April 10th, 2023
9minute read
Archery hunting is my favorite way to pursue game.
I first picked up archery equipment during a 6th grade gym class and have been interested ever since.
I love a good challenge, so archery hunting has always been my pride and joy.
Does bow hunting preclude self-defense with a pistol? The author highlights a number of important things to consider when deciding on carrying a handgun into the field.
When using a bow and arrow, you gotta get closer than ever to the game youre hunting.
You must practice with your archery equipment endlessly, as its finicky.
My hard work over the years has been rewarded, and Ive taken some amazing animals with my bow.
The author, shown above, frequently hunts in remote locations where dialing 911 is not feasible.
In 2017 I harvested my largest mule deer to date, scoring 177 7/8 inches.
I found, watched, patterned, and killed that buck all by myself from start to finish.
This particular August was colder than ever.
Carried on the belt, a 1911 pistol can be an excellent tool for defense against all kinds of threats someone may face in the wild.
I was hunting just below 9,000 feet in elevation, and the nights were getting down to 18 degrees.
Because I was worried about my scent, I had the minimal gear to keep me warm.
The days were cloudy and cold, and it hailed sporadically.
Sadly, bears and boars are not the only dangers a hunter can face on the trail. Criminals can use remote hunting locations to launch an attack on an unwary hunter.
If you believe in carrying a sidearm, you likely believe in protecting yourself from all forms of predators.
What if the predator was a human instead of a mountain lion?
What if he was armed, larger and stronger than me?
Carrying a pistol while on a bow hunt may be regulated by game regs and the laws of your state. Be sure to check before heading out.
For this malevolent threat to my safety, should I rely on my bow and arrow?
We all know the answer here.
No one should have to rely only on a bow to protect or defend themselves.
A pistol can be used to dispatch a venomous snake, stop a dangerous predator or defend against a criminal attack.
My Story
Lets use the 2017 deer hunt as an example.
You better believe I slept in arms reach of that pistol every single night.
Unfortunately, I had two men find my blind and cause problems.
Having a gun is only part of the issue. You need to carry it securely in a manner that keeps it readily accessible and protected from the hardships of the outdoors.
These guys stole an SD card to my trail camera and noticed the big bucks I was hunting.
They even approached me in my blind once.
How would I have felt if I was out there with just a bow and no sidearm?
One of the goals of a successful bow hunt is safety. Carrying a handgun can give you a tool to ensure a safe hunt.
Honestly, I would have been petrified.
Ive beenstalked by a mountain lion before.
Ive bumped into bears, rattlesnakes, moose and more while hunting or fishing by myself.
Your gear can influence how you carry. Belt carry, for example, works well in many instances — especially if you are using a chest rig for your binos.
Youve now heard the story of two strange men causing issues against me in the middle of the desert.
How could anyone not understand always having a sidearm on their hip whether archery hunting or not!
Irrational Fear?
Good archers would never do that.
I think many archery hunters would agree on all of the above.
If Im hunting in a blind, it is on my hip or in arms reach at all times.
Ive seen many archers have success carrying their sidearm on a holster attached just below their bino harness.
Any carry method that is comfortable for you and easy to access will work.
If they bother you, educate them.
Both of these sidearms are 1911s, and people have varying opinions about having 1911s as an EDC.
Because I open carry my 1911s, their size is not an issue.
I have always preferred a bigger, heavier gun to be honest.
A proper holster makes it easy to carry a larger sidearm.
I personally always lean towards my leather Bianchi Minimalist holster.
Its also comfortable on my hip.
It moves so well with me that I dont even realize that its there!
For larger, more dangerous predators that exist in Alaska, I choose my 10mm every time.
I use the Emissary chambered in .45 ACP mainly in the western states.
Its extremely comfortable to carry and really accurate downrange.
Lets be honest, you dont want to bump into a grizzly bear with a 9mm on your hip.
Conclusion
As always, c’mon check your local and state laws before making this decision.
In Utahs hunting proclamation, it mentions that archery hunters are allowed to carry a sidearm.
Go to forum thread
