Need Handgun Info About Wyoming Elk Hunt!

maxman894 · July 2, 2011, 11:56 PM

Hello everybody, new to the forums, and not completely sure how to do this, but here goes... My dad, his friend, and myself are going to Wyoming this fall on an elk rifle hunt. I will be using my Remington 700 30-06, definately enough caliber, so that isn't the issue.

My question is, since I am only 15, is it possible/legal for me to carry a handgun as a sidearm, most likely a revolver (.44 mag), for bears and other self defense needs? I would most likely always have my rifle, so this would be mostly a last resort type of thing.

I'm not completely sure about the laws, so I just wanted to check in here first, before I went to the trouble of calling Wyoming Fish and Game.

Thanks Guys.

.300 Weatherby Mag · July 3, 2011, 12:02 AM

Bear Spray is the answer... Not a .44 mag...

You didn't say whether you are from Wyoming or not.. But they have what's called the Guide Law.. Which states that as a non-resident you must be guided on your big game hunt if you are hunting in a Wilderness Area and not on BLM or Private land..

maxman894 · July 3, 2011, 12:17 AM

Sorry man, I'm from Ohio, so its non resident. Didn't even think to post that! *face palm* We are guided, but there may be times where I'm off with only my dad or someone, since he has been here before. Does bear spray work well? I assume it does, but I'm not very knowledgeable in the field of sprays.

.300 Weatherby Mag · July 3, 2011, 12:42 AM

If your guide is decent... When you get to camp... They should sit you down and have a "bear talk" and then provide you with a can of bear spray and instruct you how to use it.. Bears are not a problem everywhere... Where will you be hunting in Wyoming??

Bear spray is the best deterrent... It works...

maxman894 · July 3, 2011, 12:49 AM

Big Horn Mountains, right below the Crow Indian Reservation. Like, on the border of it. It should prove to be interesting, since it will be my first trip out west.

Buzzcook · July 4, 2011, 02:08 PM

I got caught in a snow storm on July 2nd in the Big Horn mountains. If you can make the trip down to Cody and visit the museum.

Forget the handgun, you'll be carrying a rifle. Even then bear spray is the better option.

big al hunter · July 4, 2011, 05:13 PM

Bear spray will stop a bear that will take the 44 mag and keep coming

You will need hundreds of rounds of ammo worth of practice to get the bullet in the right place in the heat of the moment, the spray will work better without practice.

elkman06 · July 9, 2011, 04:52 PM

Wyoming is an open carry state. You may carry your pistol. The question remains as to whether you need or want to. Unless it is an airweight,,,kinda heavy for someone coming to this elevation and hiking, etc.
The BigHorns does not have a Griz population that I know of. Possible but not many if so. Black bears are not a concern, they will go the other way.
I feel perfectly at home w/ my 30/06 in bear country.
Take it if you want, brag about it at camp, not really necessary to carry it.
elkman06

oneounceload · July 9, 2011, 06:29 PM

Your lungs are going to be screaming for every oz of oxygen at higher elevations, so weight becomes crucial, and as mentioned, spray works better

One other thing, if you don't have your boots broken in yet, you better get started

Good luck and post pics when you get back

BIG P · July 9, 2011, 09:17 PM

+ 1 on the lung thing hunted at 11,ooo ft last year thought the trip was going to kill me.Game ranger saved me said eat rolaids & orange juice never would of figgered that.WE did the bear spray thing,never seen a bear.

good luck

maxman894 · July 9, 2011, 09:22 PM

Oneounceload, buying my boots sometime next week, and I'm planning on walking at least 3 or 4 days a week, until we go, to break them in. Going big and buying a set of Danner Pronghorns!

maxman894 · July 9, 2011, 09:23 PM

Would I be better served to bring an sp101 .357 that we already have, even though it's a little light for bears?

Buzzcook · July 9, 2011, 09:54 PM

Quote:

Would I be better served to bring an sp101 .357 that we already have, even though it's a little light for bears?

Compared to bear spray? No you would not be better served.
.357 is perfectly fine for black bear. Not recommended for grizzly.

maxman894 · July 9, 2011, 09:58 PM

Black bear is all I need it for.

