Hunting bear with a bow hunter

[huntlakewood]

OK if this has been asked before sorry but need to know.
I tried to email the Game department and have not heard yet ( been over two weeks)
So now I ask you.

If it is bow season and I am with a bow hunter can I carry my riffle or pistol?
I have been told both that I am not supposed to be near a bow hunter when I am carring my rifle.
I have also been told that I can cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time.

I do not know why I can't cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time period and any one can tell the difference if animal has shot by a bow or a riffle.

[Lowedog]

I believe it is fine as long you are not in possession of an archery deer tag yourself.  You can hunt bear during those seasons and yes they can tell the difference if it has been shot by rifle or arrow. 

[saylean]

Also, your buddy can legally carry a pistol while hunting archery...provided he meets the age requirements.

[Machias]

Also, your buddy can legally carry a pistol while hunting archery...provided he meets the age requirements.

What age requirement would that be? 

[fishermanjoe]

Also, your buddy can legally carry a pistol while hunting archery...provided he meets the age requirements.

What age requirement would that be? 

legal age for pistol possesion without supervision is 21+. and i might be mistaken but i think you also have to have a CWP to carry while bow hunting.

[Machias]

The CWP requirement was dropped.

[fishermanjoe]

The CWP requirement was dropped.

Good to know.

[saylean]

The CWP requirement was dropped.

Good to know.

It was dropped as of this coming season. Last year you had to have it to carry openly while hunting...

i know i know...doesnt make sense.

[dougedoug]

this is good to know.

[7mmfan]

As far as I know, you can hunt bear with a rifle during archery deer season every if you have an archery deer tag. They cannot keep you from hunting a bear with a rifle simply because you bought an archery deer tag. I know i've hunted bears plenty of times in September with a rifle while holding an archery deer tag and have never been hassled for it before. It is definitely a grey area but they can tell if you shot it with a rifle or a bow.

[huntlakewood]

Thanks guys keep it coming.

[bigtex]

As far as I know, you can hunt bear with a rifle during archery deer season every if you have an archery deer tag. They cannot keep you from hunting a bear with a rifle simply because you bought an archery deer tag. I know i've hunted bears plenty of times in September with a rifle while holding an archery deer tag and have never been hassled for it before. It is definitely a grey area but they can tell if you shot it with a rifle or a bow.

 
Just remember you can't shoot a cougar with a rifle till sometime in October (the exact date depends on the area). Until last year you could hunt cougar all season long with any weapon, but they changed that and made specific speasons for each weapons and a lot of people got in trouble for it because they didn't know of the new regulation.

[brew]

page # 70 of the hunting regs state "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"....decipher that one    I teach hunter education and part of the class we have Wildlife Officers in to talk to the students and each time they will tell you that Washington's hunting/fishing regulations are so complicated and subject to interpretation that they themselves argue about what is "legal" and what isn't

[bigtex]

page # 70 of the hunting regs state "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"....decipher that one    I teach hunter education and part of the class we have Wildlife Officers in to talk to the students and each time they will tell you that Washington's hunting/fishing regulations are so complicated and subject to interpretation that they themselves argue about what is "legal" and what isn't

That is very true however, the person carrying the rifle is not archery hunting. This law would be for a scenario if I am a bow hunter and in one hand I am carrying a bow and the other I got my rifle. Also, remember that bear seasons (which are open for all weapons, except in some areas) overlap with archery and muzzleloader deer/elk seasons.

[brew]

exactly true however I put that in for reference to one of the original questions of

OK if this has been asked before sorry but need to know.
I tried to email the Game department and have not heard yet ( been over two weeks)
So now I ask you.

If it is bow season and I am with a bow hunter can I carry my riffle or pistol?
I have been told both that I am not supposed to be near a bow hunter when I am carring my rifle.
I have also been told that I can cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time.

I do not know why I can't cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time period and any one can tell the difference if animal has shot by a bow or a riffle.

"if it is bow season and I am a bow hunter can I carry my rifle or pistol"   the author really doesn't make the distinction if they are hunting bear or other big game, just asks if it is legal because they can hunt bear at that time....obviously if you're bear hunting you can carry a bow and rifle but if you are bowhunting other big game during a specified bow area/season you can only carry a handgun for personal protection

[STIKNSTRINGBOW]

page # 70 of the hunting regs state "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"....

