Author Topic: Carrying 2 long guns while hunting?? .... (Read 2279 times)

sniperVLS · « **on:** July 11, 2007, 08:37:08 PM »

One for hunting, one for self-defense? Is this legal?

A relative asked me that same question this evening concerning Alaska. I told him I didn't know the answer and he asked what PA's regulations were seeing as we will be going there.

He's mostly concerned about being on the defensive against a Black bear that attacks while hunting something else(deer, coyote mostly). I told him I'd have my Sig .40s&w for the time being and that didnt calm him down.

** He then asked if he could carry a 12 gauge loaded with slugs for bear defense, while having his hunting rifle slung across his back. Legal? If so, frowned upon?

He is here watching me type this, he just won't let this die so where else to pose this question other than here!

Thanks for reading.

-Aaron-

ms · « **Reply #1 on:** July 11, 2007, 10:06:03 PM »

I carry two long guns when I hunted this property in lower michigan a muzzleloader for long shot across a field and a shotgun with buckshot for the woods. It work great I don't think there a limit of long gun your allow to carry in the field tell him to call the dnr.

JoeG52 · « **Reply #2 on:** July 12, 2007, 02:22:38 PM »

I think it would be legal if both guns are legal for the game being hunted. You could get a PA WCO to answer here...

http://www.huntingpa.com/forums/ubbthreads.php?Cat=

Drilling Man · « **Reply #3 on:** July 12, 2007, 02:59:57 PM »

Quote

One for hunting, one for self-defense? Is this legal?

A relative asked me that same question this evening concerning Alaska. I told him I didn't know the answer and he asked what PA's regulations were seeing as we will be going there.

I always figured, if you can't get it done with one gun, i doubt you will get it done with two.... Worrying about switching guns ect... when it's REALLY needed, will only make things worse... and probably get you bit! OR worse!

DM

jpsmith1 · « **Reply #4 on:** July 12, 2007, 04:43:41 PM »

I agree with Drilling Man. Carry one good gun that you can use well.

Honestly, in Pa you have very little to fear from bears. I'd worry more about 2 legged critters than bears. For that, a .40 is plenty good medicine.

manofthe45 · « **Reply #5 on:** July 12, 2007, 05:41:06 PM »

I have carried two shotguns into the state game lands around Middle creek for years. One setup for close shots one with a extended range choke tube and 3 1/2 shells. If I had a dollar for every time I talked to a WCO while there I wouldn't be rich but I would be able to buy a couple more boxes of hevi-shot. You can carry a rifle and revolver or single shot pistol. You might be laughed at but you won't be fined

JoeG52 · « **Reply #6 on:** July 13, 2007, 12:02:50 PM »

If you have a license to carry concealed you can even carry a semi-auto for protection, you just can’t use it to hunt.

BCB · « **Reply #7 on:** July 13, 2007, 01:13:32 PM »

JoeG52,
Are you absolutely sure about that? BCB

Davemuzz · « **Reply #8 on:** July 13, 2007, 04:42:36 PM »

The personal carry gun (as long as you have a license to carry concealed) is new this year in Pennsylvania. You can even carry a concealed during bow season. IMHO, I think it's a good idea. I also think it's a sad reflection on our society as a whole today. The law was passed (in part) because these meth lab guys set up "shop" in the middle of the woods. So, if your out there hunting with your bow, and you run into one of these guys, I think they are going to have something more powerful than a bow.

Also, if your hunting in a firearms season, and your personal protection gun is a revolver, and a caliber that is legal for the game you are hunting (ie: not a rimfire in deer season) then you can use that gun for hunting.

Dave

JoeG52 · « **Reply #9 on:** July 14, 2007, 01:16:11 AM »

Like Dave said, it is new this year.

