I can't seem to find an answer to my question. Can a nonresident carry a pistol while archery hunting in the back country? Any help would be great!
Pistol in the back country.
- Thread starter razorbackhunter
- Start date
tdcour
Veteran member
Here in South Dakota you have to have a concealed carry license to carry a pistol with a bow. Resident or non-resident doesn't matter as long as your state has reciprocity with ours. Now I am not sure if that is how it is with all states. Make sure to read all of the hunting regs and it should tell you there. I hqve also emailed or called conservation officers to get their opinion as they will be the ones enforcing the rules. Hopefully you can get a specific answer soon.
sheephunter
Active Member
I always carry a pistol while archery hunting here in CO; I've been carrying so long I can't really remember but I'm pretty sure I asked DOW regarding legality before I started carrying. I make sure the gun is exposed so there is no question about concealed carry. I guess to put the question to rest I would recommend giving DOW a call just to make sure.
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
If there is one thing that chaps my hide is hearing guys talk about their state making it unlawful to carry at anytime. Our founding fathers gave us an unalienable right to carry a fire arm in our second amendment. It is a right that cannot be outlawed. You can however loose the right by becoming a felon along with a lot of other rights.
States that think they can outlaw carrying a firearm are writing unconstitutional laws, laws I believe my oath I took are worth fighting against. To each their own but for me I refuse to live in, hunt in, or support such states. If I can be charged unconstitutionally as a felon for exercising my rights, I will fight.
States that right this crap are saying its to keep the archery season clean. Those of us that are true archers aren't going to cheat with a hand gun. I will use one to defend my life from critters of any leg count hell bent on my harm.
Fortunate here in Idaho, there are bear,cat, wolf all in season during the archery season. These are any weapon animals so often I carry both into the hunt just in case.
States that think they can outlaw carrying a firearm are writing unconstitutional laws, laws I believe my oath I took are worth fighting against. To each their own but for me I refuse to live in, hunt in, or support such states. If I can be charged unconstitutionally as a felon for exercising my rights, I will fight.
States that right this crap are saying its to keep the archery season clean. Those of us that are true archers aren't going to cheat with a hand gun. I will use one to defend my life from critters of any leg count hell bent on my harm.
Fortunate here in Idaho, there are bear,cat, wolf all in season during the archery season. These are any weapon animals so often I carry both into the hunt just in case.
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Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
I usually carry (not concealed even tho I have a CC permit) my .357 when I'm hunting here in Co. I'll be going to Calif deer hunting in Sept and I am planning on packin it then too. We are in the back country in a Wilderness area and usually never see anyone other than our group. Calif does not recognize my permit, not that it makes any difference in open carry. I am sure if we were to see a Warden or FS Ranger, they would be very uncomfortable seeing me with my big old SS S & W 686, even tho it is legal to open carry in Calif while hunting.
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Old Hunter
Banned
Yes, you can carry one here, but make sure it's always exposed. Another thing is, if you're bow hunting, and wound the animal. You can't use the handgun to finish it off under any circumstances.
I never carried a handgun in all my hunting. I did carry bear spray, but never needed that either. I can sort of understand a bow hunter, but why does a rifle hunter need two guns?
I never carried a handgun in all my hunting. I did carry bear spray, but never needed that either. I can sort of understand a bow hunter, but why does a rifle hunter need two guns?
Musket Man
Veteran member
Backup!! Your rifle could jam while a pack of wolves is closing in on you in Idaho.
Old Hunter
Banned
Musket Man
Veteran member
Huntography
New Member
- Jan 1, 2013
- 39
- 0
I open carry mine here while archery hunting in Colorado. I believe out of staters can too.
Rudy
Rudy
Colorado Cowboy
Super Moderator
Quiethunter
New Member
You can carry a handgun, and even have it concealed in your pack while hunting:
The right to bear arms is covered in the Colorado and U.S. constitutions. Colorado does not have a regulation prohibiting the carrying of a handgun while archery hunting. However, the handgun cannot be used in any way in the taking of wildlife, i.e. used to dispatch a wounded animal. In addition as S.D. mentioned one can carry concealed while hunting and below is the statute that covers that.
CRS 18-12-204. Permit contents - validity - carrying requirements.
(3)(a) A person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry a handgun under the following circumstances without obtaining a permit and the handgun shall not be considered concealed:
(II) The handgun is in the possession of a person who is legally engaged in hunting activities within the state.
[Source: CDOW - verbatim reply B.T. 8/24/10]
The right to bear arms is covered in the Colorado and U.S. constitutions. Colorado does not have a regulation prohibiting the carrying of a handgun while archery hunting. However, the handgun cannot be used in any way in the taking of wildlife, i.e. used to dispatch a wounded animal. In addition as S.D. mentioned one can carry concealed while hunting and below is the statute that covers that.
CRS 18-12-204. Permit contents - validity - carrying requirements.
(3)(a) A person who may lawfully possess a handgun may carry a handgun under the following circumstances without obtaining a permit and the handgun shall not be considered concealed:
(II) The handgun is in the possession of a person who is legally engaged in hunting activities within the state.
[Source: CDOW - verbatim reply B.T. 8/24/10]