be sure to check your local regs... here, it is illegal to hunt big game w/ a gun that is capable of holding more than 6 shells. in order to hunt here w/ things like an ar or auto pistol or garand, the mag has to be blocked off to only allow 5+1...
How much ammo do you carry when hunting?
- Thread starter scotjute
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be sure to check your local regs... here, it is illegal to hunt big game w/ a gun that is capable of holding more than 6 shells. in order to hunt here w/ things like an ar or auto pistol or garand, the mag has to be blocked off to only allow 5+1...
Deer:
a. Rifle (Past): Full magazine in the rifle (4-5) plus 5 on belt slide. Never had to use shells in belt slide.
b. Pistol (Current): 6 in S&W .44 mag revolver plus two 6-round speed loaders in belt pouch. Never had to use speed loaders.
Doves: one box in my vest plus 2nd box in shooting stool. Always have to use second box when there are enough birds to fill out limit.
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
ps: Lennyjoe: LOL. I believe that! I did it last year by accident. Killed two doves with one shot AND managed to find them both in knee high grass.
a. Rifle (Past): Full magazine in the rifle (4-5) plus 5 on belt slide. Never had to use shells in belt slide.
b. Pistol (Current): 6 in S&W .44 mag revolver plus two 6-round speed loaders in belt pouch. Never had to use speed loaders.
Doves: one box in my vest plus 2nd box in shooting stool. Always have to use second box when there are enough birds to fill out limit.
Good shooting and be safe.
LB
ps: Lennyjoe: LOL. I believe that!
I did it last year by accident. Killed two doves with one shot AND managed to find them both in knee high grass.
Lennyjoe
Member
I had a first this morning. Took down 4 doves with 2 shots. 3 on the 1st and the last one when he jumped up to bugg out.
Slingster
Member
It depends...
When hunting deer here in the States, a full magazine and a full buttcuff or belt carrier is plenty.
In Africa, though, where you might encounter more than one shootable trophy animal and be away from camp all day, I like to add another ten rounds or so in a pocket carrier, for the equivalent of a full box of 20 rounds. You never know whether you'll get into a running gun battle with a recalcitrant zebra or wildebeest!
When hunting deer here in the States, a full magazine and a full buttcuff or belt carrier is plenty.
In Africa, though, where you might encounter more than one shootable trophy animal and be away from camp all day, I like to add another ten rounds or so in a pocket carrier, for the equivalent of a full box of 20 rounds. You never know whether you'll get into a running gun battle with a recalcitrant zebra or wildebeest!
jdkelly
Member
Deer Hunting:
One in gun (270 Win or 35 Whelen), two in my pocket and seven in the backpack for signaling.
Respectfully,
jkelly
One in gun (270 Win or 35 Whelen), two in my pocket and seven in the backpack for signaling.
Respectfully,
jkelly
Mannlicher
Member
If I have the Marlin 1894S out in the swamp, I carry just the 11 rounds it holds. I almost always have a Ruger SA with 6 rounds, and one reload.
Dove hunting, I will darn sure take a couple of boxes of shotgun shells, and if its off squirrel hunting, a pocketful of Stingers usually does it.
Dove hunting, I will darn sure take a couple of boxes of shotgun shells, and if its off squirrel hunting, a pocketful of Stingers usually does it.
I guess us overcautious guys are in the minority.
I usually have a cartridge belt with 20 to 30 rounds, plus what the gun holds, Usually have a few light loads for small game, sometimes in the belt, sometimes in the pocket.
Usually have at least 3 boxes of ammo in the truck for whatever guns I have along at any given point in time
Usually carry a 44 or 45 Colt and 6 spare rounds in pocket also while rifle hunting.
In summer, when just hiking/camping, have a 44 or 45 Colt pistol with belt of shells, and a belt slide with 6 extra 45-70 rounds for the 86 carbine. (the summer carry gun)
I usually have a cartridge belt with 20 to 30 rounds, plus what the gun holds, Usually have a few light loads for small game, sometimes in the belt, sometimes in the pocket.
Usually have at least 3 boxes of ammo in the truck for whatever guns I have along at any given point in time
Usually carry a 44 or 45 Colt and 6 spare rounds in pocket also while rifle hunting.
