muzzleloading and small game

[J Snow73]

Was wondering if anyone can clear up muzzleloading rules for me and was curious if you can carry a shotgun or .22 pistol/ rifle while hunting for deer/elk. Thanks in advance for any info.

[Machias]

Nope

[FC]

All I see in the rules is that you can't use a modern handgun to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game, the only reference to small game that I see is: "Persons lawfully hunting small game with a double barrel shotgun may keep both barrels loaded." I don't see any reason not to keep a 22 for grouse handy, there is no muzzleloader only season for them.

[CP]

The text is not real clear but when I asked the WDFW the answer was no.  If you are hunting in a ML only season you may carry a modern handgun but you may not hunt with it.   No rifles or shotguns.

The text is:

... it is unlawful to participate (hunt) in a muzzleloading hunting season using a firearm that does not meet the following specifications for a muzzleloader. …

A modern handgun may be carried for personal protection. Modern handguns cannot be used to hunt big game or dispatch wounded big game during a big game hunting season for muzzleloading firearms.

If you got cited a good lawyer could probably get you off but it isn’t worth the bother.

[J Snow73]

Ya thats how I'm reading it too, but it seems to me to be unclear. It also says you can carry a pistol for personal protection. I'm not sure if it is concealed/ open carry or both. Sure would hate to waste a muzzle shot on a grouse :chuckle:Maybe I'll call wdfw just to clear it up

[J Snow73]

Thanks CP ya i don't want to give any lawyer money for something like that

[bobcat]

Are you talking about carrying it in your vehicle or on your person while out hunting? If in the vehicle it's fine. You're not wanting to walk around carrying a muzzleloader for deer and elk, and a rifle or shotgun for grouse are you  

[bobcat]

Oh, and the handgun for protection can be concealed or not, it doesn't matter. You're legal either way. Open carry is always legal in this state, and while recreating in the outdoors you can carry a concealed weapon, no permit required.

[J Snow73]

I was curious on both options but was thinking about a .22 pistol while walking around, but I came to the conclusion that is a  

[BlackRidge]

Oh, and the handgun for protection can be concealed or not, it doesn't matter. You're legal either way. Open carry is always legal in this state, and while recreating in the outdoors you can carry a concealed weapon, no permit required.

Yup, its once you leave the recreational area that open-carry may get you in trouble with the 5-0. Even though its legal in WA, law enforcement has never been given a clear stance on it

[J Snow73]

Thanks Bobcat that actually helps alot. I didn't realize you can conceal carry in the woods w/o a permit.

[Curly]

Are you talking about carrying it in your vehicle or on your person while out hunting? If in the vehicle it's fine. You're not wanting to walk around carrying a muzzleloader for deer and elk, and a rifle or shotgun for grouse are you  

It may be fine to have a rifle or shotgun in the vehicle, but I bet a warden will ask you 20 questions and may even write you up.  I'd leave the shotgun and .22 rifle at home......   Carry a .357 or whatever for personal protection, but leave the .22 pistol at home too...    There's my 4 cents worth.

[bobcat]

Kinda silly you can't carry a .22 handgun for protection isn't it? Why should it be up to the state to decide what will work and what won't for a person's self defense while hunting? Maybe the only handgun you own is a .22.   

[J Snow73]

My thought exactly I believe a .22 can kill just the same 

[J Snow73]

Maybe I'll carry one muzzleloader w/ bird shot and another for the big guys Actually probly not just seems like to much work and confusion. My luck i'd forget which one had the shot in it and get an opportunity at a deer/elk and just end up pepperin it

[Forrestrover]

This is why I wish I had a muzzleloading shotgun as well as my my muzzleloader. Someday I'll get one. This year I'll be carrying the .357 on  my side for sure.

[bobcat]

When I'm hunting deer or elk the last thing I want to do is be shooting at grouse with anything.   

[grundy53]

Are you talking about carrying it in your vehicle or on your person while out hunting? If in the vehicle it's fine. You're not wanting to walk around carrying a muzzleloader for deer and elk, and a rifle or shotgun for grouse are you  

It may be fine to have a rifle or shotgun in the vehicle, but I bet a warden will ask you 20 questions and may even write you up.  I'd leave the shotgun and .22 rifle at home......  Carry a .357 or whatever for personal protection, but leave the .22 pistol at home too...   There's my 4 cents worth.

  
what would they write you up for? your not breaking any laws.besides we have a little thing called the second amendment. I always have a 20 gauge in my truck from September 1 - December 31.

[FC]

You certainly wouldn't be violating any of the rules by using a 22 or a shotgun to shoot grouse while out for deer/elk during muzzie season, if you actually SHOT a deer or elk with your 22 or shotgun you would be in it pretty deep if caught. So as long as you are just carrying it for the small game you are fine.

I really can't believe how many are confused by this...

[ML_Hunter]

I really can't believe how many are confused by this...

I can not believe how many WDFW officials are confused by this!!  I've called WDFW several times to have this cleared up. lol.  To me a wile to get a straight answer as well.

[FC]

I can not believe how many WDFW officials are confused by this!!  I've called WDFW several times to have this cleared up. lol.  To me a wile to get a straight answer as well.

That doesn't shock me a bit.

[Curly]

You certainly wouldn't be violating any of the rules by using a 22 or a shotgun to shoot grouse while out for deer/elk during muzzie season, if you actually SHOT a deer or elk with your 22 or shotgun you would be in it pretty deep if caught. So as long as you are just carrying it for the small game you are fine.

I really can't believe how many are confused by this...

I know it sounds ridiculous but they could write you up for hunting with an illegal firearm.......and tell you to go argue it in court.  Just like when someone last year asked the WDFW about the legality of having his brother hunt bears with him (w/ a rifle) while he was archery deer hunting.  They told him they better  hunt separately or risk being written up for hunting deer with a rifle during archery season.  It's stories like that, that would make me not want to even have anything that they could question me about.  It seems like they will write a person up without any evidence from the stories I've heard........

Besides, I agree w/ Bobcat......I don't want to be shooting grouse while out deer hunting.  (Although, I did shoot a grouse once w/ the .54 ML about 20 yrs ago after hiking around all day deer hunting.  (But I was done deer hunting by then and needed to unload the ML for the trip home anyway, so what better place to unload it than into a grouse head...? )

[Forrestrover]

When I'm hunting deer or elk the last thing I want to do is be shooting at grouse with anything.   

Me too, but for some reason, I feel like I should have the option!

[Moe the Sleaze]

Where I hunt, late fall Turkey is open at same time late muzzleloader deer is open.  Just because late muzzle deer is open does not mean the entire unit is closed to anything but muzzleloaders.  Though I'm sure a lot of muzzleloading hunters wish it were.  This year is compounded because open cougar season (with dogs) also overlaps the muzzleloader deer hunt starting Dec 1st.  I'm not enthused by the thought of a string of dogs running through and flushing a nice buck I'm working.

I carry a modern shotgun in my vehicle just in case I see Turkey, but I have always wanted to pack it up the hill with it slung across my back (yes, while carrying my muzzlelaoder for deer) because I always see Turkey up on top of the hill I hunt.  If I'm just carrying the shotgun I see deer.  If I'm just carrying the muzzleloader I see Turkey.  Go figure.

They need to allow us muzzle hunters to shoot turkey with our muzzleloading rifles during these overlaps!