Archery Black Bear Hunting - If not from stand do you have rifle/pistol backup?

[River]

OK I been wondering about this.  Are there any archery bear hunters out there that don't shoot from a stand?  And maybe more important, do you have a rifle (friend) or pistol backup that you carry?  I was stalked for a while by a bear, last fall during the general rifle deer season, and I got to wondering how I would be feeling if all I had was a bow and 40cal H&K up on that ridge.

[Ray]

When I archery hunt bears I usually do not have anything but the stick bow and some arrows. Admittedly I am looking to take the smaller bears. However I feel fairly confident I would shoot at a bear up to 300lbs with the bow as long as the shot was correct. I do not hunt bears from a stand. I have only hunted from a stand twice and not for bears. There's nothing wrong with taking a pistol. What do you plan to do with it? If you shoot the bear and he charges you there will not be any time in most cases.

Here's a tip. Do not shoot bears with your bow on the ground which are aware of your presence. The element of surprise is very good when it is on your side.

[River]

Thanks Ray.  So have you ever been charged after the shot?  If so, what did you do?

[Ray]

Never been charged. I know some people on here have. I'd feel more comfortable with a knife ready instead of a pistol if it came down to it. I don't believe an archer has ever been eaten by a black bear. I really believe in that element of surprise more than anything else. Then the correct shot.

[westsideoutdoorsman]

I stay strapped 

[bow4elk]

I've shot two bears from the ground, both under 10 yards.  One charged before I shot 

[let.it.fly]

i hunt bear from the ground. have never been charged but i agree with ray, i would sooner have a nice knife ready then a pistol. knifes dont run out of ammo. without a knife i would grab another arrow from my quiver and use that, then a pistol. in that order

[Armadillo]

My Solution: I dont archery hunt for bears 

[Machias]

I shot a nice little brown bear once at about 9 feet, double lunged her.  She rolled around and growled and came up running right past me.  I could have slapped her on the butt as she ran by.  She had no idea I was there, she was just running to get away. 

[KillBilly]

I know this is going to start an argument but....

If you are hunting Deer or Elk with a archery tag, it is unlawful to use your pistol to kill a Bear. According to WDFW Enforcement, any claims of killing a big game animal in the name of protection with a handgun while hunting archery will be investigated rigorously.

I often hear the term back up weapon. A handgun is not intended as a back up for a bow or Muzzleloader. see the WAC below and

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/WAC/default.aspx?cite=232-12-054

WAC 232-12-054 Agency filings affecting this section
Archery requirements — Archery special use permits.
  
  (1) Rules pertaining to all archery:

     (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 if that person possesses a concealed pistol license as defined by RCW 9.41.070. Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during an archery, big game hunting season.

In addition WDFW is still considering this ruling and it could be pulled before 1 Sept. according to Enforcement

[Kain]

I have archery hunted for over twenty years.  I just recently started actively hunting bears.  I have never carried a sidearm because it was illegal but now that that is changed I will.  One of the greatest things about archery hunting is that you have to get close without being noticed.  The same would be true for bears.  Once you shoot them they should not really know where you are.  They might run in your direction but I dont think that you would have time to pull your pistol and drop one within archery range.  Just make your first shot count and you should be fine.  If you are going to hunt with a bow have confidence in your bow.  Pistols are for protection from animals you do not intend to hunt and the two legged scum that might be out there to cause you harm.

[BrandonWatts]

i am heading to long beach next weekend for bear. should be interesting the only thing is its bow only area so no rifle no pistol. might have my buddy bring his shotgun with some slugs just in case but if he doesnt and i do get charged i guess it is going to be a wrestling match with knifes.

[boneaddict]

I spot and stalk and I don't carry a handgun. 

[Kain]

i am heading to long beach next weekend for bear. should be interesting the only thing is its bow only area so no rifle no pistol. might have my buddy bring his shotgun with some slugs just in case but if he doesnt and i do get charged i guess it is going to be a wrestling match with knifes.

Are you sure you cant use a revolver?


http://wdfw.wa.gov/wlm/game/hunter/huntregs2009.pdf   page 67  firearm restricted areas.

Modern firearm tag holders may hunt
during modern firearm seasons with bows
and arrows, crossbows, muzzleloaders,
or revolver-type handguns meeting
equipment restrictions, or legal shotguns
firing slugs or buckshot.

[boneaddict]

I would imagine that it is a firearms restricted area, like shotgun only......

