Do you hunt with loaded or empty chamber?

Bustercluck said:
This thread leaves me with far more questions than answers.

For you guys that hunt with one in the chamber. Do you stop and unload before you stop for a piss? Or do you just lean your rifle up against a tree and get your business done? Do you guys actually unload before walking over any uneven terrain?

I would see myself getting bored of that really quick because it would probably be several times per hour. I think I’d do that once or twice and then just stop unloading because it would get annoying. I don’t walk roads and I don’t road hunt either.
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If it’s not in my direct control, it’s unloaded or the bolt is lifted/open. By direct control I mean in my hands/lap or slung up tight, my rifle can be slung tight to my chest while loaded if I need to piss and don’t want to unload it.

Honestly I don’t piss that often when I hunt, I make a point of doing it before I leave the truck or while I’m walking in to a spot I plan on sitting. Not a concern for me, if you’re pissing that much over the course of a day you should get that checked out or stop drinking that much water.
Bustercluck said:
Are you talking about caulks? The ones loggers use on the bottom of their boots? They’re good in treed forest area, but that’s about it. I wouldn’t want to use them trying to scramble up a pile of rocks. I’d rather wear a pear of hiking boots over calks hunting on most days.
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Agreed, I’ve never needed to wear caulks hunting. Even at work I only wear them for certain jobs, anytime we’re cutting in steep rocky terrain, snow or getting in and out of a heli regularly I leave them at home. If it’s steep terrain and I’m walking on logs all day they’re hard to beat.

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Bustercluck said:
Those are dangerous. I’ve used things like that at work and they hang up and catch stuff at the worst possible time. Ok for flat ground and ice, but I wouldn’t try walking around branches/sticks/logs with them.
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That hasn't been my experience. They do come in different styles, I used a set that were big cleats and chains on the bottom for years, lost 'em someplace.

They've saved my ass in "#### that's icy under there" moments.
 
When I did the West Coast Trail about 17 years ago I used a pair of Microspikes for the slippery sections and they were fantastic. My buddy didn't bring them and wished he had.

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Mr.Rigpig said:
How do you guys carry your rifles during hunting season?

The last few years I've been deer hunting (Prairies), mostly with lever guns, chamber empty. If a bolt gun I usually carry with an empty chamber with bolt closed as there is pretty much always enough time to chamber a round (Thats the way I was taught 40 yrs ago). I never liked the idea of carrying with bolt open, yet one hunting partner always does, seems like a recipe for trouble to me, debris in the action and what not. This fall elk hunting in the bush I carried (Bolt gun) loaded chamber with safety on, as I expected things to happen fast, up close, which they did! These situations are all walking. I'm not much for just sitting waiting in a stand or blind, but those situations would be loaded chamber with safety on, or better yet, hammer on half c0ck!

Secondly, do you guys fill the mag to capacity? I usually only put in 2, never more than 3, hopefully not needing the second, & I do not expect a third shot, lol.

Ya, I'm bored....
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One in the chamber and a full mag as well. The safety is always on and muzzle direction is a conscious decision. So it's safe. That way if I happen upon game I don't need to cycle the bolt. I live in BC region 2 area (very dense bush) and missed out on a big buck once because I had to cycle the bolt and it was just one too many things I needed to do to give that buck time to notice me and split. That said it boils down to whatever the user is comfortable with.
 
Bustercluck said:
This thread leaves me with far more questions than answers.

For you guys that hunt with one in the chamber. Do you stop and unload before you stop for a piss? Or do you just lean your rifle up against a tree and get your business done? Do you guys actually unload before walking over any uneven terrain?

I would see myself getting bored of that really quick because it would probably be several times per hour. I think I’d do that once or twice and then just stop unloading because it would get annoying. I don’t walk roads and I don’t road hunt either.
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Why do you have to put your rifle down to piss?
You don't hunt roads? So if you see any nice trophy on the road your just going to let it walk.

99% of the time one in the pipe for me
 
Walking in with the group we are all empty till we get to our watch
By myself loaded mag and chamber sitting walking etc
Doing a drive loaded and full mag my hammer on my 94 is down
Empty when going in and out of my treestands
 
MRP said:
Why do you have to put your rifle down to piss?
You don't hunt roads? So if you see any nice trophy on the road your just going to let it walk.

99% of the time one in the pipe for me
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If one is peeing, and a big buck happens to jump into view, you will have your hands on the wrong pipe!.......:) LOL
 
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