Self Defense Handguns While Hunting

Preface

Do hunters need a self-defense option? I mean, a deer rifle is a pretty good tool to confront a threat. Today we are going to take a look at self defense while hunting, because the act of hunting might involve a bow, or a rimfire hunting weapon. And hunting activities are usually done in wild places, where we are often not the only predator. We’ll take a look at some of the reasons a person might want additional self-defense tools when hunting or even fishing. I know from experience that with noise of a running creek can allow you to unknowingly get dangerously close to some animals.

In the Wild

Perhaps you, like me learned to be prepared as a youth before going into nature. Many of us don’t even leave the bedroom without at least a pocket knife or something more. As hunters, we spend a great deal of time outside, and very often in places that are isolated and remote. The game we pursue tends to be in the wilder parts of our world, and when we enter those area there is some risk involved. Anything from frostbite to bear bites could be a reality. Just like we prepare our equipment for the act of hunting, we should also prepare for our survival. That could be granola bars and a map, but in wild places it can also include tools for defending yourself.

mueller, mueller optics, tachunter, 6-24x50, scope, riflescope, quattro 15, bolt-action, bolt-action AR, 223, suppressed, yhm fat cat, coletac

A Typical CCW

For those of you out there who daily conceal carry, self defense is already something you do on a day-to-day basis. So adding your carry pistol to your hunting routine is an easy transition. If you are hunting in the flooded forests of the south, the danger could come from snakes or alligators. Whereas if you are hunting the alpine peaks of the Rockies, the danger could be from Grizzly bears or mountain lions.
A typical CCW pistol like a Glock 43 or 19, might be perfectly adequate for certain situations. An aggressive cougar for example might be dispatched with a 9mm defensive round. And pistols designed for concealed carry often give you good ammunition capacity.

psa, dagger, 9mm, palmetto state armory, clone, — good Glock clones like this PSA Dagger are also suitable

Running into aggressive cougars whether two or four-legged is likely about all I would use a typical 9mm carry gun for. If I was going into a place with larger predators like bears or big gators, I would want something more.

Big Autos

I carried a Glock 29 for a little bit, a compact 10mm auto that carried quite the punch. I also spent some time behind a Smith and Wesson M&P 9 chambered in 10mm. Guns like these carry more power for defending against larger threats, with some loads often carrying double the energy on target as a typical 9mm. The M&P particularly was very nice to shoot, and carried 17+ rounds, which could ruin most anyone’s day when applied.

For all the 1911 guys out there, this is also your chance to put the .45ACP into use. The heavy bullets of the 45 also offer some additional stopping power. I would look at something like the Sig Sauer 1911 Ultra compact, for easy portability that won’t get in the way. These autos offer an increase in power without giving up autoloaders ammunition capacity.

Revolvers

Americans have a love affair with revolvers, and this is one area where they certainly shine. The only demerit you might give revolvers is their limited capacity when compared to an autoloader. But there is no question that a big revolver is potent medicine for defense against predators of all kinds. When I hunt the extremely remote Kootenai forests, I rarely go without a good pistol. I really like the Smith and Wesson 629 in .44 Magnum, as it provides ample power. As the darkness surrounds you up there, with wolves, Grizzly bears and other hungry predators, the heavy steel against your side feels reassuring.

smith and wesson, S&W, model 629, 44 magnum,

I also am a big fan of Ruger’s Super Redhawk Alaskan. Whether it be in .44 Magnum, .454 Casull, or .480 Ruger, it is bound to put big holes in your target. The Alaskan model while still quite robust, is small enough to easily carry while fishing a river, or hiking through forests.

ruger, super redhawk, alaskan, .454 casull, .44 magnum, alaskan guide creations, revolver, — A pair of Super Redhawks, note fluted cylinder of .44 Mag model

You certainly don’t need to go heavy either. There are plenty of good revolvers that are suitable for self-defense that are light weight and powerful as well. The Ruger SP101 and LCR are much smaller than the large frame pistols I mentioned above. And chambered in .357 Magnum or .38 Special they still offer some stout energy on target.

Ammunition Application

Depending on the type of country you are in, you should select proper ammunition for your defense. Whether it be shotshells for snakes,hollow-points for your autoloader, or hard-cast lead or solids for your revolver. Ensure that the ammunition you bring along is adequate for your potential assailant.