HB 2563 By Representatives STABACK, GOODMAN, BAKER, BELFANTI, BEYER, BOYD, CALTAGIRONE, CAPPELLI, DeLUCA, DeWEESE, DIVEN, FABRIZIO, FAIRCHILD, FORCIER, GEIST, GEORGE, GODSHALL, HALUSKA, HANNA, HARHAI, HARRIS, HESS, HUTCHINSON, M. KELLER, KOTIK, McGEEHAN, McILHINNEY, METCALFE, R. MILLER, PETRARCA, PHILLIPS, PICKETT, PYLE, READSHAW, REICHLEY, SIPTROTH, SOLOBAY, SURRA, TANGRETTI, TIGUE, WILT, WOJNAROSKI, PALLONE and CAUSER.

Printer's No. 3806.

An Act amending Title 34 (Game) of the Pennsylvania Consolidated Statutes, providing for possession of firearm for protection of self or others.

Referred to GAME AND FISHERIES, April 3, 2006
Reported as committed, April 25, 2006
First consideration, April 25, 2006
Laid on the table, April 25, 2006
Removed from table, June 14, 2006
Second consideration, June 14, 2006
Re-referred to APPROPRIATIONS, June 14, 2006
Re-reported as committed, June 19, 2006
Third consideration and final passage, June 21, 2006 (189-8)
In the Senate
Referred to GAME AND FISHERIES, June 23, 2006
Reported as committed, Oct. 18, 2006
First consideration, Oct. 18, 2006
Second consideration, Oct. 23, 2006
Laid on the table, Oct. 23, 2006
Removed from table, Nov. 20, 2006
Third consideration and final passage, Nov. 20, 2006 (47-1)
Signed in House, Nov. 21, 2006
Signed in Senate, Nov. 21, 2006
Presented to the Governor, Nov. 22, 2006
Approved by the Governor, Nov. 29, 2006
Act No. 162

BCB · « **Reply #10 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:11:06 AM »

Davemuzz & JoeG52,

Thanks to both of you…I have been a PA hunter for 43 years and a resident for 55 years. I know, previously, the Game Commission Laws superseded any other handgun rule/law. I think it still does when spotting deer? But what you guys indicate is good.

A few years ago, I asked a Game Warden (old name ain’t sure what the new name is!) about carrying a handgun while spotting deer. I’ve had a conceal carry permit since I got out of the Army in 1972. He said, and I quote the best I can remember, “If you’re that damned scared in the dark, I wouldn’t spot deer!” A very profession answer! I can understand their reasoning behind their law, but it sure does undermine our rights. The Game Commission is very powerful and in many instances, arrogant. I have never broken the law while hunting and I have never had a run-in with an Officer so I am not saying this because of sour grapes.

I really don’t hunt that much anymore and probably in a few years, I won’t hunt at all. Their whole system of seasons and laws are just too complicated to deal with anymore. I honestly think that one can “innocently” break a law and get his/her name in the local paper. And so it goes.

Thanks again for your responses…BCB

BCB · « **Reply #11 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:36:04 AM »

An Update...

I just purchased my hunting licenses this morning and was glancing through the digest that comes with the licenses. On page 7 of this publication, it says something about License To Carry Firearms Permits and spotlighters. Maybe I wrote too soon in my previous post! Guess a person would have to be absolutely certain as to what firearms are allowed. Any thoughts on this...BCB

Davemuzz · « **Reply #12 on:** July 14, 2007, 08:07:23 AM »

BCB,

I knew the concealed carry applied when you were hunting (archery, rifle (arms), or black powder) but I wasn't positive about when spotlighting for deer. However, it would "appear" that when you read the information on page 7 that you can carry a gun that is suitable for personal protection. Now, IMHO if you have a loaded Smith 44 mag with a scope and a 8" barrel, or a Thompson Contender "any caliber" handgun (scoped or not) your just asking to get arrested. Those are not "concealed carry" guns. Neither are any types of rifles.

So, I think if you "push the envelope" your just askin to get pinched.

Dave.

