Round in the Chamber

[Mish-pop]

Now we are openly judging and name calling based off an opinion.

It’s no wonder anti hunters don’t like us, we don’t even like us.

I agree. Unfortunately we make it way to easy for the anti hunters. House divided is never a good thing.

My hunting doesn't normally include much steep terrain so I carry with one in the chamber.

 

[texag10]

Try walking around a clay target club with an unbroken under and over shotgun with the safety on. You will get an ass kicking in very quick time. There is no way for bystanders to tell the state of that firearm. A broken action shows everyone nearby that that gun is in a safe condition.

Don't clay shooters start with their finger on the trigger?

Not shitting on the practice, it makes sense in the context of the sport, but that's just it, isn't it? Everyone's experience and frame of reference plays into what they think is normal and "right."

I was a police officer and have carried concealed, competed in USPSA, and attended defensive training courses for years before I started hunting. Gun handling I've seen from people that own a gun to hunt, but otherwise are not "shooters" would get them kicked out of any other environment.

I have a round in the chamber unless I am in a vehicle and am very aware of my muzzle at all times.

 

[AZ_Hunter]

I hunt mostly with an AR. As in a semi auto, not the straight pull single shot UL UL rifles some on this site use. I 100% carry chambered. Chambering an AR is a loud affair, I’m not doing that out in the bush. The whole ride the charge handle forward and finish with the forward assist loading technique is not reliable. The rifle is slung across my chest in a Blue Force gear sling.

If encountering obstacles, rough terrain, or two hands are needed for climbing, if with a partner, I will be muzzle aware and spin the rifle over my back and cinch it down with the tension strap on the sling, muzzle up. When over the obstacle, rifle will be rotated back to over my chest, muzzle down.

When hunting with a bolt gun and a large backpack, rifle is not chambered in the rifle carrier on the pack. If rifle is in my hands, it is chambered.

 

[MTWop]

Depends. When hunting alone, I typically have a round in the chamber with safety on. If hunting with anybody else or the rifle is strapped to the pack, nothing in the chamber. If I hurt/killed myself, I can deal with the consequence. On the other hand…..

 

[7RemMag]

I judge people based off this question. If you chamber a round and walk around you’re a fuggin idiot. There is no exception.

A firearm is a tool. What good is a tool without the proper means to utilize it when/ if needed? A chainsaw is no good without gas in it. Nor a nail gun with no nails.

If you practice good, proper firearms handling. Then, loaded or not becomes a nonissue. In fact, as has been mentioned already, I’ve seen more unsafe practices from “unloaded” firearms than I ever have from someone who thought a weapon was loaded and ready to go.

Respectfully, you can disagree all you want. Most people here will likely continue to tote their firearms in the woods the same way they have for years regardless.

 

[Mish-pop]

A firearm is a tool. What good is a tool without the proper means to utilize it when/ if needed? A chainsaw is no good without gas in it. Nor a nail gun with no nails.

If you practice good, proper firearms handling. Then, loaded or not becomes a nonissue. In fact, as has been mentioned already, I’ve seen more unsafe practices from “unloaded” firearms than I ever have from someone who thought a weapon was loaded and ready to go.

Respectfully, you can disagree all you want. Most people here will likely continue to tote their firearms in the woods the same way they have for years regardless.

I've seen unsafe with both but plenty of people, when they know it's unloaded, treat a gun with no respect just because it's unloaded. Too many people don't hold to the mantra of treating a gun as if it's loaded at all times.

 

[Cant hit em]

If i step off the road into the woods its go time , chambered.

 

[omicron1792]

You are not going to kill anything still hunting Rosie elk or blacktails in the thick rainforest without one in the chamber. Hell, you need to practice taking the safety off without noise, they hate that metallic click.

Spot and stalk mule deer and bear I am a mixed bag, but mostly round in chamber. I grew up hunting upland birds, so pretty used to actively hunting with a round in the chamber.

Was gonna say this. In southeast most shots under 200 yards. Most of those under 100. And they can be into the woods and gone in a second. If you’re not ready to shoot you will be going home empty handed.

 

[7RemMag]

I've seen unsafe with both but plenty of people, when they know it's unloaded, treat a gun with no respect just because it's unloaded. Too many people don't hold to the mantra of treating a gun as if it's loaded at all times.

