Round chambered while hunting?

I was at a Daytona 500 party today and during the long red flags the subject of hunting came up. One of the guys there told me about a nice buck he almost bagged this year. But it took off when it heard him chamber a round. He said he had spotted it from accross a valley and stalked to within 100ish yards. My question to him was, "Why a round wasn't chambered from the get-go?" The reply was, "You'd have to be crazy to walk around with a round in the chamber! It might go off acccidentaly and kill you or someone else."

In the interest of a fun party I didn't press the issue, but am thoroughly perplexed by that attitude. Personally I (and every one I hunt with) load up and put one in the tube before leaving the truck/camp. Yes I unload if crossing a stream, or when on dangerous terrain such as steep shale or if I need to do some bouldering or rock climbing etc. But other than that I'm always gonna be ready. Many times you may only have a couple second window to make a decision and fire.

So my question to you is this: Do you put one in the tube before leaving the truck or camp?

Thanks.
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hound_hunter
I nearly always stay out of this discussion because so many people seem to get worked up over it, but you seem to be the same as me here so I might as well show my support.

I would say 80% of the time (because it's not always right from the truck) I have a round chambered. Like you, I always unload if I come upon any sketchy terrain. The whole argument of killing yourself or someone else I find pretty ridiculous, but I guess not everyone practices superb muzzle control. I know I am always extremely cautious of where my muzzle is in relation to myself, others, and I do consider and avoid impacts that are more prone to ricochet and what not. I feel extremely confident in myself and the close friends and family of mine that I regularly hunt with to carry with a round chambered. I have taken and introduced friends to my lifestyle and I never allow them to carry chambered until we're set for a shot, but that's just me.

Bring on the ridicule now, I'm sure more than a few of you have some problems with this.
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hound_hunter
I suppose I should also say, this has paid off several times! Only once for typical North American hunts (Dads Mule Deer in Utah 2004) but It's worth it to me to be prepared.

The question might come up "Well don't you think it takes away from the hunt to have to take a quick shot at an animal you didn't get to spot, stalk, and gain a certain sense of pride/respect for?"
While I understand where this might come through someones mind I don't think it's correct because I'm sure most of us have done the foot work and failed many times for many years. The respect I (and I'm assuming most of you) have for the animals I hunt is already significant and I don't mind an "easy kill" if the opportunity at a trophy animal is there.

It's understandable not everyone has the same opinions, That diversity is the great thing about these forums. Hopefully we get some good input on this from a wide variety of people. Don't be shy!
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Thanks for the well thought out reply Hound Hunter :thumb . I carried condition 1 (round in chamber) in Iraq and never had an accidental discharge. Most accidental discharges, in my experience, come when loading or clearing a weapon. I too practice strict muzzle control.

In regards to people thinking the quick shot being "disrespectful" I'd have to disagree. But I also have practiced for such an occasion both in the military with pop-up targets out to 300 meters and when I go shooting recreationaly. We'll put up a few targest at different ranges and either have the rifle slung, holding it, on a bench etc. Then at a random moment my buddy will say "DEER" and a target (we'll number them) to practice for just such an event. It go my deer for me this year. With the 3pt Minimum rule we have, if a deer (or Elk if I have spike only) pops out within 100 yards I am confident I can make the shot within about 3 seconds. If it's farther you'll usually have time to get a rest. If someone doesn't practice for such an opprutinity I can understand the conflict though. Everyone has to understand and respect their individual limitations.
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9er
I never chamber a round until im ready to shoot!! I figure if i cant quickly chamber a round and get a shot off, the animal wins. But to have round chambered and walking around all day, NEVER.

The only time i ever chamber a round and not shoot is when im moving in for a close shot(ie under 150 yards) and the animal knows that something is up and ready to take off.