Davemuzz · « **Reply #13 on:** July 14, 2007, 08:20:20 AM »

Not to high-jack this post, but while I was reading the "Hunting & Trapping Digest" (which, on a personal note...I am a college graduate. I practiced as a CPA for 25 years and was forced to retire because of illness. However, I have read the tax code inside and out, forward and backwards...and I have to tell you, the tax code is quite complex. Now, I'm not bragging about this...it just is. My point here is that I read this Hunting and Trapping Digest every year....and I have to read it 3 or 4 times on certain issues to get an answer...and sometimes it's not clear on that. I just gotta think they can make it simpler. MHO). ....but back on point, in the Digest it says you are not allowed (and I'm not quoting this verbatim) to possess or transport a wild animal. In fact, I thought I read that you can't live trap (or maybe trap) out of season.

So, the issue was, my wife's friend has an inground pool that was being "invaded" by raccoons. All-in-all she live trapped 5 of 'em. Let's just say a certain person took them in the trap and "relocated" these 5 to another place so they could not come back to her pool. (Her home was in the middle of a housing plan, but there was a tiny strip of woods right next to her house where the raccoons "prospered" from local garbage.)

However, the previous year she contacted the local municipal authority, and they gave her this "blue poison" that was so deadly, she had to handle it with latex gloves. She did use it and the raccoons died a slow and painful death.

I just don't get our laws at times. The blue poison was legal, but to trap and relocate, was not?

Oh boy!!!

Dave

BCB · « **Reply #14 on:** July 14, 2007, 09:01:59 AM »

Davemuzz,

I agree 100% with the type of handgun to carry for protection. A Ruger Security-Six or a Mak 9mm might be O.K. buy my SRH with ‘scope or T/C 7-30 Waters ain’t gonna make the cut—if will be fine time and name in the paper time!

You are also correct about the complexity of the hunting digest. I have read a few things several times and at several different times and interpretation can change with each reading. That is one of the reasons I am basically getting away from the hunting. I hunt deer with a handgun and that is about it. Sometimes maybe a groundhog with a T/C Contender 223. I just don’t need the aggravation anymore…BCB

Drilling Man · « **Reply #15 on:** July 14, 2007, 03:57:32 PM »

I'm still trying to figure out what's wrong with using the gun that's "already in your hands" ?? Is someone going to try and tell me that a 9 or 10mm will do something that the shotgun or high powered rifle that's "already in your hands" won't already do? In a defence situation???

I must be missing something here??

DM

JoeG52 · « **Reply #16 on:** July 15, 2007, 01:37:08 AM »

One thing is that you can carry when archery hunting.

BCB · « **Reply #17 on:** July 15, 2007, 02:32:07 AM »

Drilling Man,

I think the issues here are during archery season as JoeG52 indicated and during spotting of deer as I mentioned earlier in this thread. You are correct that if a problem arises when I am small game hunting with my Model 12 Winchester, there would be no need to “quick draw” a handgun—the Model 12 would serve the purpose well. As a matter of fact, a Model 12 loaded with 00 buckshot is my home defense weapon. I ain’t coming down that hallway blazing away with pistols or revolvers—less aiming with the shotgun! Hopefully it will never come to any of the above…BCB

Drilling Man · « **Reply #18 on:** July 15, 2007, 03:53:50 AM »

I'm not a bow hunter.... But i've done a lot flying into the Alaskan bush... I always carried my 6" M-29 44 mag. in a shoulder holster "just in case".. Even if i had a long gun along in the plane, i "always" carried the revolver... I always fiured if something went bad, i may not find or beable to get to my long gun, or it may even be damaged, but that 44 was going to be close by!

When hunting out in the bush, i took the 44 along and left it in camp as a backup gun. If my long gun or scope failed, i still had something i had confidence i could harvest game with. Many times i'd leave the long gun in camp and just hunt with the 44, especially if i was hunting with someone less experienced, as i didn't mind at all letting them have to first shot...

I find a decent handgun, very handy to have around, but i rarely carried both a long gun and a handgun at the same time...