T. O'Heir · July 9, 2011, 10:49 PM

Hi. The NRA's State law page is silent about minors and handguns. The guide will be able to tell you though.
Mind you, Yogi isn't interested in you. However, if you can't deal with him using a .30-06, a .44 Mag isn't going help. It takes a great deal of skill to place the shot right with a handgun too. And it still won't stop him inhis tracks. In any case, if Yogi is within 100 yards, you'll never be fast enough. He can cover 100 yards in less than 6 seconds.
"...planning on walking at least..." Wear 'em all the time.

maxman894 · July 17, 2011, 04:35 PM

Another question. I have the chance to buy a .45ACP sig. Would that be any better than a .44?

Deja vu · July 17, 2011, 08:46 PM

I am from Idaho and so the hunting is very similar. I would recommend not carrying a pistol if you are not use to the altitude. Carry the rifle and some bear spray. Too much stuff to carry will kill you... at least make you very tired.

Quote:

Another question. I have the chance to buy a .45ACP sig. Would that be any better than a .44?

If you really must carry a handgun I would go with what ever you shoot better...

reloader28 · July 17, 2011, 09:10 PM

Leave your pistol and that stupid bear spray at home.
Its just extra weight.
There aint no grizzlies in the Bighorns.
There are black bears, but dont worry about them.

maxman894 · July 17, 2011, 09:21 PM

Thanks for all of your help everybody. Excuse my ignorance about these types of things. Plus, I'm a mighty curious fellow at times

taylorce1 · July 18, 2011, 08:28 AM

Nothing wrong with being curious, and asking questions. If you want to carry a pistol go for it, but I'd only carry it after the elk was down and you are packing out the meat. Until that time why use it for bear defense when any rifle you carry suitable for elk will have more stopping power than any of the pistols you have for carrying.

kraigwy · July 18, 2011, 12:20 PM

I hunt the big horns. If you are hunting with a rifle, the pistol is just added weight that I DON'T WANT.

If you want to hunt with a pistol/revolver, Wyoming law states that the pistol/rifle round needs to develope 500 ft lbs of energy at 100 yards.

The F&G wardens assume the 44 mag meets those guidlines, you're goint to be hard pressed to convince them a 357 will develop that much energy at 100 yards.

Now I do carry my 642 in my pocket all the time, including hunting. I figure the only time I'd use it would be to shoot my horse if he dumps me in one of those icy creesk they have up there.

I have used that little 38 to gather some little cotton tails to put on the spit while sitting around the fire in the evening.

I have a lot of heavy pistols, but I having carried them in the field since I moved back to Wyoming in 1994.

maxman894 · July 18, 2011, 01:27 PM

I am hunting with a rifle, so I'm thinking of just leaving the pistol at home...

longranger · July 19, 2011, 08:48 PM

I would encourage a sidearm in the Big Horns(in competent hands) not for bears or wolves.Flatlanders and their uncontrolled dogs are a bigger threat on the trails in the Big Horns.To many encounters with idiots and their ill trained dogs. If a dog threatens me on the trail I will shoot the dog,no bear spray,you better check your wind before deploying,it may be you getting the worst of it,the wind blows in Wyoming !

chucknbach · July 20, 2011, 07:13 AM

Careful there Loneranger. No one likes a dog hater.
The most dangerous animal on the mountain walks on two legs.

maxman894 · July 20, 2011, 02:04 PM

Amen Chuck... Ok guys, so the general consensus (sp?) I seem to be getting getting is to not worry about a big hog leg 44. However, I have the option of carrying a lightweight .357, or Springfield XD .40 with me. I am thinking of taking one of these guns, probably the .40, because of weight, ammo capacity, and it will save me big money. I don't want to carry spray because of wind. Plus, I am very comfortable with the XD. Any reccomendations for ammo?

July 2, 2011, 11:56 PM	#1
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Need Handgun Info About Wyoming Elk Hunt! Hello everybody, new to the forums, and not completely sure how to do this, but here goes... My dad, his friend, and myself are going to Wyoming this fall on an elk rifle hunt. I will be using my Remington 700 30-06, definately enough caliber, so that isn't the issue. My question is, since I am only 15, is it possible/legal for me to carry a handgun as a sidearm, most likely a revolver (.44 mag), for bears and other self defense needs? I would most likely always have my rifle, so this would be mostly a last resort type of thing. I'm not completely sure about the laws, so I just wanted to check in here first, before I went to the trouble of calling Wyoming Fish and Game. Thanks Guys.

