Just wondering how many of you take a firearm while bow hunting for protection. It's not legal in Michigan while bowhunting.
Guess then I'd need one while surfing and swimming in the ocean too............and jogging in the hills around home in California. Maybe just carry all the time?
I do! It's good to have a "plan B" in this part of the world.
Believe it or not....it prob IS legal in all states, but has never been pushed.
KY just went thru this and it was found Uncontatutional for the state wildlife agency to dictate that a person could not carry a legal firearm (concealed w/ permit) during the archery season, turkey seasons, etc. A gentleman showed up at a KDFWR Commission meeting saying he was representing the NRA and pushed the Constitutionality of a few KDFWR Regulations that said it was illegal to carry. Our Legislators ruled on this during this last session and while surfing the KDFWR site a few days ago noticed new wording.
* Hunters with a valid concealed carry deadly weapon permit under KRS 237.110 may carry a weapon consistent with that law.
Legal in Washington with a carry permit. Yes, I always carry in the woods. A lot more for human predators and signalling if in trouble than for bears or cougars.
Not legal here and I really have no reason to carry one anyway.No dangerous animals in NC.
If you dont miss you dont need one.And if there are other things you would need that for change your hunting grounds.In jersey if you get caught with a sidearm during any season you will be prosecuted,They love the money from that fine.
They found up in Alaska its more effective to carry pepper spary and a lot of outfitters require their guides to do just that instead of sidearms. They still have the long guns w/them.
As a deterrent, ie something that will stop animals up thru the big bears a pistol is not very effective, if thats what you need one for.
Joshua
In Michigan it IS legal with a concealed permit.
Any other time you can wear "open" in michigan, just not while bowhunting.
The laws aren't really the question though.
I'm wondering how many people do carry.
Thank you!!
It's not the animals I fear, James.
Let's just put it this way....
I'd rather be judged by 12...than carried by 6. I won't let a few lines on a sheet of paper dictate whether or not I come home or not.
Besides my lifetime of hunting and other types of guiding, I guided bear hunters for over 20 years, tracked and recovered most of the bears in the dark, never ever was I armed. Have some good stories to tell.
I carry all the time.
In Canada (to my knowledge) no one is allowed to carry a concealed firearm at any time. We can own handguns but you need a lot of permits and it can only be shot at a firing range.
I guess the firearm backup question depends on what species you are hunting or may encounter on a hunt. Some will take a shotgun or rifle when bear hunting for a backup but many just use pepper spray as a bear deterent.
I just watched Fred Eicler's brown bear hunt in Alaska on Youtube. I have a feeling he was glad that his guide had a sidearm with him. Check it out if you have never seen it.
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=uMbnmLLnsfw
as GMMAT said it's not the animals I'm concerned about. I carry 24/7 and have since I turned 21.
I always do here when in the mountains,year round, but don't when hunting antelope.
Always while hunting, I also have a permit!
ElkNut1
Can't do it in New York while bowhunting.....I have packed a handgun when on a bow/bakpacking trip of more than 2 days. Just felt more comfortable at night when 4 or 5 miles from the nearest anything in the Adirondacks.
we cant carry at all in Maryland, We do have a permit, but listen to this, in MD self defense is none existant- keep that in mind! So the only way to get a concealed weapons permit is if your life has been threatened, and you are in danger. The threat must be reported to the police, and you need a witness.
If your life is in danger, and you are carrying a deadly weapon, and that threat becomes a active threat, what are you going to do? Hmm sounds like you are probably going to defend yourself? And then you will probably get charged with murder, or something like that. I hate my state!
I always carry a concealed handgun. Dangerous two-legged animals are every where. You never know what nefarious activites your going to happen upon even in extremely remote areas.
I carry all the time. I've had a few instances where I'm really glad I did. A couple involved some feral dogs and another involved a couple of trespassing ne'er-do-wells. If I hadn't been armed, well, let's just say things wouldn't have turned out as rosy.
