Handgun while archery hunting?

[nockhunter]

Anybody here carry a handgun while bowhunting? If so, what and how.
I carry my Ruger super single six with a 22WM cylinder or a S&W M69, 2.750" 44mag in a crossdraw belt holster. For targets of opportunity like coyotes, foxes, etc.

Mike

 

[nevadabugle]

Only when in brown bear country. Hip belt or belt carry. Strong side.

 

[Dave0317]

I almost always bring it. But, I also have it 24/7 when not hunting, so it’s generally just with me, because it would always be with me anyway. If I’m in the tree saddle, it goes in the backpack.

If I’m doing more scouting/still hunting in the east, it’s on my hip concealed where it rides every other day of the year, in a IWB CompTac.

If I’m out west, wearing ruck and bino harness, I tie a safariland ALS 7TS to the bottom of my bino harness. Similar to how the Gunfighters Inc Bino Link hangs below the Binos. Pretty sure I did it before they did their bino link. Works ok. I think I’d prefer the gun in something more like their Kenai behind the bino harness. Below the harness bumps on my belt, sits lower than I like.


Obviously, know your local laws, some states consider a gun being on you enough to believe you are “gun hunting” during Archery.

 

[nevadabugle]

I forgot to mention the "what". GLOCK G29 10mm.

 

[GLB]

Yes, absolutely when in brown bear country. I carry a Glock 20SF 10mm in a Hill People Gear Chest rig shown in the picture.

 

[Clearwaterarcher]

I'm always amazed when I see people not carrying in the woods. I hunt areas with a G bear presence but I've had far more strange encounters with humans in the middle of nowhere. I carry strong side in an kydex holster on the hip belt of my exo. I also carry a chest holster rig in my pack and put it on when I get an animal down. I personally use the Invader Concepts chest rig. Glock 29 10MM with a 180-220 grain lead cast underwood bullet. If I didn't hunt areas with Grizzly bears I would carry my standard glock 19 edc shooting a federal hst.

 

[nevadabugle]

I'm always amazed when I see people not carrying in the woods. I hunt areas with a G bear presence but I've had far more strange encounters with humans in the middle of nowhere. I carry strong side in an kydex holster on the hip belt of my exo. I also carry a chest holster rig in my pack and put it on when I get an animal down. I personally use the Invader Concepts chest rig. Glock 29 10MM with a 180-220 grain lead cast underwood bullet. If I didn't hunt areas with Grizzly bears I would carry my standard glock 19 edc shooting a federal hst.

Nevada did not allow handgun carry during archery hunts for many years. So I just never got in the habit. Would have one at camp or in the truck, but it was a no no while hunting. That law has changed now, but I still don't carry in Nevada, Oregon, or Utah. Just feels like I'm breaking the law to do it.

 

[ptmn]

I live behind the iron curtain in kalifornia. Blue state politicians made it illegal even for licensed concealed carriers to possess a handgun while hunting in archery season

 

[Clearwaterarcher]

Nevada did not allow handgun carry during archery hunts for many years. So I just never got in the habit. Would have one at camp or in the truck, but it was a no no while hunting. That law has changed now, but I still don't carry in Nevada, Oregon, or Utah. Just feels like I'm breaking the law to do it.

I had no idea those laws were on the books in some states. Crazy. My understanding was in certain states it’s obviously unlawful to carry a handgun with the intention of using that to harvest game during bow season. But I thought carrying a handgun for personal protection during bow season was legal in all western states.

 

[Clearwaterarcher]

I had no idea those laws were on the books in some states. Crazy. My understanding was in certain states it’s obviously unlawful to carry a handgun with the intention of using that to harvest game during bow season. But I thought carrying a handgun for personal protection during bow season was legal in all western states.

Nevada did not allow handgun carry during archery hunts for many years. So I just never got in the habit. Would have one at camp or in the truck, but it was a no no while hunting. That law has changed now, but I still don't carry in Nevada, Oregon, or Utah. Just feels like I'm breaking the law to do it.

Also, I know for a fact you can carry a handgun for personal protection while bow bunting in Oregon and Washington. I don’t know anything about Utah or Nevada.

 

[nevadabugle]

Also, I know for a fact you can carry a handgun for personal protection while bow bunting in Oregon and Washington. I don’t know anything about Utah or Nevada.

I believe its legal now in Nevada. But I just never changed my ways.

 

[Skerhunter]

I would strongly encourage everyone to carry one and know how to use it or at least carry spray in bear/lion territory.

I’ve had a few experiences that changed my opinion on carrying. I even do it when not in grizz territory now.

 

[nevadabugle]

I would strongly encourage everyone to carry one and know how to use it or at least carry spray in bear/lion territory.

I’ve had a few experiences that changed my opinion on carrying. I even do it when not in grizz territory now.

I just don't feel that need. I've had many close encounters with lions. But nothing that makes me want to carry a pistol. Now, when I go to the big city....I'm always carrying. Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.

"Man is the only animal of which I am thoroughly afraid. There is no harm in a well fed lion, he has no sect, no party."

 

[Skerhunter]

I just don't feel that need. I've had many close encounters with lions. But nothing that makes me want to carry a pistol. Now, when I go to the big city....I'm always carrying. Reminds me of one of my favorite quotes.

"Man is the only animal of which I am thoroughly afraid. There is no harm in a well fed lion, he has no sect, no party."

I had a stand off with a young lion that wasn’t afraid of me that changed my opinion on them. Took lots of yelling and some warning shots before he decided to leave me alone.

 

[peterk123]

I even carry during rifle season. I live in grizz country.

 

[Bcoonce117]

I live behind the iron curtain in kalifornia. Blue state politicians made it illegal even for licensed concealed carriers to possess a handgun while hunting in archery season

I believe that only applies if you’re deer hunting. Pretty sure I’ve heard it’s legal while bear hunting. I could have misheard

 

[Beendare]

I went decades not packing a pistol.

Now, it's different, I always carry. In Black bear country I pack my G19 or Shield and in Grizz country my stock G20. Both on a belt holster and both with Hard cast ammo.

That HC over penetrating ammo is a game changer. I practice a lot from a belt holster....so thats fast, accurate and intuitive for me.

 

[Jfowler]

I carry a G29 10mm with HSM bear loads. I have it in a Razco holster on my hip belt on my pack. It doesn’t get in my way, and it nice to know it’s there.

 

[Bmcghan22]

I run a g20 with a razco holster on my hip belt. Use to just just a 9 mm but lately on my cameras Ive been seeing a lot of big bears and wolves and last year jumped a big cow moose at about 40 yards with my little boy next to me. Glad she took off and didn’t charge. Felt a lot safer with that 10mm on my hip.

 

[ptmn]

I believe that only applies if you’re deer hunting. Pretty sure I’ve heard it’s legal while bear hunting. I could have misheard

Unfortunately you misheard, Kalifornia mammal (big game) hunting regulation 354(h) is the referenced section. They recently changed one part of that regulation to allow possession of a firearm for off duty law enforcement officers, but nobody else.

Disregard above, Bcoonce117 is correct. I read subsection (h)(1), which states:

• (1) An archer may carry a firearm capable of being concealed on his or her person while engaged in the taking of big game other than deer with a bow and arrow in accordance with subdivision (h), but shall not take or attempt to take big game with the firearm.