hip flask while hunting

[JEB]

concerning legality

the thermos of coffee would be preferred but my pockets just arent that big, and because of the seriously thick brush i have to push through it is impossible to wear any sort of pack. the only things that go with me into the woods are those items that can be stashed in my pockets.
i am in no way advocating getting hammered or even drinking while hunting, i was only curious as to the legality of my above question, more for the sake of conversation really. i am asking this here because i have been unable to find any sort of answer in my hunting regulations handbook or on the internet.

 

[41magsnub]

I'll take a drink or two fishing, but never hunting.

 

[Skoghund]

When i lived in England it was the done thing to have your hip flask with you on driven pheasant days. Most hip flasks don't hold enough to do any harm.
I still have my Ostrich skin covered glass hip flask somewhere.
Never use it here in Sweden though. Letting a Swede sniff you flask is like letting a child loose in a chocolate shop
Mind you might get it out for our driven day we will have at my place this year. Sloe gin mmm

 

[chas08]

I carry a flask in my blind bag, filled with a fine Canadian blend. My waterfowl partner and I will enjoy an after action toast mixed with our remaining coffee to celebrate a limit, or a fine morning out. Becoming impaired never happens, thats not the objective. It's more for symbolism and tradition. And to celebrate those that have passed on, who've influenced our love for the outdoors. I've never worried about the legality of it. I do know in regards to carring a concealed weapon, in Texas, there is no permissible blood/alchohol content. Anyone who hunts drunk, is a fool. Anyone who hunts with a drunk, is a bigger fool.

 

[Tim the student]

I think its a bad idea, especially if you are near other hunters. It might be ok if you go out in the morning, come in, have one VERY LIGHT drink, wait a couple hours, and go back out in the afternoon, but even then, I think it's an accident waiting to happen.


Think what happens if you are in an accident and you have a bit of booze in you. Usually you will get screwed royally.

Now think what will happen if you have an ND or worse. It's not worth it, IMO.

As others have noted, alcohol will speed frostbite and hypothermia, not prevent it. The "upside" is that you won't know until later, because you feel fine.

Last but not least, if you get cold in Iowa deer hunting, dress warmer, or go be a driver - you and I both know you will get plenty warm that way. The basic key is not to sweat, and then stop. Take a day pack and layer your clothing as needed or use a couple thick zip up sweatshirts. One of those little foam stadium cushions will do wonders if you are blocking and sitting, as will a nice thick Hawkeye hat with the funny ball on top that you can take on and off as needed.

 

[1/4MOA]

doesnt alcohol make your blood thiner. I could be wrong on that but in the case that i am right....... thinner blood makes you colder. think of someone that has poor circulation due to diabetes or possible a blood clot in the leg (my father was the proven factor in this case) his extremities stayed cold even when it was warm. BUT... ill be the first to say that a stiff concoction of Mt. Dew and Seagrams 7 warms me right up. Why is that? Ahh heck, maybe my first asumption is incorrect and i'm just wasting my breath. But in all seriousness, drinking and shooting, hunting, etc. dont mix to me. But do agree with 41magsnub its ok to drink and fish. Just dont play captain on the vessel that day. let your buddy drive.

 

[MCgunner]

Alcohol dilates the corpuscles in the skin giving you the feeling of warmth. Problem is, it then radiates the heat of that blood to the environment, so you are actually losing heat. That's not a good thing. Coffee or hot cocoa will warm your innards and you won't lose heat from it.

Maybe we have some GPs here to verify this. I just know what I've heard and it makes sense to me.

 

[Nicodemus38]

getting caught with a gun while drunk will most likely get your concealed pistol permit taken away from you. in some jurisdictions youll be quilty of various infractions in the misdemeanor family. in michigan i remember reading of people getting charged with "discharge of a firearm while intoxicated".

its not smart period. booze makes people get dumb, and when they get dumb they do stupid things.

 

[bejay]

would just check your local laws about your concealed carry and alcohol but if your not carring concealed while hunting dont really see how it would apply, and dont really see any harm in it while it may be frowned upon by some, if your responsible about it your not really going to drink enough to really impair you.
but you know I always see alot more deer after the first 12 pack.

 

[3pairs12]

if your not carring concealed while hunting dont really see how it would apply,

It applys becuase he still would be in possesion of a firearm while hunting.

but you know I always see alot more deer after the first 12 pack.

I hope you are just watching animals and not hunting!

 

[shaggy430]

I'll take a drink or two fishing, but never hunting.

I think this says it best.

 

[MCgunner]

but you know I always see alot more deer after the first 12 pack.

Yeah, but how do you know which one to shoot and which one isn't real?

I don't drink while fishing, either. There was a time, but older is wiser I guess. It's hot and I'd like a beer, but either I'm operating a boat or I drove to get there or both. Water, cokes, gatorade are fine. I mean, one beer ain't much, but still, as little as I drink anymore, I don't like even one if I'm running the boat or have to drive home.