It depends on the officer, but it seems pretty clear, If you have a rifle in your hand during Archery season, and an archery tag in your pocket, you probably will be cited.
If you do not, then you should be O,k., it does not matter what the other guy is doing,
A common misconception about tags is that they are "harvest tags", whereas the WDFW calls them "Transport Tags", meaning that you must have one IN YOUR POSSESSION, to be "hunting"
As long as you have the appropriate tag and licence for the weapon/season. you are legal.

License Required:
A valid big game hunting license, which
includes black bear as a species option.
Tag Information:
One black bear transport tag/license is
included with a big game license that has
black bear as a species option. A second
black bear transport tag/license must be
purchased to take a second bear. Hunters
may purchase a maximum of two black bear
transport tag/licenses.
Bag Limit:
Two black bear during the hunting season,
only one of which may be taken in Eastern
Washington.
Hunting Method:
Hunters may use any lawful big game
modern firearm, archery, or muzzleloader
equipment for hunting black bear.

I know a guy that got cited for hunting in a closed area because he had an elk tag in his pocket, and broadheads in his quiver while "grouse hunting" on the wrong side of the creek at Taneum.
As long as you do not carry an archery deer/elk tag you should be O.K.

[huntlakewood]

exactly true however I put that in for reference to one of the original questions of

OK if this has been asked before sorry but need to know.
I tried to email the Game department and have not heard yet ( been over two weeks)
So now I ask you.

If it is bow season and I am with a bow hunter can I carry my riffle or pistol?
I have been told both that I am not supposed to be near a bow hunter when I am carring my rifle.
I have also been told that I can cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time.

I do not know why I can't cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time period and any one can tell the difference if animal has shot by a bow or a riffle.

"if it is bow season and I am a bow hunter can I carry my rifle or pistol"   the author really doesn't make the distinction if they are hunting bear or other big game, just asks if it is legal because they can hunt bear at that time....obviously if you're bear hunting you can carry a bow and rifle but if you are bowhunting other big game during a specified bow area/season you can only carry a handgun for personal protection

OK I should clarify that I am not a bow hunter I was just wondering if I could be with a bow hunter when I am carring my riffle or pistol while bear hunting. I just did not want to cause any trouble for me or my friend if there is any law that I did not read.

I was just thinking of going out and helping out while he hunts and it is going to be bear season so instead of staying at camp and sit on my thumbs I would do a little Bear hunting. I just don't want to be walking up the road with him or be standing over looking a clear cut and be breaking the law.

I was told once by anther hunter that I could not cause who would say that I would not shoot the animal for a bow hunter. That did not make since cause like I said above anyone can tell the difference between a bullet hole and an arrow.

[bigtex]

exactly true however I put that in for reference to one of the original questions of

OK if this has been asked before sorry but need to know.
I tried to email the Game department and have not heard yet ( been over two weeks)
So now I ask you.

If it is bow season and I am with a bow hunter can I carry my riffle or pistol?
I have been told both that I am not supposed to be near a bow hunter when I am carring my rifle.
I have also been told that I can cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time.

I do not know why I can't cause it is legal for me to hunt bear during that time period and any one can tell the difference if animal has shot by a bow or a riffle.

"if it is bow season and I am a bow hunter can I carry my rifle or pistol"   the author really doesn't make the distinction if they are hunting bear or other big game, just asks if it is legal because they can hunt bear at that time....obviously if you're bear hunting you can carry a bow and rifle but if you are bowhunting other big game during a specified bow area/season you can only carry a handgun for personal protection

OK I should clarify that I am not a bow hunter I was just wondering if I could be with a bow hunter when I am carring my riffle or pistol while bear hunting. I just did not want to cause any trouble for me or my friend if there is any law that I did not read.

I was just thinking of going out and helping out while he hunts and it is going to be bear season so instead of staying at camp and sit on my thumbs I would do a little Bear hunting. I just don't want to be walking up the road with him or be standing over looking a clear cut and be breaking the law.

I was told once by anther hunter that I could not cause who would say that I would not shoot the animal for a bow hunter. That did not make since cause like I said above anyone can tell the difference between a bullet hole and an arrow.

Your fine. Your hunting with a rifle, your buddy with a bow. As long as the season you are hunting is open for both you will be fine.

[nocklehead]

I dont think it would be legal to do any elk or deer calls or rattling while carrying your rifle during archery only...but you could help him pack it out all you want !

interesting about archers being able to carry a sidearm, I read in the regs that a concealed pistol license is required, open carry or not, could someone direct me to where it says otherwise?