This is gonna be an interesting thread, im interested to see what others think

9er
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I carry a round in the chamber when in the field. That is why I carry a Ruger 77 MKII with the 3 position positive type safety. When engaged, it locks the firing pin by fitting into a mortise in the cocking piece. It is IMPOSSIBLE for it to slip off the sear and fire. It is almost too safe with gloves on because it fits so flush that it is not easily pulled onto the fire position. I would rather deal with that inconvenience than to discover that it was accidentally bumped on fire while tracking up a hill in remote country. A two position trigger blocking safety simply does not do this. I'm not knocking your 700's, Tikka's, Brownings, etc... I'm merely expressing my reasoning for my choice. Ive owned just about every type of modern bolt rifle and chose the Ruger 77 as my go to big game rifle specifically for the positive safety feature.

Wyatt
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sneekeepete
Before I left home I never had a round in the chamber unless I was closing the distance. Once I left home and after a couple deployments I can't force myself to not have a round in the chamber??? I guess it is just one of those things but it has paid off for me hunting just like it does in other sittuations.
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I hear that Pete.
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waynedevore
The few times I have somebody along with me on a hunt [That would be somebody I'm breaking into Muley hunting] I won't allow chambered rounds until the stalk has been made. When I'm hunting by myself I have a chambered round unless i'm on dangerous ground.
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NONYA
Without a chambered round you greatly increase the time it takes to get on target and make what could be a one time shot opportunity,not to mention the sound you make while doing it.I chambed a round the second I leave a vehicle,its very rare that I hunt an area not populated by grizz,that in itself is enough reason for me. :-k
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9er
WOW im in the minority here (???)
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MuleyMadness
It depends, the answer is YES and NO for me. I often do chamber a round when I'm close to or seeing big game. I often don't chamber a round when I hiking into an area or not seeing much game. It's helped me at times and also hurt me at times, thinking I had a round chambered only to hear the 'click'. :)

But I'd rather err on the side of caution then danger which could lead to serious injury. Just me.
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MuleyMadness
9er, I'm actually in your shoes A LOT. I wanted to vote BOTH option, but voted NO.
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sneekeepete
I understand unloading your rifle in dangerous terrain or if the hunter is inexperienced but why not have a round in the chamber otherwise?
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9er
"sneekeepete" wrote:I understand unloading your rifle in dangerous terrain or if the hunter is inexperienced but why not have a round in the chamber otherwise?
 sneekeepete

i guess the reason i dont chamber a round is more out of the things ive been taught than anything, also i hunted off of horses quite a bit, therefore i never have a round chambered while riding

i really thought that the majority of people hunted without a round chambered, guess i learned something today
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sneekeepete
I hear ya 9er. I don't feel there is anything wrong with it I just have chosen to keep a round chambered unless I the sittuation dictates otherwise. I also keep my chamber empty when on a horse, ATV, or vehicle of course. This is definatley an interesting thread lol
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"wingmaster36" wrote:I carry a round in the chamber when in the field. That is why I carry a Ruger 77 MKII with the 3 position positive type safety. When engaged, it locks the firing pin by fitting into a mortise in the cocking piece. It is IMPOSSIBLE for it to slip off the sear and fire. It is almost too safe with gloves on because it fits so flush that it is not easily pulled onto the fire position. I would rather deal with that inconvenience than to discover that it was accidentally bumped on fire while tracking up a hill in remote country. A two position trigger blocking safety simply does not do this. I'm not knocking your 700's, Tikka's, Brownings, etc... I'm merely expressing my reasoning for my choice. Ive owned just about every type of modern bolt rifle and chose the Ruger 77 as my go to big game rifle specifically for the positive safety feature.

Wyatt
 For clarification purposes: I only carry mine loaded with emphasis on "carry" like as in my hands. I do not carry my rifle loaded in the scabbard, whether on a horse or atv.
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Yeah if I'm in/on a vehicle it has to be unloaded, both magazine and chamber per Wa. law. I do always keep the action open and a round in my hand just in case.

