Do you take a backup gun on a hunt?

[Cactus kid]

I don’t.

I’ve done some hunts in some weird countries where taking a second gun was not an option and a backup was not going to be available.

I spent a lot of time and money making my set up as bombproof and reliable as possible. Thankfully rokslide is a thing and made the process less painful.

 

[keystone112]

I always bring a back up rifle for out of State hunting. Why not?

It’s not a super expensive set up, but one that I can get it done with if needed.

It stays in my truck unless it’s needed.

 

[Hunt30]

I’ve never contemplated taking a backup rifle on a hunt. I also don’t drop test my rifle as I think that’s about the dumbest thing I’ve ever heard. After 35 years of hunting I’ve never seen a need for either. So I guess I’m in the minority around here.

 

[Anschutz]

I've never carried a backup rifle but when hunting in the backcountry, I usually carry a Smith 627 8-Shot .357 loaded with 200gr Grizzly Cartridge hardcast. I keep a few wadcutters in my bino harness because Grouse beats Mountain House.

 

[turbo406]

Little different for me but if im hunting a coyote derby outta town or even in town I have a backup rifle, backup call, basically try to have backups for everything because we hunt in absolutely terrible conditions and its go go go. If a rifle is acting up or somethings funny its grab and go. Had a call go down two weekends ago and didnt miss a beat grabbed the spare and ran it until we got back to the house and had my other call. Its alot to pack but its saved us in a derby. Now fun hunting or big game hunting I generally wont pack a spare rifle.

 

[thinhorn_AK]

No, I’m usually with somebody who has a gun so that’s the backup. When I’m out alone I guess I just keeping fingers crossed and hope for the best but I’ve never had a gum break on a hunt.

Last caribou i shot, I just asked my buddy for his gun because I didn’t feel like getting mine out of the gun boot on my snow machine. I’ve come to realize the rifle doesn’t matter, if the scope is zeroed in I can kill an animal with any rifle.

 

[Q_Sertorius]

I usually take 2-3 rifles with me when I go down to the farm to go hunting. I am not particularly worried about something going wrong with one of my rifles, but it seems silly to drive four hours to go hunting and then leave an opening for Murphy.

This past year, I brought two rifles down the last weekend of muzzleloader season and locked them in the safe. The next weekend, on a whim, I decided to bring a third rifle. I was very glad I decided to bring another rifle because I forgot the keys to the safe…

 

[Raghornklr]

I take a backup every single time I travel to hunt more than 3hrs from the house. It’s saved the hunt a time or two.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I always do. Have only used it once, but was glad I had it. I just leave it in the truck and hope for the best- if it gets stolen, then that sucks. So far my truck has never been messed with.

 

[Wanttohuntmore]

And bow!

I forgot about backup bows till I read this. I derailed the string on my compound about 2 miles in, and about 2 hours drive from home, on an elk hunt. On the way back to the truck was seeing elk but luckily not in range... so no insult to injury... then took off in the truck and had the tamest elk I've ever seen block my drive out.... they knew. Their equivalent of giving me the finger. I vowed I'll always have a spare since then, even a take down if need be...

 

[alderchokedhellhole]

Hike in backcountry hunt, not a chance.

Hunting camp, absolutely. Actually came in handy this year when my buddy forgot his rifle 6+ hours from home. Lent him mine and he shot a nice mulie.

 

[Snowwolfe]

My answer is "sort of". Anytime we go on a long hunt where we camp overnight in a tent I always take a big bore revolver and keep in the tent to fend off large furry critters.
If something happened to my rifle the revolver would be my daily carry. I never carry both.

 

[white cap bay]

I take me Colt 44mag revolver.

 

[Brandon_SPC]

Back up rifle? No because something to go wrong with a rifle is very slim to none unlike a bow where a string could get cut and you need a new string, need to retune (time cams etc). What I do bring with me is an extra scope because if anything fails, it will be your optic before your rifle. Plus that is a lot easier to hide in a truck vs a rifle.

 

[Skerhunter]

If I’m hunting with other people im not taking an extra gun, I will just borrow one once they fill their tag. If we break multiple guns it’s probably a good time to head home .

I do take some spare parts for my bow, but not a fully set up extra bow ready to hunt. If it’s damaged beyond when I can fix/replace I will just buy a new one (usually within a few hours of a store).

Out of state solo or a crazy remote hunt (no store accessible), then I would take a back up if possible (probably won’t be on remote hunts).