POLL: GROUSE! GROUSE! GROUSE!

[JimmyHoffa]

I don't think that law was in effect last grouse season.  But I don't exactly see where that vehicle and those grouse were in WA.  Could be Idaho.   It was only the last pic that shows it is loaded (unless you can tell in the other pics somehow).

[ing]

I had a .41 mag Blackhawk.  It was a great gun, I never should have sold it... Have you shot many grouse with yours?

I've only shot one grouse with a .41 magnum.  Really bad idea.

Not much left. 

Go with a .22, .32 or .38 at the most.

I got lucky and made a good shot on the one in the pic I posted. Neck shot with a .44mag. He cooked up great for a snack before dinner at camp.

[netcoyote]

Didn't they make a rule change so that you could use a Rig so that you could "post up" using it as a rest?

From the regs" (page 65)

Loaded Firearms in a Vehicle
"It is illegal to carry, convey, transport, possess,
or control a loaded shotgun or rifle in or on any
motor vehicle. A rifle or shotgun containing shells
or cartridges in either the chamber or magazine,
or a muzzleloading firearm that is loaded and
capped or primed is considered loaded."

It's easy to miss but it's clear. Having a loaded gun on a hood of a rig is technically illegal. Having a "discussion" with a gamie over the logic of this is likely to not be productive. I've heard of guys getting busted for even having a loaded shotgun leaning against a bumper....again, technically ON the vehicle.

[CP]

I prefer the Dumb Grouse

Ahhh, nice going:
You just published images proving that you had a loaded gun ON a motorized vehicle, which is a no-no under our game regs.
 

Did I miss something?  There is a mag in the Ruger - but is the mag loaded?  No way of telling by the photo -

[JimmyHoffa]

Yes, you can see what appears to be .22 LR in the see through mag in the last picture.

SpecialT I believe is talking about this law change.

1 Sec. 28. RCW 77.15.460 and 1999 c 258 s 7 are each amended to read
2 as follows:
3 (1) A person is guilty of unlawful possession of a loaded ((firearm
4 in a motor vehicle)) rifle or shotgun in a motor vehicle, as defined in
5 RCW 46.04.320, or upon an off-road vehicle, as defined in RCW
6 46.04.365, if:
7 (a) The person carries, transports, conveys, possesses, or controls
8 a rifle or shotgun in ((or on)) a motor vehicle, or upon an off-road
9 vehicle, except as allowed by department rule; and
10 (b) The rifle or shotgun contains shells or cartridges in the
11 magazine or chamber, or is a muzzle-loading firearm that is loaded and
12 capped or primed.
13 (2) A person is guilty of unlawful use of a loaded firearm if:
14 (a) The person negligently ((shoots)) discharges a firearm from,
15 across, or along the maintained portion of a public highway; or
16 (b) The person discharges a firearm from within a moving motor
17 vehicle or from upon a moving off-road vehicle.
18 (3) Unlawful possession of a loaded ((firearm in)) rifle or shotgun
19 in a motor vehicle or upon an off-road vehicle, and unlawful use of a
20 loaded firearm ((is a)) are misdemeanors.
21 (4) This section does not apply if the person:
22 (a) Is a law enforcement officer who is authorized to carry a
23 firearm and is on duty within the officer's respective jurisdiction;
24 (b) Possesses a disabled hunter's permit as provided by RCW
25 77.32.237 and complies with all rules of the department concerning
26 hunting by persons with disabilities; or
27 (c) Discharges the rifle or shotgun from upon a nonmoving motor
28 vehicle or a nonmoving off-road vehicle, as long as the engine is
29 turned off and the motor vehicle or off-road vehicle is not parked on
30 or beside the maintained portion of a public road, except as authorized
31 by the commission by rule.
32 (5) For purposes of subsection (1) of this section, a ((firearm))
33 rifle or shotgun shall not be considered loaded if the detachable clip
34 or magazine is not inserted in or attached to the ((firearm)) rifle or
35 shotgun.

http://apps.leg.wa.gov/documents/billdocs/2011-12/Pdf/Bills/Session%20Law%202012/6135-S.SL.pdf

[smdave]

I prefer the Dumb Grouse

Ahhh, nice going:
You just published images proving that you had a loaded gun ON a motorized vehicle, which is a no-no under our game regs.
 

Did I miss something?  There is a mag in the Ruger - but is the mag loaded?  No way of telling by the photo -

[fethrduster]

I think a more interesting poll would be how many guys just drive around and shoot grouse from the road vs. getting out on foot and actually hunting for them?

[Greg30-06]

Wow. I guess I should come check this thread more often. You guys have some eagle eyes. But it is not illegal to have a loaded weapon in your place of abode, who's to say that picture was not taken in my shop.  I would think my constitutional right to bear arms in defense of myself and property would matter here. Just saying. If a game warden would like to try to make a case from a picture taken several years ago he can contact me and I will cooperate to the fullest extent that I can.  Maybe you guess should nit pick someone else's pics know.  Thanks to those of you who were playing devils advocate.

[runamuk]

This is why people should just stop sharing pictures online  not worth the hassles

[ing]

So...... I what do you guys say we start talkin about grouse again? Only two more months and we can start shootin 'em 

[ellensburgpo]

So...... I what do you guys say we start talkin about grouse again? Only two more months and we can start shootin 'em 

Good plan. I saw a couple real nic blues this morning while scouting for elk. Seems like the are always around when you're not hunting them. Soon though...

[Ellensburg]

Uh ohhhhh looks like the e-police are out early this season.

I like all of the pictures and i see nothing wrong with any of them. Good job fellow grousers.

[Dave Workman]

I think a more interesting poll would be how many guys just drive around and shoot grouse from the road vs. getting out on foot and actually hunting for them?

Nah...that's a bigger no-no.
 

And for those who believe I'm playing "internet cop,' what I'm actually doing is educational...and trying to keep people from getting pinched.

Back in my early days at the old Fishing & Hunting News, we ran a photo of a guy with a beautiful elk he supposedly killed somewhere open to hunting, but a sharp-eyed game cop looked at the image, determined the vegetation was wrong and could only grow in a certain area.. and he actually found the spot where this numbskull had killed the animal inside Mount Rainier National Park.

I'd rather not see that sort of thing happen to anybody here.

So, watch them images. Be sure to be legal before you push the camera clicker.

And send your photos to NORTHWEST SPORTSMAN magazine. 

[87Ford]

Couple grouse with the 16 gauge.

[LiveandLearn]

Down low. More action typically and I enjoy watching the dog work.