I absolutely have seen both as well, but far more frequently with “empty” firearms than ones that had one in the tube. If I’m carrying a gun, I’m assuming that I could need or want to use it at virtually any point while carrying it. If I have to take a moment, no matter how brief, to cycle a bolt or rack a slide, then what good is said firearm?

If it’s a firearm that I don’t deem as safe to carry with a loaded chamber, then I just won’t carry it. If a tool can’t be relied upon to function safely and properly, it belongs in the trash bin.

 

[JohnJohnson]

I've seen unsafe with both but plenty of people, when they know it's unloaded, treat a gun with no respect just because it's unloaded. Too many people don't hold to the mantra of treating a gun as if it's loaded at all times.

Maybe they should carry the rifle loaded with the safety off as well. Imagine how much better their firearm handling will be if they know it's loaded AND off safe.

Or what if they adjusted their triggers to the point the rifle is no longer drop safe? Then they'd be twice as careful about dropping their rifle. Lot of people on Rokslide obsessed with having scope setups that are drop safe and it makes them too careless with their rifles. That's why I use a Swarovski that's attached via $15 scope rings.

 

[omicron1792]

It depends on where you hunt and how.

Most of my hunting is in the thick and if you think you’ll have time to quietly chamber a round it aint gonna happen.

Hunting antelope or mule deer allows time to load cause you can see em a mile away.

A lot of bird hunters w dogs dont load til dog is on point. Cant do that w a flushing dog or no dog bird hunting.

Chalk it up to folks unwilling to understand diff situations and hunting styles.

I have bird hunted probably 200 separate occasions with 100’s of hunters. No exaggeration.

I have never once seen someone load their gun when dog on point.

Not saying someone somewhere doesn’t do this. But that’s not in the same stratosphere with “a lot of bird hunters.”

 

[PredatorSlayer]

I have bird hunted probably 200 separate occasions with maybe 1000 hunters. No exaggeration.

I have never once seen someone load their gun when dog on point.

Not saying someone somewhere doesn’t do this. But that’s not in the same stratosphere with “a lot of bird hunters.”

I have never seen it either….when I read his post I was like WTF?

 

[KenLee]

I have never seen it either….when I read his post I was like WTF?

That has to be folks "hunting" tame set birds.

 

[PredatorSlayer]

That has to be folks "hunting" tame set birds.

Good point - those pen raised birds probably give people time to load like that.

 

[Skydog]

I judge people based off this question. If you chamber a round and walk around you’re a fuggin idiot. There is no exception.

If you are incapable of walking around with a loaded chamber without endangering yourself or others, then you probably shouldn't be hunting in the first place.

 

[omicron1792]

That has to be folks "hunting" tame set birds.

I’ve hunted a lot of pen raised birds. Nope. Still never seen it.

“Some” break action guys will leave gun broken over their shoulder. But with shells in the chambers. Not once with semi auto have I seen someone load on point.

 

[Mish-pop]

I absolutely have seen both as well, but far more frequently with “empty” firearms than ones that had one in the tube. If I’m carrying a gun, I’m assuming that I could need or want to use it at virtually any point while carrying it. If I have to take a moment, no matter how brief, to cycle a bolt or rack a slide, then what good is said firearm?

If it’s a firearm that I don’t deem as safe to carry with a loaded chamber, then I just won’t carry it. If a tool can’t be relied upon to function safely and properly, it belongs in the trash bin.

I agree. If I can't rely on it then I don't want to carry it wither. And there are many times I've been hiking through open country where you don't expect a deer and, boom, one pops up out of nowhere and I don't want to be caught unready. I have also bird hunted a lot and when walking you always have to be ready

 

[Mish-pop]

I have never seen it either….when I read his post I was like WTF?

Glad I wasn't the only one thinking like that.

 

[7RemMag]

I agree. If I can't rely on it then I don't want to carry it wither. And there are many times I've been hiking through open country where you don't expect a deer and, boom, one pops up out of nowhere and I don't want to be caught unready. I have also bird hunted a lot and when walking you always have to be ready

Growing up hunting the farmlands and woods of PA, it was no different. I can think of numerous times over my hunting career that having to chamber a round would've been the difference between coming home with a critter and coming home empty handed.

 

[JAC8504]

short answer - Yes