WDFW news release

[Kain]

I blame the criminals and the rest of us that put up with having our rights taken away because of them.  At least put up a fight or just accept that it will happen to you eventually and you wont have anyone left to back you up.

[300rum]

I never carried when bowhunting and probably won't except for early season, when I take my daughter, 3yo.  I was out last year with her in early September and it is just a differnet time in the woods when compared to November, more people, more activity, still growing season, etc.  Same thing in the Mall I go to the mall on a weekday and may not be carrying but you can be in December I will.

One other thing, I think that it will be fun to thin out a few coyotes in the late season.  Once I watched as a coyote stalked, snuck up and chased a doe for about a quarter mile, I won't mind evening things up a bit.  

[300rum]

I'm telling you, you have to put down the NY times and turn off CNN!   

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.

[bearhunter59]

Thats funny...you had to go out of state to find one incident....and that makes my argument weak.... ...that's funny....the argument was about this states laws...so let's see if you can find one in this state....we're not talking Alaska or Montana here...we're talking Washington state.  Guarantee the WDFW could provide a hellovalot more incidence of handguns being used illegally by bowhunters and muzzleloader hunters, than just one.....from some other state..... .....your funny.

[Kain]

http://today.msnbc.msn.com/id/20870622/

Not that I think it should matter but here you go.

[Kain]

Or maybe you just want to protect your horse if you happen to be hunting off one.

http://www.propertyrightsresearch.org/2005/articles03/cougar_attacks_pregnant_mare.htm

[Kain]

or
http://www.cougarinfo.org/attacks2.htm

[Kain]

or
http://wdfw.wa.gov/do/newreal/release.php?id=aug2599c

http://www.kingsoutdoorworld.com/feature/cougar-attack03.shtml

http://www.igorilla.com/gorilla/animal/cougar_attacks_increasing.html

[Kain]

or you accidentally stumble on one of these when the tweeker is home.

http://abcnews.go.com/US/Story?id=93314&page=1

[Kain]

You might just surprise a moose and it decides to fight instead of run.


http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/diversty/living/moose.htm

People and Moose

Most people seem to like moose because they're so different. They don't spook or shy away from us as readily as deer, appearing more docile or even curious. But something to remember about moose is that anything that big can be potentially dangerous.

Actually moose, like any wild animal, can feel threatened by and fearful of people. Although with their long legs they could outrun us, they are not built for speed like deer and will often choose "fight" over "flight" to escape a situation. A charging moose often kicks forward with its front feet, knocking down the threat, then stomping and kicking with all four feet. Antlered bulls can use their racks just as lethally.

Moose can be aggressive any time, but at these times in particular:

In late spring, early summer when a cow feels her very young calf is in danger
In the fall when a breeding bull is competitive and agitated
In the winter when they are hungry and tired from walking in deep snow
Anytime dogs chase or just bark at them
Anytime people approach them too closely
Since that nearly covers the calendar year and more, what do you do when you see a moose?

[Kain]

Hard to fire a warning shot with a bow.  And you wouldnt want to risk it with a MZl either.

[Machias]

For your reading enjoyment, this just happens to be lions, this does not include all the other things/reason why a sidearm might come in handy.  This listing also does not include CA, they have their own stats.

http://tchester.org/sgm/lists/lion_attacks_nonca.html

[Machias]

Universal distress, three shots in the air.  I flung three arrows into the air and no one ever came running.   

[Machias]

I'm finished with this topic and bearhunter.  Hey bearhunter I'll be the panzy hunting this fall with my longbow and a sidearm strapped to my side and NO CPL.  Of course I'll be hunting next door in ID so you don't have to worry about me losing my ethics.

[Kain]

I think the case can be made that there might be a need for protection in the woods no matter how unlikely an attack might be.  Now they have already changed the rule allowing us to carry as long as we have CPL.  A CPL requires you to be 21 years old.  That means that hunters under the age of 21 cannot carry a sidearm for protection.  I have a problem with this more than I have a problem with them  requiring a CPL to carry openly.  
If you dont like it either please just send a letter.