I carry most of the time(have permit) that I am bow hunting. There's one in my truck nearly 100% of the time.I carry one not so much for backup on 4 legged but for 2 legged dangers.
BOB
I carry 24-7. In Texas you can carry concealed during bow hunting season as long as you have a CHL. And I believe in gun season you can carry open on the hunting premises.
Folks, this is the problem:
Most believe the Second Amendment gives us the right to bear arms. THIS IS NOT THE CASE AT ALL!!
The Second Amendment guarantees a right we naturally have. The right to defend ourselves and our loved ones from all threats! How the British, Australians and Canadians allowed their governments to deny them this God-given right is something I just don't understand. Statistically they gained no security and lost substantial freedom. Now the criminals and tyrants are the ones who are safe.
I for one will take my chances with 12 jurors than be carried by 6 pallbearers. And to the UN, George Soros and the rest of the Saul Alinsky adherents, I say "Molon Labe!"
I don't like loud noises so I dread having to shoot a gun without ear protection. I have more faith in counter assault for bears than my ability to quick draw a handgun and I am more accurate with my bow. Do I have guns, you bet I do, and I am a good shot. Would I defend myself, my property, or anyone else that needed my help absolutely. I do not claim to be a bigger man just because of a gun, but be warned, we are losing are liberties incrementally and we need to wakeup to the threat that nothing that is coming out lately that is helping the common man, like the new insurance bill. It disturbs me to see belligerent behavior from some, but it is evidence of a deteriorating society that feels oppression.
BACK TO THE THREAD I believe Counter Assault would be a better defense against a bear attack.
Northern cali hunter, I just emailed the NRA, you guys are in a similar boat like MD. Our big problem is that there is no "right to bear arms" in our state consitution. Mabye the lawmakers just dont get it? Baltimore has the highest crime rate in America! The only thing that has lowered the crime rate was the 4 feet of snow we had this winter. We broke a record, one whole week without a murder! Look at other states that can carry, there crime rates are low. But maryland representatives are to stupid to do something about it.
one of these days I am going to draw a bear permit. I will be hunting with my bow, on the ground, spot and stalk, and I dont care how good of a shot you are. But even if you make a good shot, that bear is not going to die instantly. When you are within 20 yards, it would be nice to have something extra in your belt? That is my main concern. But I guess if I cant carry a sidearm, I will carry my 70# mamoth and do a tim wells(head shot) :biglaugh: -just kidding, he is a mad man!
virginia says if you have a concealed carry permit you can carry a handgun in archery and muzzleloader season. in this day and time with all the crime and loonys running around....yes i carry a sidearm while hunting and its not for hunting...its for my peice of mind and personal safety.
Here in V.a. last year a month or so before bow season two virginia tech students were found dead on national forest and the killer hasnt been caught yet...not saying a gun woulda saved them but it may have made a difference. oh yeah,my wife hunts and she also has a carry permit and a .380! :thumbsup:
QuoteOriginally posted by lpcjon2:
If you dont miss you dont need one.And if there are other things you would need that for change your hunting grounds.In jersey if you get caught with a sidearm during any season you will be prosecuted,They love the money from that fine.
So you can't even hunt with a sidearm? :(
You can carry while bowhunting in PA with a concealed permit. I've never felt it necessary to have a gun with me for any reason but I carry all the time because I can. I would just hate to be that family in a resturant somewhere that was wiped out because nobody had a way to protect themselves from the nut case who decided to kill everybody!
Ohio State Patrol came out and said point blank that ccw has helped with crime in Ohio. Many of my friends are police officers and they all say its good for the people to carry,and I my friends don't leave the house without my FN40,wether to hunt,fish, or swim.
Not legal in Missouri during archery season.
String Bean, nope not in Jersey.But you can carry and posses a firearm in and on your property in defense of your home.So you could walk around your yard with a loaded gun(as long as it's registered)and have no problems.
