Advice for carrying side arm while deer hunting

southpa said:

When i archery hunt I carry a razco chest holster that attaches to my bino harness. I haven't found an acceptable way to carry a pistol on my belt or my pack that isn't annoying. It's either uncomfortable under the pack belt or less than desirable on the pack belt. I find my pistol gets trashed on the pack belt and about the only thing that is on my person all day without removing (accept for maybe shedding a layer or doing some paperwork) is my bino harness. And what good is a pistol if it's not on you at all times.

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Same only I do not care for it attached to the bino harness.
I do hunt in big bear and wolf country often enough that when processing a downed animal I will take off my bino harness. I have a chest holster and bino harness separate so I can keep the pistol on even when not waring binos.
Also to be able to take off binos while driving in woods and keep gun handy to be able to jump out and be armed if needed

Venandi Holsters

Attached to the rear of the bino harness via the straps. Totally out of the way and no separate harness needed.

Marshfly said:

Venandi Holsters

Attached to the rear of the bino harness via the straps. Totally out of the way and no separate harness needed.

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Thanks, sounds like a good option.

southpa said:

When i archery hunt I carry a razco chest holster that attaches to my bino harness. I haven't found an acceptable way to carry a pistol on my belt or my pack that isn't annoying. It's either uncomfortable under the pack belt or less than desirable on the pack belt. I find my pistol gets trashed on the pack belt and about the only thing that is on my person all day without removing (accept for maybe shedding a layer or doing some paperwork) is my bino harness. And what good is a pistol if it's not on you at all times.

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Right you are about what good is it. A chest rig is comfortable but it bangs the binocular rig. When you have belt carried carried for 30 years, you really want that weapon where it always is, whether it's a 365 or a 1911. My .Super Redhawk does create a problem but the 10mm 1911 feels like home. It will work if you do it enough, bro.

I use the FHF bino harness with Razco holster for 10mm Glock, right hand orientation. Easy to remove one hand with a slight push with thumb. Next best would be a drop leg IMO. On pack belt right side was bulky and I always banging it. Maybe appendix cross draw but that seems like would stick out forward a bit if on a pack belt. Would like a slimmer handgun for IWB carry.

https://www.venandiholsters.com/ They easily attach to your Bino pack, out of the way with a back pack, and easily accessible

Hoss Smith said:

https://www.venandiholsters.com/ They easily attach to your Bino pack, out of the way with a back pack, and easily accessible

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Thanks for the link. I may end up going this route.

Papa762!! said:

...When you have belt carried carried for 30 years, you really want that weapon where it always is, whether it's a 365 or a 1911.... I
t will work if you do it enough, bro.

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Same. I'm not trying to conceal and I want it where it's always been, so my pack is selected for that.
Over all the years and different gear kits, I find simple and familiar is best.

Hoss Smith said:

https://www.venandiholsters.com/ They easily attach to your Bino pack, out of the way with a back pack, and easily accessible

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riprau said:

Thanks for the link. I may end up going this route.

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Agree those look really interesting.

https://gunfightersinc.com/shop/bin...son&type=Revolver&model=Model+329+Night+Guard.

Check this link out. Lots of options. My brother just got one for his KUIU bino holder, says it is perfect.

LDHunter said:

I have a nice Galco leather shoulder holster I used to carry my Glock 20 10mm with but honestly I started feeling it was pretty silly because any rifle I carried for medium or large game was more than enough to fend off anything short of a charging grizzly. The feeling of being overly burdened by gear when hunting quickly left me feeling like a wannabe when I hunted since 90% of that gear almost never got used and I didn't like feeling like a pack mule.

I quickly figured out that water, food, extra ammo, a simple first aid kit including snake bite kit (I'm in the south) and some compact binoculars were about all I needed to carry. If I was going to be very far away from roads there was more I'd add but really a handgun was deemed to be something totally unnecessary.

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Absolutely…….this!

I gave up carrying both for the reason you mentioned!

Along with the rifle being a bit more potent, it's in my hands when I'm hunting….. the handgun would be in the "holster"!

If I'm gonna have the handgun, I'll be hunt'n with it……and the rifle stays at home! memtb

Papa762!! said:

Right you are about what good is it. A chest rig is comfortable but it bangs the binocular rig. When you have belt carried carried for 30 years, you really want that weapon where it always is, whether it's a 365 or a 1911. My .Super Redhawk does create a problem but the 10mm 1911 feels like home. It will work if you do it enough, bro.

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My chest rig doesn't bang against anything because it is a part of the bino harness. A belt carry isn't possible when packing 50-100 pound packs. I will not speak to how uncomfortable it is because logic works in that case. I do not "road hunt" and if I did my binos don't need to be on my chest as they will likely just be sitting right next to my cup of coffee on the console. I will not hike in anywhere with bino harness inside my pack. That makes little sense to me. To those who do, I would offer the same advice you did. It will work if you do it enough. I couldn't possibly stand the thought of hiking/hunting without my binos readily available in my harness, on my chest, with my pistol right there on it. As I stated before this is mainly for archery as I don't hunt in griz country. If I did, it would literally not change. Binos on my chest with my pistol in a holster under it. Everywhere I go for everything I do, the moment i step out of my pickup.

southpa said:

My chest rig doesn't bang against anything because it is a part of the bino harness. A belt carry isn't possible when packing 50-100 pound packs. I will not speak to how uncomfortable it is because logic works in that case. I do not "road hunt" and if I did my binos don't need to be on my chest as they will likely just be sitting right next to my cup of coffee on the console. I will not hike in anywhere with bino harness inside my pack. That makes little sense to me. To those who do, I would offer the same advice you did. It will work if you do it enough. I couldn't possibly stand the thought of hiking/hunting without my binos readily available in my harness, on my chest, with my pistol right there on it. As I stated before this is mainly for archery as I don't hunt in griz country. If I did, it would literally not change. Binos on my chest with my pistol in a holster under it. Everywhere I go for everything I do, the moment i step out of my pickup.

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I agree regarding the bino harness. Mine is on every minute of the hunt except possibly field dressing an animal.

I was a trapper and a hunter in the Eastern UP for several decades....cougars I've never seen one saw one set of tracks in the snow 15 years ago and have a trail camera picture DNR said it wasent a cougar but a bobcat....funny it had a long tail !
Wolves there are plenty I've caught and released over 20 incidental catches there not any more dangerous than a coyote just a little bigger and take off at the first sign of a human....
Always carried a 1911 in 45 ACP I worried more about 2 legged predators than the 4 legged type....
Did have a run in with a bear at a bait site but I walked away a winner with the 1911....had to shoot the bear it ended dead at my feet with 2 Hornady 230 gr HP bullets in its skull....

If a wolf is going to attack you your never going to know until the second it upon you the same as a cougar....not enough time for you to even react...so when I'am in the woods I really don't worry or even think about it... acually safer than walking down the steet in a city....