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opencarry while hunting

F

frgntsmtn

Regular Member
Joined
Sep 20, 2008
Messages
15
Location
leesburg, Virginia, USA
imported post

My first season deer hunting and i have been looking around for any lawsbut have not been able to find any saying i cant. seen laws for concealed carry on national forest but nothing for wma. just wanted to make sure it was ok first
 
R

rob99vmi04

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
291
Location
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
imported post

frgntsmtn wrote:
My first season deer hunting and i have been looking around for any lawsbut have not been able to find any saying i cant. seen laws for concealed carry on national forest but nothing for wma. just wanted to make sure it was ok first
Click to expand...



Be careful, depending on how you are hunting and the method in which are trying to take game could come into play.


For example: If your hunting with archery tackle I don't think your allowed to have gun with you unless you have a CHP. I'm Not sure if the same thing applies to muzzleloading. However, if your in a rifle area then technically you could be hunting with your pistol.
 
S

SuperDad

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 31, 2009
Messages
151
Location
Charlottesville / Hampton Roads, Virginia, USA
imported post

The only thing I found was from theVADGIF Hunting Regulations, basically says that you must have a CHP in order to carry a handgun while hunting during muzzleloader and archery season. Didn't find anything specifically stating OC though. I'll ask my neighbor tonight if I see him as he is a Game Warden and might be able to cite the specific code(s). However you are allowed to hunt with a handgun as long as: quoted right out of the regs:

"Pistols and revolvers are lawful for deer and bear hunting only in those counties where hunting deer and bear with rifles is lawful. Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more. "

Also from the hunting regs:

Valid Concealed Handgun Permit Holders May:
  • Possess a concealed handgun during the archery and muzzleloader seasons. Such handguns may not be used to shoot any wild animals during these seasons.
  • Possess a concealed handgun on National Forest and Department lands during the closed season.
  • Possess and transport a loaded concealed handgun in or on any vehicle on National Forest and Department lands.
 
R

rob99vmi04

Regular Member
Joined
May 22, 2007
Messages
291
Location
Fairfax, Virginia, USA
imported post

SuperDad wrote:
The only thing I found was from theVADGIF Hunting Regulations, basically says that you must have a CHP in order to carry a handgun while hunting during muzzleloader and archery season. Didn't find anything specifically stating OC though. I'll ask my neighbor tonight if I see him as he is a Game Warden and might be able to cite the specific code(s). However you are allowed to hunt with a handgun as long as: quoted right out of the regs:

"Pistols and revolvers are lawful for deer and bear hunting only in those counties where hunting deer and bear with rifles is lawful. Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more. "

Also from the hunting regs:

Valid Concealed Handgun Permit Holders May:
  • Possess a concealed handgun during the archery and muzzleloader seasons. Such handguns may not be used to shoot any wild animals during these seasons.
  • Possess a concealed handgun on National Forest and Department lands during the closed season.
  • Possess and transport a loaded concealed handgun in or on any vehicle on National Forest and Department lands.
Click to expand...

IANAL, however, I think a game warden could charge you with hunting out of season if he catches you OC'n and you do not have a valid VA CHP.




Just on a side note " I would really like to know what this means

" Cartridges used must be .23 caliber or larger and have a manufacturer's rating of 350 foot-pounds muzzle energy or more. "

What if I'm the manufacturer of my own ammuntion.
 
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