Carry a handgun while Hunting?

[kerrdog]

I've bought a holster for my .357.  I've decided I'll take it hunting.  Last year I felt a little.... vulnerable... while packing out elk quarters (my friend's elk) with no rifle. 

My grandfather-in-law says he called in a mountain lion while turkey hunting once.  And he said he never goes out without "his old pistola." 

Can I get a ticket?

[JackOfAllTrades]

Use the search feature. There are other threads about this subject.  Open carry is legal in this state. You've got plenty of time before hunting season to get your CPL though. That way you can carry concealed.

-Steve

[Rhinoron247]

There are several threads on this subject.  A lot of great info for you.  Just search a bit.  My opinion is "How could fella get his pants on without his pistol"?  Hunting or not!

[bobcat]

This is what it says on page 68 of the 2011 Hunting Regulations:

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.

[bobcat]

Oh, also I forgot to mention:  you can carry your handgun concealed without a permit. You do not need a permit to carry a concealed weapon while hunting (or any other outdoor activity).

[JackOfAllTrades]

Oh, also I forgot to mention:  you can carry your handgun concealed without a permit. You do not need a permit to carry a concealed weapon while hunting (or any other outdoor activity).

That is very true, but the first time a guy gets in his truck with it concealed without the CPL, you're treading a very fine line that will be tough to beat in court. (road hunting?)

-Steve

[bobcat]

There's nothing wrong with having it concealed while in a vehicle either. The exception in the law allows for that:

 

(8.) Any person engaging in a lawful outdoor recreational activity such as hunting, fishing, camping, hiking, or horseback riding, only if, considering all of the attendant circumstances, including but not limited to whether the person has a valid hunting or fishing license, it is reasonable to conclude that the person is participating in lawful outdoor activities or is traveling to or from a legitimate outdoor recreation area;

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/rcw/default.aspx?cite=9.41.060

[JimmyHoffa]

The only law I know of that would come into play here, would be where they can legally discharge it.

[JackOfAllTrades]

Bobcat, I don't argue the law with you on this.  But, if you drive down the paved portion of West Chewuck road with a loaded pistol on your person, during hunting season, with license/tags for game animals, get pulled over for a game check, I'll bet you will get cited for not having a CPL while carrying a concealed/loaded pistol in your vehicle. You may likely win in court, but why go through the hassel?  That's all I'm saying. Letter of the law is one thing, but there's an easy way to avoid discrepency.  Get the damn permit. The advantages of having it outweigh reasons not to have it.

-Steve

[bobcat]

I'll never get a permit. I'm not going to pay money so I can exercise my rights that are guaranteed by the constitution. Besides when I carry a handgun in a vehicle, it is always unloaded. I don't think there's any way they can get you for an unloaded handgun in a vehicle, no matter how they interpret the law.

[YoterHunter]

another advantage of having a permet is you can go to a gun dealer and walk out with a pistal that day .instead of waitng 5 days.

[kerrdog]

I'm considering getting a permit.  I had one years ago in Oregon.  It seemed to make the cops especially wary during traffic stops.  One policewoman even asked me, "what do you need that for?" referring to the permit, since I rarely carried my revolver.  I answered, "it's my right, whether you like it or not, and I'm a veteran."

[phishisgroovin]

 i have a CPL, so my sidearm is always cocked and locked if auto, or loaded if a revolver. 

[Rhinoron247]

I'm considering getting a permit.  I had one years ago in Oregon.  It seemed to make the cops especially wary during traffic stops.  One policewoman even asked me, "what do you need that for?" referring to the permit, since I rarely carried my revolver.  I answered, "it's my right, whether you like it or not, and I'm a veteran."

How did the officers involved in the traffic stop know you had the permit?   
I have been pulled over several times with my pistol on board and my permit in my wallet and neither have ever come into question or even acknowledged.   

[uplandhunter870]

How did the officers involved in the traffic stop know you had the permit?   
I have been pulled over several times with my pistol on board and my permit in my wallet and neither have ever come into question or even acknowledged.

im not sure if washington is a full disclosure state or not, meaning you have to tell the officer if your packing during a traffic stop. i was told when i got my permit that i should show my permit regardless if im packing or not and if the officer asks about weapons in the vehicle you have to show your permit and tell him/her where the firearm is.


as said before open carry is perfectly legal in WA but will get you some bad looks and annoying questions from police. imo $56 for the CPL is justifiable for me to avoid looks and being bothered about why i have a weapon on me