Firsthand from WDFW on firearms while unlicensed

[sirfunkeybut]

my friend was with his buddy in rifle deer season and he had his .270 for coyotes(he arhery hunts) and got stopped by a gamie and they told him if he didn't have a deer tag he couldn't have anything over .24 caliber

You can "carry" a rifle of any legal caliber in the woods even during a big game season with or without a license but you may not "hunt" a species of small game such as coyotes with anything over 24 caliber during a modern firearm season.

[Lowedog]

That is kind of confusing.  I know someone who was cited for having his big game rifle with him while accompanying a friend on and elk hunt because he didn't have an elk tag.  It was his first year hunting and he was unaware and took his rifle for coyotes. 

[pianoman9701]

That is kind of confusing.  I know someone who was cited for having his big game rifle with him while accompanying a friend on and elk hunt because he didn't have an elk tag.  It was his first year hunting and he was unaware and took his rifle for coyotes.

Not confusing at all. If he told the gamie he was out for coyotes without a license, he basically admitted to poaching. You're required to have a hunting license for coyotes in WA. If he had said he wasn't hunting and he had the long gun for personal protection, they couldn't have done a thing unless they caught him in the act of hunting and killing.

[FC]

my friend was with his buddy in rifle deer season and he had his .270 for coyotes(he arhery hunts) and got stopped by a gamie and they told him if he didn't have a deer tag he couldn't have anything over .24 caliber

You can "carry" a rifle of any legal caliber in the woods even during a big game season with or without a license but you may not "hunt" a species of small game such as coyotes with anything over 24 caliber during a modern firearm season.

Like i said, you can "carry" but not "hunt", Lowedog if your friend was stopped and he simply said that he was carrying it for his own protection there wouldn't be a damn thing that they could say or do about it.

Personally I can see why a guy would get a hard time over this but that is the way the law is written.

[sirfunkeybut]

gotcha 

Like i said, you can "carry" but not "hunt", Lowedog if your friend was stopped and he simply said that he was carrying it for his own protection there wouldn't be a damn thing that they could say or do about it.

Personally I can see why a guy would get a hard time over this but that is the way the law is written.
[/quote]

[pianoman9701]

From page 70 of the Big Game Regs:

10. Hunting during modern firearm
deer or elk seasons:
You may not hunt wildlife during any modern
firearm deer or elk season, with any firearm
24 caliber or larger or containing slugs or
buckshot for big game, unless you have a valid
license, permit and tag for one of the following:
deer, elk, black bear, cougar, mountain goat,
bighorn sheep, or moose.

So, if you state or demonstrate that you're hunting coyotes during this time, you have to use something lower than .24. If you're not hunting and the weapon is legal in WA, no problem.

[Lowedog]

Like I said, it was his first year he ever bought a hunting license and deer tag.  He did not have an elk tag in an area that was open for elk.  This was a friends brother in-law.  He was unaware of this law.  Told the officer he brought his rifle for coyotes. 

So the confusing part for me would be that if someone was just out hiking with a rifle with no license at all with the intention of carrying the rifle for protection and it is during a big game season are they breaking the law?

[pianoman9701]

Like I said, it was his first year he ever bought a hunting license and deer tag.  He did not have an elk tag in an area that was open for elk.  This was a friends brother in-law.  He was unaware of this law.  Told the officer he brought his rifle for coyotes. 

So the confusing part for me would be that if someone was just out hiking with a rifle with no license at all with the intention of carrying the rifle for protection and it is during a big game season are they breaking the law?

No, they're not. Doesn't mean they won't attract some attention from gamies or other LE.

[thinkingman]

Like I said, it was his first year he ever bought a hunting license and deer tag.  He did not have an elk tag in an area that was open for elk.  This was a friends brother in-law.  He was unaware of this law.  Told the officer he brought his rifle for coyotes. 

So the confusing part for me would be that if someone was just out hiking with a rifle with no license at all with the intention of carrying the rifle for protection and it is during a big game season are they breaking the law?

SMall game license is all that's required for coyote..either had that or he didn't?

[Lowedog]

He had big game license and deer tag.  Problem is you can't hunt coyote with .24 or larger caliber in an area open for elk or deer if you don't posses the corresponding tag. 

[jeepasaurusrex]

There is a tag for coyotes? 

[pianoman9701]

There is a tag for coyotes? 

No, you need a big game tag if you possess a .24 or larger gun while hunting during the modern firearm deer/elk season. Deer, elk, cougar, goat, sheep, moose, or bear tag.

[Lowedog]

This is getting way off track from the OP.  Just be aware that if you are carrying a big game caliber rifle during a big game season you may be asked to show a license for that season and could be cited if you don't posses that license. 

[FC]

This is getting way off track from the OP.  Just be aware that if you are carrying a big game caliber rifle during a big game season you may be asked to show a license for that season and could be illegaly cited if you don't posses that license.

Fixed that one for ya!

[kglacken]

That's pretty much what the law states