Do you take a firearm for back up?

[Zradix]

Just wondering how many of you take a firearm while bow hunting for protection. It's not legal in Michigan while bowhunting.

[Bjorn]

Guess then I'd need one while surfing and swimming in the ocean too............and jogging in the hills around home in California. Maybe just carry all the time?

[The Ursus]

I do!  It's good to have a "plan B" in this part of the world.

[LoweBow]

Believe it or not....it prob IS legal in all states, but has never been pushed.
KY just went thru this and it was found Uncontatutional for the state wildlife agency to dictate that a person could not carry a legal firearm (concealed w/ permit) during the archery season, turkey seasons, etc.  A gentleman showed up at a KDFWR Commission meeting saying he was representing the NRA and pushed the Constitutionality of a few KDFWR Regulations that said it was illegal to carry.  Our Legislators ruled on this during this last session and while surfing the KDFWR site a few days ago noticed new wording.

* Hunters with a valid concealed carry deadly weapon permit under KRS 237.110 may carry a weapon consistent with that law.

[Ragnarok Forge]

Legal in Washington with a carry permit.  Yes, I always carry in the woods.  A lot more for human predators and signalling if in trouble than for bears or cougars.

[James Wrenn]

Not legal here and I really have no reason to carry one anyway.No dangerous animals in NC.

[lpcjon2]

If you dont miss you dont need one.And if there are other things you would need that for change your hunting grounds.In jersey if you get caught with a sidearm during any season you will be prosecuted,They love the money from that fine.

[jhg]

They found up in Alaska its more effective to carry pepper spary and a lot of outfitters require their guides to do just that instead of sidearms. They still have the long guns w/them.
As a deterrent, ie something that will stop animals up thru the big bears a pistol is not very effective, if thats what you need one for.

Joshua

[Zradix]

In Michigan it IS legal with a concealed permit.
Any other time you can wear "open" in michigan, just not while bowhunting.
The laws aren't really the question though.
I'm wondering how many people do carry.
Thank you!!

[GMMAT]

It's not the animals I fear, James.  

Let's just put it this way....

I'd rather be judged by 12...than carried by 6.  I won't let a few lines on a sheet of paper dictate whether or not I come home or not.

[Ken Taylor]

Besides my lifetime of hunting and other types of guiding, I guided bear hunters for over 20 years, tracked and recovered most of the bears in the dark, never ever was I armed. Have some good stories to tell.

[briarjumper12]

I carry all the time.

[Hunter 709]

In Canada (to my knowledge) no one is allowed to carry a concealed firearm at any time.  We can own handguns but you need a lot of permits and it can only be shot at a firing range.  

I guess the firearm backup question depends on what species you are hunting or may encounter on a hunt.  Some will take a shotgun or rifle when bear hunting for a backup but many just use pepper spray as a bear deterent.

I just watched Fred Eicler's brown bear hunt in Alaska on Youtube.  I have a feeling he was glad that his guide had a sidearm with him. Check it out if you have never seen it.

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw

[Kenneth]

as GMMAT said it's not the animals I'm concerned about.  I carry 24/7 and have since I turned 21.

[JimB]

I always do here when in the mountains,year round, but don't when hunting antelope.

[elknut1]

Always while hunting, I also have a permit!

 ElkNut1

[ron w]

Can't do it in New York while bowhunting.....I have packed a handgun when on a bow/bakpacking trip of more than 2 days. Just felt more comfortable at night when 4 or 5 miles from the nearest anything in the Adirondacks.

[Chris Shelton]

we cant carry at all in Maryland, We do have a permit, but listen to this, in MD self defense is none existant- keep that in mind!  So the only way to get a concealed weapons permit is if your life has been threatened, and you are in danger.  The threat must be reported to the police, and you need a witness.  

If your life is in danger, and you are carrying a deadly weapon, and that threat becomes a active threat, what are you going to do?  Hmm sounds like you are probably going to defend yourself?  And then you will probably get charged with murder, or something like that.  I hate my state!

[Bird Dog]

I always carry a concealed handgun. Dangerous two-legged animals are every where. You never know what nefarious activites your going to happen upon even in extremely remote areas.

[Looper]

I carry all the time.  I've had a few instances where I'm really glad I did.  A couple involved some feral dogs and another involved a couple of trespassing ne'er-do-wells. If I hadn't been armed, well, let's just say things wouldn't have turned out as rosy.