I probably shouldn't drink a beer when I'm mowing the grass on my little lawn tractor, but I've been known to do that. Ain't like I'm going to hurt anyone or can't handle the reaction time at 2 MPH from one beer. I ain't THAT paranoid, just don't wanna drink if I'm going to be driving or running the boat.

 

[Norinco982lover]

I won't hunt, go to the range, or allow you in my house if you have been drinking, period. I have loaded firearms at all of those places and I DO NOT want you near them if you have been knocking back some of grandpa's old cough syrup.

~Norinco

 

[MCgunner]

Well, one good reason I don't drink much anymore, not away from home, anyway, is that I carry CCW and, well, that ain't wise to do and drink. I don't go to bars, never was the type. I drink a beer now and then around the house and when company is around, that's about it. If I ever DID get in a shooting and had only drank one beer, it still wouldn't look good to the grand jury.

 

[bearmgc]

What others have said. Additionally, if there's alcohol in the group and God forbid, an accident/ND and someone's hurt, the legal and litigation consequences could be catastrophic.

 

[Zoomer]

I ALWAYS carry a flask of Wild Turkey with me when hunting. It's ONLY for "desensitizing" the sniffer when I'm about to field dress or to "motivate" those that are about to help me drag one out of the woods.

The only time I'll take a swig with a loaded gun in my hand is on the last day of the season watching the sun set right before I call it another year........

 

[Art Eatman]

Seems to me that the whole deal revolves around "impaired judgement". To me, anybody whose judgement is impaired by one beer or one drink of whiskey has way too many problems, and "hadn't ever oughta" drink at all.

As has been noted above, "anti-freeze" ain't anti-freeze when you're talking about whiskey. So, that's certainly not any part of my thinking.

I figured out the whole drinking thing maybe a half-century back, particularly about impairment. Since I figure Impairment Is Bad, I guide myself accordingly, using a tad of common sense. Since a beer or two has never messed me up, I figure that a lunchtime beer and a sandwich at the truck when out in the field on a hunt isn't exactly any big deal.

But "really drinking" and messing with guns? Naw, that's terminal stoopid.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Opening post: ....a particularly cold day when one of the members of our hunting party let out a small shiver and asked if anyone happened to have a flask with them....

On a cold day, "likker" will bring the blood to the skin and make you feel warm but the net result is you lose body heat faster if you are in the open. Mythbusters tested the "St Bernard with the brandy keg myth" and pretty much busted it.

Now, at the end of a cold day, a hot toddy by the roaring fireplace is a way to get the cheeks, fingers and toes warm quickly without a net loss of body warmth (after the guns are cleaned and cased). No way would I recommend drinking in the field to stay warm. You might end up numb enuf not to care that you are freezing to death.

 

[JEB]

to repeat the question...

...would it even be legal to carry alcohol on ones person when activly engaged in hunting? and if you were able to have it with you, could you find yourself in legal trouble for consuming small amounts of it even if you remain under the legal limit?

i am in no way advocating getting hammered or even drinking while hunting, i was only curious as to the legality of my above question...

i thought that this question was pretty clear when i posted it but i guess i need to clarify it further...i really dont care about people's opinions as to whether or not it is a good idea... is it legal

 

[BMF500]

...would it even be legal to carry alcohol on ones person when activly engaged in hunting? and if you were able to have it with you, could you find yourself in legal trouble for consuming small amounts of it even if you remain under the legal limit?

i am in no way advocating getting hammered or even drinking while hunting, i was only curious as to the legality of my above question...

i thought that this question was pretty clear when i posted it but i guess i need to clarify it further...i really dont care about people's opinions as to whether or not it is a good idea... is it legal

Consult a local lawer....

 

[Kurt S.]

Alcoholic beverage possession is prohibited on all National Wildlife Refuges while hunting. I think it is pretty much the same for Forest Service (Nat'l Forest) lands during hunting.

I don't know about Iowa, but in Kentucky it is governed by the general state law banning public consumption of alcohol. I asked this question of a game warden in KY a few years back, that was his answer.

Here in Texas, it is banned on all public hunting lands that I know of. Private leases are governed by club or ranch rules. I've never been on a lease that allowed you to have alcohol in the stands or on your person during legal hunting hours. I have also never been on one that forbid alcohol consumption at camp or bunkhouse after hours.

 

[Carl N. Brown]

Internet is a good place to solicit personal opinions, but the legal advice here is worth what you pay for it.

Call me a little 'a' anarchist, but what is good or bad is more important to me than what is legal or illegal.

 

[Owen]

let me ask you this: Why do you want to carry the flask?

 

[JHK94]

Growing up, my dad and uncles always had a few beers (and smoked a pack of cigs) up in their deer stands. Usually got a deer, and everything was fine. Granted, they could have a few beers and not really feel it. This was private land, and I don't think they ever worried about the legality, though.

I for one think people are a little over sensitive when it comes to drinking...

 

[CoRoMo]

Layers not liquor.

It's a hunt, not a party.