Southern Colorado is a sidearm needed?

[Huntinman57]

Just curious if archery elk hunting in southern Colorado a guy will need a sidearm?

 

[mproberts]

Just depends on what type of guy you are.. haha in all seriousness probably not. It's not grizzly bear country so I wouldn't be too paranoid about anything out there. I have always bow hunted in that area without a gun, but I've had a buddy that would bring bear spray, obviously never needed to use it but the thought of being a bear burrito to him was too much haha.

 

[Mattt]

Not really. Although I always carry in a wilderness setting, I see it differently. I would not go without a knife, compass, sidearm. Could be used for defense obviously but also to provide food, signal for help etc. just a tool in my kit. Not really worried about being eaten unless in wolf/grizz country.

 

[5MilesBack]

I have never "needed" my sidearm while archery hunting, but I always carry it.

 

[Btaylor]

My first elk hunt a couple years ago in that area I had a cub that might have weighed 20 pounds max stumbled in to where I was set up on a meadow at a range of about 5 yards. He did not see me but did bawl for momma. He moved off and I could hear momma but not see her. I was happy to have my pistol in that case even though it was not ultimately needed. I have hunted around black bears my whole life and a sow with cubs is about the only encounter I do not want to have armed only with a bow. 99% don't expect to ever need it but I don't plan to be without it either.

 

[DEHusker]

This is a never-ending debate and I am sure you'll get opinions across the board. I carry a sidearm (Glock 10mm) with 15 rounds on my backpack waist belt for the exact same reasons as Mattt above. I am not too stupid to realize that a sidearm is not really probably going to protect me in a surprise bear attack but it sure helps me sleep better at night when I'm alone 5 miles from my truck in a wilderness area where there is unlikely to be anyone else around. In a worst case scenario I can use it to fight off a bear attack, lion attack, get food in a survival situation, defend myself from less savory people if needed, signal for help, even start a fire potentially (yeah, last ditch effort I know). It makes a great club too! The extra weight I carry around all day is no problem for me knowing it is peace of mind that I'm carrying. I used to wake up for every little bump in the night when I started hunting solo a lot but after I started carrying 15 round of hellfire, I slept a lot better! LOL. It's also nice to have when I'm sleeping in my truck on the way to basecamp if I have to pull over and take a snooze. Can't be too careful these days. Be careful, though...some states it is illegal to carry a firearm during archery season (of any kind, if I remember correctly). In that case, bear spray would have to suffice I guess. Also, when I have my elk down and I'm making trips back and forth to carry the meat out (sometimes miles on end), I carry my Glock and not my bow. It is nice to have the sidearm then as well to defend myself when I'm not carrying any other forms of personal protection. I feel like a badass with 80lbs of meat on my back and my 10mm on my waist!

 

[gumbl3]

No.. but if it makes you feel good bring it along

I keep one right by me at truck camp.. 2 legged creatures worry me way more than 4 legged

 

[swampokie]

I always carry one for one reason. I don't want to be one of those people I see on the news that have been mauled or robbed that my old lady asks why they didn't have a gun. It cant hurt and it might just save your or someone elses life

 

[Poser]

I don’t carry one.

 

[swampokie]

I don’t carry one.

But ur a poser!

 

[elkdog]

Hunted southwest Colorado for twelve years, and seen plenty of bears, but never
felt a hand gun was needed for that. Now at the campsite on the National Forest
road, we have had some Meth heads prowling around looking for some easy pickens.
Lost ten gallons of fuel one time to thieves.
In short, wildlife don't need one. For lowlifes maybe.

 

[GordonFreeman]

Wouldn't go to the grocery store with out one, like hell i'd go into the mountains with out one.

 

[justinspicher]

Wouldn't go to the grocery store with out one, like hell i'd go into the mountains with out one.

Agreed.

 

[Tony Trietch]

I never do but I am focused on keeping my set up as light as possible. If weight is no concern, absolutely.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I tend to carry because of the people.

Esse quam videri

 

[dotman]

I always carry, just don’t see why not to even with a bow in hand and the added weight isn’t noticed.

 

[Poser]

I always carry, just don’t see why not to even with a bow in hand and the added weight isn’t noticed.

By all means Carry a handgun if you prefer, but let’s at least admit that it is a very heavy item to carry in the realm of backpacking, much less ultra light backpacking. It may very well be the single heaviest item you are carrying. Let’s say, 25-30 oz (loaded with holster). Now calculate an additional 25 oz of force on each step for a 4,000 foot climb. You sure you don’t notice it?

 

[justin davis]

No. Extra weight and not needed in Colorado in my opinion. You have a bow in your hand. I’d rather have a bow than a handgun. The only place you need a handgun is for when your hanging out with the 2 legged creatures but not for our in the woods

 

[les welch]

Wouldn't go to the grocery store with out one, like hell i'd go into the mountains with out one.

You'll be gotten by something at the grocery store far sooner than something in the mountains......

 

[les welch]

I always carry, just don’t see why not to even with a bow in hand and the added weight isn’t noticed.

I'll notice 3# in a heartbeat. Literally that could be 2 extra days of food.