WA may change handgun rule for archers, hunters
The Washington Fish and Wildlife Commission will consider a rule change this month that will allow all bowhunters and muzzleloaders to carry a handgun for personal protection, amending a rule adopted last year that limited handguns only to persons with concealed pistol licenses (CPL).
That regulation created a firestorm because it was in conflict with existing state law and the Washington state Constitution. Under a long-standing Evergreen State gun law, it has been legal for anybody to carry a concealed handgun without a license in the wilds, provided they are engaged in some lawful outdoor activity that includes hunting, fishing, camping, hiking and horseback riding.
Under this year’s proposal, all bowhunters and muzzleloaders would be allowed to carry a handgun for personal protection, regardless of whether they possess a state CPL. Other states have allowed archers and blackpowder (BP) hunters to carry personal sidearms, and on at least one reported occasion in Montana, a hunter used his handgun in self-defense against a bear attack.
Prior to last year, neither bowhunters nor blackpowder hunters were allowed to carry a handgun, with the exception of muzzleloader hunters carrying blackpowder revolvers or single-shot pistols. The new rule will allow the carrying of modern handguns, but still prohibit their use to dispatch a big game animal shot with an arrow or a muzzleloader bullet or ball.
The proposal is part of a lengthy list of recommendations being offered to the commission for adoption as part of this year’s hunting regulations.
The commission was scheduled to meet Mar. 12-13 in Olympia, where the proposals will be presented and explained. Next month, the commission is expected to adopt new regulations during its Apr. 9-10 meeting in Spokane.
Proposal could give OH hunters more whitetails
Whitetail deer hunters in seven northwestern Ohio counties may get a higher deer bag limit and enjoy some other new regulations, if proposals now before the Ohio Wildlife Council are accepted when it meets Apr. 7.
Prior to that meeting, the Department of Natural Resources’ Division of Wildlife (DOW) held open house gatherings on Mar. 6 in each of the state’s five wildlife districts. The proposed higher bag limits would apply to seven counties that would be shifted from Deer Zone A to Deer Zone B. The affected counties would be Defiance, Fulton, Henry, Lucas, Paulding, Van Wert and Williams.
In addition, the Wildlife Council is also considering a proposal to do away with a requirement that hunters purchase a “regular” deer permit before buying antlerless deer permits. Under this proposal, the sale of antlerless permits will end Nov. 28. However, hunters participating in DOW controlled hunts, hunting during the season between Sept. 25 and Nov. 28, or hunting in urban zones would be able to buy antlerless permits at reduced prices. There is a proposal to extend the deadline for using antlerless permits to Dec. 5 in Deer Zone C.
Under the proposal, the maximum deer bag limit in Zone A is two deer. Prior to Nov. 29, one of those deer may be taken on an antlerless permit. Starting Nov. 29, only one deer is allowed and antlerless permits will no longer be allowed.
The maximum bag in Zone B will be four deer. Up to Nov. 28, two of those deer may be taken on antlerless permits. Starting Nov. 29, only two deer may be taken, and antlerless permits may not be used.
The Zone C maximum bag limit is six deer for the season. Up to Dec. 6, three of those deer may be taken on antlerless permits. Starting Dec. 6, only three deer may be taken, and antlerless permits cannot be used.
For complete details, visit wildohio.com on the Internet.
This article is provided free by GunWeek.com.
For more great gun news, subscribe to our print edition.
Return to Table of Contents