One of my friends was a bow hunter, and he loved hunting blk bears, having taken a LOT of them with his bow. He also carried a shotgun on a sling to his bait tree... One day he heard something as he was going into his spot and when he turned around there was a blk bear comeing in quite fast on his trail... He was close to his tree so he went for it... But the bear was gaining ground... so, he dropped his pack and everything else and RAN to the tree.. The bear stopped to tear up his pack and chew on his shotgun and bow LOL

He made it up the tree and all he had was his flashlight.... It was in the evening and that bear hung around until after dark and it even stood on it's hind legs looking up in the tree he was in... Finally after dark and after it made a mess of all of his things, it walked off, and he came down the tree.

First thing he did was run to his shotgun as he could see it and his pack from his tree stand... He said he about crapped his pants before he walked out in the dark... hahahahaa

I always liked to tease him about that bear... and he tried and tried to get it, but he never saw "that" bear again... ha ha ha

True story!!

DM

Davemuzz · « **Reply #19 on:** July 15, 2007, 04:31:01 AM »

I bot a Smith & Wesson model 386sc 7 shot Mountain Lite (357 Magnum). I was looking for a side arm to carry when I went fox hunting & Coyote hunting. I do this at night and I am by myself. I was carrying my Smith 44 magnum 4" barrel, but that was getting a bit heavy. This Mt. Lite...I have to keep checking to make sure it's still there. That's how unnoticable it is to carry. I also carry it for personal protection. And since it's a revolver, it's legal for use in PA. in a firearms season.

Dave

dougk · « **Reply #20 on:** July 15, 2007, 03:19:45 PM »

For hunting with firearms, why not get a Combo gun. I have a nice one in 12 ga/30-06. I also use a 12 ga/222 for varmint and carry slugs for the shotgun just in case I run into some feral hogs. Not a lot of bears in Texas... There is a forum on Graybeard's devoted to Drilling, Combo and Cape guns.
Doug

Davemuzz · « **Reply #21 on:** July 15, 2007, 04:53:11 PM »

DougK has the answer for someone who is concerned about "having enough gun to kill anything that lives in the hills of Pennsylvania".

Most of the discussion was concerning the new Pa. law about carrying a concealed weapon in archery season or any other hunting season.

But when you look at the original post, the poster ask about having enough gun for black bear if hunting coyote or deer. Well, I hunt coyote and deer and there are black bear in my neck of the woods, and me and my hunting buddies don't worry about the bears. In fact, the black bears are pretty much afraid of humans and like to run away. I would not be concerned about the black bears attacking me....unless I had a bunch of peanut butter sandwich's in my pockets.

Dave.

sniperVLS · « **Reply #22 on:** July 16, 2007, 04:54:00 AM »

Having enough power shouldn't be an issue. I'll have either my .308 or .300winmag(he will have his .270), but getting a sight picture at what could possibly be close quarters thru a fixed 10x tactical scope is another matter entirely. I'm not tampering with my long range rigs by putting a different scope on, they are all sub MOA as is, so don't go there. He has his 2 primary hunting rifles setup for long range as well, If he's so concerned, he will be the one that has to change what he uses.

I'm going to suggest he gets a 7400 or 7600, problem solved. I may even do the same if I come across a good deal, never enough Remingtons in the safe

dougk · « **Reply #23 on:** July 16, 2007, 05:08:33 AM »

A combo in 12 ga/30-06 would work well or go crazy and get a combo in 12 ga/9.3x74R

Doug

Davemuzz · « **Reply #24 on:** July 16, 2007, 08:40:58 AM »

Quote from: sniperVLS on July 16, 2007, 04:54:00 AM

I'm going to suggest he gets a 7400 or 7600, problem solved. I may even do the same if I come across a good deal, never enough Remingtons in the safe

That's a good excuse to tell the wife to get another one for the safe!

Just go hunting and stay away from the peanut butter!

You'll be lucky if you even see a black bear.

Dave

the lone gunman · « **Reply #25 on:** September 14, 2007, 08:50:19 AM »

Quote from: JoeG52 on July 13, 2007, 12:02:50 PM

If you have a license to carry concealed you can even carry a semi-auto for protection, you just can’t use it to hunt.

You are Correct, I belive that now you may also carry while spotting, If you have CC permit.