Sidearms in the Archery Season

[bankwalker]

About 8 years ago I was elk hunting in the Yakima unit in about 2 1/2 feet of snow and about 2 miles from the truck, while I was heading back to the truck I found a large blood spray in the snow on the road and when I looked over the bank I was about 25' from a very irritated cat in the brush standing on what appeared to be a dead dear, the cat was screaming and hissing at me. I don't know how many of you have walked backwards in deep snow for 2 miles but it can be done, at that point I had been bowhunting for 12 years and had never considered packing a side arm since that day I have not hunted a single day with out one. I have not again felt I needed it, but I think about that day and if it were to occur again I would hate to not make it home because my 41 is hanging in the gun room. That's my story and my reason not that its right or wrong, but it is my decision.

had the same thing basicly happen right out of north bend 2 year ago while archery hunting. cat jumped out into the trail looked and my and screamed. i about pissed my pants and then the cat just walked off into the brush.

then had a close encounter in colockum with a BIG tom i wounded, so close i could hear the blood pumping through its vains 

[headshot5]

Hey Folks,
            In my opinion it should be the hunters choice to carry.  After all self-preservation is everyones right.  I know there are a few situations in which a handgun would make me feel a little safer in the woods.  As for poaching, nothing is going to change, the ones that like to poach will, and the ones who find it morally wrong won't, regardless of if bowhunters are packing.  I do think it should be limited to a handgun though.  Not becuase rifles are bad, but because rifles are heavy and thus not practilcal to be packed while bowhunting.  I'm sorry if this offends anyone but its my opinion.     

[yajsab]

Well, I will pitch in as well.  I'm for it.  This is for protection.  One year my group was hunting elk and couple guys met some cats.  They said that the cats were looking at them, went off and then came back. 

My friends down in CA told me that at one time some people got killed during hunting because they stumbled upon some crack fields. 

[ICEMAN]

What the heck is a crack field? You sure it wasn't a fault line?

[yajsab]

It's pot growing field.

[Opportunist]

I say this post has won the longest running post award in the history of posts. Let's let it die and rot away back into the cyberland!

[rewent12003]

i know you guys are thinking of your rights but it all comes down to what the game police are going to say, no firearms during archery season, but to make sure check with the state game department

[gfaherty3]

I am new here, as i stated in another post.  What is the penalty if you get caught packing?  Another question for those who pack, where do you pack it?  I would think that if you have your pistol stashed in a pack that you can't get to it fast enough for some of the situations that I have read (walking up on a cougar), running into a group of druggies etc.  I might be showing my ignorance but I would think that you would need to pack it in a holster, or under a jacket or something but am curious.

[bankwalker]

I am new here, as i stated in another post.  What is the penalty if you get caught packing?  Another question for those who pack, where do you pack it?  I would think that if you have your pistol stashed in a pack that you can't get to it fast enough for some of the situations that I have read (walking up on a cougar), running into a group of druggies etc.  I might be showing my ignorance but I would think that you would need to pack it in a holster, or under a jacket or something but am curious.

yeah thats kind of a problem. if i did pack i wouldnt pack it open for anyone to see. but then whats the point in packing if its not easy to access. i wouldnt want it in the open incase mr warden is off glassing and notices it on me.

[gfaherty3]

Do you know what the penalty is for carrying a firearm while bow hunting?

[CP]

where do you pack it?  .

In the waist band, at about 4:00

[MIKEXRAY]

I walk in the dark to my hunting area ( 1 hour hike ) and have it belted on my right hip ready to go. Once I'm at the area at first light, I put it in my back pack. I barely have the balls to hike by myself in the dark for an hour while packing, wouldn't consider it naked. My 

[snohohunter]

 

[bankwalker]

I walk in the dark to my hunting area ( 1 hour hike ) and have it belted on my right hip ready to go. Once I'm at the area at first light, I put it in my back pack. I barely have the balls to hike by myself in the dark for an hour while packing, wouldn't consider it naked. My 

thats how i would do it

[viper55]

Down in Oregon we are allowed to carry a side arm. And I do just for the fact that the damn cougars in a lot of areas down there are thick. Once they got rid of hunting them with dogs the population just exploded.....