5 Things You Need To Know About Carrying A Concealed Carry While Hunting
It is important to bring a suitable firearm along when you hunt. You can choose between different types of firearms such as rifles, shotguns and handguns. However, we should not forget about getting a suitable self-defense handgun, which is often referred to as a concealed carry, to protect us while hunting.
A concealed carry is the practice of carrying a concealed firearm in public. We will be referring to handguns in this article. Concealed carries are used as a defensive firearm for protection.
Whether venturing into public hunting land or scouting at unfamiliar lands, you will want to make sure you are protected at all times, not just against wild animals but also dangerous people you could encounter. Defensive situations can happen anywhere at any time. If your state allows you to legally carry a handgun while hunting and you do not yet have one, what are you waiting for?
1. Getting a Concealed Carry Permit
A concealed carry permit is the first thing you should look into before you invest in a concealed carry. This is because each state has different requirements and statuses on its permission to hold a concealed carry. Different states also have different names to refer to concealed carry permits. For example, Concealed Carry Weapon (CCW), Concealed Carry License (CCL) and Concealed Handgun License (CHL).
Each state follows one of these 4 statuses for concealed carry permits: Shall Issue, May Issue, Constitutional Carry or Right Denied. “Shall Issue†status means that any resident of the state is allowed a concealed carry permit if they meet all the requirements. States like Alabama, Georgia and Michigan have this status. Majority of the states adopt “Shall Issue†status to both residents and non-residents. This means that non-residents are granted permits if they meet the requirements too.
“May Issue†status means that it is up to the authority to decide whether they want to issue the permit to the person. In California, Virgin Islands and Delaware, authorities may only issue to residents. In the other states that have the “May Issue†status like New York and Hawaii, authorities may issue permits to non-residents as well.
There are three types of “Constitutional Carry†status. The first type is where the state will issue a permit to residents as long as they meet the requirements. However, the Constitutional Carry law allows residents to hold a concealed carry without having their permit. This status is followed by Alaska and West Virginia. The second type is the same as the first, but non-residents are included. States like Mississippi and Kansas adopt this status. The third type is where the state follows a Constitutional Carry law which allows residents to hold a concealed carry without having a permit. The state does not issue any permit to them. Vermont takes this status.
“Right Denied†status is adopted by American Samoa and N. Mariana Islands. Unfortunately, citizens are not allowed to carry handguns under this status, so concealed carry permits are not issued in those states.
Apart from the four main statuses adopted by states, you will need to specifically find out about the requirements according to your state as they vary. For example, in Illinois, although it follows a “Shall Issue†status, permit holders are not allowed to possess firearms when hunting unless the firearm carried is legal for taking the species being hunted. This means that archery deer hunters will not be allowed to carry handguns when deer hunting.
2. Choose your Concealed Carry wisely
In choosing your concealed weapon, you should look for models that are good for everyday carry but practical for the woods. This means it will have to be durable, weather resistant and have a good trigger. Besides, you should check that your gun fits securely in the holster and stay close to you. It should also be capable of shooting out to a reasonable range. For example, about 25 yards or more.
Ease of carrying is important too since you will be having a lot of gear with you on the hunt, so you do not want a bulky and heavy concealed carry. If your hunting area may have wild bears, however, you may need a bigger and more powerful handgun. This is so that the bullet can penetrate through better which will grant you a good chance for survival. A revolver will be a good choice in that case.
A revolver is a handgun that has a revolving chamber which enables several shots to be fired without needing to reload. It is a good choice for concealed carry because it is reliable and easy to use. A snub-nosed revolver is the choice for some hunters because it comes in good size and is simple to use.
A more famous choice of concealed carry is the semi-automatic pistol. These pistols harness the energy of one shot to reload the chamber for the next shot. Some hunters choose semi-auto pistols because they are flatter and smaller, thus easier to carry.
3. Get a Retention Holster
With all the scouting, setting-up and more, hunting can involve much movement. Therefore, a type of retention device to keep your firearm secured is essential. The last thing you want is to be separated from your gun when you are on the move. Hence, it is important to get a good retention holster to hold your concealed carry in place.
There are two types of retention that holsters have, active and passive. Active retention requires a step to be performed while you draw your handgun from the holster to release it. For example, pressing down a lever. Passive retention only requires you to pull the gun from the holster to draw it out.
There are plenty of retention holsters in the market today. You can make your choice based on the different models, materials and features available. The paddle holster is popular for holding concealed carry. This is because of the convenience of simply clipping it onto your waistband to secure it. It is easy to conceal as well, as long as you are dressed for concealed carry. Some paddle holsters with active retention have a trigger guard that locks in the weapon until the user squeezes it to release.
Make sure to always secure your retention holster on the correct side. If you are right-handed, place it on the right side for easy access. You should also check that your holster position allows you to sit, stand and kneel comfortably so that it will not affect your hunt process.
You will also want to back up your ammunition on your support side. If you are ride-handed, place it on your left side and vice versa. Always make sure you have back-up ammunition for malfunctions and reloads.
4. Don’t forget your Gun Belt!
Gun belts are belts made specifically with the ability to hold a holster with a gun in place. You may wonder if a normal belt from a departmental store is good enough. Although normal belts may be cheaper, they have not enough structure and support to hold up your concealed carry. It will be flimsy and either hang towards the outside or press inwards against your body, both which will not feel very comfortable when you are wearing it.
Gun belts, on the other hand, are made in a way that allows them to carry heavier loads with more rigidity. The heavier your concealed carry, the stiffer the belt you want to get. Common materials for gun belts are typically leather or synthetic material like nylon.
You should invest in a good quality gun belt not only because it can last longer, but so that it will not stretch or twist. It is important for your gun belt not to stretch because you want your holster to stay exactly at the position you are most comfortable with it. This is because drawing your concealed carry in stressful situations relies greatly on muscle memory. Shifting of your holster position can delay your draw at the time of need.
5. Practice, Practice and Practice
Practicing how to draw and use your concealed carry will help you when you really need it. This is because although your heart may be racing in the moment of truth, you can rely on your muscle memory to protect yourself.
You should start by practicing how to take out your concealed carry from the holster so that your draw can be done in a swift movement. This is especially if you are using an active retention holster as it requires an action to draw out your handgun. Practice reaching for your handgun and drawing it out with the type of clothes you will wear to the hunt and even your other equipment to make it more realistic.
As you practice more, you will discover the best carry positions for you to reach your handgun easily and even with either hand should the need arise. Of course, start by practicing with an unloaded firearm.
Besides, practice shooting with your concealed firearm so that you can train your proficiency of using it. If you do not have the option of live-fire practice, spend time on dry-fire drills instead. This is a great way to practice with your concealed carry without firing any ammo. This means that you will need to use an unloaded gun. One way of practicing dry-fire drill is by practicing what you would do in the event of a gun malfunction.
Conclusion
If you apply these tips, there is a high chance that you can stay safe while hunting. Furthermore, if you follow these steps carefully, not only you ensure that you can defend yourself effectively, you will reduce the probability of getting harmed by your own mistakes.
If you have any comments or ideas you want to share, feel free to comment below!
Author bio: I am James Nelson, a survivalist, outdoor and hunting enthusiast. I have dedicated my time and effort to build a website that contains comprehensive information about hunting gears. You can follow me over at Hunting Research.