Sooo??? Legal or not?

[shootemup]

Yea I just e-mailed the WDFW on this very issue the other day. I have a Muzzleloader deer tag but I would rather use my bow as I hunt the NE corner. According to the official who e-mailed me back, you cannot hunt with a bow during a muzzleloader season while holding a muzzleloader tag....this doesn't make sense to me at all. If people want to put themselves at a disadvantage why shouldn't they be able to? Oh well, thats just one of the many rules that this state has adopted that is completely rediculous in my opinion.

buy an archery tag then

[bowtech721]

Ya i have the multi season too and it doesnt really make sense to me... i mean i wouldnt use it in modern but i dont have a muzzy so unless i talk a buddy into borrowing one im outta luck i guess. Kinda sucks

[bow4elk]

I have a rifle tag for deer and will be hunting with my bow - yes, it's legal.

I like Alaska because while you can use any weapon you can use a higher value tag on a lesser animal, ie. Moose tag on a caribou, etc.  (disclaimer: be sure to check current regulations first!)

[MtnMuley]

We discussed this issue with a warden this past weekend.  We specifically talked about having a multi season tag and hunting during muzzleloader and rifle season with a bow.  He said absoutely, as long as it's a lesser weapon of the open season.

[Austrian Hunter]

We discussed this issue with a warden this past weekend.  We specifically talked about having a multi season tag and hunting during muzzleloader and rifle season with a bow.  He said absoutely, as long as it's a lesser weapon of the open season.

  that's exactly right! 

[h2ofowlr]

We should also emphasize that you can only kill the one deer, unless you drew the second doe permit.  Hope you weren't planning on killing one with each weapon.   

[NWBREW]

Machias,

I have no idea what ur talking about!

Treestands are a waste of time and have no business in the state of WA!!

That's what I thought untill I killed the biggest buck I ever have in WA. in a treestand.  Big 5x5 whitetail

[NWBREW]

Here's one for you....If you have a modern firearm tag and shoot a big buck with your bow during Modern firearm season ( which is legal from what I've read in the regs. ), if it scores high enough to make the WA. record book would it go under bow for the type of weapon or rifle for the tag? In other words would it have to score 125" to make it or 130" ( whitetail for instance ). Just curious.

[SHANE(WA)]

its different in LE units when u draw, I drew a muzzy elk and was told i could use my bow, by spokane office and the game warden on the unit

[BLKBEARKLR]

I have talked to some of the officiala at the Olympia office, I was told it is ILLEGAL to hunt with bow during Muzzleloader season, but is LEGAL to use bow during modern rifle. It is pretty much black and white in the regs what you can do and what you can't do.

So guess I am just going to have to wait for the grand finally and see how much the tickets are for those that break the rules...

And if you ask one game warden what the rules are they tel lyou one thing, ask the next one and they tell you the complete opposite.

If you don't believe that then Call a couple of different regions and ask the exact same question

[passing-thru]

Machias,

I have no idea what ur talking about!

Treestands are a waste of time and have no business in the state of WA!!

Maybe you just dont know how to use a tree stand. Iv taken both Elk and Deer from a tree stand in WA. Does require some pre planing and thought though

[mossback91]

Here's one for you....If you have a modern firearm tag and shoot a big buck with your bow during Modern firearm season ( which is legal from what I've read in the regs. ), if it scores high enough to make the WA. record book would it go under bow for the type of weapon or rifle for the tag? In other words would it have to score 125" to make it or 130" ( whitetail for instance ). Just curious.

im not sure but i think it goes under bow i think boneaddict would know since he usually hunts the rifle season with his bow

[boneaddict]

Its still Pope and Young.  Its the method used to obtain the animal.

[Bob33]

I would say it is illegal to hunt with a bow in muzzeloader season, but legal in rifle season.

Modern firearm deer: Hunting Method:
Modern firearm deer tag hunters
may use rifle, handgun, shotgun,
archery, or muzzleloader during
modern firearm seasons. Hunting
equipment must meet equipment
regulations on page 62.


Muzzleloader deer: Hunting Method:
Muzzleloader only. Muzzleloader
tag holders can only hunt during
muzzleloader seasons and must
hunt with muzzleloader equipment.
Muzzleloading equipment must meet
regulations on page 62.

I have some contacts in WDFW and will try to confirm.

[jackelope]

Muzzleloader deer: Hunting Method:
Muzzleloader only. Muzzleloader
tag holders can only hunt during
muzzleloader seasons and must
hunt with muzzleloader equipment.
Muzzleloading equipment must meet
regulations on page 62.

I don't know where the mystery lies in this. it clearly states you have to hunt with muzzleloader tackle during muzzleloader season.