Handgun Hunting only

[bearskinner]

Just curious how many folks hunt with ONLY a handgun. Not just on and off, or “ I only took a revolver on my hog hunt”. I’m talking planning, flying out or to different country’s, driving out of state and only using a handgun. Or local hunting local, but never using a long gun. I think most people use multiple methods to hunt.

[bearskinner]

I will start out, as I only use handguns. Multi state, multi country.
Canada is the “restricted area” where you must use a long gun or bow. Have had to do both in Canada, only because it’s the only way to legally hunt. So I made it harder than needed. A long bow, instead of my compound, and an 1874 Shiloh Sharps instead of a modern scoped, bolt rifle.

[sixshot]

Hunted strictly with handguns for many, many years. Pretty sure the last time I shot an big game animal with a rifle was in the late 80's. I've always wanted to hunt Canada but never will be cause of their handgun restrictions. My best year ever was 11 animals in 5 states, Idaho, Montana, Wyoming, Texas & Utah.
I live in Idaho & I'm only an hour from Utah & Wyoming & just over 2 hours from Montana so it makes it pretty easy to move around & hunt other places. Calibers of choice have been the 357 Maximum (several times) 41, 44, 45 & 480.

Dick

[bushog]

I use the excuse that we only get 5…thats right..5 days to hunt for a particular species each year so I carry a rifle and a handgun.

This is of course if you get lucky enough to draw a tag. Otherwise its mucho dinero for a landowner permit so then you’ve got $5K invested and still only 5 days. Darned sure carrying a rifle then.

Ive spent many a last day of a season with no blood on the tundra wishing I still lived in the Motherland of NC where a guy can actually hunt. I could handgun only hunt there…..

[wheelguns]

In my state, there are deer seasons where a handgun is not permitted. We have antlerless seasons, and you must use either a shotgun or a muzzleloader. We also have muzzleloader seasons where only a muzzleloader can be used. So, I use a handgun when I can, but am not going to sit out the season. So I hunt with what I can. I think they are stupid rules.

[Odin]

Revolvers only in this house. Time and money are both in short supply here, so safaris and such are out. My idea of a dream hunt is a bit north-west for pronghorn, or maybe one of those exotics that range free in Texas. All that said, when the time comes I might take my dad's Savage M99 for pronghorn, but the old man is still kicking, so that gun still hunts in Michigan.

I'll be honest, I've thought hard about a single shot. I only get to hunt whitetail a few days each year... and I hate an empty freezer.

[pleadthe2nd]

Actually sitting in my ground blind right now, Ruger super blackhawk at the ready.

[cas]

I hunted handguns only (revolvers and Contenders) for about 10 years.

Then the state changed where I hunt to allow rifles. And I owned a bunch of rifles I was never able to hunt with, so I did.

For deer I bring both, though depending where I go, I may bring just a revolver. Did that a couple times last week.

If I go for squirrel, I tend to bring just a pistol 75% of the time.



Habitat and deer herd have changed. I passed up FAR more deer with the pistol then I've ever had opportunity with the rife.
In fact I don't think I've ever willingly passed on a deer with the rifle. I did it often with the handguns.

[sheriff]

Handguns only for the last 15 years.....

[contender]

I'm a handgun hunter during the firearm season here. Have been since the 1980's. I usually tell folks; "If I take a rifle,, I'm cheating." That said,, I did use a rifle in SC about 15 yrs ago,, due to the fact we were hunting a gas line cut-over. Ranges out to 400+ were available. I killed 3 deer that day,,, all within 100 yds. I should have taken my handgun.

[rangersedge]

I've been in the mostly handgun category for about 35 years. Some archery (compound then crossbow). Some rifle (predator calling mostly). Some shotgun (mainly slugs) deer backup).

[rickiesrevenge]

Handgun only if you count specialty pistols too. The only time I don't use a XP or revolver is when I'm taking other people bear hunting that I haven't gone with before. I don't like the bears to leave the beach as its THICK and tough to find them in the brush. So I like to help make sure they don't. A few years back I took this wolf with a rifle while helping a buddy get his first bear.  Other than that I haven't used one since 2010.

[x101airborne]

Our hunting ranges are so long and open I carry both. If the deer is stupid enough to stand next to my blind, it is a handgun hunt. If they are past 50 yards or so (I shake badly) it is a rifle hunt. We live off deer meat and 2 steers a year out of the pasture. If I had a still I could honestly say if Amazon doesn't deliver it, I dont need it.

[bula]

Thanks for that neat pic RickiesRevenge. Folks that haven't seen a real, wild wolf, tend to think they are just a bit bigger than a coyote, or a german shepherd. NO. Had one cross the road in front of me in northern Ont., yrs ago. Was amazed at how much of the lane it took up.                                                                           Here, A handgun off/on. Depends on where, and what. Age now a factor too. Recently scoped a 44mag SBHH and a TC 430JDJ, efforts to handgun hunt more, yet..

[45MAN]

I CONSIDER MYSELF TO BE A 99.9% HANDGUN HUNTER SINCE THE I980's. I SAY 99.9% BECUSE IN THE PAST 35 OR SO YEARS I HAVE SHOT 3 COYOTES (2 WITH A MANNLICHER STOCKED SAKO 222, 1 WITH A RUGER AMERICAN RANCH 223), 1 HOG (WITH A SAVAGE 99 IN 22 SAVAGE HP), 1 WILD CORSICAN LAMB (WITH A H&R SAKO ACTION 17 REM), 1 NILGAI ANTELOPE (WITH STEYR 376 SCOUT RIFLE), AND A FEW PROBLEM SQUIRRELS WITH A MODEL 43 22 HORNET AND A SAVAGE BOLT GUN IN 17 HMR. ON 11 AFRICAN SAFARIS, I WAS ALL HANDGUN, OUT WEST AND IN ALSAKA I HAVE ALSO BEEN HANDGUNS ONLY.

TEXAS' LONG DEER SEASON MAKES IT EASIER TO BE A 100% DEER HANDGUN HUNTER.