it won't.
     
    jfergus7, Jun 20, 2012
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  10. chrisheile

    chrisheile Newb

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    44 mag. but not for finishing off.
     
    chrisheile, Jun 20, 2012
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  11. GABowhunter

    GABowhunter Moderator

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    I carry a Glock 23 when bowhunting.
     
    GABowhunter, Jun 21, 2012
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  12. Siman/OH

    Siman/OH Legendary Woodsman

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    Cant do it in Ohio..
     
    Siman/OH, Jun 21, 2012
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  13. USFAN51473

    USFAN51473 Weekend Warrior

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    Same here in DE. You can only bring one weapon with you into the woods. So, in case I meet up with unfriendly predators(No wolves here...yet, just an occasional yote or stray cougar) I always keep an arrow nocked. And of course, I have several knives that accompany me wherever I go.
     
    USFAN51473, Jun 21, 2012
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  14. 1st Time Hunter

    1st Time Hunter Weekend Warrior

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    Because of the wolves I ran in to last year, I will carry my new S&W M&P compact 40cal.
     
    1st Time Hunter, Jun 21, 2012
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  15. trial153

    trial153 Grizzled Veteran

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    Never carried while bowhunting anywhere...just don't see the need to.
     
    trial153, Jun 21, 2012
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  16. Celtic Viking

    Celtic Viking Weekend Warrior

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    I bring my Glock 40mm model 23 and my Ka-Bar along with me, but not for dispatching game animals.
     
    Celtic Viking, Jun 21, 2012
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  17. Winston Smith

    Winston Smith Newb

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    Don't walk around with an arrow nocked! You're just one trip and fall from wearing a razor sharp broad head, and your far more likely to fall and get impaled by an arrow than you are to be attacked by an animal with such suddenness that you can't get an arrow nocked(if necessary, you can always use your bow as a bludgeon for coyotes or fishers). I know it's ridiculous to not be allowed to carry a sidearm to dispatch a wounded animal and for self defense(we have this dumb law in Connecticut), but we have to make the decision thats least likely to get us hurt in the meantime.
     
    Winston Smith, Jun 21, 2012
    #16
  18. Whitetail

    Whitetail Die Hard Bowhunter

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    I can't shoot a deer with a gun during bow season. If I have to track, I do carry my 480 Ruger (because I can).
     
    Whitetail, Jun 21, 2012
    #17
  19. Oklahoma99

    Oklahoma99 Weekend Warrior

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    Idk if it's legal or not in my state but I do carry a little 22 pistol with me when bowhunting in case a deer needs dispatched (never had to do it) or in case a critter decides it doesn't like me
     
    Oklahoma99, Jun 21, 2012
    #18
  20. Painless

    Painless Weekend Warrior

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    I have several to choose from but I don't carry for dispatching, I usually keep a 22lr in my pack if I am going to a place I am familiar with, I carry my 1911 if I haven't been to the place before. I am more worried about 2 legged critters than I am anything with 4....Blake
     
    Painless, Jun 21, 2012
    #19

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