Pistol while bowhunting

[dru333]

Hey everyone I tried a search for this subject and I saw some say yes and some say no.  The question is is it LEGAL to carry a pistol while you are bowhunting?  To give you a quick background I am new to hunting and have a CPL if that makes a difference.  Thanks for the help!!!

[h20hunter]

Yep, legal. However, I understand it that the only legal method of dispatching game is with the legal hunting weapon. No pistol shot to the head on a downed but not dead animal.

[Gamblin Guy]

Page 68, Archery Regulations, Section 1.a.

[dru333]

Thanks for the quick responses.  Yes the pistol would be for personal safety only!!!

[h20hunter]

Well.....what kind of pistol are we talking about. A thread can't die out that quickly...c'mon. You need to tell us so we can tell you why it is to small, to heavy, wrong caliber, wrong method of carry, wrong sights.....

[wildmanoutdoors]

FYI, When hunting, fishing anything outdoors including going to and from the range you never needed and still don't a CPL.

[huntinguy]

FYI, When hunting, fishing anything outdoors including going to and from the range you never needed and still don't a CPL.

unless it is a loaded handgun concealed up on your person. It is the "on your person" that will get you, that phrase does not mean physically on you, only under your control.

If it is empty I think you would be good or publicly exposed, but that can open another can of worms.

[wildmanoutdoors]

You can have a loaded handgun on your person concealed if outdoors and such....
Garenteed!
I'm going home now so Ill let someone else fill ya in. Lol

[buckskin]

I am pretty sure you must have a concealed weapons permit to be legale.

[NWWABOWHNTR]

I am pretty sure you must have a concealed weapons permit to be legale.

Wrong, go to the hunting reg's listed above

[Kain]

Here are the exceptions for needing a CPL.   Read number 8.

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

[seansfire]

i will start it then , i carry a little .22 revolver at all times out there. if for no other reason than tweaker protection. i know it wont knock down much but it might make them think twice.

good luck to everyone who is hunting this year. hope you fill your tags and be safe doing so.

[wildmanoutdoors]

I am pretty sure you must have a concealed weapons permit to be legale.

"Pretty sure" means you don't really know. This could get someone in trouble listening to you. If your pretty sure, then ask. 

[bobcat]

 

FYI, When hunting, fishing anything outdoors including going to and from the range you never needed and still don't a CPL.

       

However, it used to be, until just a couple years ago, that if you were bow hunting, you could not have a firearm in your possession. They changed the law and now you can have a handgun while bow hunting, as stated on page 68 of the regulations: 

  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. 

[BOWHUNTER45]

I do not like this law ... thats all I will say about it ! 

[GoldTip]

I always carry while bowhunting.  What I carry depends on what I'm worried about.

[wabassguy1]

XD 40 sub. is my archery carry gun this year, Last year was my S&W M&P 40 but it was a bit bulky.. Only time I carry is bear hunting or if I am heading to the big city.. which i know has nothing to do with this thread so will say nothing more

[backcountrygirl]

RE: carrying loaded pistol without CWP.  You don't need CWP while going to (participating in) and from recreational outings, as was pointed out in a previous post.  However, if you stop to get gas or go into a grocery store during that time, you might get cited, depending on the officer.  I have spoken to one officer who would not make an issue of it, but he could not speak for others.  Best to take it off and remove the clip before stepping from your vehicle to enter a business or pump gas.

[norsepeak]

waaayyy more likely to need a carry gun in the city than out bowhunting.

[CAMPMEAT]

...............there goes our 2nd amendment right. The gubmint is always treading on our right to bear arms no matter what. I carry mine when, what and whereever, it's my right. The less people ask questions, the better.

[Ridgeratt]

waaayyy more likely to need a carry gun in the city than out bowhunting.

Gotta say perhaps truer words have never been spoken. Besides what ever your carring is much more effective than a sidearm in the hands of most folks.

[ghosthunter]

RE: carrying loaded pistol without CWP.  You don't need CWP while going to (participating in) and from recreational outings, as was pointed out in a previous post.  However, if you stop to get gas or go into a grocery store during that time, you might get cited, depending on the officer.  I have spoken to one officer who would not make an issue of it, but he could not speak for others.  Best to take it off and remove the clip before stepping from your vehicle to enter a business or pump gas.

Washington is a Open Carry State. You do not need a CPL to pump gas or go in store. Just have it uncovered. A CPL says you can conceal, not you have to conceal.  If you are going and coming like noted in this thread there is no need for a CPL. When you get out of the car to pump or go inside have in  plain veiw.
Some officers may hassle you but most know its your right. ( The store owner could ask you to leave private property but most will not they have seen it before).
I am surprised someone from Seattle didnt know that given all the hubab at Starbucks.

See www.opencarry.org  (Washington Forum)

[backcountrygirl]

Thank you for the correction...I was referring to concealment. (Since going into a Starbuck's in the city with it openly displayed would cause a sputtering of Latte's out of everyone's mouth and cause a big mess) And, that's after you drive up in your Non-Green-non-Electric  F250 Diesel.