July 3, 2011, 12:02 AM	#2
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	Bear Spray is the answer... Not a .44 mag... You didn't say whether you are from Wyoming or not.. But they have what's called the Guide Law.. Which states that as a non-resident you must be guided on your big game hunt if you are hunting in a Wilderness Area and not on BLM or Private land.. Last edited by .300 Weatherby Mag; July 3, 2011 at 12:08 AM.

July 4, 2011, 05:13 PM	#7
big al hunter Senior Member Join Date: March 12, 2011 Location: Washington state Posts: 1,558	Bear spray will stop a bear that will take the 44 mag and keep coming You will need hundreds of rounds of ammo worth of practice to get the bullet in the right place in the heat of the moment, the spray will work better without practice. __________________ You can't fix stupid....however ignorance can be cured through education!

July 9, 2011, 04:52 PM	#8
elkman06 Senior Member Join Date: March 14, 2006 Location: Wyoming Posts: 885	Wyoming is an open carry state. You may carry your pistol. The question remains as to whether you need or want to. Unless it is an airweight,,,kinda heavy for someone coming to this elevation and hiking, etc. The BigHorns does not have a Griz population that I know of. Possible but not many if so. Black bears are not a concern, they will go the other way. I feel perfectly at home w/ my 30/06 in bear country. Take it if you want, brag about it at camp, not really necessary to carry it. elkman06 __________________ "The right of the citizens to bear arms in the defense of themselves and of the state shall not be denied." Wyoming Constitution Article 1, Sec24 "Better to be tried by 12 than carried by 6"

July 9, 2011, 10:49 PM	#15
T. O'Heir Senior Member Join Date: February 13, 2002 Location: Canada Posts: 12,453	Hi. The NRA's State law page is silent about minors and handguns. The guide will be able to tell you though. Mind you, Yogi isn't interested in you. However, if you can't deal with him using a .30-06, a .44 Mag isn't going help. It takes a great deal of skill to place the shot right with a handgun too. And it still won't stop him inhis tracks. In any case, if Yogi is within 100 yards, you'll never be fast enough. He can cover 100 yards in less than 6 seconds. "...planning on walking at least..." Wear 'em all the time. __________________ Spelling and grammar count!

July 3, 2011, 12:17 AM	#3
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Sorry man, I'm from Ohio, so its non resident. Didn't even think to post that! face palm We are guided, but there may be times where I'm off with only my dad or someone, since he has been here before. Does bear spray work well? I assume it does, but I'm not very knowledgeable in the field of sprays.

July 3, 2011, 12:42 AM	#4
.300 Weatherby Mag Senior Member Join Date: September 6, 2008 Posts: 1,777	If your guide is decent... When you get to camp... They should sit you down and have a "bear talk" and then provide you with a can of bear spray and instruct you how to use it.. Bears are not a problem everywhere... Where will you be hunting in Wyoming?? Bear spray is the best deterrent... It works...

July 3, 2011, 12:49 AM	#5
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Big Horn Mountains, right below the Crow Indian Reservation. Like, on the border of it. It should prove to be interesting, since it will be my first trip out west.

July 4, 2011, 02:08 PM	#6
Buzzcook Senior Member Join Date: November 29, 2007 Location: Everett, WA Posts: 6,126	I got caught in a snow storm on July 2nd in the Big Horn mountains. If you can make the trip down to Cody and visit the museum. Forget the handgun, you'll be carrying a rifle. Even then bear spray is the better option.

July 9, 2011, 06:29 PM	#9
oneounceload Junior member Join Date: April 18, 2008 Location: N. Central Florida Posts: 8,518	Your lungs are going to be screaming for every oz of oxygen at higher elevations, so weight becomes crucial, and as mentioned, spray works better One other thing, if you don't have your boots broken in yet, you better get started Good luck and post pics when you get back

July 9, 2011, 09:17 PM	#10
BIG P Senior Member Join Date: July 8, 2010 Location: North Georgia Posts: 1,679	+ 1 on the lung thing hunted at 11,ooo ft last year thought the trip was going to kill me.Game ranger saved me said eat rolaids & orange juice never would of figgered that.WE did the bear spray thing,never seen a bear. good luck

July 9, 2011, 09:22 PM	#11
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Oneounceload, buying my boots sometime next week, and I'm planning on walking at least 3 or 4 days a week, until we go, to break them in. Going big and buying a set of Danner Pronghorns!

