Question about carrying while archery hunting

**rovert97** · September 17th, 2011, 06:21 AM

I plan on archery hunting on my own property. I also plan on carrying my pistol. Since it's my own property I can carry CC or OC normally, but since I'm hunting, am I required to have my LTCF/sportsmans permit? I only ask because my LTCF just expired and I havent gotten it renewed.

**dwalk** · September 17th, 2011, 07:06 AM

need to have your LTCF to carry your pistol during archery.

**smithwessn** · September 17th, 2011, 07:47 AM

Originally Posted by dwalk

need to have your LTCF to carry your pistol during archery.

^^^^ What he said.^^^^

**rovert97** · September 17th, 2011, 08:37 AM

Ok another curveball. Do you still need a LTCF if you were to hunt small game with a 22 revolver during archery season?

**smithwessn** · September 18th, 2011, 11:03 AM

I believe just to hunt with a handgun you would still need either a valid LTCF or a sportsman's firearm permit, regardless of any overlapping seasons. From the PA hunter/trapper digest-

Firearms - Handguns:

A Sportsman’s Firearms permit or a License

to Carry Firearms is required to carry a handgun, or have in a motor
vehicle. Licenses to Carry Firearms permits are issued by county sheriffs
or the Philadelphia Chief of Police. The License to Carry Firearms
permit only entitles bowhunters or spotlighters, for instance, to
carry firearms that fall within this classification. County treasurers
issue Sportsman’s Firearms Permits.

A person holding a Sportsman’s Firearms Permit may not carry a concealed handgun or a loaded handgun in a vehicle, and may not carry a handgun while bowhunting or spotlighting.

It says a LTCF or a SFP is required to carry a handgun. I assume in this instance "carry" would be the same as "hunting with." You may want to PM our resident WCO who frequently posts here to see if he can clarify that for you.

**wis bang** · September 18th, 2011, 08:13 PM

Originally Posted by rovert97

Ok another curveball. Do you still need a LTCF if you were to hunt small game with a 22 revolver during archery season?

If you hunt from the house you can open carry for small game, just leave your bow at home. You need a LTCF -or- the sportsmens permit to drive to another hunting location.

If you don't have time to renew your LTCF, take your hunting license to the county treasurers office and they will give you a spotsmens permit on the spot.