WDFW news release

[lamar_hunter]

They have to draw the line in the sand with regards to hunting weaponry. I agree with the rule of not permitting people to "finish off" critters with a weapon that is not legal for the season at hand. In this case something like a pistol in the archery season for example. It would otherwise leave the playing field open for abusing the system and poaching out of season to spread.

ya that is true. it just sucks that people have to ruin it for us.

[bearhunter59]

Hmmm, I read the paper alot, and watch the news alot, and I don't recall any articles or stories of a bowhunter or muzzleloader hunter that was attacked by an animal while hunting.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any stories about any of them getting attacked or mugged by tweekers while out in the woods either.  So your basic argument for the need to carry while your out there hunting seems pretty weak.

[Kain]

So someone has to die or have a news worthy attack before they need to change the rule?  Its about being prepared to protect yourself and take precautions.  I guess, to you, archery and MZL hunters are just second class citizens and dont deserve the same rights to protect themselves as everyone else.  Ridiculous.

[Kain]

I have never drown so I dont need to learn to swim.
My house has never burned down so I dont need smoke detectors.
My kid has never been kidnapped so I dont need to tell her about strangers.
My dog has never had rabies so he doesnt need shots.
And no archery or MZL hunter has ever been attacked, that bearhunter59 has ever read about, so they dont need handguns.

[Machias]

Hmmm, I read the paper alot, and watch the news alot, and I don't recall any articles or stories of a bowhunter or muzzleloader hunter that was attacked by an animal while hunting.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any stories about any of them getting attacked or mugged by tweekers while out in the woods either.  So your basic argument for the need to carry while your out there hunting seems pretty weak.

Another guy who does neither telling us how we should take care of ourselves.  Bearhunter49, you just like going back and forth trying to start a fight?  So my friend why does "arrow flingers" carrying a sidearm chap your ass so much?  Why do you even give a rats ass?

[bearhunter59]

Another guy who does neither telling us how we should take care of ourselves.  Bearhunter49, you just like going back and forth trying to start a fight?  So my friend why does "arrow flingers" carrying a sidearm chap your ass so much?  Why do you even give a rats ass?

First off, I'm not trying to "start a fight".  I just don't agree with bowhunters(excuse me if your offended by being referred to as an arrow flicker), or muzzleloaders (excuse me if you were offended by being referred to as a smokepole hunter, even though I hear many of you refer to each other that way) being allowed to carry a sidearm while out hunting.  So, I guess there are alot of people on here trying to start fights, including you, since not everyone agrees with everyone elses opinion, huh?
Secondly, I don't like the idea of letting you guys care sidearms, because I beleive there are many that given the first opportunity to use it to harvest or dispatch a wounded animal, will do just that.
And finally, as I said previously, this argument that you need it for protection is a big steaming pile of bull.  If your really that worried about being attacked by some tweeker or someone else while out there, then maybe you should take up knitting and stay at home.
I have nothing against bowhunters, and I have nothing against muzzleloader hunters.  I just beleive there are too many unethical ones out there that can't be trusted to play by the rules.  This just makes it too easy for them to get away with it.  I'm not saying you are one of them, so relax a little.

[Kain]

Keeping guns out of law abiding citizens hands because someone may use thiers to commit a crime?  Well that is exactly what the anti-gun crowd is trying to do to the whole country.  But I guess it is OK with you if it just a small minority of us.  *sigh*  I will still be behind you when it happens to you though. 

I would like to know if you think there are more unethical hunter in general or just in the MZL archery crowd?

"I have nothing against bowhunters, and I have nothing against muzzleloader hunters.  I just beleive there are too many unethical ones out there that can't be trusted to play by the rules."

[boneaddict]

Pretty good point Kain

[300rum]

Good job buddy!  You made the point yourself, I hope the light bulb went off.  There probably won't be any other stories in your newspaper in the future either, that is the reason for carrying in the first place regardless of if you are hunting or not.

Hmmm, I read the paper alot, and watch the news alot, and I don't recall any articles or stories of a bowhunter or muzzleloader hunter that was attacked by an animal while hunting.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any stories about any of them getting attacked or mugged by tweekers while out in the woods either.  So your basic argument for the need to carry while your out there hunting seems pretty weak.

