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 !