When three hunters are walking side by side, safe firearm carries depend primarily on muzzle control and the position of each hunter:
- The hunters on the sides should keep their gun muzzles pointed to the side away from the group or to the front.
- The hunter in the center should keep his or her muzzle pointed forward or upward.
- The shoulder carry with the muzzle pointed away from the other hunters (left for the left hunter, right for the right hunter) is considered safe.
- The trail carry (with the muzzle pointed down) is unsafe for the center hunter as it may point toward the hunters on either side.
- The cradle carry is not safe for the center hunter if walking side by side.
Thus, the safe configuration is for the side hunters to use shoulder carry with muzzles pointed away from the group, and the center hunter to keep the muzzle pointed forward or up. This configuration ensures strict muzzle control preventing the firearms from pointing at other hunters while walking side by side.
