I'm not sure why the military thing has any bearing at all. If in a situation where you can be shot at and such is totally different than hunting animals.
I do also find it comical that many seem to think that those that carry on a empty chamber are doing so because they do not practice firearm safety and must be muzzle sweeping all the time.
If one is walking and has the rifle in their hands all the time while hunting or sitting in the stand I can see.
I for the most part have my rifle strapped to my pack until I see something worth stalking and take it off my pack. Have yet to miss an opportunity yet because of it (that I know of
) but I would just rather have my hands free to glass and trekking pole when hiking/hunting than have to set the rifle down and unload when I want to glass or try to operate trekking poles.
I guess I don't see the advantage of having a rifle with a round in the chamber when its strapped to my pack. That is not going to be the deciding factor if I get my rifle out in time. Are those that are talking about having one in the chamber also doing this with the rifle on the pack or do you never use trekking poles? Do you unload your rifle when you cross creeks or obstacles?