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.

I used to but decided against the extra weight a few years back.

I guess some people feel the need to pack heat even while they are taking a shower in their own bathrooms, but I really see no reason to carry a sidearm while hunting unless you are specifically hunting with it. If you have a long gun, why would someone want to lug around the unneeded extra weight? If you are bowhunting with a handgun you are completely taking away from what bowhunting is supposed to be. If you want to hunt with a primitive weapon, one should be carrying ONLY the primitive weapon in my opinion.

just when bear guiding.......

I carry mine during bow season and primitive arms season. I even carry mine out of season whenever in the woods!

i usually carry my grandpas .357 mag and my grandpa carries his .44mag

I carry a .270 during bow season.

I don't own a handgun.

I carry my Glock 27 and when i feel like it, i switch to my XD-9. I always carry a sidearm whenever i am out in the woods whether it's for squirrels or for deers

Do you really need a handgun for snake protection? I don't think we have blood thirsty 30' pythons in America, although there are some in Florida.