Best way to carry shells in the field

[todd allen]

Originally Posted by Dean Romig

The left lower pocket of my shooting vest is for live shells. This pocket will easily hold 25 shells but I only carry about 8 - 10 when I'm after grouse and woodcock. My game pocket, accessible from either side at the breast, is for my water bottles and whatever game I happen to be lucky enough to bag. The right side lower pocket of my vest is for my pistol, my Leatherman (for quill removal), my pruning pliers, and my empty shells.





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Type of pistol to carry on a bird hunt could be an interesting discussion.
I carry a North American Arms Mini loaded with snake shot in one pocket, and a 3" BBLd Freedom Arms .22 Mag Mini in the other.

[stumpstalker]

Todd:

For the woods of the Northeast, and if hunting alone, I put a few shells in my pants or vest pockets and load up a belt with extra, more for emergency signaling than for the possibility of families of birds going up around me.

Other stuff is in a canvass WW II gas mask bag that has my surname stenciled on it, slung from a strap over the shoulder: water; GPS; insect repellent; space blanket; hand-warmer; Acme Thunderer whistle; BIC lighter; license; survival matches; headlamp; map and a hiker’s compass (in case the one pinned to my shirt goes missing after being scraped off in the brush (as has happened to me twice with those nice brass Marbles compasses).

Flushes I can never assume, but I am likely to be in terrain where walking is hazardous and I may not be seen nor my voice heard for miles around.

[Timothy Salgado]

In my upland vest or jacket, the right pocket/loops carry five #7 1/2 shot game loads, the left pocket/loops carry five # 6 shot Fiocchi Golden Pheasant loads or # 6 shot American heavier game loads, water bottles in the back game pouch. My waterfowl jacket holds Bismuth duck loads in both pockets, with a couple goose loads added when the season overlaps. I carry my S&W J-frame H&R .32 magnum in my front pants pocket , usually everywhere, except when at work when its in an ankle holster as my back up gun. I also make it a point, if anyone joins me on a hunt , to have them carry an extra bottle of water for the dog.

[Dean Romig]

Originally Posted by todd allen

Type of pistol to carry on a bird hunt could be an interesting discussion.
I carry a North American Arms Mini loaded with snake shot in one pocket, and a 3" BBLd Freedom Arms .22 Mag Mini in the other.

S&W 15-shot 9mm model 5906 for coyotes, porcupines and whatever else may pose a threat to Grace... and we have a good number of black bears where I hunt and it has been a good year for cub births. It was a fantastic year for apples and most of where I hunt is littered with wild apple trees and the fruit is literally covering the ground. Everywhere I look there’s bear scat full of apple skins and seeds and a lot of limbs and branches are busted down.

Can’t be too careful...





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[Opening Day]

Originally Posted by todd allen

Type of pistol to carry on a bird hunt could be an interesting discussion.
I carry a North American Arms Mini loaded with snake shot in one pocket, and a 3" BBLd Freedom Arms .22 Mag Mini in the other.

Kimber 45 Ultra Compact, takes care of Porkies and anything else I may come across.

[John Davis]

It has never occurred to me to carry a pistol when I'm hunting.

[Bruce Day]

Originally Posted by John Davis

It has never occurred to me to carry a pistol when I'm hunting.

Clearly you have not encountered the dangerous killer rabbits or snakes so large and terrifying that they cannot be dispatched by birdshot.