slavage said:
Only way i was able to get an animal is when i started only taking the pistol an leaving tge rest at home
This is as true as the sky is blue! If you really want to score with a handgun, leave the rifle at home. If you don't, you will get caught with that 12 point looking at you a mere 15 - 20 yards away with your rifle in hands and your handgun on your belt.
That very scenario has happened to me at least 3 or 4 times in the past 20 or so years.
The last time I was so twisted up, I ended up shooting him one handed with my 35 Whelen pump at a paced distance of 16 yards. My 44 special was sitting on the log next to me but when he came running in chasing does, I thought it might be coyote running them so I never switched in time.