CCW And Bowhunting

[Fake Name]

Why do many states restrict a hunter from CCW'ing while bowhunting? Anyone know?

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

They restrict it so there is no question of which weapon is being used with which to hunt. That way the guy with the 4 inch .44 mag under his vest doesn't just say, "Oh officer, I'm afraid you are confused. I'm hunting deer with with this here bow, not that there handgun. That's my CCW piece. You know, for bears and gang bangers." Likewise, it prevents the "Oh, I shot the over here deer here with my bow, then tracked him for a couple of hours and found him here and he wasn't dead yet, so I used this 9mm to just finish him off."

 

[ArcherandShooter]

Jorg has it right, though the law is changing some. Texas just changed theirs to clarify that hunters are forbidden to carry firearms during archery-only seasons, EXCEPT that CHL holders may carry a concealed handgun per the usual terms of their license.

 

[Jorg Nysgerrig]

Just to add to what ArcherandShooter said about the laws changing, widespread CCW is relatively new, especially when compared against some hunting regulations regarding weapons that are have remained relatively unchanged 30, 40, or more years. You can pretty much bet that most states that went to shall issue did not bother to consult their state wildlife manager or chief fish cop before implementing the laws. I suspect that most states that prohibit it are wrestling with a new paradigm of people carrying guns for defense instead of hunting and trying to figure out how best to balance that with enforcement and good wildlife management.

Instead of laws that speficially prohibit CCW, I think what you're mainly seeing is a holdover from the existing laws of "no firearms while bowhunting", many of which predate the idea of widespread CCW by decades. While they may have updated the wording regulations to mention CCW to answer this new question, I doubt the underlying laws have changed.

But, as ArcherandShooter said, this is changing. Utah specifically exempts CCW holders from certain weapon restrictions while hunting.

 

[SteveS]

You can in MI.

 

[longwatch]

Virginia allows CHP holders to carry while bow hunting.

 

[elkhuntingfool]

Utah allows it and I carry during the bow hunt. A few years back two bow hunters were gunned down by some guys trying to steal their truck. Had the archers been armed - I doubt they would have been shot in the back trying to escape.

That is why I carry.

 

[kartoffel]

Just yesterday a coworker told me a rather disturbing story of his last bowhunting trip on public NWR land. While hiking in to the area where he planned to set up his tree stand, he happened to pass through another hunter's turf. The other hunter coughed to get my coworkers attention, then drew up on him with his bow! Well, my coworker "drew up" too, with his pistol and just may have saved his own life. You never know what kind of dangerous folks you're going to meet, even when hunting.

 

[RoadkingLarry]

Oklahoma allows CCW during archery season pursuant to Oklahoma SDA. But I don't think I would want to be packing a scoped Ruger Super blackhawk in
.454 casul, that might be pushing the envelope a bit

 

[RoadkingLarry]

Oklahoma allows CCW with permit during archery season persuant to Oklahoma SDA.

 

[30 cal slob]

Unlawful to hunt with a bow AND CCW in the state of Connecticut, even if you are an LEO.

One of the few quirky "off-limits" instances of CT CCW.

 

[mp510]

In Connecticut, carrying any firearm while bowhunting is verbotten.

 

[Nickotym]

ND just passed a law to allow CCW while bowhunting this year. However, during the gun hunting seasons I cannot CCW while on the way to or from my hunting spot, unless I am hunting furbearers.

 

[bhk]

In Missouri, you cannot carry any firearm when bow hunting deer. The law existed before ccw and has not changed.

 

[Steve in PA]

PA passed a law allowing a person with a CCW or LEO's to carry a handgun while hunting, even during seasons such as archery where firearms were previously prohibited.

 

[MT GUNNY]

In MT no lic needed to ccw while hunting. No restrictions during bow season
on firearms. I always carry during bow season at times I carry my rifle just incase I can fill my Bear tag.

One thing I will add, You cant finish off game that is aready been shot with bow.

 

[anygunanywhere]

Although Texas is taking an arse whuppin in other threads here for the current status of our gun laws, you can pack a concealed handgun while bow hunting.

Anygun