Carrying a modern firearm while muzzle loader hunting

[Hot Lunch]

L

[KFhunter]

Ran into a suspicious situation. Two hunters one carrying a muzzle loader and one carrying a modern rifle hunting together. I'm not going to go into specifics as a game warden was called to look into what happened. My question to the forum, is this legal? The only open season for deer in this unit for muzzie, the modern carrying hunter claimed he was coyote hunting.

It's perfectly legal to coyote hunt during muzzle loader season, and bear too, and lions, and possibly it was open to a special hunt too. 

Nor is there any rules stating that you must stay "100 yards" from anyone hunting with a muzzle loader 

[oldschool]

 The partner with the modern firearm is so they can scope th
e nosey hunters

[kselkhunter]

Yes it's legal.  Some of us go out hunting specifically for predators regardless of what other seasons are open. 


Unless I'm hunting an alternate weapon season, I always have a rifle on me in the woods.  Even if I'm just joining friends on their hunt.   Every year I join my buddies on their archery hunts to enjoy spending time with my friends and I always pack my rifle, in case I can fill a bear or cougar tag or reduce the coyote population.     
   

Don't assume somebody is breaking the law because they're packing a rifle....

[Bob33]

There is an issue to consider during modern deer and elk seasons but not muzzleloader.

(1) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife during any modern firearm deer or elk season with any firearm 240 caliber or larger, or containing slugs or buckshot, unless the hunter has a valid license, permits and tags for modern firearm deer or elk seasons are in his or her possession.

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-413-060

[kselkhunter]

There is an issue to consider during modern deer and elk seasons but not muzzleloader.

(1) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife during any modern firearm deer or elk season with any firearm 240 caliber or larger, or containing slugs or buckshot, unless the hunter has a valid license, permits and tags for modern firearm deer or elk seasons are in his or her possession.

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-413-060

Unless you're hunting bear, cougar, turkey, or mountain sheep/goat..... (although the turkey inclusion is amusing as you can't hunt turkey with 24 or larger caliber or buckshot/slugs.....)

(a) This subsection does not apply to people hunting bear, cougar, mountain goat, mountain sheep, or turkey.

[Jellymon]

 

[duckmen1]

So guilty of carrying a firearm in the woods. I guess we are all poachers.

[zwickeyman]

Without the regs in front of me. Im pretty sure you cant carry a centerfire of a caliber of 24 or higher during any late archery or muzzy season. Which is why I coyote hunt with a 22-250.

[Bob33]

Without the regs in front of me. Im pretty sure you cant carry a centerfire of a caliber of 24 or higher during any late archery or muzzy season. Which is why I coyote hunt with a 22-250.

That condition only applies to modern firearm deer or elk seasons.

[MADMAX]

Someone will eventually blame Trump

[jackelope]

Without the regs in front of me. Im pretty sure you cant carry a centerfire of a caliber of 24 or higher during any late archery or muzzy season. Which is why I coyote hunt with a 22-250.

Inaccurate info.

[Boss .300 winmag]

There is an issue to consider during modern deer and elk seasons but not muzzleloader.

(1) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife during any modern firearm deer or elk season with any firearm 240 caliber or larger, or containing slugs or buckshot, unless the hunter has a valid license, permits and tags for modern firearm deer or elk seasons are in his or her possession.

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-413-060

And it’s a dumb law.

[jackelope]

So why was the game warden called?

[Naches Sportsman]

Just because you see a person carrying a rifle while hunting with another person doesn't make them a criminal.