I'm armed in church! Unfortunately I know what goes on in our neighborhoods and ain't none of it pretty. Public land and National forests are havens for the worst offenders. I don't carry for critters, I carry for creepers... And you should too!
QuoteOriginally posted by Chris Shelton:
we cant carry at all in Maryland, We do have a permit, but listen to this, in MD self defense is none existant- keep that in mind! So the only way to get a concealed weapons permit is if your life has been threatened, and you are in danger. The threat must be reported to the police, and you need a witness.
If your life is in danger, and you are carrying a deadly weapon, and that threat becomes a active threat, what are you going to do? Hmm sounds like you are probably going to defend yourself? And then you will probably get charged with murder, or something like that. I hate my state!
I so tired of that kind of BS!!!
You guys that carry because you are worried about people must hunt in some bad places. ;)
I am not too worried about anything if I got a bow and a quiver of broadhead tipped arrows with me.Always going to have a knife or two as well.I guess I could see some concern if hunting on a bordor state but around here the bad elements are in town not in the woods. :D
Lets keep it on track... Should've made this a poll I guess.
Here in the People's Republic of Illinois we are not allowed to have a handgun on our person or in our vehicle unless it is in a locked case. I feel no need to have one bowhunting here but coming into my driveway or leaving my office late at night is a different matter...I can't say I follow that law ALL the time ;)
;) I have had issues with these "trouble youth" groups out back country. Pretty ugle to watch someone beat down for a candy bar.Cougar and bear don't bug me it the crazy's.
Usually we do if we are hunting buffalo.
Sidearms not legal in Norway at all, but then neither is bowhunting anything but pike ^^
Then again, we don't need sidearms.. only 30-50 murders per year, so we're pretty safe I guess..
75 % of those murders are domestic violence type stuff which wouldn't be stopped by a gun anyway.
I watched that Fred Eichler vid, and I'm guessing he's glad he had a pistol that day! I'd be soiled after something like that..
I carry all the time regardless of what I am doing.
The back-country of California is crawling with Mexico's drug cartels. Perhaps if pot is legalized in our state come November the customer base will disappear. I dunno, sad really. I have encountered illicit gardens on several occasions and have been fortunate enough to slip out before anyone saw me. The growers are well armed and don't give a hoot about laws or restrictions.
Yep, more concerned about what might be waiting at the truck,etc. than critters in the woods, with the exception of packed up dogs.
I believe the only time you can carry a sidearm while bowhunting in Michigan is when you are Bear hunting and you must have hunter orange on. You can have your bow and gun at the same time.
I don't while bear hunting to answer your question but I do carry while roaming the woods.
I don't always carry a sidearm but do on occasion. I've been in some hairy situations when crossing paths with the wrong human element in the woods. There are a variety of reasons which include: dope heads, trespassers, poachers and squatters (folks living in tents .. that are usually dope heads).
Never felt the need to have a back-up for hunting puposes but there is very little critter danger here in Mississippi. Unfortunately the lower elements of our society do frequent the woods.
Juan's right my ranch in Lake County (northern cal) is a pot grower paradise, lot's of BLM and National Forest.
Anyway my Glock20 10mm lives with me.....I have never had to use it to defend myself from a four legged animal.....
Depends on where I'm at, what I'm after, and what else is in the area I'm hunting. I've never had to use it, but have drawn it a time or two...
I've also got a 6" knife I put on the side of my calf when spot and stalking hogs...
Yep, we have Skunk Apes, swamp monsters, and saber toothed woodpeckers..can't be too careful!
Seriously though,I usually only carry when I am hog hunting and really want pork..if a hog is out of range of my bow, I will shoot one with the pistol. Never needed one for protection against a Florida pig. It is legal to carry during the archery season, but I don't carry a handgun with me, it is on my ATV or in my truck though.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/100_1339-1.jpg)
I usually find it to be a pain in the neck to carry a handgun while bowhunting, but have done so on occassion when I felt the need. We had a pack of aggressive feral dogs on one property that I hunted. After getting growled at in the dark on the way to my stand I started carrying a pistol until the problem was sorted out.