It's nice to see that noone has attacked differing opinions too. Good debate, and I added the option for BOTH on the survey.
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"9er" wrote:WOW im in the minority here (???)
 Thats ok I thought I was going to be in the minority.
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NONYA
I have seen some great trophys escape because the hunter wasnt mentally prepared to chamber a round quick enough,I keep the rifle shouldered pointing straight up,if anything were to happen it is always pointed in a safe direction.
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killerbee
i voted yes, but woulds have voted both if i could. alot of different senarios.[sp??] but if i'm by myself 75%+ of the time i have one in the pipe

BUT absolutly when i'm close to the rig- closer to someone else, i'm empty. or if i'm just hiking to a glassing point,and while i'm there , just glassing ,etc... i deffinatly make sure everyone knows if i'm loaded or not.

another thing a do alot, well most of the time, i will put a round in the chamber, but i wont push my bolt down. this makes it easier to just push it down and shoot, yet more difficult for it to go off when it shouldn't. and there are many times, you just get that feeling that something might happen, that i make sure i'm ready to shoot.
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ABert
I voted chambered and have no problems with it. I, too, carried that way in Iraq with both my sidearm and long gun. I tend to test my safety at the range now and then and every time when sighting in just before hunting.

Now, to throw a bit of a twist for those of you who don't carried chambered. How do you hunt when after upland birds and waterfowl? I couldn't imagine having to chamber a round before getting on a bird.

If you say you carry chambered for birds, then what exactly is the difference with a rifle? I hunt a heck of a lot closer to others when bird hunting than I ever do when after elk or deer.
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sneekeepete
That is a good spin to put on it A-Bert. I glad you brought it up.
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"ABert" wrote:Now, to throw a bit of a twist for those of you who don't carried chambered. How do you hunt when after upland birds and waterfowl? I couldn't imagine having to chamber a round before getting on a bird.

If you say you carry chambered for birds, then what exactly is the difference with a rifle? I hunt a heck of a lot closer to others when bird hunting than I ever do when after elk or deer.
Good point. If you're using a break action I could see loaded but open. Then close it up as you shoulder.

I test my safety at the range too, and after I clean my rifle I always perform a functions check. Especially on my .303 british since I disassemble the bolt. Not sure how to take the bolt apart, or if it's even possible without tools, on my Model 700.
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182BC...4Now!
I'm in the "both" category. I'd say most of the time I carry with a load chambered, but there are times when I don't feel the need to have a round ready to go.

To throw another "what if" into the situation, what about all of you muzzleloader hunters? Do you not "chamber" your round when you begin hunting? I guess you could leave the primer out and consider that unchambered, but putting a primer in takes significantly longer than throwing a bolt open and closed.
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killerbee
"ABert" wrote:I voted chambered and have no problems with it. I, too, carried that way in Iraq with both my sidearm and long gun. I tend to test my safety at the range now and then and every time when sighting in just before hunting.

Now, to throw a bit of a twist for those of you who don't carried chambered. How do you hunt when after upland birds and waterfowl? I couldn't imagine having to chamber a round before getting on a bird.

If you say you carry chambered for birds, then what exactly is the difference with a rifle? I hunt a heck of a lot closer to others when bird hunting than I ever do when after elk or deer.
 i can only really answer with the waterfowl. but absolutly 100% of the time we have one in the pipe, but all guns are leaned up against a blind, and when they are startting to set their wings, you grab and shoot. so i think it's not a good comparison, because you are in an absolutly controlled environment vs. rifle hunting your not.


