Should have had one in the chamber.

H

hobophobe

CGN Regular
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Saskatchewan
I'm pretty new to hunting anything in general, but decided at 530am since I couldn't sleep to have breakfast then grab my predator call and the husky 6.5 swede and head out as soon it got light enough.

Stationary calling was unsuccessful (never have a ton of luck till snow anyways) but it was 15, no wind and hazy so why not. Gave up after an hour and decided to walk the large Coulee north of us to look for spots where deer bed and trails.

Scared 3 does out of hiding early on, walked the top edge on the field side of an old barbed wire fence, was being fairly quiet. Came to an opening and to my suprise, a large healthy coyote is just staring at me laying near a pond.

We both just kind of stared at each other in disbelief. Quickly un slung the rifle and chambered, but it ran quick (not to my suprise there) If I had carried the rifle and had a round in there, I'd have a great picture to share.

May have even had a chance being on the other side of the barbed wire, but of course that section of unused fence looks like new right at that spot.

But...now I have learned my lesson. Still had a great morning anyways. Edit. I did have it ready to rock and ruin while I was stationary. Decided for the walk and slung I would un chamber.
 
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This happened to me three times before I got the hint. Chamber full and safety on when hunting coyotes. Enounters happens very quickly most times.
 
As soon as I get out of the truck my rifle/shotgun is loaded and safety is on, while I’m on foot the only time it’s not is if I have to do something and the gun is out of my hands. You never know when an opportunity to take a quick shot will happen while your hunting.
 
I don’t trust safeties. My old 8mm-06 I hunted with for years didn’t have clearance for the old wing safety so I just kept the bolt unclosed. My 94 stayed on half-####. I had a safety on an older civilian 1911 fail due to being worn out.

I know people who drive around with loaded guns. Not me, thank you. Many years ago I drove home after hunting for upland and discovered there was a .22 round still in my Savage 22/20. Not a good feeling. I carried a S&W 5946 for 18 years, loaded, round in the chamber, but that was under different circumstances. Never felt uncomfortable about that, mostly because I was well trained regarding the use of that pistol. I also trained in the US, before I went through Depot.
 
I use the safety but I don’t rely on it, I test them at the range when I sight in. What I rely on 100% is muzzle and trigger discipline, if the gun leaves my hands it’s unloaded or at the least the bolt is opened and the round isn’t in battery.
 
For yotes as soon as Im outta of the truck, Im loaded and ready to rock and roll. I dont think you should ever rely 100% on your safety alone, but you should always pay 100% attention to what your doing and where your pointing your rifle.

Yotes have always been a target of opportunity and can pop out at anytime.
 
Walking with others i may not carry chambered, but im usually by myself. And if im doing ####ty terrain ill empty.

No reason not to on flat ground though by myself really.
 
Sask_Hunter said:
Good way to end up dead or with a bullet in you or in a buddy or in a family member. Always carry with a chamber empty.
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Are you that lousy with trigger control/muzzle control? I run chamber loaded 100% of the time and never seem to shoot myself/others, nor do I have magical "gun discharged by itself" issues. In the event a safety fails, the other part of the equation (muzzle in safe direction) has it covered. Chamber open while taking a leak or a dump is the right thing to do though...
 
Always carry loaded, never ever have a rifle slung. I own a sling but its stored away and hasn't been used in 20 years.

Control your muzzle, control your trigger finger.
 
Someone I know forgot a round in the 1100 and killed the ford roof bouncing over rough summer fallow.
There was no insurance involved in that F. up.
I always double checked my safety and fixed it if required.
Crawling thru fences with a loaded gun have killed a couple people, and also hard on good gunstocks as well.
 
hobophobe said:
Walking with others i may not carry chambered, but im usually by myself. And if im doing ####ty terrain ill empty.

No reason not to on flat ground though by myself really.
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I’m a southpaw, any friends I hunt with are right handed. We all walk with loaded guns, I make sure to walk on their right side so my gun points down to the right. They walk on my left pointing down to the left, we are all on the same page with trigger and muzzle discipline. We’ve never had a negligent discharge, I don’t even have to think about where their guns are pointing because I know exactly where they are.
 
what I usually do is my clip is loaded and put in the rifle. my bolt is closed on an empty chamber. I can rack it pretty quickly. to get it loaded.
 
rar said:
what I usually do is my clip is loaded and put in the rifle. my bolt is closed on an empty chamber. I can rack it pretty quickly. to get it loaded.
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Thats what I thought too. Twice I blew the call and twice that coyote showed up so fast, i got busted with an unlloaded gun like an idiot twice. It is amazing how fast they show up. Be prepared.
 
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