Hypothetical Bow Hunting Question

[barbarossa]

Say you're bow hunting during bow only season. Because you have a CCP you also carry a big caliber handgun, legally.

You shoot the deer with an arrow, it runs off. You track and find the deer, it's down but still alive.

Can you euthanize that deer with a head shot from your handgun? Or do you have to cut its throat?

 

[Gus McCrae]

I would not use a handgun.


It could be argued against you.

 

[peterf225]

I would advise against it. Too many legal issues that can arise. Although I do carry a 22 revo loaded with rat shot but that's to dispatch them pesky snakes I run into while hunting.

 

[barbarossa]

Just to be clear, I'm not asking if I can carry a handgun during bow season. With a CCP, I can, this was confirmed by Wildlife and Fisheries, I wrote and asked them.

The question is specifically, can I use that handgun to finish off a wounded deer, or do I have to use a knife?

 

[CrkdLtr]

If the deer were still alive when you found it, you have to put another arrow in it to euthanize it. You cannot shoot it with your hand gun. Game warden could easily argue you shot it first then stuck the arrow through it instead of vise versa. Best not put yourself in that situation. Use that hand gun only for self defense or for fending off wild boar.

 

[Hitman]

Using your firearm to kill the deer is using your firearm during Bow Season - Thus Unlawful.

You options are to stick it again, or break out a good fixed blade.

 

[sigfan556]

Using your firearm to kill the deer is using your firearm during Bow Season - Thus Unlawful.

You options are to stick it again, or break out a good fixed blade.

+1

 

[oleheat]

Using your firearm to kill the deer is using your firearm during Bow Season - Thus Unlawful.

You options are to stick it again, or break out a good fixed blade.

+1 again.

 

[barbarossa]

Thanks guys! Makes sense...

 

[BRBrett]

So are you saying it is illegal to carry a sidearm while you are hunting? I generally do for snakes and other things that may come up.

 

[Hitman]

So are you saying it is illegal to carry a sidearm while you are hunting? I generally do for snakes and other things that may come up.

They way I understand it is that you can carry a .22 w/ Rat Shot*ONLY*, via 'OPEN CARRY' during large and small game hunting season.
(Not to be confused with Outlaw Quadruped and Alligator Hunting.)

To carry a handgun in any caliber Larger Than .22 w/ Rat Shot, you must have a LA CHP no matter whether carrying "OPENLY or CONCEALED".

I'd like to get those Laws and Regulations round up though so i can add it to the Composite Law Topic in the Legalities thread. Thanks to who helps find the proper wording.

 

[sandman7925]

not legal

 

[titleguy]

They way I understand it is that you can carry a .22 w/ Rat Shot*ONLY*, via 'OPEN CARRY' during Bow/Primitive Weapon season.

Fixed it. Once Rifle/modern weapon season opens you can open carry whatever you want without a permit---provided it's not supressed or FA.

You need a concealed carry permit to carry concealed at any time or to carry a handgun open during bow season.

 

[tbone]

RS 56:116.1
§116.1. Wild birds and wild quadrupeds; times and methods of taking; penalties
E. Bowhunters may carry on their person, while hunting with a bow, a pistol no larger than a .22 caliber with snake shot or rat shot ammunition for the purposes of killing snakes and rats.
Acts 1992, No. 94, §1; Acts 1992, No. 857, §1; Acts 1992, No. 966, §1; Acts 1993, No. 82, §1; Acts 1995, No. 156, §1; Acts 1995, No. 453, §1; Acts 1996, 1st Ex. Sess., No. 84, §2; Acts 1999, No. 165, §1; Acts 1999, No. 469, §1; Acts 2001, No. 226, §1; Acts 2009, No. 55, §1; Acts 2009, No. 208, §1; Acts 2009, No. 322, §1; Acts 2010, No. 29, §1; Acts 2010, No. 254, §1, eff. June 17, 2010; Acts 2011, No. 27, §1; Acts 2011, No. 29, §1; Acts 2011, No. 95, §1.

RS 56:1691
§1691. Possession of firearms
A person who lawfully possesses a firearm may possess or transport such firearm within the boundaries of a state park, state historic site, state preservation area, wildlife management area, or wildlife refuge.
Acts 2010, No. 790, §1.

That's all I've been able to find so far. The Title 76 regulations on WMA's in the Administrative Code have not been changed to reflect these statutes as far as I can tell.

 

[Hitman]

You need a concealed carry permit to carry concealed at any time or to carry a handgun open during bow season.

But can carry larger than .22 during Bow/Primitive Weapon with a CHP correct?

 

[tbone]

TITLE 76
WILDLIFE AND FISHERIES

PART XIX. HUNTING AND WMA REGULATIONS
Chapter 1. Resident Game Hunting Season

§111. General and Wildlife Management Area Hunting Rules and
Regulations

H. WMA Regulations

4. Firearms

b. Firearms and bows and arrows are not allowed on
WMAs during closed seasons EXCEPT on designated shooting ranges or
as permitted for trapping and EXCEPT as allowed pursuant to R.S.
56:109.C and R.S. 56:1691. Bows and broadhead arrows are not
allowed on WMAs EXCEPT during deer archery season, turkey season or
as permitted for bowfishing. Active and retired law enforcement
officers in compliance with POST requirements, Federal Law
Enforcement Officers and holders of Louisiana concealed handgun
permits or permit holders from a reciprocal state who are in
compliance with all other state and federal firearms regulations
may possess firearms on WMAs provided these firearms are not used
for any hunting purpose.

Found this also. That's all I can find.

 

[barbarossa]

I have already posted this in another thread, but here it is again. I sent an e-mail to Wildlife and Fisheries earlier this year and got an answer from them.

This is the e-mail I sent:

"Dear Ladies and Gentlemen,

I have a question regarding the following paragraph of the 2010-2011
Louisiana Hunting Regulations (page 27 0f the printed booklet):

"[...] holders of Louisiana concealed handgun permits or permit holders from
a reciprocal state, who are in compliance with all other state and federal
firearms regulations, may possess firearms on WMAs, provided these firearms
are not used for any hunting purpose. [...]

Loaded firearms are not allowed near WMA check stations.

Center-fire rifles and handguns larger than .22 caliber rimfire, shotgun
slugs or shot larger than BB lead or F steel shot cannot be carried onto
any WMA EXCEPT during modern firearm deer season [....]"

I've heard this passage interpreted differently, so I would like to kindly
request a definitive guideline. As a CCP holder, can I legally carry a side
arm larger than .22 caliber for self protection when hunting on WMAs outside
legal deer rifle season, provided said side arm is not used for hunting? And
if so, does the "loaded firearms are not allowed near WMA check stations"
regulation apply to my concealed side arm?

Thank you very much for your time."

This is the reply I got:

"CCP holders and law enforcement are exempt from the handgun restrictions on WMA including the “near check station” rule. That rule is in place for firearms safety with shotguns and rifles while hunters are at a check station."