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This is the first time I have revisited this thread since posting on it four years ago. At the risk of being dubbed a "moron" again, I will reiterate what I said before, that I avoid the "African carry", and tend to carry my bolt gun with one hand at my side and my double gun broken over my shoulder. To the comment that this carry makes the double gun susceptible to seeds and twigs clogging up the action, I can only reply that the breech is right next to my face, and contact with branches and leaves would be noticed immediately. Most of the hunting I did in Africa was in open savannah territory, where this was not a consideration. Had it been, I would not have used it.

Another method I sometimes use involves grasping the rifle by the pistol grip and resting it inverted backwards over my shoulder, with the muzzle pointed well up in the air. This is a very fast position, almost as fast as the "port arms" carry, although not one I would care to use for extended periods of time. Obviously, it does not work well with a scoped rifle.

Whatever carry one uses has to be determined by the conditions at the time, but with safety for one's hunting companions of paramount importance. I have a rule never to go quail hunting with more than two other hunters, simply because it is too difficult to keep track of more than two (vide former Vice President Cheney).

Incidentally, one of the photos above, depicting a hunter carrying his rifle with his hand cupped over the muzzle, should be included in any collection of "what not to do" photos.

I feel strongly that a lot of dangerous gun handling occurs as a result of fatigue. A hunter struggling to keep up or virtually dead on his feet will be much less concerned about safety in carrying a loaded rifle, and that should be taken into consideration when getting in shape for a hunt.

Having been intimately involved with an incident where one of the young Marines under my command in Vietnam had an "accidental discharge" which resulted in the death of one civilian and the serious wounding of another has resulted in my being perhaps over sensitive on the subject. although where life and death are involved, I am not sure that it is possible to be over sensitive.

Another incident where a teenaged quail hunter walking behind me discharged his shotgun into the ground just inches from my foot also contributed to my sensitivity on the subject.