[bigtex]

I dont think it would be legal to do any elk or deer calls or rattling while carrying your rifle during archery only...but you could help him pack it out all you want !

interesting about archers being able to carry a sidearm, I read in the regs that a concealed pistol license is required, open carry or not, could someone direct me to where it says otherwise?

Page 70. It is in red under the archery section

[Machias]

I dont think it would be legal to do any elk or deer calls or rattling while carrying your rifle during archery only...but you could help him pack it out all you want !

interesting about archers being able to carry a sidearm, I read in the regs that a concealed pistol license is required, open carry or not, could someone direct me to where it says otherwise?

Ah you didn't read that in the regs this year, they removed the requirement, you can carry open or concealed without a CPL while engaged in a lawful outdoor activity.

[Bscman]

I emailed the WDFW last year regarding hunting partners with different tags and/or weapons.

It was regarding the idea that my father was rifle hunting for bear while I was archery hunting for deer--but we were both planning to hunt the  same areas, and use the same rig to get there.

The long and short of it was that the law itself is so open for interpretation it would depend entirely on the officer that made the stop. In his eyes, it WOULD be a problem since..theoretically...I'd be in the truck and potentially in "immediate control/possession" of the rifle during archery deer season.

That being said...
I've taken a rifle bear hunting many times during the early archery deer hunt--I just usually leave my archery deer tag at home or in the truck while I'm out. The rules are definitely vague and open for interpretation...may as well do everything in your power to make your intentions as clear as possible.

 

[gasman]

This has been a question that has been asked many times and no one has given a definite answer.

Yes it will be up to interpretation of the law and the discreation of the officer at the time. We came apon this many years ago when i first started bow hunting, and Jason would go with me to the area to hunt bears as i hunted deer. We were told that just the two of us being in the vehicle together would be trouble, well for me if i was archery hunting.

Hey Jay, leave the riffle at home and get proficient with that 44mag of yours, but if you don't get it fixed in time, I will hand you mine to use 

[huntlakewood]

This has been a question that has been asked many times and no one has given a definite answer.

Yes it will be up to interpretation of the law and the discreation of the officer at the time. We came apon this many years ago when i first started bow hunting, and Jason would go with me to the area to hunt bears as i hunted deer. We were told that just the two of us being in the vehicle together would be trouble, well for me if i was archery hunting.

Hey Jay, leave the riffle at home and get proficient with that 44mag of yours, but if you don't get it fixed in time, I will hand you mine to use 

Like I said Sorry if this has been posted before figured this would be a good place to get info. Hell some of the people on here probably know more out the laws then the Gamies do.

Gasman this will just put a fire under my a** to send it in and get it fixed. If I do go I would be taking both the 270 and my 44 ( or yours since you offered). Never had bear before I would like to get one 

[Kain]

Lets look at it this way.  They changed the cougar hunting season to make it weapon specific.  They did not do that with bear.  So I dont see that there is any reason for confusion by hunters or enforcement.  Hunting bear with a rifle during archery deer and elk season is fine.  The real confusion comes in when you have an archery tag for deer or elk.  My family likes to hunt mornings and evenings for deer and elk and usually goes back to camp for lunch and a nap in the afternoon.  If I wanted to use that time to hunt for bear and maybe do some predator calling can I leave my bow at camp and take my rifle, pistol or shotgun instead.   What if Im driving around and see a grouse?  Can i jump out with my shotgun or do I have to use my bow?

[carpsniperg2]

all depends on the officer, i have had it summed very well by a warden that use to live here that was very fair and nice. he said if you look like a bear hunter you will be treated like a bear hunter. if you look like a poacher you will be treated like a poacher. i think is is best to leave the deer tag in the truck or home if you have one and are out hunting bear with a rifle.

[runamuk]

well I asked this same question last season....and seems it depends on who you ask my son had a bow and an archery deer tag and I had a rifle and bear tag we went into the woods together and walked together I had asked on here then asked a couple gamies they said it was ok......   guess if I had both archery tags for deer and a bear tag it might have been different but I only hunt modern and I went with my son because he doesn't drive and he had never been out deer hunting ..... once we went out a couple times together he got serious about it and hunted really hard without me.....

[huntlakewood]

Well sounds like I will be ok to go as planned since I am not a bow hunter I do not have deer or elk tags for archery. Thanks for all the info