In summer, when just hiking/camping, have a 44 or 45 Colt pistol with belt of shells, and a belt slide with 6 extra 45-70 rounds for the 86 carbine. (the summer carry gun)
Nicky Santoro
Member
I carry what's in the rifle or shotgun plus 5 rounds.
formerflyer
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Deer/Elk/etc.: Rifle and butt-cuff loaded, usually one spare ammo carrier in Camelback (about 20 rds total), sidearm (.357 or .44) with full cylinder plus one speedloader or speedstrip.
Boar: Rifle and butt-cuff loaded, spare ammo carrier on belt, plus spare box of 20 rds in Camelback (about 40 rds total), full sidearm plus two reloads (magazine, speedloader, speedstrip, whatever). Haven't run out yet, but have come close. Hunt with H&H Hunter and you'll need all the ammo you can carry. Pig-a-palooza! Nothing like a running gun battle with 20 or so hogs to burn up lots of ammo.
Fishing in Alaska: .44 loaded plus 2 speedloaders, plus 18 extra rounds sealed in plastic in Camelback. When carrying shotgun, Brenneke slugs fully loaded (2 or 7, depending on whether SBS or Pump) plus full butt-cuff, plus spare box sealed in plastic and in dry bag/box.
Hunting in Dangerous Game areas in Africa, Rifle and butt-cuff fully loaded, culling belt w/20 rounds (31 rds total), spare box of ammo in my pack (stays on hunting truck).
Yes, I carry a lot of ammo. Ammo is used for primary game hunted, secondary game (rabbits, squirrels, badgers, coyotes, etc.), signaling, fire starting and self-defense.
If you are forced to use a firearm for signaling, don't expect it to be heard or have someone respond on the first try. Do you know how many people in the field actually KNOW the cadence for signaling with a firearm? How many will respond to it when they hear it out of the blue? Trust me on this, you may be signaling for a while before you get someone to notice, no matter how many people actually hear it.
Boar: Rifle and butt-cuff loaded, spare ammo carrier on belt, plus spare box of 20 rds in Camelback (about 40 rds total), full sidearm plus two reloads (magazine, speedloader, speedstrip, whatever). Haven't run out yet, but have come close. Hunt with H&H Hunter and you'll need all the ammo you can carry. Pig-a-palooza! Nothing like a running gun battle with 20 or so hogs to burn up lots of ammo.
Fishing in Alaska: .44 loaded plus 2 speedloaders, plus 18 extra rounds sealed in plastic in Camelback. When carrying shotgun, Brenneke slugs fully loaded (2 or 7, depending on whether SBS or Pump) plus full butt-cuff, plus spare box sealed in plastic and in dry bag/box.
Hunting in Dangerous Game areas in Africa, Rifle and butt-cuff fully loaded, culling belt w/20 rounds (31 rds total), spare box of ammo in my pack (stays on hunting truck).
Yes, I carry a lot of ammo. Ammo is used for primary game hunted, secondary game (rabbits, squirrels, badgers, coyotes, etc.), signaling, fire starting and self-defense.
If you are forced to use a firearm for signaling, don't expect it to be heard or have someone respond on the first try. Do you know how many people in the field actually KNOW the cadence for signaling with a firearm? How many will respond to it when they hear it out of the blue? Trust me on this, you may be signaling for a while before you get someone to notice, no matter how many people actually hear it.
sumpnz
Member
Is it something besides 3 shots in a row (usually most effective after dark since hunting's only allowed during daylight hours).
Pheasants and deer
For deer, I usually took 10 rounds with me. Normally I come back with 9 .
For pheasants I usually take about 15. I leave the rest of the box in the car.
For my one time dove hunting near El Paso, a truck couldn't have held enough.
For deer, I usually took 10 rounds with me. Normally I come back with 9
.For pheasants I usually take about 15. I leave the rest of the box in the car.
For my one time dove hunting near El Paso, a truck couldn't have held enough.
When hunting deer, there's always the chance of running into varmints including hogs. I usually carry what's in my gun, plus two extra rounds, and a sidearm. I'm also usually stand hunting, so typically have a Camelback with water, binocs, extra flashlight, gloves, watch cap, and snack. And book.
