Sidearms in the Archery Season

[Bookworm]

I would sure like the option. I agree that maybe having a concealed carry permit would make some of the image better. Would I carry my pistol in my pack? It would all depend on where I was at and how I felt at the time. The most I have ever been spooked in the woods I was carrying a rifle.

[bowhuntin]

It looks like this could happen in the near future if this bill passes the legislature...

House Bill 2956
 ____________ _________ _________ _________ ______
State of Washington 60th Legislature 2008 Regular Session
By Haler, Hailey, Crouse, Campbell, and VanDeWege
1 AN ACT Relating to firearm possession while hunting; and adding a
2 new section to chapter 77.12 RCW.
3 BE IT ENACTED BY THE LEGISLATURE OF THE STATE OF WASHINGTON:
4 NEW SECTION. Sec. 1. A new section is added to chapter 77.12 RCW
5 to read as follows:
6 A person who is otherwise qualified by law to carry a firearm may
7 carry or have in h is or her possession such a firearm, including a
8 muzzle loader, while in the field archery hunting during an archery
9 season specified for a designated area or while in the field hunting
10 during muzzle loading season.

[Machias]

bout time!

[Slider]

I have one question? Does item six mean a concealed weapons permit?

[Ray]

If it isn't it sounds almost enough like a loophole for it...

[ICEMAN]

My read is; if you are not disqualified from possessing firearms...than ok to carry when bow hunting.... (Ie; Felons, Domestic Violence, illegal aliens, been committed, etc...

[bankwalker]

My read is; if you are not disqualified from possessing firearms...than ok to carry when bow hunting.... (Ie; Felons, Domestic Violence, illegal aliens, been committed, etc...

thats the way it should be

[Gamblin Guy]

This has been an interesting read, i hope that bill passes.  I have never understood how an appointed commission could pass an administrative rule that violates both the state and federal constitution.  I wish someone would challenge it just like they did in Oregon and get it overturned.  Of course, with our drunk liberal supreme court justices anything could happen.  Poachers and law breakers are going to do what they do regardless of the rules in place.

[ICEMAN]

... Poachers and law breakers are going to do what they do regardless of the rules in place.

The problem is; that many a good man, has decided to break this "law" for his personal protection. We do not need laws in place that turn good guys into lawbreakers, guys having to second guess what they do. We should not be inconvenienced by stupid laws which pose a risk to us getting cited, just to protect ourselves while in the out of doors. This is probably the only law most guys purposely break while in the woods. Shouldn't put them in that position.

[Gamblin Guy]

Iceman,

You said it well and I completely agree with you.  Think about the LE guys who are "encouraged" to carry off duty or in some cases required to carry off duty and the position it puts them in.  They can't do a day trip with a side arm unless they violate policy or violate this WAC, how screwed up is that??

Also, I think the argument could be made, and perhaps should be made, that the commission exceeded the scope of their authority when then passed the restrictions on carrying sidearms.

[MIKEXRAY]

I vote to be able to carry for protection, I hike in the dark to the hunting site for an hour and would like to carry protection.

[sisu]

Not being able to carry a hand gun during archery season because "we" are going to use it for game violations is a lame argument. The fact that the states, not just Washington, have failed to see a growing infection of criminals in urban and rural areas doing illegal activities is putting law abiding folks at risk. Just take a look at Mt. Pilchuck...how many murders have been completed there in the past 10 years? I believe it is up to 4 currently.
How many rapes, assaults etc. have occurred in and around the Cascades?
I do know there are "backpackers" bringing drug shipments in from Canada through the back country. What do you do if you meet them? How about cookers and growers use areas that we use for hunting, fishing, shed hunting rock hounding, mushroom hunting etc?
This new bill is a good one and I for one hope it passes. If you believe that carrying a hand gun is unethical don't but don't tell me that I am not being trad by doing so. I'm doing it for a two legged reason not a 4 legged one.

[DBake]

Not being able to carry a hand gun during archery season because "we" are going to use it for game violations is a lame argument. The fact that the states, not just Washington, have failed to see a growing infection of criminals in urban and rural areas doing illegal activities is putting law abiding folks at risk. Just take a look at Mt. Pilchuck...how many murders have been completed there in the past 10 years? I believe it is up to 4 currently.
How many rapes, assaults etc. have occurred in and around the Cascades?
I do know there are "backpackers" bringing drug shipments in from Canada through the back country. What do you do if you meet them? How about cookers and growers use areas that we use for hunting, fishing, shed hunting rock hounding, mushroom hunting etc?
This new bill is a good one and I for one hope it passes. If you believe that carrying a hand gun is unethical don't but don't tell me that I am not being trad by doing so. I'm doing it for a two legged reason not a 4 legged one.

+1 very good post!

[SHANE(WA)]

Who cares, people who are willing to shoot a deer or elk with a pistol while bowhunting are gonna do it no matter what. i personally would like to carry one,with the growing grizz problem up north. And with some of the wackos that live in the woods these days too.

[hogsniper]

It is completely necessary in my opinion. I know if and when i decide to switch to bow hunting i will have a pistol close by. Just cant trust anybody these days.