Wilderness rifle/shotgun carry method?

[Silverado]

For those who carry a rifle or shotgun in the wilderness when NOT HUNTING, how do you prefer to carry it?

I'm wondering about a good - preferably hands-free - way to carry an 18" barrelled longarm while trekking/fishing/working in the bush?

 

[Deuce-deuce]

Two point sling. I carry everyday.

 

[Silverado]

I have a BFG vickers sling that I thought could work. How do you sling yours - across the body?

 

[pisces-guy]

Slung over my back with a wide sling...and a "finger condom" over the bore so dirt doesn't get in...

 

[fugawi]

I just sling it across my back from my left shoulder with the muzzle pointing down. Just watch you don't stick your muzzle into dirt, snow, whatever if you kneel, squat etc.

 

[Boomer]

I use a slight departure from the muzzle down carry, Ross Seyfried coined it the jaeger carry. Its most useful in open country where the barrel won't get caught in branches. It holds the piece, rifle or shotgun, in place with very little slippage, yet allows it to be brought into action very quickly. Simply place the center of the sling on top of your carry shoulder, so the gun hangs muzzle forward below it, now force the barrel against the back of your arm. If the barrel is positioned above the elbow, it provides a very tight, nonslip carry position. The receiver will lay across the small of your back, and the butt will angle upwards towards your opposite shoulder. If it gets too high, the barrel will no longer be in contact with the back of your arm. It takes some experimenting to get the tension just right; tight enough that it doesn't slip, but not so tight as to cause discomfort. Usually this can be accomplished by repositioning the gun slightly, rather than messing with the length of the sling. Once you get it, it saves having to readjust the rifle every few minutes, particularly if you're wearing something slippery like nylon or Gore-tex. To bring the piece to bear, simply grasp the forend and push the muzzle towards the target, then you acquire your firing grip as the piece moves to the front. Its very fast. If you stop to glass the country in front of you, as you raise your arm, the rifle will just hang from the sling at about waist level.

 

[fugawi]

I'll have to try that Boomer.

What I like about the across the back from your non shooting shoulder carry is that you can grasp the rifle barrel with your trigger hand and bring the rifle around your body to the front transferring the barrel/forestock to your supporting hand. Your trigger hand slids back to the trigger as you raise your rifle to aim.

Its very secure, leaves your hands free and almost intuitive. Needs enough slack in your sling and nothing on your clothing to hang up on. But only when I'm finished hunting. Otherwise I keep my rifle un-slinged.

 

[BigUglyMan]

I like boomer's method a well. Might have to give it a try. I wonder how it would work in this accursedly thick east coast bush.

 

[Boomer]

I like boomer's method a well. Might have to give it a try. I wonder how it would work in this accursedly thick east coast bush.

If you're pushing really thick stuff, you can grab the barrel and point it forward so you can weave it through the branches, but I don't care for doing this as it prevents me from protecting the action and trigger. Mostly thick stuff is a PIA, and that's when I prefer to have the piece in my hands.