Curious. Who Packs a Handgun While Hunting?

[dfresh96]

I thought you could carry a sidearm for any outdoor activity for protection. but I could be wrong..

(a) It is unlawful for any person to carry or have in his possession any firearm while archery hunting in the field 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 this is a bit tricky  since bear and cougar season overlap with archery.
Does this mean that I cannot hunt bear with rifle in archery elk or deer. I saw a couple of nice bear during elk season. Would I need to leave my bow at camp and head out for bear with rifle or pistol during archery deer or elk?
And to answer the original thread., I carry my 9mm S&W.

As I interpret this language, it would not be legal to shoot a bear or cougar with your handgun while archery hunting, unless in self defense.  If that situation arose, you would have to call it in to F&W LE as a defensive shooting, it would be the responding LEO's discretion whether you are permitted to tag and take possession of it.

I know this one.

Bear and cougar are legal with ANY LEGAL WEAPON.  You do not buy a weapon specific tag so any legal weapon is totally legal.

I started hunting bear and this really confused me.  People on huntwa assured me I could rifle/handgun hunt bear during deer elk archery.  Conversations with wdfw officials confirmed this for me.

I am way less worried about legal weapons than I am property boundaries and feel free vs written permission vs all the other crazy stuff.

So, if I have an archery elk tag , during archery season, you're saying that I can carry rifle or pistol for bear or cougar and not be violating law?

It is absolutely legal to hunt bear or cougar with a firearm or any other legal weapon during the entire open season.  However, if you are archery hunting in the field for deer or elk during archery season for those species, you can't legally harvest big game, including bear or cougar, with your handgun.  If you are archery hunting in the field for deer or elk during archery season for those species, you cannot carry a rifle.

So would it be legal to hunt small game (grouse & rabbit) with a handgun while archery hunting deer or elk?

[hogslayer]

I have hunted with guys that would not enter the woods without a hand gun.  I mostly do 5-7 day elk hunts where i am pretty far back.  I agree that people are the most dangerous thing you can run into in the woods.  But to me there is no difference to walking around in the woods to walking around town.  You have a better chance choking on your food at camp, having a heart attack, or getting in a car reck on your way home.    I do think i would carry mase or a handgun if i was in Grizzly country.  There have been times where i wished i had a gun on me.  But even if i did, i wouldn't of had to use it.  I can see both sides.  I think it's mostly makes people feel safe for the just incase.

[skeeter 20i]

I have hunted with guys that would not enter the woods without a hand gun.  I mostly do 5-7 day elk hunts where i am pretty far back.  I agree that people are the most dangerous thing you can run into in the woods.  But to me there is no difference to walking around in the woods to walking around town.  You have a better chance choking on your food at camp, having a heart attack, or getting in a car reck on your way home.    I do think i would carry mase or a handgun if i was in Grizzly country.  There have been times where i wished i had a gun on me.  But even if i did, i wouldn't of had to use it.  I can see both sides.  I think it's mostly makes people feel safe for the just incase.

I believe that some feel more emboldened to try to get away with things when they are away from "civilization". 

Ever been out on a hike and stumble into a grow?  How about a car with a couple of junkies that drove off the road standing in the middle of the road as you're trying to drive back to camp at night with no cell service?  Been there.  Yes I like to "feel safe" just incase.

Wasn't there someone on here that had a run in with the AB up in the hills a year or so ago?  Couldn't find the post but I thought I read that once.

[DOUBLELUNG]

Claude Dallas agrees with me.

Claude Dallas is a despicable murderer POS.  Not cool.

[kellama2001]

I always carry my XD40 while hunting (and everywhere else for that matter...my town is full of junkies) as 90% of my hunting is done solo. 

[Eric M]

Claude Dallas agrees with me.

Claude Dallas is a despicable murderer POS.  Not cool.

He packed a handgun while hunting. I'm not vouching for his character.

[Browndawg]

I do during archery. But during rifle I just carry the rifle. I carry because there are big cats in the woods that can eat me. And I'm more of a dog lover.

[tgomez]

I pack a Glock 21 Gen2 .45 for personal protection from wolves, bears, cougars, as well as from weirdos in the woods.  I also shoot grouse with my 45 if the opportunity presents itself. I carry a 13 round magazine and a extra 10 round magazine.

[nicz]

I always have either the Taurus Judge in 45/410 or the Magnum Research BFR in 45/410 with me. You never know. I had a bear within 10 ft while I was installing my game cameras during the summer. Fortunately he decided to run back......

[brokemillwright]

g26 or g19 is what I have strapped to the belly band of my hunting pack

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[CAMPMEAT]

I don't care and carry wherever I want. It's my right, period.

[Stumps]

My rifle is for animals, my pistol is for humans. Glock 19 most days. I do not go looking for trouble, but getting back to the truck after dark I like to be prepared. 300 win mag is an awesome cartridge, but if you encounter 3 day guys back at the truck a bolt action rifle leaves you wishing you had something a little quicker.

[SureThing]

I never seen the need to pack a pistol. I’m certainly not afraid of four or two legged critters.
As far as seeing a bear or cougar during archery elk or deer season, i can’t understand why someone would want to get a rifle to shoot either. I shoot archery Cause i can’t get the same rush from triggering a animal with a gun. As far as i’m concerned there is nothing quite like trying to put a stalk on a bear or cougar with a sharp pointy stick.
The only reason you shoot small game with a pistol when you archery hunt is because you can’t shoot worth a turd. 

[Stalkin Prey]

As far as carrying anywhere, it's about making sure I'm home for my family. It's not for show, intimidating or any other reason. It's for anything that brings the question, my life or theirs. 2 legged, 4 legged, no legged.


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[brew]

curious---who doesn't ?