July 9, 2011, 09:23 PM	#12
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Would I be better served to bring an sp101 .357 that we already have, even though it's a little light for bears?

July 9, 2011, 09:58 PM	#14
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Black bear is all I need it for.

July 17, 2011, 04:35 PM	#16
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Another question. I have the chance to buy a .45ACP sig. Would that be any better than a .44?

July 17, 2011, 09:10 PM	#18
reloader28 Senior Member Join Date: October 13, 2009 Location: nw wyoming Posts: 1,061	Leave your pistol and that stupid bear spray at home. Its just extra weight. There aint no grizzlies in the Bighorns. There are black bears, but dont worry about them.

July 17, 2011, 09:21 PM	#19
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Thanks for all of your help everybody. Excuse my ignorance about these types of things. Plus, I'm a mighty curious fellow at times

July 18, 2011, 08:28 AM	#20
taylorce1 Senior Member Join Date: November 18, 2005 Location: On the Santa Fe Trail Posts: 8,249	Nothing wrong with being curious, and asking questions. If you want to carry a pistol go for it, but I'd only carry it after the elk was down and you are packing out the meat. Until that time why use it for bear defense when any rifle you carry suitable for elk will have more stopping power than any of the pistols you have for carrying. __________________ NRA Life Member

July 18, 2011, 12:20 PM	#21
kraigwy Senior Member Join Date: June 16, 2008 Location: Wyoming Posts: 11,061	I hunt the big horns. If you are hunting with a rifle, the pistol is just added weight that I DON'T WANT. If you want to hunt with a pistol/revolver, Wyoming law states that the pistol/rifle round needs to develope 500 ft lbs of energy at 100 yards. The F&G wardens assume the 44 mag meets those guidlines, you're goint to be hard pressed to convince them a 357 will develop that much energy at 100 yards. Now I do carry my 642 in my pocket all the time, including hunting. I figure the only time I'd use it would be to shoot my horse if he dumps me in one of those icy creesk they have up there. I have used that little 38 to gather some little cotton tails to put on the spit while sitting around the fire in the evening. I have a lot of heavy pistols, but I having carried them in the field since I moved back to Wyoming in 1994. __________________ Kraig Stuart CPT USAR Ret USAMU Sniper School Distinguished Rifle Badge 1071

July 18, 2011, 01:27 PM	#22
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	I am hunting with a rifle, so I'm thinking of just leaving the pistol at home...

July 19, 2011, 08:48 PM	#23
longranger Senior Member Join Date: November 4, 2008 Location: Buffalo WY Posts: 1,056	I would encourage a sidearm in the Big Horns(in competent hands) not for bears or wolves.Flatlanders and their uncontrolled dogs are a bigger threat on the trails in the Big Horns.To many encounters with idiots and their ill trained dogs. If a dog threatens me on the trail I will shoot the dog,no bear spray,you better check your wind before deploying,it may be you getting the worst of it,the wind blows in Wyoming !

July 20, 2011, 07:13 AM	#24
chucknbach Senior Member Join Date: July 10, 2011 Location: Gillette, WY Posts: 135	Careful there Loneranger. No one likes a dog hater. The most dangerous animal on the mountain walks on two legs.

July 20, 2011, 02:04 PM	#25
maxman894 Senior Member Join Date: July 2, 2011 Location: Central Ohio Posts: 141	Amen Chuck... Ok guys, so the general consensus (sp?) I seem to be getting getting is to not worry about a big hog leg 44. However, I have the option of carrying a lightweight .357, or Springfield XD .40 with me. I am thinking of taking one of these guns, probably the .40, because of weight, ammo capacity, and it will save me big money. I don't want to carry spray because of wind. Plus, I am very comfortable with the XD. Any reccomendations for ammo?