muzzle loader hunting, we basically always keep the #11 cap off untill crunch time. i think with muzzle loaders you run into a problem with trying to UNLOAD them. i dont want to just shoot a round and have to clean again. i dont like using plyers to get a primer off a gun, so we just dont put a cap on unless there is a good chance of pulling the trigger.
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other than firing, how DO you unload a muzzle loader? I've never been around one.
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sneekeepete
I do the same thing when I muzzle loader hunt. Never put the #11 cap on until it's "Time". They are a pain in the neck to unload though.
Crunch to unload you have to run your ram rod with a "Puller" down to the projectile. The puller is like a self tapping screw and you screw it in and then pull it out. Sounds easy but it isn't.
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yes, a heated subject but in the intrest being on common sence and proper muzzle/gun control the old reliable stands out. guns dont have accidents,only the improper fools that are close to them. if you dont know what it is or its not yours,dont TOUCH IT. if the person wanting to know or look at any of my collection , it is empty before i hand it to them.
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Whenever it is legal I'm chambered. I've had two accidental discharges in my life and the weapon was pointed in a safe direction both times. I've seen people carry firearms unloaded and handle them carelessly because they were unloaded then argue with me (what's your problem it's not loaded mentality)when I asked them to point the thing the other way. They are always loaded! I usually use nickel plated cases so that when I'm out for weeks it can stay loaded and not damage the chamber like brass can. Same with my carry gun. Loaded 24/7.
Mark
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Always while stocking. I remove the round from the chamber when I climb trees though.
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primal215
I keep it locked and loaded, you never now whats what you may need to shoot and how fast, specailly now days with all the griz and wolves not to mention PETA
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HAHA A friend of mine had a run-in with the PETA folks while on an Elk hun near Chehalis about 10 years ago. Believe it or not they got all camo'ed up and would follow the hunters around blowing airhorns and ringing bells to scare the Elk away.
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Count me in as a no most of the time. Chambered rounds are for when game is likely close or when actually spotted. I used to carry chambered but over the years wisdom and planning replaced enthusiasm and spur of the moment happenings. :-$
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Huge29
"crunch14" wrote:HAHA A friend of mine had a run-in with the PETA folks while on an Elk hun near Chehalis about 10 years ago. Believe it or not they got all camo'ed up and would follow the hunters around blowing airhorns and ringing bells to scare the Elk away.
 That is illegal in Utah and in most other states too, call the DWR or county Sheriff if it happens.
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MTWillie
No, because I never hunt alone. And I would never want to be THAT guy that cracks one off in his partner's skull.

I keep 3 in the magazine and I'm awfully fast loading so I never worry about having one in the chamber. Scares the crap out of me.
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Absolutly not anymore. At least not after I heard of the Model 700 Remingtons and there need to fire without pulling the trigger. I wait till I'm ready to shoot to put a round in, for safety sake.
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Tyewire
When hunting alone my family hunts with one in the chamber on safe. We always remove the shell from the chamber when we are around people or hit the road.
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always from when my foot hits the ground getn out of the truck im loaded and ready and before i get back in im unloaded but i leave my bolt open a bit makes it faster and easer if i see somethin moveing to another spot but thats just me
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shmobag
I always have a round chambered while hunting, unless on dangerous ground so it would be unsafe to have one chambered. especially after elk hunting this past year ive learned to appreciate it too. thick timber gives the elk an advantage, ill take any leg up i can get.
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MuleyHunterNV
Unless im on dangerous ground, I always have a round chambered. I agree that this can be unsafe, but I take extreme caution with my guns.
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MuleyHunterNV
"crunch14" wrote:HAHA A friend of mine had a run-in with the PETA folks while on an Elk hun near Chehalis about 10 years ago. Believe it or not they got all camo'ed up and would follow the hunters around blowing airhorns and ringing bells to scare the Elk away.
 That is unbelievable. I would be furious if someone did that to me, especially since in Nevada, you can only get an elk tag every 10 years. Im pretty sure that is illegal in NV also.
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derekp1999
I have a steady group of guys I hunt with and have no problem with them or me having one chambered while were walking, still hunting, sitting, etc. Typically we chamber a round as soon as we shut the truck doors.
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Always have one chambered when we are walking around. Only time I don't is when we are in a vehicle. I also have my concealed permit and always have one in the chamber when I am concealing.
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"Muley Shed Freak" wrote:Absolutly not anymore. At least not after I heard of the Model 700 Remingtons and there need to fire without pulling the trigger. I wait till I'm ready to shoot to put a round in, for safety sake.
 I was really stoked to get a 700 this year too, but after reading a lot of articles about that problem I have to start all over on my research for a different Make/Model.
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Looking back over this thread, the folllowing came to mind. Here in Wyoming as in several states you can carry a firearm loaded in vehicles as well as out legally. There is usually great care taken to point out to inexperienced hunters to unload the chamber and remove the magazine before crossing fences. We also find that in some areas around the world the hunter can't even carry his or her own gun until the guide gives the OK to shoot. In short there's a lot of seemingly contrary advice being
offered and it's usually in the interest of safety. Now to the subject at hand. We as hunters must work overtime to ensure safety procedures above reproach. Never place your finger on the trigger until you are ready to take the shot. Always make sure you have a clear path to and beyond your game without skylighting the animal. Always check the function of your firearm such as safety, etc.
Be sure that you are ever observant for the younger or less experienced hunter. ... Always control your muzzle. Never unload or load while in or even near a car as the majority of gun shot accidents take place during loading and unloading and while objects to enhance richochets are around. Given all that it seems to be telling us all to always err on the side of safety and that in doing that there may circumstances that will allow us doing one thing one time while at another time it may be edging toward that unsafe area. Carrying chambered certainly falls into that baileywick.