John
John
formerflyer
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Yes, boys and girls, there is more to signaling your distress with a gun than shooting three times. Below is a quote from Jeff Cooper’s Commentaries (http://www.dvc.org.uk/~johnny/jeff/jeff3_3.html):
“Do you know about the standard 3-shot signal? If you do not, here it is: When you are lost in the wilderness or disabled so that you cannot travel, you break out your watch and fire three shots spaced exactly 60 seconds apart. Then you wait for 15 minutes and repeat the same procedure. Then stop. The idea is that a single shot, or three shots spaced quickly, might be inadvertent, but that three shots spaced precisely apart suggest that communication is being attempted. If anybody hears and heeds, he will note your second series of three and home in on you. If no one hears, it is best to wait a couple of hours until your absence has been noticed and then repeat the procedure.
“This is why a hunter should carry more ammunition with him in the field than he will probably need to bring home his venison.”
As a scout I learned it as 3 shots with 15 seconds between them, wait 5 minutes, then repeat the 3 shots with 15 seconds between them, then wait at least an hour. Again the idea is the shots need to be precisely spaced so as to not be confused with normal shooting at game, followed by a pause of a few minutes, then repeated. Don't wait until after dark, signal as soon as you determine you have a problem. After dark you will have lost most of your audience to the comfort of their hotels or Winnebago's.
“Do you know about the standard 3-shot signal? If you do not, here it is: When you are lost in the wilderness or disabled so that you cannot travel, you break out your watch and fire three shots spaced exactly 60 seconds apart. Then you wait for 15 minutes and repeat the same procedure. Then stop. The idea is that a single shot, or three shots spaced quickly, might be inadvertent, but that three shots spaced precisely apart suggest that communication is being attempted. If anybody hears and heeds, he will note your second series of three and home in on you. If no one hears, it is best to wait a couple of hours until your absence has been noticed and then repeat the procedure.
“This is why a hunter should carry more ammunition with him in the field than he will probably need to bring home his venison.”
As a scout I learned it as 3 shots with 15 seconds between them, wait 5 minutes, then repeat the 3 shots with 15 seconds between them, then wait at least an hour. Again the idea is the shots need to be precisely spaced so as to not be confused with normal shooting at game, followed by a pause of a few minutes, then repeated. Don't wait until after dark, signal as soon as you determine you have a problem. After dark you will have lost most of your audience to the comfort of their hotels or Winnebago's.
scout26
Member
Deer hunting: 15 rounds (shotgun slugs) - 2-3 for deer (I normally draw 2 tags and figure I might need at least one more for a finishing shot, only had to do that once though.) The rest are for coyotes/emergency use only.
Upland birds/small game - One box in the vest. If I need to go back to get more, I'm going home.
Upland birds/small game - One box in the vest. If I need to go back to get more, I'm going home.
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Twycross
Member
.270- around 25 cartridges.
Bird hunting- 100+. I am a miserable shotgunner who likes shooting. I carry as many shells as I can, and usually need all of them. Then I go for a second bird. *note to self- buy some 50-round bandoleros*
For my .40 S&W, 40 rounds, unless I am heading into a majorly snake-infested area.
Bird hunting- 100+. I am a miserable shotgunner who likes shooting. I carry as many shells as I can, and usually need all of them. Then I go for a second bird.
*note to self- buy some 50-round bandoleros*For my .40 S&W, 40 rounds, unless I am heading into a majorly snake-infested area.
Polishrifleman
Member
10 rnds dear, bear, elk
6 rnds .38
I'd pack more except my cabela's crazed hunting style doesn't allow room past the game calls, scent blockers, binos, radio, knife, rope, and now chupacabra stakes.
Twy, how many .40 do you pack when going into snake country. Sounds like you shouldn't even pack a rifle due to your attention being at your feet. I started hunting on the Palouse and toward Troy 17 yrs ago and fortunately haven't had a run in with a serpent I didn't like yet.
6 rnds .38
I'd pack more except my cabela's crazed hunting style doesn't allow room past the game calls, scent blockers, binos, radio, knife, rope, and now chupacabra stakes.
Twy, how many .40 do you pack when going into snake country. Sounds like you shouldn't even pack a rifle due to your attention being at your feet.
I started hunting on the Palouse and toward Troy 17 yrs ago and fortunately haven't had a run in with a serpent I didn't like yet.Twycross
Member
Most places around here are pretty snake-free. A few small places, and there are snakes under every rock 
. 100 rounds +.
. 100 rounds +.3 boxes rifle; 1 box for small game
I usually take a total of 3 boses (60 rounds). I load up and carry the balance in the box in a jacket pocket. I leave the other two boxes in the Jeep. I have a habit of sharing my ammo. with other hunters. Also, I've actually know people (a friend of mine) who is capable of walking off to the hunt and forgetting his ammo. But, 250 rounds? How much would that weigh? When rabbit hunting, or other small game, simply 1 box.
