Carrying Firearms Safely – The Six Safe Carry Positions
- Trail Carry. The trail carry uses one arm to carry the firearm, leaving the other free for balance.
- Elbow or Side Carry. The elbow or “side” carry is a very comfortable carry for break-action firearms. ...
- Shoulder Carry. ...
- Two - Handed or Ready Carry. ...
- Safe Carries in a Group. ...
- Cradle Carry. ...
What is a trail carry?
Trail Carry. A field carry refers to the position in which you carry your firearm while hunting. Be sure to protect the trigger area! Grip the stock with one hand, muzzle pointing down and in front of you. This carry offers poor muzzle control, especially should …
Is the trail carry the safest?
Proper Field Carries: Trail Carry. Hunter-ed.com is produced by Kalkomey Enterprises, LLC. Kalkomey is an official state-delegated provider that provides hunting education courses and certification and publishing hunting safety education materials.
What are the 6 safe carry positions?
Apr 15, 2020 · Trail Carry. A field carry refers to the position in which you carry your firearm while hunting. Be sure to protect the trigger area! Grip the stock with one hand, muzzle pointing down and in front of you. This carry offers poor muzzle control, especially should you stumble or fall. Click to see full answer.
How to carry a gun safely while hunting?
May 09, 2022 · Trail carry — With the trail carry, the firearm is gripped in one hand allowing the other to be free. This carry should only be used when hunting alone or when others aren’t in front of or to the side of you. Cradle carry — Similar to the two-handed carry, the …

What is the trail carry position good for?
What is the elbow carry position?
What are the six field carries?
- Two-hand carry. The two-hand carry provides the best control over the firearm. ...
- Shoulder carry. The shoulder carry is handy when using a break action firearm. ...
- Trail carry. ...
- Cradle carry. ...
- Sling carry. ...
- Elbow carry.
Which is the safest carry most of the time?
The elbow or “side” carry is a very comfortable carry for break-action firearms. The pivot of the open action rests easily in the crook of your elbow and down over your forearm. In this manner the barrel naturally points down. Others can easily see that your action is safe and open.
When should you elbow carry a gun?
What is shoulder carry?
What is the firearm cradle carry?
Which carry gives the best control?
What is the safest position for duck hunting in a boat?
Why is the two handed carry also called the ready carry?
What is the smallest shotgun gauge?
Which hunting position provides the least support?
How to keep muzzle pointed?
Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction and the barrel under control. Keep the safety in the “on” position while carrying a firearm. Only change the position of the safety to fire when you are ready to shoot. Always keep your finger outside the trigger guard.
What is a sling carry?
Sling Carry. A sling carry uses a rifle sling placed over your shoulder to support the rifle. Keep your hand on the sling while walking to keep the rifle from slipping. The sling carry is good for long walks in open cover.
How to keep a rifle from slipping?
Keep your hand on the sling while walking to keep the rifle from slipping. The sling carry is good for long walks in open cover. If brush becomes dense, the barrel tip can get caught in shoulder-high branches and twigs so you may need to switch to a different carrying method. It is a good carry when walking with others.
What is cradle carry?
The cradle carry rests the gun across your forearm and elbow. The hand easily secures the firearm by grasping the stock. It is a comfortable carry that reduces arm fatigue.
What is the best way to carry a break action firearm?
The elbow or “side” carry is a very comfortable carry for break-action firearms. The pivot of the open action rests easily in the crook of your elbow and down over your forearm. In this manner the barrel naturally points down. Others can easily see that your action is safe and open.
What is a two handed gun?
Two - Handed or Ready Carry. In the two-handed or “ready” carry, the gun is held by both hands in front of the body with the barrel up. The trigger finger is always outside of the trigger guard. It provides the best control of the muzzle, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to be ready to take aim.
Where is the trigger finger on a rifle?
In the two-handed or “ready” carry, the gun is held by both hands in front of the body with the barrel up. The trigger finger is always outside of the trigger guard. It provides the best control of the muzzle, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to be ready to take aim.
How to keep muzzle pointed?
Keep muzzle pointed in a safe direction and the barrel under control. Keep the safety in the “on” position while carrying a firearm. Only change the position of the safety to fire when you are ready to shoot. Always keep your finger outside the trigger guard.
What is a sling carry?
Sling Carry. A sling carry uses a rifle sling placed over your shoulder to support the rifle. Keep your hand on the sling while walking to keep the rifle from slipping. The sling carry is good for long walks in open cover.
How to keep a rifle from slipping?
Keep your hand on the sling while walking to keep the rifle from slipping. The sling carry is good for long walks in open cover. If brush becomes dense, the barrel tip can get caught in shoulder-high branches and twigs so you may need to switch to a different carrying method. It is a good carry when walking with others.
What is the best way to carry a break action firearm?
The elbow or “side” carry is a very comfortable carry for break-action firearms. The pivot of the open action rests easily in the crook of your elbow and down over your forearm. In this manner the barrel naturally points down. Others can easily see that your action is safe and open.
What is a two handed gun?
Two - Handed or Ready Carry. In the two-handed or “ready” carry, the gun is held by both hands in front of the body with the barrel up. The trigger finger is always outside of the trigger guard. It provides the best control of the muzzle, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to be ready to take aim.
Where is the trigger finger on a rifle?
In the two-handed or “ready” carry, the gun is held by both hands in front of the body with the barrel up. The trigger finger is always outside of the trigger guard. It provides the best control of the muzzle, particularly in thick brush or weeds, or when you need to be ready to take aim.
What is cradle carry?
The cradle carry rests the gun across your forearm and elbow. The hand easily secures the firearm by grasping the stock. It is a comfortable carry that reduces arm fatigue.
