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AZThunder

I'm looking to gather information about which states have wildlife departments that allow archery hunters the right to carry sidearms during an archery hunt. Does your state allow carrying sidearms for personal protection? If so, are the rules restricted to only those individuals who have a current Concealed Carry Weapons (CCW) permit?

Please indicate the state your reporting from, and any specifics about the rules there. Thank you for your contribution and involvement.

AZThunder

bnow0707 · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 638 Location: Alabama

We can't carry any type of firearm in alabama during bow season. I can understand why; but it does leave a person in a vulnerable position with only a bow. ::-k

AZThunder · Posted: Sun Sep 25, 2005 11:05 am Post subject:

Thanks for the reply bnow0707. Wow, 35 reads, 3 votes and only 1 reply? :](*,)

Man, tough crowd. Is this thing turned on? ...tap....tap....

AZThunder

cowgal · Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 994 Location: Colorado

I'm guessing most people do not know what their state allows. Even though my husband & sons have bowhunted, they never carried a sidearm. So I decided to check the Colorado DOW website & their printed big game brochure for info and couldn't find anything.

Since you've posted the question, its gotten my curiosity going... so I've written to the DOW and hopefully will get a response. As soon as I hear back, will post it here.

JTapia · Joined: 21 Aug 2003 Posts: 748 Location: Florida,USA

In Florida we are prohibited from possessing firearms while hunting in an "Archery only" season or area.

I voted no.
I believe that the risk to personal safety is one of the components to a "Primitive Weapons" hunt.

But then we dont have alot of dangerous critters roaming around here !! :lol:

AZThunder · Posted: Mon Sep 26, 2005 10:55 am Post subject:

Thought you all might find this article interesting. There were many other stories of similar nature on the Web, but the links have since been removed or are inactive. Check it out.

http://kvoa.com/Global/story.asp?S=3738145

AZThunder

cowgal · Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 994 Location: Colorado

Its a problem here in Colorado as well. If you innocently stumble upon one of these "farms" you're in big trouble. Most post "guards" and are not afraid to shoot.

http://www.summitdaily.com/art.....S/50805011

http://www.newwest.net/index.p.....icle/2855/

There are many more articles. Just do a Google search, you'll find its a problem throughout the western states.

bnow0707 · Joined: 25 Aug 2003 Posts: 638 Location: Alabama

Not just limited to western states. The county has a spot that they burn the plants when they find them. They have a helicopter that they spot it with and then send in the DEA agents to pull it out.

the_possum · Joined: 27 Sep 2005 Posts: 8

You can carry a sidearm in WI while bowhunting.

My brother was charged by a bear while we were out scouting a few months ago. For that reason I carry a .357 when I hunt that land now. Although it really doesn't matter if its legal or not. I'd be carrying one anyway. :thumbsup1:

cowgal · Joined: 10 Mar 2002 Posts: 994 Location: Colorado

AZThunder, I heard back from the Colorado DOW today.

Yes, its legal to carry a sidearm in Colorado during any hunting season, including archery season. It must be for self protection, and if not concealed, you do not need a concealed weapons permit. I'm assuming if you do have a permit, then concealment would not be a problem.

Hope that helps some...

psychowolverine · Joined: 25 Aug 2005 Posts: 409 Location: Middle Tennessee

Illegal to carry firearms during archery only season in TN.

fuzzybear · Joined: 31 Mar 2004 Posts: 1350 Location: Bend, Oregon

No firearms allowed in possession. While bow hunting in Washington.
It would be a little more comforting to have one handy. When I'm hunting back in the wilderness areas.

AZThunder · Posted: Sat Oct 01, 2005 11:16 am Post subject:

cowgal, thanks for the info from CO's DOW rule. I'm still eager to hear from others what states also allow sidearm carry during archery season.

AZThunder

AZThunder · Posted: Mon Dec 12, 2005 10:06 pm Post subject:

On Friday, Dec.9th, the Arzona Game & Fish Commission voted uananimously to deny the petition requesting a change in rule R12-4-318 allowing archery only hunters the right to carry handguns for personal protection. The Commission did however, mandate the department to adopt and change the rule in the next review of Article 3 in May 2007. The net result is an 18-month process to finalize the rule. This process allows the department an opportunity to address any language concerns of the rule, as well as place restrictions on barrel length, optical sights and possibe rifle caliber restrictions. All-in-all, this is a great victory for archery hunters in Arizona.

AZThunder

SEAlaskaHunter · Joined: 27 Apr 2005 Posts: 72 Location: SE Alaska

I just looked through the Alaska hunting regulations for 2005 and I did not find any regs. prohibiting the posession of a side arm while bow hunting. I did however learn something that was interesting. The use of a mechanical broadhead is prohibited for hunting mountain goat, moose, elk, brown/grizzly bear, muskox, and bison. Not to get off the subject at hand, but do other states have similar restrictions?
As far as a side arm is concerned I would not leave home without it during an archery hunt here in Alaska. Too many things out here that could end up hunting you, or wanting to claim your kill after the fact. I will even take one fishing with me in the spring, summer, and fall months.