Good point, and one I should have remembered. I have packed out more animals than I care to remember. I have actually passed up some nice ones at the thought of just how far out I was going to have to pack it, and how many trips it was going to take.

That said, I just have to think the hunters going to that effort are also not the typical stereotype, slovenly, lazy bastards that would pop an animal with a handgun and then claim they shot it with a bow. I suspect that occurs more among what we call "road hunters", those highly motivated, industrious lads that drive around in the truck all day with a case of beer. Those guys are more likely pointing a rifle out the window than a hand gun anyway.

Come to think of it, your average Nimrod is probably better off using a bow than a hand gun. I bet most can shoot a bow far better, and have a greater effective range with the bow. Hand guns are difficult to shoot well enough to hunt with. Folks that have put the effort into getting proficient enough with one to actually be effective in the field with it will more than likely hunt with one as their primary weapon, and be proud of that fact.

So, the more I think about it, the more I think that bow hunters would gain no real "unfair advantage" by packing a defensive sidearm. The whole thing just doesn't add up to any advantage. In that light, it makes even less sense for game departments to prohibit the carry of a sidearm. I think they have an unrealistic perception of the situation, and I think that places sportsmen out in the woods at unnecessary risk.

One more vote for a sidearm:

http://www.tv.com/video/15055/dances-with-wolves?o=tv&tag=show_summary;video;thumb

wow, what excellent shots, they must never ever make even the slightest mistake. they must never leave a wounded animal to slowly die over days. i wish i was that good.

varmit, that is the beauty of bowhunting. we wait until we get close up shots. clean kills. what is the point of bringing a firearm on a bowhunt? may as well rifle hunt at that point. i have never lost an animal. nothing lanquishes for days.

Jeff, my last elk i brought out in ziploc bags. i boned out the animal, and four of us brought it off the mountain. aigel brings up a fantastic point.

bowhunting is the funnest activity/hobby ever, for me.

Note to self:

Don't piss Vash off.

actually the BEST reason it carry is the human vermin. i have seen some very shady stuff while hunting. drug deals, etc.

i would hate to be sleeping at camp, with a "loaded bow" as my only protection.

Absolutely. I tell folks my sidearms is for self defense against predators. The kind with two legs. I have seen, and heard of, far more trouble with them in the woods than any and all wildlife put together.

Yet another reason to mutter "fark the game deptartment, I'm packing". They put you in a situation where the vermin in the woods will "know" you are relatively unarmed. There is no way I will allow some hand-wringing ninnie official put me in that situation. I ignore "gun free" zones in urban areas and pack regardless (except for courthouses, where there are plenty of police anyway, and they have metal detectors), and I would do so if I ever bow hunt as well.

On a similar note, whatever happened to the repeal of the restrictions on carrying in national parks? While that is another one I just ignore, I seem to recall there was legislation proposed to allow CCW holders to carry in our parks. Did it pass?

Hunt UPHILL...;)