Hunting hand guns... are you legal ???

[swampdog]

In Virginia, it's legal to carry your ccw while hunting. In North Carolina, it better be a handgun that is legal for hunting. Don't even think about carrying a handgun during bow season in NC. A good friend of mine got a ticket last year for having a .357 in his truck during bow season. I guess the 99% of bowhunters who are law-abiding have to go into the woods unprotected to protect the animals from the 1% of bowhunters who aren't. Doesn't make much sense. I doubt I'd be doing much poaching with a snubnosed .38.

North Carolina, while basically a fairly gun-friendly state, has quite a few firearm related laws that just don't make sense. In this state, before purchasing a handgun, you have to apply to your local sheriff's for a permit. This turns into a ten day waiting period. Nobody but an honest man would go through this, which kind of defeats the purpose. A criminal can get a gun, right now, on the corner.

After several face to face encounters with large black bears, I'm kind of leery about going into the swamp without something that will take one out. I run into this during bowseason and after deer season while hunting small game on public land. I think I'd rather pay a ticket than need a gun and not have one. I guess that would make me a criminal. Doesn't make much sense.

I don't see too much need for a defensive handgun while hunting with a centerfire rifle. I see plenty of need for a defensive handgun while bowhunting or smallgame hunting with a .22 rifle. Oh well. :banghead:

 

[foghornl]

Best bet is to have a chat with your local "Game & Fish" guys.

Handgun hunting in Ohio (deer, etc) is minimum .357 cal, 5" or longer barrel. So, your compact 9MM is not allowed here.

The Ohio DNR (Game & Fish) have been busting CCW holders carrying shorter than 5" barreled handguns on G&F law violations. And even have busted some that had legal cal/length pistols because they were holstered under the require Blaze Orange jackets/vests/coveralls.

 

[Brian Williams]

Not only is it about the caliber of the gun but if it is centerfire or with a solid bullet. In PA you cannot have a centerfire or rimfire handgun or rifle in the woods during Shotgun only turkey season in the spring Game Wardens will take everything they can up to and including the vehicle you have, and I'm not sure if there is a rimfire only small game season.
PA Game Wardens can/will/have confiscated guns leaning up against a vehicle.