Bowhunters who carry concealed

[diesel737]

For those of you who pack during season, what holster, or where do you feel is the best holster position for you?  I know we tend to carry a lot of gear already(pack, binos, etc.), just curious as I want to pack this year.

Thanks!

[turkeyfeather]

I carry concealed when I'm not hunting. When I am hunting it's right out in the open. I use a soft uncle mikes tactical holster attached to the hip strap of my pack.

[diesel737]

I should have phrased that differently.  When carrying while hunting, what kind of holster, or where on your body/gear do you have it?
I know they require the concealed permit, maybe that was what I was thinking.  Yes, I agree, it should be in the open if you're gonna carry it.
Thanks

[turkeyfeather]

I was just messing with you. I figured thats what you meant. However you do not have to have a conceal permit to carry while hunting.

[jackelope]

No concealed permit required. No permit required at all to carry while bowhunting.

I usually carry cross draw in a Blackhawk Serpa attached to the molle web on the waist belt of my pack.  Sometimes I carry strong side in the same rig.

[10thmountainarcher]

I carry with an uncle mikes iwb holster.  Im not an open carry guy, I prefer to have the element of surprise in everyday life so I don't own any holsters. Also when crawlin through the thick stuff if its on the outside its jus one more thing to catch.

[diesel737]

OK, I just checked the regs, and you are right.  No Permit.

I remember when they changed the rule, 3-4 years ago, allowing archers to carry, and I swear that the permit was required that year.  Perhaps it was changed for the better, maybe realizing that most would not be concealed.

Anyways, thanks for correcting me, and the info.  Keep it coming!

[724wd]

i usually carry my .357 4" weak side backpack waist belt while hunting (rifle hunting - don't want my rifle rubbing my pistol while shoulder carrying the rifle).  i leave it in that position while bowhunting because i'm lazy and don't want to move my holster.   

[lostbackpacker]

i put mine on my pack... on the side .  i have seen other people that use chest holsters also

[vandeman17]

I had used a military style thigh holster when I carried my ruger 9mm. I am buying a smaller sidearm today for the upcoming season so we will see how I decide to carry that. I would like to be able to hook it to my pack but also wouldn't mind going with the thigh holster again.

[724wd]

the thing about carrying CONCEALED while bowhunting is... why?  strap it on for easy access!   

[MtnMuley]

Once you've had an honest face to face with a huge grizzly, I GUARANTEE you money isn't an option on gun or holster, and I PROMISE it will be located where you will be able to draw it as fast as you can without any limitations.

[bowhunter74]

+1 on the Blackhawk Serpa holster.  I carry my Glock 29 10mm in one either with the paddle tucked in over my packs waistbelt at the 2 o'clock postition or on a belt at the 3 o'clock postition.  It depends on what kind of gear I'm carrying and how many layers of clothes I have on at the time.  One reason I like to have the paddle option is when I want to drop my pack to sneak in on a stalk, I can quickly slip the holster off my pack and slip it in my waistband without much movement or noise.  Also with the Serpa holster you never have to worry about your gun falling out when it snags on brush or when taking your pack off.

[docsven]

Uncle Mike's IWB holster, weak side.

[Kain]

Uncle Mikes shoulder holster for my 44 mag.  I forget it is even there.  Tried carrying it on my hip but at over 5 pounds I almost left it in the woods after a day of hiking. 


This is not during archery season but the same holster and position.  Easy access but not in the way of anything.

[vandeman17]

My biggest thing is if I carry it on my belt, then the waist strap for my pack hits it and makes it not comfortable. If I put it on my pack then that works until I take my pack off for a stalk. I am going to have to go with trial and error and see what works the best for me

[bowhunter74]

My biggest thing is if I carry it on my belt, then the waist strap for my pack hits it and makes it not comfortable. If I put it on my pack then that works until I take my pack off for a stalk. I am going to have to go with trial and error and see what works the best for me

That's the reason I use the Serpa paddle holster.  Easy to transfer from pack to waistband/belt.

[Snipe]

I use a cheap nylon shoulder holster dropped down a little so as not to interfere with bow release, its secure and gives quick access.

[wonder]

Bought my holster from Wholesale Sports in Birlington before they went under last year.  I believe it was a Mike's Holster.  Wear it on the strong side on my belt so where ever I go it goes, simple.  Seems to stay out of the way and doesn't seem to bother me when drawing back to shoot.  Hope this helps.

[biggfish]

I plan to carry my single action army in an uncle mikes nylon field holster on a gun belt.

[docsven]

I carry opposite because I prefer to have my knife on my right and accessible.

[TripleB]

Correct me if im wrong or if rules has changed. The legal services office with the WDFW (lori preuss) once told me you do not have to have a CPL to conceal while your hunting.

[Kain]

Correct me if im wrong or if rules has changed. The legal services office with the WDFW (lori preuss) once told me you do not have to have a CPL to conceal while your hunting.

Correct. There is an exception in the concealed carry law that exempts people from engaging in legal outdoor activities from needed a CPL.

RCW 9.41.060
Exceptions to restrictions on carrying firearms.

The provisions of RCW 9.41.050 shall not apply to:

     (1) Marshals, sheriffs, prison or jail wardens or their deputies, correctional personnel and community corrections officers as long as they are employed as such who have completed government-sponsored law enforcement firearms training and have been subject to a check through the national instant criminal background check system or an equivalent background check within the past five years, or other law enforcement officers of this state or another state. Correctional personnel and community corrections officers seeking the waiver provided for by this section are required to pay for any background check that is needed in order to exercise the waiver;

     (2) Members of the armed forces of the United States or of the national guard or organized reserves, when on duty;

     (3) Officers or employees of the United States duly authorized to carry a concealed pistol;

     (4) Any person engaged in the business of manufacturing, repairing, or dealing in firearms, or the agent or representative of the person, if possessing, using, or carrying a pistol in the usual or ordinary course of the business;

     (5) Regularly enrolled members of any organization duly authorized to purchase or receive pistols from the United States or from this state;

     (6) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of target shooting, when those members are at or are going to or from their places of target practice;

     (7) Regularly enrolled members of clubs organized for the purpose of modern and antique firearm collecting, when those members are at or are going to or from their collector's gun shows and exhibits;

    ( 8 ) Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;

     (9) Any person while carrying a pistol unloaded and in a closed opaque case or secure wrapper; or

     (10) Law enforcement officers retired for service or physical disabilities, except for those law enforcement officers retired because of mental or stress-related disabilities. This subsection applies only to a retired officer who has: (a) Obtained documentation from a law enforcement agency within Washington state from which he or she retired that is signed by the agency's chief law enforcement officer and that states that the retired officer was retired for service or physical disability; and (b) not been convicted or found not guilty by reason of insanity of a crime making him or her ineligible for a concealed pistol license.


[2011 c 221 § 1; 2005 c 453 § 3; 1998 c 253 § 2; 1996 c 295 § 5; 1995 c 392 § 1; 1994 sp.s. c 7 § 406; 1961 c 124 § 5; 1935 c 172 § 6; RRS § 2516-6.]

[FANATIC]

I carry concealed when I'm not hunting. When I am hunting it's right out in the open. I use a soft uncle mikes tactical holster attached to the hip strap of my pack.

This is my exact set up. Easy access.