Do you hunt with loaded or empty chamber?
- Thread starter Mr.Rigpig
- Start date
Ha! You are assuming that in SW Ontario one needs binoculars and range finder to hunt
I own both and do not use them for hunting in SW Ont. In my experience, almost all shot were well under 100 meters, one shot was about 5 feet(deer).
In SW Ont. If you don’t have one in the pipe, you will most likely see white tail going up and down
…that is my experience hunting in SW Ont. Northern Ont. is a bit different when hunting moose because that animal is the dumbest one in the forest and does not care about noise of chambering a round.
Still an assumption....
Never once did I say I did not trust myself. Hell, I trust myself with a firearm more than anyone else on the planet.
If there is no target or intention to shoot, there is no reason to be loaded. Lots of time for that when one presents itself (Where I hunt). I understand not all situations are the same, actually stated that in the original post.
So in your life you have never slipped and fell? Never burned yourself? Cut yourself? Auto accident? Never???
Do you leave a loaded firearm on the bench at the range when you go downrange to check target? No need to unload, you trust yourself, right?
Do you carry your pocket knife locked open all the time? No need to close it. You trust yourself, right?
Do you drive the speed limit on icy & foggy roads? No need to slow down, You trust yourself....
Erring on the side of caution is not because you don't trust yourself. Some may call it common sense?
I absolutely do agree with you that 99% of accidents are a result of human error.
- Location
- The Conservative part of Ontario
But hunting conditions differ wildly. I hunt mostly with a loaded chamber and mag, safety on, because shots are close up, and time is very limited. Even stand hunting, due to the noise and movement made when chambering a round. Moose hunting could for the most part be done with an empty chamber, but walking, can result is fast shots there too. Bush is thick, terrain is very rough.
The exception for me, would be something like porcupine hunting, where the game is almost always treed.
Licensed to kill
CGN Regular
- Location
- Peace Country Alberta
Since I have big game hunted with single shots exclusively for the last 30+ years, I always have one in the chamber. With muzzleloaders, pipe loaded and percussion cap installed, #### in half bent. With flint, pipe loaded, pan primed and #### on half bent. With suppository guns, ruger no1, one in the chamber safety on, with the high wall and sharps, one in the chamber, hammer at rest (with the high wall, half bent sharps).
Out of curiosity, what would cause the 1%?
In the end, I do things that I have thought through and make sense to me. I firmly believe that each decision posted here is from a similar process and that things are not being done 'because that's the only way one knows' or 'that's how dad did it'.
I remain open to learning but reading some of the comments just proves that it isn't only millennials that listen just to respond. It really is sad that we cannot just talk anymore.
It was a good thread and nothing was said to change how I will handle my firearm. Always keep that muzzle in a safe direction. Keep safe, all.
I remain open to learning but reading some of the comments just proves that it isn't only millennials that listen just to respond. It really is sad that we cannot just talk anymore.
It was a good thread and nothing was said to change how I will handle my firearm. Always keep that muzzle in a safe direction. Keep safe, all.
We are talking about an accident, right? Meaning someone got hurt or something was was shot.
If you are pointing the muzzle in a safe direction, non of the two will ever occur.
Also, how will a fire arm fire from safety even with a mechanical failure, IF the safe handling procedures are followed?
I, get that safeties can. Malfunction but it also requires the trigger to be pulled.
Imo, without human error the firearm will not fire by itself.
One in the chamber for me.
I hunt white tail, taken roughly 30ish deer ever …. 2 of them were over 250 yards away, another 3 or 4 were over 100 yards away …. The rest were within basically bow range. No bait, no dogs driving just me still hunting, tracking and or sitting —- sometimes all 3.
I also waterfowl hunt, after opening day almost exclusively pond jumping and pass shooting fields. And I hunt grouse.
I would hunt moose however all I’ve managed is to apply for a draw that I’ve never once been drawn for.
I’ve also hunted coyotes ……. Not super successfully , but always using calls.
I hunt white tail, taken roughly 30ish deer ever …. 2 of them were over 250 yards away, another 3 or 4 were over 100 yards away …. The rest were within basically bow range. No bait, no dogs driving just me still hunting, tracking and or sitting —- sometimes all 3.
I also waterfowl hunt, after opening day almost exclusively pond jumping and pass shooting fields. And I hunt grouse.
I would hunt moose however all I’ve managed is to apply for a draw that I’ve never once been drawn for.
I’ve also hunted coyotes ……. Not super successfully , but always using calls.
Man, I gotta admit, I have NEVER been that angry at an animal.....
There have been many documented instances where a loaded gun has gone off when the safety was disengaged- that is when your comment about the muzzle being pointed in a safe direction is paramount!
Cat
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Loaded mag, loaded chamber whether I hunt alone or with my usuals. If you don't trust your gun enough to not go off when you don't intend why are you hunting with it? Or using it at all for that matter. I work off SOP for crossing fences and such, muzzle in safe direction, mind your partners etc..
I hate H&S so much sometimes, I swear they cause more accidents with their obsession with paperwork and procedure while being blind to the real hazards if they don't fit into their prefab safety system.
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
As he appears to have been using a piece of string as a sling I will assume that was 100% his fault. Since there isn't enough context in that random photo to say anything at all I think that speculation should be fine.
Bustercluck
CGN Regular
- Location
- Fort McMurray
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.
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.
