Lock and load

[grouse]

I read a hunting article the other day where a hunter spotted a buck he wanted to shoot and worked the bolt on his rifle and the round wouldn't go into the chamber. He had loaded the magazine with 7mm mag ammo and the rifle was a .270 (7mm ammo must fit into a .270 magazine). This got me to thinking, how many people hunt without a round in the chamber or an arrow ready to shoot? I have seen people on hunting shows load a round just before they shoot and, of course, in movies and TV shows they often work the pump or lever of a weapon to alert the bad guy to get ready (ridiculously illogical).

Maybe I'm not a safe hunter, but I load a round into the chamber of my rifle or shotgun and an arrow on my crossbow before I start walking. Opportunities can evaporate quickly and I want to be ready. Do any of you wait until you are ready to shoot to work a round into the chamber or load an arrow?

[LongCarbine]

I wait until I'm on stand or locate an animal before I load an arrow or chamber a round.

[Bcxbow]

I’m with you Grouse. When I enter a legal hunting area a round or arrow is loaded.

[gerald strine]

As soon as hunting hours are open I am loaded and ready for action with ether bow or firearm.

[janesy]

Round in.

As soon as approached by anyone, action open.

That was our camp rules.

[PublicLandHunter1]

My hunt starts when I get in the woods with both my crossbow and rifle. I do however remove the bullet from the chamber or bolt from the crossbow when ascending and descending in my stand. The ride to my spot the gun and bow is unloaded as I have been stopped by conservation agents and the first thing they ask to see is the bolt action. Not sure the cost of the fine but I am sure it is expensive.

[Carnivorous]

During this seasons black powder hunt I put my primer in after leaving the truck. My friend asked me why load now? You won't see anything. 2 min later I shot this buck that came out of the woods to check me out.. it pays to be prepared...lol

[xcaliber]

If it's legal shooting time, I'm loaded up. Up, and down the stands, unloaded

[LongCarbine]

I guess I am in the minority . I will tell you why , Three of us when we were 15 and 16 went after some geese that landed on the river , We were walking at the edge of a corn field to get there . My buddy last in line had a Win. 12 ga, pump . We don't know if he put the hammer down or not but he tripped on a corn stalk and dropped the gun . I was in the middle , the blast just put a few holes in my sleeve but the lead guy got a few pellets in his cheek . It could of been much worst. That was over 40 years ago and every time I handle a weapon I think of that.
Jim

[janesy]

I guess I am in the minority . I will tell you why , Three of us when we were 15 and 16 went after some geese that landed on the river , We were walking at the edge of a corn field to get there . My buddy last in line had a Win. 12 ga, pump . We don't know if he put the hammer down or not but he tripped on a corn stalk and dropped the gun . I was in the middle , the blast just put a few holes in my sleeve but the lead guy got a few pellets in his cheek . It could of been much worst. That was over 40 years ago and every time I handle a weapon I think of that.
Jim

Great point, I forgot to mention of we are traveling by foot somewhere. Only The lead guy has a round in the pipe.

[papabear1]

I guess I am in the minority . I will tell you why , Three of us when we were 15 and 16 went after some geese that landed on the river , We were walking at the edge of a corn field to get there . My buddy last in line had a Win. 12 ga, pump . We don't know if he put the hammer down or not but he tripped on a corn stalk and dropped the gun . I was in the middle , the blast just put a few holes in my sleeve but the lead guy got a few pellets in his cheek . It could of been much worst. That was over 40 years ago and every time I handle a weapon I think of that.
Jim

Great point, I forgot to mention of we are traveling by foot somewhere. Only The lead guy has a round in the pipe.

Very smart way to make sure nobody gets shot in front of you !!!
I couldn, agree more .

[grouse]

So when you're in a field, pheasant or quail hunting, only one guy has a shell in the chamber? There are other common sense ways to be safe, staying in line, wearing blaze orange, etc. Sober people who are experienced in gun safety can hunt without shooting anybody by controlling their muzzle and keeping their safety on until they see a proper target. Safety is paramount, but it doesn't always require extreme measures.

[janesy]

So when you're in a field, pheasant or quail hunting, only one guy has a shell in the chamber? There are other common sense ways to be safe, staying in line, wearing blaze orange, etc. Sober people who are experienced in gun safety can hunt without shooting anybody by controlling their muzzle and keeping their safety on until they see a proper target. Safety is paramount, but it doesn't always require extreme measures.

Deer, Moose and turkey. I dont think you need 12 guys standing around planning a drive holding 35 Whelens chambered do you? Once you disperse to your watch of course your loaded.
And turkey, if you have three guys crawling on the ground through the grass, doesn't it make you feel a bit better knowing that the shotgun bouncing off the ground behind you is not hot?

Common sense won't stop you from getting shot. Unloading the gun will. I don't really consider that extreme. Its a good thing nobody ever makes mistakes at your camp.

[janesy]

Double post.

[foofoo]

depends on the hunt and situation.i mostly leave the gun or bow unloaded til i get to the area im hunting.in my job safety class you learn to take out the hazard then you eliminate the risks. with the crossbow i figure walking to my stand with a cocked bow i should have time to get an arrow out of the quiver and ready to shoot undetected. if the game is on edge and figures me out then it wasnt meant to happen anyway.i focus my energy on getting to my hunt areas and with least noise possible.