I carry most of the time when hunting and all of the time when in the city.
John
I am with Cosater500, Glock 20. The farther south in Texas I go, the better it feels. Where I used to hunt pigs down I35, 30 minutes from the border, I would not even over night camp there now, armed or not. Even 10 yrs ago there were a lot of voices in the night.
10 yrs ago myself, Dean Torges and Lou were hunting the area. We were spot and stalking not 200 yds from the truck. when we got back the truck had been broken into and expensive gear taken. there was evidence of over night camps ever 200 yds are so. after I got home that was the time I got my chl.
rusty
I slept with a 12 gauge on my moose hunt here in Wyoming. I was in grizz infested country. I had one huffin' outside my tent one night, but never had to use the gun. I never packed the shotgun while hunting, it wouldn't feel right to me. I did have pepper spray though.
I sometimes carry, but not usually when hunting on my own property. Usually when I do carry its a short barreled .38 loaded with snake shot. Put me on some of the public land,though, and it's the .45 auto on the hip. I have been challenged in the woods by both intruding hunters and wild dogs.
Occasionally.
It's a pain in the neck, but to a woman alone in the woods (I started hunting when I was still young and fetching) it is a comfort. I got my CCW permit as soon as I could. I am not so young now, and far less fetching, but my store of plunder might be temptation enough for unsavory types, and lead to unhappy consequences.
Bow and knife are fine for big strong men, but a .45 puts us all on the same level.
Killdeer :thumbsup:
God bless you Killdeer!!!
Everyone who carries a firearm at any time for personal defense, is actually protecting the public in general. Who is...who aint.
For those on the red road, it is of no matter. For the others, they must wonder.
Instinctive shooting is good for weapons other than a stickbow!!! :D :D :D
I carry a 44Mag. Just like the head stone in "Tomestone" Here lays Les Moore, 4 shots from a 44, no Les, no Moore...... I live in the desert and see alot of knuckleheads around.
I don't know about Virginia, but its illegal during archery-only season in Idaho.
I asked our local DOW officer if I could carry a gun while bow hunting. She said "yes this America and that is protected by the Constitution" I was particularlly interested as I had a bear license and wanted to carry a fire arm on the tracking job IF I shot a bear. She said-- "but if you shoot that bear in self- defence you better be bleeding"
That being said NO I DON'T CARRY GUNS.
Joe
I don't like to but sometimes I do in our area if I'm hunting moose (calling sometimes attracts brown bears) or if I'm where I feel I'm more likely to bump a brownie. Pretty common that when I'm up on a mt chasing blackies when it gets towards dark I see a brownie down low heading to the river for a salmon dinner, often right in my path down, not a good feeling. They are more aggressive than typical locally. Last fall, I was taking pics of a blackie I just got with my bow, looked down the mt and I thought "Hey thats no beaver crossing the lake". Looked with my binos and it was a toad of a brownie out in the lake directly below me. Just had my widow and a pig sticker on me.
Heres the pic, pretty grainy. And it gets better... (http://i258.photobucket.com/albums/hh271/chinook907/rszdbrnlake.jpg)
Next day I came back to pack the hide & meat out, had a handgun in my pack (duh), was in some stunted trees and heard some branches breaking and I was appparently so close to likely the same brownie THAT I COULD HEAR HIM SNIFFING THE AIR TRYING TO GET MY SCENT. Thankfully he moved off and never saw him, I got the handgun out but of course it easily might not have been quick enough. I will be going after them likely this fall (brownies) but in an area that is not a drawing permit (our's is) and with said handgun on my hip.
Carry at all times,and not for the critters. I think we are now # 3 for pot production,have found several patches,so far no trouble but you never know.
QuoteOriginally posted by limbolt:
Carry at all times,and not for the critters. I think we are now # 3 for pot production,have found several patches,so far no trouble but you never know.
So thats what they mean when they say "Kentucky Blue grass". Ya learn something new each day!