RE: How many people carry sidearm hunting.
I don't see the need to carry one while hunting, at least for me. That is what my rifle, bow, or shotgun is for. It's illegal to carry one in LA. during archery only season. Snakes don't bother me in the least bit. You don't need a gun to kill a snake. I don't mess with them anyway unless it is a rattler. They taste mighty good. I guess if I lived in an area full of bears and cougars I would think differently, but the odds of getting attacked by a critter, other than ticks,chiggers,flies,mosquitoes,gnats,etc..., is pretty slim. Not too many cases of coyote and bobcat attacks around here.