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When I am hunting with a double shotgun or one of my drillings, I don't use a sling generally, but often carry the weapon in the position I have adopted for years on the skeet field, with the action broken and the weapon over my right shoulder, muzzles pointed toward the ground, although, unlike my movements on the skeet field, I walk with the chambers loaded. This is also the position I use in crossing fences.

Slipping the weapon off the shoulder, closing the action and releasing the safety does take a little more time than just bringing the weapon down and releasing the safety, but the time lost is really negligible, even if you accidentally flush a covey of quail or jump a napping deer. Most of the time, I can usually anticipate the prospect of instant action and have the weapon down and the action closed before the need arises. Since I am generally wearing gloves, the sweaty palm issue does not arise.

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This is not a good idea when hunting in Africa in a dangerous game area. The problem arises with twigs, even small seeds, which abound in Africa, interfering with closing the action, and so rendering the rifle useless until the obstruction is removed.

Not a problem with a covey of quail or a missed opportunity on a whitetail, but a serious, potentially life threatening problem if you flush a pissed off elephant or buff or something else that may want a piece of you.

JPK

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