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OC while hunting

theshrk

New member
Joined
Sep 10, 2014
Messages
1
Location
Martinsburg
I was informed by a DNR officer that (in june 2014) we (hunters) would be permitted to OC while hunting with out a conceal weapons permit. I can't fine any information on this. Would any one know if this is indeed the case?

Thank you in advance
 

Shallnotbeinfringed

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 1, 2008
Messages
88
Location
Martinsburg, West Virginia, USA
HB4431 took care of it, although it wasn't specifically aimed at OC, it should cover it. The pertinent part is part (b). It used to be that you could not go on a hike with a pistol for fear of running afoul of our poaching laws. Part (b) allows for the totality of the circumstance to be taken into consideration.

For example:

1. You got your hiking boots on, a day pack, your dog on a leash and have your 9mm on your side. The circumstances would seem to indicate you are not hunting.

2. You are dressed out in a ghille suit, have your scoped .500 S&W and are crouched down 50 yards from a pile of apples ... circumstances would seem to indicate you are hunting.

[Passed March 7, 2014; in effect ninety days from passage.]

AN ACT to amend and reenact §20-2-37 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, relating to clarifying that persons who possess firearms, hunting dogs or other indicia of hunting or taking wildlife in or near fields, woods or streams do not necessarily need to have a hunting license; and requiring the totality of the circumstances be considered before it can be concluded that a person has been hunting, fishing, trapping or taking wildlife.
Be it enacted by the Legislature of West Virginia:
That §20-2-37 of the Code of West Virginia, 1931, as amended, be amended and reenacted to read as follows:
ARTICLE 2. WILDLIFE RESOURCES.
§20-2-37. Display of license, etc., by persons in possession of hunting, fishing, etc., paraphernalia.
(a) Any person having in his or her possession in or near the fields or woods, or about the streams of this state, any wildlife, hunting dog or other hunting, fishing or trapping paraphernalia, implements or devices suitable for taking wildlife under circumstances indicating he or she has been hunting, trapping, fishing or otherwise taking wildlife, shall, upon demand of any officer authorized to enforce this chapter:
(1) State his or her correct name and address;
(2) Exhibit for inspection all license and documents or other lawful authorization for hunting, fishing, trapping or otherwise taking wildlife required to be carried pursuant to this chapter; and
(3) Exhibit for inspection all such wildlife, paraphernalia, implements or devices which he or she has in his or her possession.
(b) Mere possession of a firearm does not, in and of itself, indicate that a person has been hunting, fishing, trapping or taking wildlife, but may be considered along with other evidence in a determination as to whether a person has been hunting, fishing, trapping or otherwise taking wildlife.
(c) Nothing in this section may be construed as authorizing searches that violate article three, section six of the West Virginia Constitution or the Fourth Amendment to the Constitution of the United States, nor may anything in this section be construed as effecting a waiver of these Constitutional provisions.
 
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