I applaude those folks that always carry unchambered but also see the rational to carrying chambered, especially in Big Bear country! Good discussion folks!
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southwind
Old post but worth commenting on. I have no problem having a cartridge in the chamber and then treat it as such. You know the drill, keep it on safe pointed in a safe direction open chamber when crossing fences etc.... To me it is no different than upland hunting. How many people walk around without a shot shell chambered? I don't know anyone who doesn't. It could be argued that it is more dangerous to have someone anxiously trying to chamber a round in the heat of excitement than to already have one chambered.
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I agree with the majority here. I chamber one when leaving the vehicle. There's always exceptions to this like most people have already pointed out such as obstacles in the terrain, young / inexperienced hunters, etc. It's important to be extremely conscious of your surroundings and exactly where the muzzle is pointed. As a rule of thumb I like to "test" my safety mechanism every time I take my guns out by putting a round in the chamber, making sure the safety is on, pointing in a safe direction, and pulling the trigger.
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Old post, but definitely worth commenting on. I feel the same, I have no problem with walking with a round in the chamber while hunting. I figure that I am hunting once I leave the truck. A shot opportunity can always present itself at anytime and I don't want to miss it. I feel that I keep great control of where my muzzle is and if I'm hunting with someone else, greater caution is taken.
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"waspocrew" wrote:Old post, but definitely worth commenting on. I feel the same, I have no problem with walking with a round in the chamber while hunting. I figure that I am hunting once I leave the truck. A shot opportunity can always present itself at anytime and I don't want to miss it. I feel that I keep great control of where my muzzle is and if I'm hunting with someone else, greater caution is taken.
 I'm the exact same way. Once I leave camp, get out of the truck, or jump off the 4 wheeler I chamber a round cause you never know when a shot opportunity could present itself, it could present itself 50 yards from the truck, camp, or 4 wheeler and I'd rather be ready to shoot then rush trying to chamber a round and take a shot cause I feel you're more likely to have an "accident" if your rushing things not thinking with lots of adrenaline flowing through ya from the sight of the rack! I know my firearms very well and know how to properly and safely handle them. I've always been told a firearm is only as safe as the person handling it.
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When hunting big game I always have a round chambered. I just do not lock the bolt down. With out it locked down the weapon can not go off. Then its a matter of pushing it that extra 1/2 inch to pull the trigger.

Hunting birds I have one chambered. If I am using a pump gun I have the action open a little bit. Then I just slide it shut as I pull up. When I have the semi I still have one chambered and am just very careful where the weapon is pointing.
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spoofman
I always hunt with one chambered. I have guided for several years and had clients that were questionable with their comfort and control and I had them wait to chamber but I think it all depends on ones comfort level and their experience. I dechamber when crossing difficult terrain or fences and the like.
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If you are bird hunting with a shotgun, don't you have a shell in the chamber?
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