Is it ok to carry a pistol when hunting?

[hobbeeman]

I am thoroughly confused!! I want to carry a sidearm while I am out hunting with a rifle or shotgun. I do not yet have my CCW. I have been told that open carry is not legal, and that I cannot carry concealed without a permit :banghead: Does this mean that I can only carry a pistol if I have it in my hand ready to fire?

 

[twolf]

Call your AG or Department of Public Safety

I just read the following "There is no open carry in Texas" and also this, "Anyone who can legally possess a firearm and is traveling can carry it inside a motor vehicle. The firearm can be loaded and must be concealed. If it is in view it is a violation of the law. Law becomes effective 9/1/05. "

I would write your Attorney General,

or the Department of Public safety.

Hope this helps.

 

[rwc]

Depends upon TX (or which ever state you plan to hunt in) hunting regs. Here in WA I believe sidearms have to conform to the season/method of hunt. I.e. - no firearms when bowhunting, blackpowder only durring muzzleloader season, and anything legal during firearm season. I've no idea if this is common.

Check the regs. Far bettter to make a phone call than risk losing your privileges.

 

[sumpnz]

Is it OK? - Far as I'm concerned, yes. Your state may say otherwise, and I believe TX will slap your pee-pee for doing so. In AZ they couldn't care less, even if you're not hunting.

 

[Art Eatman]

As long as you're on private land, you can carry in an open holster while hunting in Texas. The handgun need not be your primary hunting weapon. The only thing you need in the way of paperwork is a hunting license.

No problem with the handgun in your vehicle while travelling between your residence and your hunting land, CHL or no CHL.

Art

 

[Byron Quick]

In Georgia, you can carry while hunting or fishing, with the proper license, while going to the activity, engaging in the activity, and returning from the activity. I'm fairly sure that this covers concealed carry, also, but not certain. Also, WMA's have their own regulations.

 

[Lennyjoe]

I do all the time. When I was stationed in Georgia, you almost had to have a sidearm with snake shot. Especially the swampy area's that I hunted.

Here in Az, I also carry a sidearm when out in the bush. Everyone I hunt with does. There are a couple of main reasons why I carry a sidearm. First and foremost, the rattlesnakes. I got rattled at twice last weekend while out bowhunting. Second, we hunt in areas that are very close to the border with Mexico. One area is 500yds from the border. There are suspect individuals roaming the desert and I want more than a shotgun in my hand.

Check your state laws and be sure you know them before heading out to the field.

 

[Northslope Nimrod]

FYI..... In Utah I can open carry all day long while hunting. However, if you are muzzleloading or archery hunting you cannot. BUT...simply get a concealed carry permit and your back packing again....EVEN IF you're bow hunting or muzzleloading. I have a permit....so I always carry. I would be suprised if you couldn't open carry while in the mountains. Everyone is openly carrying their rifles....right? Utah does not distinguish between rifles or handguns on that issue.

 

[Matt G]

No problem with the handgun in your vehicle while travelling between your residence and your hunting land, CHL or no CHL.

Don't forget, Art-- As of Sept 1 of this year, people in Texas (who are not specifically constrained from possessing firearms) may carry in their vehicle anytime, now that the "traveling" exemption has been defined by the legislature as:

(i) For purposes of Subsection (b)(3), a person is presumed to be traveling if the person is:
(1) in a private motor vehicle;
(2) not otherwise engaged in criminal activity, other than a Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance regulating traffic;
(3) not otherwise prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;
(4) not a member of a criminal street gang, as defined by Section 71.01; and
(5) not carrying a handgun in plain view.

Carrying a pistol while engaged in lawful hunting is okay. It's okay while bowhunting (out of firearms season), only if you have a concealed handgun license:

(from the Texas Hunting Annual. )

It is of course legal to carry a handgun while hunting during firearms season, as it is legal to hunt with them:

 

[Dr.Rob]

Thank goodness I live in an open carry state.

 

[PaulDaisy]

I like the way CO handles this (I hope nobody catches it and pulls the plug) - concealed carry is allowed while hunting, handguns are Ok for small game, and coyote season is open year round. Connect these and you are Ok with a concealed handgun if you have a small game license (not in the middle of Denver, mind you .

-P

 

[Dr.Rob]

UNTRUE Paul... carry a handgun (for the purpose of defense etc) is allowed as long as it is NOT concealed... re-read your regs.

 

[hobbeeman]

Matt, So when carrying a pistol while hunting in Texas, do we open holster or conceal holster? Remember, I do not yet have a CCW.

 

[PaulDaisy]

Dr. Rob, I thought I did... take a look, page 7, paragraph 2 at the top: "Shall not be considered Concealed ... 2. The handgun [is] in the possession of a person who is legally engaged in hunting activities within the state of Colorado." - Colorado State Code.
(http://www.weldsheriff.com/CSOC_CCW_APPLICATION.pdf)

-P

 

[Art Eatman]

hobbeeman, I don't ever recall any prohibition of whatever sort against open carry on your own property or "property under your control". This latter can mean inside a building where you are a manager, for instance--and is the circumstance for an armed security guard within a business. It also includes your ranch or a ranch where you lease the hunting or recreation rights.

Art

 

[hobbeeman]

We are hunting with the Texas public land use permit, for the WMA's and the like. So, there will be other folks we don't know hunting on these properties too.

 

[macavada]

Each WMA has its own rules on what's allowed on the property. Also, they usually have a contact name, so you can call and ask if it seems unclear.

 

[Matt G]

There's no reference to whether the pistol need be open or concealed when hunting. Do that which is needful.

Rob, you can keep your open-carry state! While I was elk hunting up there in the snow, I wanted my pistol out of the weather!

(That said, I will be back. I don't demand a bull-- a cow for the meat would be great, too. But I want to bag an elk, and CO has more elk than anyone...)

 

[The Jackal]

God bless Arizona, my home! Open carry all ya want here. You can bet there would be a riot if they tried to get rid of open carry too.

 

[killzone]

u Gotta have it!

I like having my pistol with me at all times. so....I take it to the field with me too, Never even looked in to it weather I could have it or not. Well it turned out to be Ok to have it anyway.

 

[Brian Williams]

You can not do it during certain seasond in PA due to no centerfire handguns or rifles alowed in the woods during that season, one I think of is spring turkey.

 

[Mannlicher]

It is perfectly ok down here in Florida to carry your handgun when hunting. I have always just strapped it on when I got dressed.

 

[20cows]

hobbeeman, it is legal to take a deer with a center-fire handgun, therefore it is legal to carry one while engaged in that legal activity. (It's like a knife with a 6" blade is classified as a prohibited weapon walking down the street, but it's okay to have hunting knife that big, if you're deer hunting and going to use to field dress a deer).

If you are hunting critters like dove where only a shotgun is legal, a handgun is still okay, because there is no prohibition to hunting rabbits, coyotes, etc. and dove at the same time.

The only exception is during archery season, where possession of a firearm is specifically prohibitted.

 

[hobbeeman]

20Cows,
So do I carry open or concealed while dove hunting?

 

[20cows]

If you are out where it is legal to to shoot the shotgun and you have permission to be there, carry it openly.