I usually take a total of 3 boses (60 rounds). I load up and carry the balance in the box in a jacket pocket. I leave the other two boxes in the Jeep. I have a habit of sharing my ammo. with other hunters. Also, I've actually know people (a friend of mine) who is capable of walking off to the hunt and forgetting his ammo. But, 250 rounds? How much would that weigh? When rabbit hunting, or other small game, simply 1 box.
carnaby
Member
wow, a SW500 with reloads!? That'll hurt the next day, if you have to use it!
cracked butt
Member
deer hunting- 10 rounds- the amount that fits in those handy old Federal red plastic ammo belt carriers.
Waterfowl- 2 boxes of hevi-shot (20 rds)
pheasants, woodduck, grouse- 7 or 8 rounds
squirrels- a 35mm film canister full of .22s.
Signaling ammunition- in my neck of the woods, signalling with a firearm is pretty much useless during gun deer season, there isn't anywhere in the state besides metropolitan areas where you won't hear strings of gunshots all day long any day of the week. I carry a small space blanket, a zippo lighter, and a small first aid kit with a charred piece of cloth in a ziplock bag.
Waterfowl- 2 boxes of hevi-shot (20 rds)
pheasants, woodduck, grouse- 7 or 8 rounds
squirrels- a 35mm film canister full of .22s.
Signaling ammunition- in my neck of the woods, signalling with a firearm is pretty much useless during gun deer season, there isn't anywhere in the state besides metropolitan areas where you won't hear strings of gunshots all day long any day of the week. I carry a small space blanket, a zippo lighter, and a small first aid kit with a charred piece of cloth in a ziplock bag.
Smoke
Member
Rabbit hunting - a brick of .22lr
Varmint hunting - couple of boxes usually.
Hogs - I have a belt that holds thirty .45-70 rounds. + 4 in the gun.
Deer - rarely hunt deer, what the gun holds is enough.
Quail - box and a half fits in the bag just right.
Dove (at home) - 3-4 boxes...just in case
Dove (Monahans) - couple of cases. 
Smoke
Varmint hunting - couple of boxes usually.
Hogs - I have a belt that holds thirty .45-70 rounds. + 4 in the gun.
Deer - rarely hunt deer, what the gun holds is enough.
Quail - box and a half fits in the bag just right.
Dove (at home) - 3-4 boxes...just in case
Dove (Monahans) - couple of cases.
Smoke
TrapperReady
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Pheasant - usually a box of 25
Grouse/Woodcock - 10 shells or so
Ducks/Geese - 12 shells on my person, another couple boxes in a 5 gal. bucket
Dove - 2 boxes (more in the truck if need be)
Deer - 10 cartridges or slugs (* plus 6 more .357 in a S&W 686)
That's a rough estimate. Once hunting season starts, I usually have a box with a few hundred assorted shotgun shells in the truck. I typically put on my vest and fill up the pockets (I hate shells loops for bird hunting) with however many I feel like carrying, adjusting the load based on my level of optimism (or lack thereof).
There've been a couple times I've hunted grouse with nothing more than the three shells in the gun. On one occasion, I returned to the truck several hours later with the same three shells. On another, I returned within an hour, with one shell remaining and a bird in hand.
If I was hunting (out West) and was far from the vehicle for a while, I'd probably carry more ammo, just for signaling purposes in case of an emergency.
Grouse/Woodcock - 10 shells or so
Ducks/Geese - 12 shells on my person, another couple boxes in a 5 gal. bucket
Dove - 2 boxes (more in the truck if need be)
Deer - 10 cartridges or slugs (* plus 6 more .357 in a S&W 686)
That's a rough estimate. Once hunting season starts, I usually have a box with a few hundred assorted shotgun shells in the truck. I typically put on my vest and fill up the pockets (I hate shells loops for bird hunting) with however many I feel like carrying, adjusting the load based on my level of optimism (or lack thereof).
There've been a couple times I've hunted grouse with nothing more than the three shells in the gun. On one occasion, I returned to the truck several hours later with the same three shells. On another, I returned within an hour, with one shell remaining and a bird in hand.
If I was hunting (out West) and was far from the vehicle for a while, I'd probably carry more ammo, just for signaling purposes in case of an emergency.
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