Guns in the woods?

I'm an avid birder. When I go out I take my Kahr PM9 along with a few other items pictured. I'll also pack some water and a few snack bars. I might throw in a few extra things depending on where I'll be and what the weather will be like, i.e., rain jacket, small digital camera. The less weight the better, though. I'm liking some of the load bearing harness, fanny pack gear, instead of the single strap, courier type bag I'm currently using.

 
when I'm working I carry my duty sidearm (Sig 239), when I'm hiking on my own time/dime I don't carry- the exception would be if my hiking happens to be hunting :)

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I have been looking very hard at the short barreled S&W 317 though, @ 9 oz and on the small J frame- I think it would be a nice addition, especially come September when opportunistic mountain grouse are found regularly along the trail
 
If I'm out bumming around locally I will usually have this -
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Taurus Public Defender stainless. Fires 2.5" .410 or .45 Long Colt. Very versatile.

If out somewhere I'm not familiar with, I'll usually carry something more. Glock 30 or Glock 20. But always the KelTec P32.
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Andy
 
About the rat shot, I had some .38 and I'm almost sure that they were using #9 shot. The .22 is #12 shot. As for the gun - bumming around, Ruger Blackhawk .357, blued, w/ 4 5/8" barrel. Shotgun - 870. Rifle Ruger 10/22, or Model 70 in .270.
 
442 Smith and Wesson or G23. Usually carry them Appendix IWB, but sometimes carry the G23 strong side OWB, depending on weather and dress.
 
i need a little extra comfort bc we had a buddy hunting from a climber just 2 weeks ago on our hunting land and had 2-3 yotes under him yelping and etc after dark and he didnt bring a flashlight.. he was freaked out.. (yeah yeah i know, who hunts till dark and doesnt carry a light?) idiot


more often than not i carry my .380 Ruger LCP and on occasions my Glock 19 with FMJ's. both with FMJ's actually.
 
Most of the time when I'm woods bumming or out off roading I carry my Ruger 10/22 with an aftermarket Butler Creek brand folding stock I am convinced you can take down just about anything with an accurate lightweight 22 caliber rifle also 22 LR rounds are very compact and easy to carry.
 
I'd be pretty happy with a 22 mag I think. But I still don't like carrying a rifle.
But when I off road I have a truck to carry my rifle... Why I didn't I think of this sooner!?
Oh yeah, it's because when I off road it's usually because I want to go shooting! :D
 
Chris Pierce said:
Howdy Folks
I'm just wondering what if any firearms you all carry when woods walking.
I've seen some pictures around here of a fellow who takes some kind of an AR-15 variant in the woods. I'm not sure if he was hunting or just wandering. I think for me a long gun might be a little bit too inconvenient.
If I'm not going into the woods for shooting, I will generally carry a stainless .357 S&W model 60 in my front pocket. Mostly just because I'm one of those guys who always carries a pistol.

Pics are appreciated.
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I really like carrying my Glock 20 in an Uncle Mike's nylon pancake holster.

It's not so heavy that it drags me down, has a reasonably good level of power for most critters on the east side here, and holds 15 rounds without reloading.

I've got a kydex holster that is VERY fast to draw from, but sticks out farther which makes it pull my gun down more. Once I get a better belt, that may be the only way to go.
 
I carry a Glock 22 a lot, with two spare mags. 45 rounds of 180 grain hollowpoints never hurts! (unless I bring the high cap 22 round mags. Then it is 57 rounds.

Or I carry my Ruger SP101 in .357. Not as much ammo (usually only the 5 in the gun, and two speed loaders with another 10 rounds). I just feel like I am leaving something at home when I only have that many rounds!

I have been thinking about getting a 10mm glock, or a pocket gun. (the Sp101 is small enough to pocket, but it is pretty heavy for front pocket carry, event though I have been doing that for quite a few years).

A lot of the time, I have the guns in a maxpedition (I alternate between two).

Some times I carry ankle holster (not out woods bumming because the gun gets too dirty).

I also have a 6 inch S&W model 66 in .357, stainless that I inherited from my grandapa. But it has not done too much woods bumming.
 
I pack a Taurus 651 with Black Hills 158 grain JHP's, and a .22 Rohm Mod 66 for popping grouse for dinner-40 grain standard velocity Federal Target
 
Most of the birding trails I walk (here in FL) are pretty well known to local birders, so the little Kahr PM9 is adequate. I have visited sites that are off the beaten path and have run into a few hogs that (fortunately), ran off. It's always in the back of my mind that I may run into a sow with piglets or a large boar that will stand his ground or even charge. In a case like that, a 9mm is a might bit light. I've got a S&W 629, but it's a heavy tank and I'd rather not hump the thing around if I don't have to. Does anyone have any knowledge or experience with bear spray on hogs???

The .44 mag will take down a large hog, but on a close range charge, getting off an accurate shot in cover could be tricky. The bear spray might be an option.

Here's a pic of the 629.

 
I find it hard to think of venturing out sans some form of .22 on my person. The 'lowly' .22 has got to be tops in the survival round category. If you hit the range and work on your aim/target skills, you should be able to approach crackerjack status if the eyes are up to par. Ammo is still to be had for a song although the CCI Stingers will set you back a bit. Sure, the .222 and .22 hornet hit harder but they also cost more to pop the trigger mechanism. I would say that you never quite outgrow a .22lr for hitting the trail, hunting camp or city range. That being said, I don't advocate using this tiny round on deer although many a critter has fallen to a well placed .22 short in numerous out-of-the-way hamlets. Don't let the law catch you if you are the culprit!
 
I agree that a handgun is an important part of kit! I conceal carry daily so my favorites for the woods are my Ruger SP101 (.38) or my Glock 27 (.40). As to having a light mounted on a gun, to each their own. Personally my last two handguns, the Glock 27 and my new Sig P238 both have tritium sights. Just my preference is all.
Paul
 
For woods: Intratec .45 with NAA 5 shot .22 revolver (always in survival kit with 50 rounds of ammo)
for street: Diamondback DB9 or Detonics combat master .45
 
I think this makes a good one.
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Id love to have Ruger .22 revolver. One day a bunch of us took our handguns to the levee and took turns shooting each others . I fell in love with the Ruger revolver.
 
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