To chamber, or not to chamber? That is the question.

You hear stories about guys who put one in the chamber and then forget to unload and walk around with a loaded rifle, but it sounds like about half of hunters do this on purpose.

Thanks for opening my eyes Ben, I had no idea.

Greenhorn said:

Not a round. When hunting pheasants I usually carry a shotgun.

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Ok, ya got me.

Always

Last year in Wisconsin, 588,387 gun licenses were sold for a 9 day gun season. There is no draw in Wisconsin...everything is over the counter. There were 7 shooting accidents in Wisconsin. 5 men shot themselves accidentally, 1 shot another in their own party, and one was hit by a stray ricochet. This person hit wasn't deer hunting...he was duck hunting in a kayak. Wisconsin also eliminated a minimum hunting age last year. A 5 year old boy was the youngest to harvest a deer in the state in 2017. Wisconsin moved to an all rifle state (previously the gun season included shotgun slug only zones but that has since been eliminated) maybe 5 years ago. In Wisconsin, it is still pretty common to practice deer drives and it is extremely common to be shooting deer from an elevated tree stand. So, now you have shooting at moving animals, hunters perched in 10-25 feet high elevated platforms that are secured to trees with a ratchet strap and platform no larger than a welcome mat, and kids just out of diapers wielding guns. Guys are slushing around in 6-7 foot high marsh grass and cattails and ask anyone who hunts on public land...it gets crowded during opening weekend unless you are in a national forest like Nicolet.

Even with the high risk hunting scenarios Wisconsin has, 2017 was considered one of the safest seasons to date. I would like to think that is a testament to hunter safety and the good Lord looking out for sportsmen during the 9 day gun season.

I could be wrong, but if you were to poll Wisconsin deer hunters, I believe many would say their shots on deer are less than 75 yards away...many being less than 50. Lots of Wisconsin hunters shoot at running deer (I don't agree with this) because they are doing deer drives. Lots still use their shotguns. Lots also hunt on private land.

Point of my post is 1. if you are using common sense, practicing the 4 rules of gun safety, and have half a brain, weather you chamber or not, your hunt should be a safe one. 2. You can be as safe as possible on your own end but you have no control over what the other hunters are doing.

To answer the original question:

I chamber in my treestand but do not chamber on the way to it. I'm always chambered when upland hunting. I don't practice deer drives any more. I do keep an arrow knocked in my treestand. I @#)(# my crossbow on the ground and haul it up my tree without a bolt in it because it's easier to @#)(# on the ground.

I can totally see why guys wouldn't chamber out west while hiking or moving. I can also see where public land hunting could be more dangerous than private land hunting. I feel very safe in my treestand with one chambered. My stands always have at least 2 ratchet straps on them that get changed out at the end of the season. I have a 4 point harness. My shots aren't more than 50 yards in my treestand and I am always shooting downward. I know where the other hunters are at all times. (I do hunt on private land which is a blessing for sure).

Be safe everyone and have a prosperous season in 2018!

Honestly surprised how many people keep a round chambered while walking or hiking.

1 in the chamber when we get out of the truck, don't "trust" the safety but like the ruger 3 position safety for an extra measure

hunt PA & NY


friend's dad lost a leg in a hunting accident, guy behind him stumbled fell forward gun went off... made me more cognizant but only changed that I didn't put one in the chamber while in a row walking in to do a drive.

Yes, but I'm fanatical about muzzle and trigger discipline
Idaho, Wyoming, Oregon, Montana

When I'm walking around Detroit, yes I'm chambered... When I'm out west hunting muleys or pronghorns, no I am unchambered

MTTW said:

Experience has tought me to fear the person that thinks they have an empty chamber.

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So true

In general no unless I have positive control of the firearm (in hand or not slinged) such as when I am bird hunting with a shotgun or slipping through close quarters with a rifle in hand. But we've most all been known to break our own rules and do stupid things now and then.

VikingsGuy said:

And I thought it was because you were fine shooting yourself, but wouldn't want to put me at risk

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Nope, You're not that high on my list :W:

Greenhorn said:

I guess that's what I do, take my rifle for a walk, every time.

You’d actually prefer that somebody had one in the chamber you were hunting with? Not sure why this is such a foreign concept to me..

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I don't care how you hunt when you are by yourself. Only care if you are hunting with me. Yeah, selfish, I know :hump:

When by myself or with a friend, yes round in the chamber, when hunting in a group doing a deer drive, no. Mostly hunt Northeast, but have gone South and West as well.

How many people with concealed carry permits carry with an empty chamber?

Gut Shot said:

How many people with concealed carry permits carry with an empty chamber?

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Probably the same number who hunt pheasants with an empty one.

No, while hunting big game.
Haven't found a need for the time savings to cycle the bolt at the last minute.
Also, I generally have friends or family that I am taking hunting and I want to make sure they are safety minded. Most didn't grow up with guns like I did.
Nevada and other western states

1. Yes

2. West + AK

Gut Shot said:

How many people with concealed carry permits carry with an empty chamber?

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I hope none.

I usually hunt alone and carry chambered with safety on. So it depends on the situation.

WY

Idahoarcheryhunter said:

I hope none.

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Its not really apples to apples as your concealed carry should always stay in its hard sided holster with a trigger guard until its time to use it. And if its time to use it that half a second to rack one in the chamber might take more time than you have. But everyone has their own choice as to what makes them comfortable.