[Machias]

Someone may drive drunk Friday night or Saturday night so no one is allowed to drive Fri & Sat night.  It's happened before and I'm sure it will happen again. Same mentality.  I would say way more animals are poached and violations happen with gun hunters then smokepole shooters and arrow flickers combined, so all you lead flingers are banned from even being in the woods.  See how absolutely silly that line of thinking is?  I wonder how the bowhunters in Montana and Idaho and Alaska...pretty much the rest of the fricken 50 states make do with allowing archers to decide if they want to use their 2nd Amendment Rights.  You do realize most western states have no such restriction.  I'm all for hammering lawbreakers irregardless of what weapon they carry.

Hey if I'm at home knitting do you mind if I have a sidearm for protection?  Or are you like the rest of the anti-gun crowd and want to disarm me there as well?

[Ray]

And finally, as I said previously, this argument that you need it for protection is a big steaming pile of bull

That's an opinion.

I believe it is a little bit arrogant to tell someone else how they should be able to defend themselves or that they are never in unsafe situations in the outdoors based upon your own experiences. I don't carry firearms when out during archery season for deer and elk. At the same time - I don't believe that there is a jutified necessity with any moral grounds regarding hunting or otherwise which should restrict my abilities to carry a handgun for personal reasons (whether I carry for personal protection or just to look cute).

From my perspective I would agree that most any animal except for a very large and angry bear would be defensible with a bow and arrows or other means. The principle of the matter is not to defend against the game animals. Onto the "unethical ones". Now it is my understanding and experience that there is an even spread of unethical hunters in any group of hunters. Whether that is rifles, bows or smoke poles. Why it has to even be called out or singled out like that is a little strange. That combined with the choice of language which were used I believe stirred the pot enough to get a rise out of people. It looks a little funny to say relax at this point.

[Kain]

I would agree that there is probably an equal percentage of bad apples in all groups of hunters.  I was just wondering if he meant it to sound like it was just archers and muzzleloaders.  I think Machias point was that total number is probably more for modern firearms because there are so many more of them. 

[bearhunter59]

Keeping guns out of law abiding citizens hands because someone may use thiers to commit a crime?  Well that is exactly what the anti-gun crowd is trying to do to the whole country.  But I guess it is OK with you if it just a small minority of us.  *sigh*  I will still be behind you when it happens to you though. 

I would like to know if you think there are more unethical hunter in general or just in the MZL archery crowd?

I think there are a lot of unethical hunters out there...bow...muzzle...and modern.  Difference is a handgun is or can be, depending on the caliber, a legal weapon for a modern firearms hunter to hunt and dispatch game with.

As for "keeping guns out of law-abiding citizens hands...", it happens all the time.  Can you walk into a bar or government building with your gun strapped to your side, or even concealed?  NO!  So what's the diff?  Fact is, you are more likely to need to use it at one of those locations, than out in the woods. 

Fact is, a sidearm on a bowhunter or muzzleloader has more likelyhood of being used illegally by the unethical hunter, than ever being needed for "protection" by the ethical hunter.  WDFW could provide many, many incidents of a firearm being used illegally by a bowhunter or muzzleloader, but not one person has yet to provide even once incident where a bowhunter or muzzleloader hunter not carrying a sidearm was harmed by an animal or person while out hunting.  So as has been said on here many times before, it's the few bad apples that have ruined it for you guys.  So, don't blame the modern firearms guys...blame your own group.  That's where the fault and blame lies...

[Intruder]

Hmmm, I read the paper alot, and watch the news alot, and I don't recall any articles or stories of a bowhunter or muzzleloader hunter that was attacked by an animal while hunting.  Come to think of it, I don't recall seeing any stories about any of them getting attacked or mugged by tweekers while out in the woods either.  So your basic argument for the need to carry while your out there hunting seems pretty weak.

How bout this story: http://www.foxnews.com/story/0,2933,300513,00.html

Kinda makes your argument seem pretty weak.

[Bob33]

It happens.

http://opencarry.mywowbb.com/forum34/18220.html

I'm OK with anyone that has a legal right to carry a handgun, having one.  If it is used for an illegal purpose, the law should provide appropriate consequences.