i m getting lots of good ideas from this....rarely do i carry a pistol with me i figure the shotgun will be enough.....charlie

I use a gun belt under my hunting vest or coat. Gun belt has two pouches for in field med gear, mini shotgun rod set to clear barrels of mud or snow. Quick access scabbard for spring loaded needle nose plyers with small quality scissors to cut and pull quills and trim burs from setter dog, 8" channel lock side cutters for barb wire or snares or,or? belt holder and 32oz water bottle, cross-draw holster with 10mm 1911 and one extra mag for most anything that may attack us in the lower 48. My strap vest , regular vest and hunting coat carry my shells, dog leash, collar controllers, t-paper, mini visine, small lock-back knife, bare aspirin, Tylenol and chap stick. I keep those items in each one of the vests/coats so I always have them. I keep a hide key under my rigs in case I would loose my keys....I want a warm truck, don't want to walk home from the way back 40 in BFE after walking all day!!! I know it sounds like a lot of gear but we hunt a long way from the truck, just me and my setter. I'm like a boy scout on steroids....(-: SXS Ohio

Kenny, is there any way you could take a picture of your gun belt and post it. I am tying to be as prepared as I can too, I am not sure what type of gun belt your using. Thanks, Ed

Gun belt
 

Ihad this one picture you can click on and make it bigger. Shows the 1911, clip, and the pouches. I will take some better pics of it later and post them.

My favorite is empty, with my vest full of birds. (someone always has to be the wise ass)
However when leave the truck I carry ten loaded shells in my right vest pocket.

Twice, I have wanted a handgun while in the field. One time, I had to dispatch a vehicle hit doe with 3/4 ounce of #9 shot, a situation that could have gone bad. Another time, my Wirehair got in a serious dustup with a raccoon that almost outweighed her. Neither the coon or Eva would stay still long enough to allow me to end the fight, which went several rounds until the raccoon was dead. Another situation that could have gone bad. In both cases, a handgun would have been the proper medicine. Years of spending time on deserted beaches with my wife and four daughters has made me respect the handgun as a necessary part of wilderness vacations.

Pics of gun belt and safty items
 

This rig comes in at 13lbs with gun, ammo and 2 waters. I have it packed for Kansas hunting as pictured. No worry of getting lost or need to spend night outdoors as the 4runner is normally close and the cell phones work. I add additional items for the big woods where a fella can get lost overnight or hurt with no cell service. chosen items covers most any need in the back 40 to doctor man or beast in the short term anyway. Zippies contain clotting powder and dressings, surgical tape, super glue, eye wash, peroxide, antibiotic cream, band-aids. Tic tool, tweesers, dog nail clippers, paper towels and surgical gloves. Gun bore rod set. In the big woods (U.P.) I also have fire starter kit, umbrella, additional compass and GPS backtrack, surefire headlamp and extra batteries. We have cell service in some areas but not all. Fully loaded with additional items and the larger pouches it comes in at 17lbs. I do not find it heavy to have on my hips but do like it when I take it off after all day hunt. It does keep the weight of my shoulders and improves gun swing. I have tried several systems but this is the best yet. My hunting vest and coats have other needed items at all times, like bare aspirin in case of heart attack, handy dog leash, small lock-back knife and chapstick. I hope this helps you other guys in the outback....SXS Ohio

Kenny,
Thanks for posting all this in such detail, I was wearing 2 hunting vests which was not comfortable. I put everything in one hunting vest with large pockets. My buddies kid me about all the stuff I take, but I want to be prepared. Most of the time I am not far from the truck. If I go into an area without cell service I want to be better prepared. You have stuff in your system that I do not have. We have a large sporting goods chain within an hour of us. I will try to find a system similar to yours. I really appreciate this, Thanks, Ed Norman

The belt pouches come from Quilomene Q5 outdoors they sell a few sizes for their strap vest. These pictured are the small ones and I also have the bigger ones when I add more gear. Gun belt is heavy wide nylon uncle mikes duty belt with snap buckle. I can also add wide suspenders to the belt if needed for added support. SXS Ohio

Thanks Kenny. That looks like a really well thought out kit.