[Machias]

If I go bear hunting today or next month or Oct, I can carry a rifle, a muzzleloader, a handgun, and a bow.  I can use one or all four...legally since all four weapons are legal to harvest a bear.  

[Kain]

I would imagine that it is a firearms restricted area, like shotgun only......

Those are the rules for firearms restricted areas.  Some areas says specifically no pistols but if it is just a regular firearm restricted area you can use a revolver, shotgun, or muzzleloader.  I dont really see why a revolver is Ok but a semi auto or single shot pistol is not.     But Im not going to question it.

[KillBilly]

If I go bear hunting today or next month or Oct, I can carry a rifle, a muzzleloader, a handgun, and a bow.  I can use one or all four...legally since all four weapons are legal to harvest a bear.  

That would not be the case unless you are hunting Deer or Elk in an Archery season with an Archery tag. It is against the law to shoot any big game with your handgun unless it is expressly for protection. Shooting a bear with your bow would be legal but not with the pistol unless you are definatley protecting yourself.

Feel free to call enforcement at 360-902-2936, hit zero for enforcement.

We have these discussions to save someone the misery of being cited....

I cannot find any instances of an archery being attacked and eaten by a bear or cougar while archery hunting. Neither has the WDFW enforcement. Believe me they will investigate if you use your handgun for big game during an archery hunt.

[Machias]

Wrong my friend.  It is 100% legal to harvest a black bear with a pistol:  Page 62 of the Hunting Pamplet:

Modern Firearm Regulations
Rifles:
Big game, except cougar, must be hunted with
a minimum of 24 caliber (6mm) centerfire rifle.
Cougar may be hunted with 22 caliber centerfire
rifle. Rimfire rifles are not legal for big game.
Handguns:
Big game, except cougar, may be hunted with
handguns with a minimum barrel length of 4 inches
per manufacturers specification, and fire a minimum
24 caliber centerfire cartridge. Cougar may be
hunted with 22 caliber centerfire handgun. Rimfire
handguns are not legal for big game.

[BULLBLASTER]

I would imagine that it is a firearms restricted area, like shotgun only......

Those are the rules for firearms restricted areas.  Some areas says specifically no pistols but if it is just a regular firearm restricted area you can use a revolver, shotgun, or muzzleloader.  I dont really see why a revolver is Ok but a semi auto or single shot pistol is not.     But Im not going to question it.

the single shot pistol rule i think is because of guns like teh tc contender pistol that shoots rifle cartridges, but then again tehre are 45-70 revolvers and sw460 and 500 too. i dunno

[Machias]

Killbilly, You can legally hunt and harvest black bear with your pistol.  Whoever was telling you otherwise doesn't know the regulations...probably someone from the WDFW I imagine.

[KillBilly]

Killbilly, You can legally hunt and harvest black bear with your pistol.  Whoever was telling you otherwise doesn't know the regulations...probably someone from the WDFW I imagine.

Not if you are in an Archery season hunting deer or elk and carrying a bow.  Your handgun them becomes legal for protection only and would not be legal to shoot any big game.

No argument, if you go hunting bear with a handgun it is legal. In fact you can carry 4 weapons if you want.

If the topic was only about hunting Bear then I misunderstood.

[boneaddict]

I do believe they were referring to bear only. 

[Machias]

May I ask you a question?  If you are in pursuit of deer or elk with a bow and then you see a bear and decide to pursue it, are you still elk or deer hunting?  No you are now bear hunting.  They cannot enforce the law the way it was written.  It is perfectly legal to hunt bear during the archery season with a bow or a handgun.  In fact this arugument is bolstered by the fact the seperated the lion season into an archery, muzzleloader, modern firearm seasons.  They have done no such thing for bear.  In every instance in the game laws when you must stop pursuing a species, it is outlined in the book.  Another example, coon season with dogs is 1 Sep though Mar 15th, however you cannot use dogs during any modern firearm season for deer or elk.  There are NO such restrictions for bear.  The season opens 1 Sep and runs through Nov 15th and any legal weapon is allowed for the pursuit and harvest of bear.

[billythekidrock]

May I ask you a question?  If you are in pursuit of deer or elk with a bow and then you see a bear and decide to pursue it, are you still elk or deer hunting?

I don't know how to answer your question, but I can tell you that we have been told by state and federal enforcement that you can NOT carry pistol to bear hunt while archery hunting deer or elk.

They might not be able to prosecute, but I can guarantee you will be tied up in red tape.

[westsideoutdoorsman]

Get a CWP and you're good imo.