Can you carry a sidearm while archery hunting for pig?

[MountainManMike]

Can you carry a sidearm while archery hunting for pig? I know the answer for deer, NO. And what about sidearms at Ft. Hunter Liggett, while pig hunting.

 

[Zbearclaw]

If you carry a gun in CA you are gun hunting while carrying a bow. The regs apply to a gun hunter.

 

[sportyg]

reg say you may not carry a firearm when bow hunting no matter what you are hunting.. You'll go to jail will not pass go and collect $200.00 as a bonus you will lose your hunting rights.

 

[CHAD PEZZLE]

reg say you may not carry a firearm when bow hunting no matter what you are hunting.. You'll go to jail will not pass go and collect $200.00 as a bonus you will lose your hunting rights.

That's not true as long as you're not in an archery only area, hunting during archery season, or hunting with an archery only tag it's perfectly legal to carry a pistol while bow hunting.
Checking the regs it says:
(h) Except as provided in subsection 353(g), archers may not possess a firearm while hunting in the field during any archery season, or while hunting during a general season under the provisions of an archery only tag.

Not sure what area your hunting at FHL but if it is open to rifle and archery it's perfectly legal to carry a pistol. However if your in a training area that is open for archery only you won't be able to carry a pistol.

 

[10Quail]

Clarification

Is carrying a sidearm permissible regardless of the firearm hunt you're on? For example, can you carry a sidearm if hunting deer in rifle season? Same question for when you're hunting quail (regardless how silly that sounds)?

 

[MountainManMike]

So then to my "understanding" you can carry with a bow as long as: 1 you are not hunting in an archery only area; you do not posses a archery only tag (pig are exempt hunted all year). So bow hunt in a rifle area if you want to carry sidearm.

I just wanted a little security (.40s&w) if a pig charges while on a bow hunt.

Thanks for all the good info MMM.

 

[Zbearclaw]

Go to the range, and shoot your bow, then try to draw your pistol.

Most that bowhunt with a handgun only do it a few times. It is impossible to carry comfortable that doesn't get in the way and still be able to draw when the mean old pig charges.

Take heavier arrows, but don't waste the time or effort taking a handgun.

 

[weekender21]

As long as you can legally kill the animal you are hunting with a hand gun then you can carry that weapon while hunting. There is no "rifle season" in CA. It's called general or firearms season. As long as you follow the regulations, ie no deer hunting with a .22 pistol, then you can have the weapon on you. I've never done it bud I have a buddy that carries his bow and his firearm during the general season or while hunting hogs.

If you are hunting with an AO tag or an archery specific tag, A31 for example, you cannot possess a firearm. if you are hunting with a general tag, D12 for example, during archery season, you may not possess a firearm.

 

[Forest Crawler]

Can you carry a sidearm while archery hunting for pig? I know the answer for deer, NO. And what about sidearms at Ft. Hunter Liggett, while pig hunting.

From an email I received from the DFG:
So long as you are not hunting deer, elk or antelope, you can carry a sidearm. If you are hunting only pigs for instance, you may carry any legal method and combine the methods. Your handgun will be required to be loaded with non-lead if in the condor range.

 

[weekender21]

You can legally take deer, elk, and pronhorn with a sidearm! As long as you are not pursuing them with an Archery tag you can carry the sidearm.........Obviously there might be other regs depending on where you hunt, some military installations for example do not allow sidearms at all.

 

[weekender21]

§353. Methods Authorized for Taking Big Game.

(a) Except for the provisions of subsections 353(b) through (h), Title 14, CCR, big game (as defined by Section 350, Title 14, CCR) may only be taken by rifles using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles; bow and arrow (see Section 354, Title 14, CCR, for archery equipment regulations); or wheellock, matchlock, flintlock or percussion type, including "in-line" muzzleloading rifles using black powder or equivalent black powder substitute, including pellets, with a single projectile loaded from the muzzle and at least .40 caliber in designation. For purposes of Section 353, a "projectile" is defined as any bullet, ball, sabot, slug, buckshot or other device which is expelled from a firearm through a barrel by force.

(b) Shotguns capable of holding not more than three shells firing single slugs may be used for the taking of deer, bear and wild pigs. In areas where the discharge of rifles or shotguns with slugs is prohibited by county ordinance, shotguns capable of holding not more than three shells firing size 0 or 00 buckshot may be used for the taking of deer only.

(c) Pistols and revolvers using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take deer, bear, and wild pigs.

(d) Pistols and revolvers with minimum barrel lengths of 4 inches, using centerfire cartridges with softnose or expanding projectiles may be used to take elk and bighorn sheep.

 

[feelinducky]

FHL may have a requirement for barell length. You may want to check that.

 

[larrysogla]

The first time I went deer hunting in 1978 I carried a .22 Ruger semi-automatic pistol in a hip holster for snakes. That was the last time I carried a handgun backup and I have been on dozens and dozens of pig and deer hunts. The handgun felt heavy after long hours of hiking the hills and if the pig was wounded and went into thick brush(I have a .44 Mag. Ruger 4" Redhawk which I have never carried as a backup).................well that is why I carry a 300 WM to minimize that from happening in the first place. Really for me, the most convenient place to carry a backup handgun is inside a comfortable backpack. Then when you have to follow a wounded pig into thick brush, you have the time to take it out of the backpack and do second thoughts if you could shoot well enough to hit the charging hog in the forehead because other than that forehead shot the hog will probably be able to cover the 25-50 yds. even with a shoulder shot and do some nasty work with it's sharp tusks. The sidearm strapped to the hips, waist or chest will feel heavy, heavy, heavy after a few hours of hiking. The high powered rifle is your best bet at stopping a wounded hog.........even better if it is a semi-automatic high powered rifle like a Remington Woodsmaster semi-auto or a Browning BAR.
'Nuff said
larrysogla

 

[weekender21]

Yeah I have to agree. I've carried a handgun on exactly one hunt.

 

[dglover]

Good thing nobody ever told our troopers that their sidearm gets to heavy.

I am just saying.................

As for me I carry a sidearm not for the animals but for the people. The same reason that I carry anytime. Never thought to myself man this is heavy.

If weight is your concern there are many compact models that are lightweight and still leave you with options in tight quarters.

My camel back weighs more then my pistol and I am not leaving that at home either.

I always keep my sidearm on me when I am in the woods but that is just me. If it is legal then the pistol is always worth the extra weight IMHO.

 

[weekender21]

If you're hunting country were you're worried about running into the wrong crowd then I totally agree. I just couldn't justify messing with one as a "back-up" gun for a bow or a long rifle.

I would carry a side arm at all times if I could get a license to do so down here in SOCAL!

 

[weekender21]

Is it any easier to get a concealed carry license up there?

 

[dglover]

Is it any easier to get a concealed carry license up there?

I am in podunksville. So yes our county is easier to get one. I carry because the penal code lets me.

Of course this is the same reason I protect myself no matter where I am at. You never know who you are going to run into.

Criminals can still hunt with a bow. Of course I doubt that a little thing like laws would stop them anyway.

We all need to move to Texas or Nevada.

 

[MountainManMike]

Thanks all, for the insightful information. I have a BLACKHAWK serpa drop leg holster. Rather comfortable, but it still has weight.

I shoot a 33 in maxima hunter arrow with a rage 2 in broad head and 65 lbs pull. Think that will work Bearclaw?

 

[MountainManMike]

Concealed carry in Ca is a joke. CC Licenses are issued by the local counties. You either need to be a cop, jeweler or loaded with cash to get one. Also the CC only works in the county you have the CC in.