Bear questions.

[Kamo2112]

Guys I have a question. Can you hunt a bear with a rifle while archery season is open?? I've heard  yes and no? Any idea?

[wheels]

as far as i could tell yes

[ghosthunter]

Yes

[Timberstalker]

Absolutely.

[Kamo2112]

Thanks guys.

[RadSav]

As long as you do not have an archery deer or elk tag and a bow on you at the same time.

[tgomez]

Check the big game pamphlet, and call the local game department for yourself and ask. On things that can get you ticketed I wouldn't take anyone's advice, I would call and ask myself just to be 100% sure and safe. People lie and tell stories all the time. There are great hunters on here, but when it comes to laws, better to ask those who enforce the laws.

[Thehowler]

If I were to see a nice bear while I was out archery deer hunting and pulled my sidearm and shot the bear, would I have committed a crime?

[RadSav]

If I were to see a nice bear while I was out archery deer hunting and pulled my sidearm and shot the bear, would I have committed a crime?

Here is how stupid the rule is.  Or at least how stupid it reads:

If it were self defense - No!

If hunting that bear - Yes!

http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/105/Can+I+carry+a+modern+handgun+while+archery+or+muzzleloader+hunting%3F

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, Rad agree and I seem to remember a few years back you couldn't have a firearm at all if you had a bow or muzzy tag, even if it was with a CPL.

[Timberstalker]

If I were to see a nice bear while I was out archery deer hunting and pulled my sidearm and shot the bear, would I have committed a crime?

Here is how stupid the rule is.  Or at least how stupid it reads:

If it were self defense - No!

If hunting that bear - Yes!

http://wdfw.wa.gov/help/questions/105/Can+I+carry+a+modern+handgun+while+archery+or+muzzleloader+hunting%3F

This is grey at best. If the handgun has a 4" barrel and is .24 Caliber it's surely legal for a bear, even if you are archery hunting. I can pack a rifle and a bow at the same time; why can't I use that legal, modern pistol?

[RadSav]

This is grey at best. If the handgun has a 4" barrel and is .24 Caliber it's surely legal for a bear, even if you are archery hunting. I can pack a rifle and a bow at the same time; why can't I use that legal, modern pistol?

But according to the rules you can not pack a rifle and a bow at the same time if hunting deer and/or elk during an archery season.

Archery Regulations
1. Rules pertaining to all archery hunting
seasons:
a. New in 2015, mechanical broadheads
are legal to use for all archery hunting.
b.   It is unlawful for any person to carry or
have in his possession any firearm while in
the field archery hunting, during an archery
season specified for that area, except for
modern handguns carried for personal protection.
Modern handguns cannot be used
to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big
game during an archery, big game hunting
season.

[Timberstalker]

This is grey at best. If the handgun has a 4" barrel and is .24 Caliber it's surely legal for a bear, even if you are archery hunting. I can pack a rifle and a bow at the same time; why can't I use that legal, modern pistol?

But according to the rules you can not pack a rifle and a bow at the same time if hunting deer and/or elk during an archery season.

Archery Regulations
1. Rules pertaining to all archery hunting
seasons:
a. New in 2015, mechanical broadheads
are legal to use for all archery hunting.
b.   It is unlawful for any person to carry or
have in his possession any firearm while in
the field archery hunting, during an archery
season specified for that area, except for
modern handguns carried for personal protection.
Modern handguns cannot be used
to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big
game during an archery, big game hunting
season.

That's deer or elk, not bear, correct?

[Blacktail Sniper]

This is grey at best. If the handgun has a 4" barrel and is .24 Caliber it's surely legal for a bear, even if you are archery hunting. I can pack a rifle and a bow at the same time; why can't I use that legal, modern pistol?

But according to the rules you can not pack a rifle and a bow at the same time if hunting deer and/or elk during an archery season.

Archery Regulations
1. Rules pertaining to all archery hunting
seasons:
a. New in 2015, mechanical broadheads
are legal to use for all archery hunting.
b.   It is unlawful for any person to carry or
have in his possession any firearm while in
the field archery hunting, during an archery
season specified for that area, except for
modern handguns carried for personal protection.
Modern handguns cannot be used
to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big
game during an archery, big game hunting
season.

Looks pretty black & white there, leave the rifle behind and pack the bow or leave the bow and bear hunt with the rifle.

Shoot a bear with the pistol and if questioned, be ready to prove it was you or the bear!!

[RadSav]

If all you are doing is hunting bear you can take a handgun, muzzy, bow, kitchen sink and a rifle with you at the same time.  Bear is not considered and "Archery Season".  Just can't do it if you are hunting archery deer or elk.

At least that is the way I read it.