Taking a partner with a different tag/weapon

[konradcountry]

I was told by a WDFW employee that I could be written up for having a shotgun in the truck during archery. The officer could simply decide that I was in the area to hunt with a rifle even if I left it in the vehicle near camp. This employee told me to never take a rifle when archery hunting.

I suppose I could live with that but what if I am with someone that has a rifle for bear? Should I not take the friend in that situation?

I'm wondering if anyone has any experience in this area. This situation isn't defined in the regulations pamphlet and I don't want to end up fighting a ticket in court.

[Bob33]

It is officer discretion.

Most officers I know would not consider a firearm in a vehicle as sufficient evidence you were hunting with it, barring any other factors.

Having another hunter with you who has a firearm that you can't legally hunt with could be a little more questionable. Again, without other evidence I doubt most officers would be concerned.

[KFhunter]

We had some previous discussion on this topic (I didn't expect you to find it),  I grabbed it and repost here

Thanks.  Before WDFW adds more officers (if they ever do) I would like to see them utilize the people they have now.  A huge portion of WDFW officer's time is wasted on bs.  We (they) spend far too much time on work which has nothing to do with catching poachers.  That is one of my goals; to get WDFW back on track catching poachers, not working dope grows etc.

AMEN!!!!!

It's interesting to read some of the quotes in this thread where people complain about officers being suspicious of hunters.

Until poachers start wearing signs around their necks declaring "I'm a Poacher", how are officers expected to identify the lawbreakers without some suspicion?

The same way I did as a Police Officer for 20 years.  Everyone I made contact with was not a criminal, imagine if I treated all of them that way.  Body language, conversations with guys, not interrogations.....I see it in a lot of police officer today as well, the power has gone to their heads and they act more like everything out of their mouth is gospel and you and I are all dirtbags.  Most of the good wardens make plenty of arrest without being jerks to everyone they make contact with.

My "AMEN" was geared towards Wardens concentrating on game violations then DUI's, Domestics, traffic stops etc...  They are more involved in backing up other officers and doing normal LEO duties then Wildlife violations.  And with so few of them this really allows a lot of guys to get away with a lot of stuff.  They need our help, but I would like to see them focus back on what they were all originally hired for.  Protecting the states wildlife codes.

This is my number 1 problem with law enforcement. LE must remember that we as citizens when contacted are on the defensive.....we are NOT sure if this is going to be a friendly encounter, or the officer is on a crusade to write tickets......I am ALWAYS Leary, even if I know for sure I am doing nothing wrong...... Let me tell you that law enforcement may apply the same laws, but how,  and what they may write you for is officer to officer.....even worse prosecutor to prosecutor. AS A CITIZEN YOU ARE LITERALLY AT THE OFFICERS MERCY.....He can put you through hell with the swipe of his pen, and you have little if any recourse....except the expense of court, and your time. So, officers next time you see a guy/gal  nervous......it may be he/she is more worried about what he can't do about his current situation, rather than him/her doing anything wrong!

Ask Cenci if he would write you a ticket if you had a rifle/shotgun in the vehicle during archery....he told me to my face......yes. I think he is dead wrong! By the definition of hunt....being in a vehicle is not hunting....until you step out to encounter a animal/bird.(exception would be using a vehicle as a way to injure wildlife, or harass)  Never seen anyone ticketed for stalking elk in a park with bino's, and under the definition of "hunt" it would CLEARLY fall under harassment of a animal?? Wouldn't it?? (out of vehicle actively prosuing them)

Seems to me that LE should have a very clear message when they are enforcing the law, and should be the same officer to officer when asked a question on what's legal, and what's NOT!
I realize officers are NOT lawyers, but they should be able to tell you what every officer would write you a ticket for........without it being a guessing game for the public.


Bowbuild

I wouldn't more on this topic, the reg state:

Archery Regulations
1. Rules pertaining to all archery hunting
seasons:
a.   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.


So if you're in the truck, are you "in the field"?  I wouldn't think so 
Seems as soon as you step out of the truck you grab either the bow or the shotgun but NOT BOTH.


This law became screwed up soon as the state lost it's authority on disallowing archery hunters carrying a pistol.

[bobcat]

If it's in your vehicle, or in your camp, you're not hunting with it. So there's nothing illegal about having a rifle or shotgun in your vehicle, or in your camp. Or, in your house, same thing.

[Squidward]

if you aren't hunting archery, you can have what ever you want in the field. as long as your not a criminal.

[konradcountry]

But it sounds like if I was in the woods with a friend who was bear hunting with a rifle the officer could still write me a ticket even if the rifle wasn't technically in my possession.

That's a court date and major hassle even if the ticket was eventually waved.

I think what I will do is split up before the hunt. That way I am only near the rifle at camp.

[SteelheadTed]

I don't think any officer writes you up for hunting with the wrong weapon if it hasn't left your vehicle.  You have to be in the act of hunting.  Stories about what an officer *would* do are not the same as what an officer actually does.  If a rifle in your vehicle equals intent to hunt then some of ya'll have a lot of explaining to with regard to the contents of your glove box... 

[ghosthunter]

Well with back to back seasons now.

I load up my truck for a week of muzzy, and straight from there to modern deer.
All the nessary firearms are in my truck storage. Never ever had a agent even ask about other firearms.

So you are out bow hunting and run in to another hunter bear hunting with a rifle. You decide to walk out together.
Game agent comes along and tickets you?  I don't buy it.

I keep hearing about all these over zealous agents . In 50 years of hunting I have never met one. Everyone has been nice and easy going.

[jmscon]

So would an Wdfw enforcement officer write someone up for having a sidearm while now or muzzle loader hunting? I doubt it.

[Stein]

So would an Wdfw enforcement officer write someone up for having a sidearm while now or muzzle loader hunting? I doubt it.

No, you are allowed a pistol for personal protection (assuming it is legal for you to have one in your possession).

[jmscon]

So would an Wdfw enforcement officer write someone up for having a sidearm while now or muzzle loader hunting? I doubt it.

No, you are allowed a pistol for personal protection (assuming it is legal for you to have one in your possession).

Right, just can't dispatch an animal you have shot with the bow or muzzleloader with a hand gun.

But, people are also allowed to hunt coyotes with a rifle year round (with the proper license).

You might have some splainin to do but I doubt a person would get written up.

[Colville]

Better question.  Son or daughter (young but licensed) have bow tags, so they can hunt before school starts. Dad or Mom has a rifle tag but, sits a stand with the kid. Bear is OPEN for mom and dad by rifle, deer for kid by bow. Yes i see how people will cheat, but there's nothing illegal about sharing a stand and having different legal tags. But i think if you were stopped on the way to the car with a drad deer, you'd get a raft of $#=t.

[EmeraldBullet]

You'd hope the WDFW could tell the difference between a gunshot wound and an arrow provided the carcus. I understand dressing the animal could make it more difficult, but take a pic with your phone (with time and gps enabled on the microdata on the photo)....

[Skyvalhunter]

How did the original post get changed from shotgun to LEO making it a rifle. Grouse season opens the first of Sept when Archery is open.

[bobcat]

The original post mentioned both a shotgun and a rifle.