Yes, a sidearm is a good idea. Sooner or later you'll need it to finish one off.

A lot of different calibers work fine. I carry a 1911, .45 ACP. Shot one in the top of the head. The bullet traveled through his skull, down his neck, then down his leg and out just above the foot. Instant death.

And or video..

But I carry my 9mm when I walk the ranch. Like others said, you just never know!

Yep. I also carry a 9mm around the ranch, as well as when I'm hog hunting. On the occasions when I've had to track a wounded hog through the brush, a pistol is much easier to carry than a rifle. Usually when I shoot one, if it's someplace where I can't drive the truck right to it, I'll put my rifle down and walk out with my pistol. If they're still alive a 9mm to the head takes care of that, and I can then just holster the pistol and start dragging the hog without having to deal with a rifle.

Definitely carry a sidearm!!! Once you walk up on a wounded hog in the brush.....your sidearm is you new best friend

Just curious, what ammo do you guys keep in your 9mm for ranch use?

I just use cheap 9mm FMJ bullets. The biggest thing I expect to have to shoot at is a hog, and even if I'm going after a wounded one the fact that I find it means it's not very mobile.

Same I also carry a backup clip with personal protection rounds just for fun lol

I take my .357 with me

Unless your rifle or shotgun is out of ammo, why do you need the extra burden of a handgun? The sidearm is just one more piece of unnecessary trivia to throw in with the kitchen sink when loading up the truck for a hunting trip.

I wouldn't call it a burden. More of a habit.

I hunt with a bolt action rifle and usually don't have more than 4 rounds within immediate reach. There are no guarantees for who or what you'll run into out there, so I like to be prepared...gives me peace of mind for things that go bump in the night (or day).

Thanks for all the feedback and stories guys. I don't own a sidearm yet but looks like I will be getting one before my first hog hunt due to my friends truck crapping out. Springfield XD .45 here i come.

That's true meangreen85 even on a quick trip hog hunting my truck will be loaded with stuff that I never use when I get out there. My 1911 45 is on that list I take it every time and if never leavs the truck.

But as soon as you leave it at the house, that's when you'll need it.

Granted, there's no way I'd put down the rifle in my hands to pull out a pistol if there were any urgency. However, when I have to go track one through the brush, a pistol is much easier to maneuver with than a long gun. I can hold the sidearm in one hand and use the other to fend off low branches.

Additionally, there are times when I shoot one in a place where I can't go drive and pick it up. In those cases I put the rifle down and just carry a pistol in case it's still alive and kicking. Besides, I've tried to shoot wounded hogs in the head with a rifle, and I guess I'm just not very coordinated because I've missed a time or two I don't like just shoving the end of the rifle barrel up against the hog's head, it makes too much of a mess and if you stand back a few feet it's sometimes tough to aim accurately. Of course pistol ammo is cheaper, but that assumes you already own a sidearm.

I carry a 357. I have had two hunts where the hog came at me after being shot in the heart with a 30-06; one hunt was 80 yards and the other was 25 yards. These things are tough and run on adrenaline.

When we run dogs we wont allow sidearms to be taken....to many things can go wrong... now just walkin and hunting sure why not but iv never needed one if i already got my rifle or shotty...

Yes, do carry, whether you shoot a bow or a rifle.

I bring a 357, used it this weekend to finish one off that was wounded and immobilized. It's also good to note, its harder to swing a rifle in a hurry when you're being charged, and it will happen eventually.

I always carry my 1911 with 255g Buffalo Bore +P hardcast.

Why not?
I carry a pistol almost all the time...
so, why not in the field.

I also like the option of being able to pop one with the pistol just for the fun of it..

I don't worry about getting charged though it could happen and if my rifle is in the truck, leaning against a tree for a moment, whatever..

I have shot a deer climbing out a stand with the rifle strung across my shoulder. Looked over and there was a deer at 30 yards with this puzzle look on his face. Pistol enabled it.

Personally, I just like to be as prepared and I am an opportunistic hunter.

For a dedicated hunting handgun, a 44 mag, 45 LC, 41 mag, etc.. is better, but I prefer carrying a 1911 and I shoot them WAY more and and thus much more proficient with them inside of say 30 yards.

Your rifle should be enough but I personally like to carry a handgun, just because it adds a bit of challenge should a close shot come about. I carry a 44 Special.

I always carry a 22 pistol in my pack to finish off animals just shoot them in the arm pit...

I always have my pistol on my hip as soon as I get to my land

always carry a pistol when hog hunting. Lets see, 10 hogs and a savage axis. your outnumbered.

I always bring mine. XDM .40

10mm is a good choice also but it's hard to beat a properly stoked 45+P or .44mag. I have a .357 that I would not feel undergunned with if it had 180gr solids (from BuffaloBore) in it. Up close, they are sledgehammers.