Can I take a shotgun and a bow out at the same time for deer?

[bac0nfat]

I'll be hunting in 5C, on December 26th it opens up for archery (antlered and antlerless) and gun (antlerless only). I want to hunt with my shotgun for doe because I could use the extra range, but also don't want to pass up a nice buck because I don't have a bow. Could I bring a shotgun and a bow in my stand at the same time?

[ChuckS]

I'll be hunting in 5C, on December 26th it opens up for archery (antlered and antlerless) and gun (antlerless only). I want to hunt with my shotgun for doe because I could use the extra range, but also don't want to pass up a nice buck because I don't have a bow. Could I bring a shotgun and a bow in my stand at the same time?

Short answer...no. It's been discussed and answered before.

Edit to add link to another thread...here

I'll see if I can find the blurb from the digest...okay I couldn't copy and paste but no firearms allowed except (for protection) if you have a LTCF and a muzzleloader (if you have a muzzeloader license and proper orange clothing).
Digest page 45.

[bac0nfat]

Have a source for that?

[bac0nfat]

Just found this:

Archery Seasons: Long, recurve, compound bows and crossbows
with broadheads of cutting-edge design. An arrow and crossbow
bolt must be equipped with a broadhead not more than three inches
long and at least 7/8 inches wide, with at least two cutting edges
on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface.
Magnifying scopes and red dot sights can be used on crossbows.
Persons hunting deer in the archery seasons may not possess a
firearm, except those individuals who have a License to Carry
Firearms permit, and then only those firearms authorized by the
permit (most sporting arms are not authorized). Muzzleloading
firearms can also be carried by bowhunters during any
muzzleloading season, providing the hunter has an archery license
and a muzzleloader license and meets the fluorescent orange
requirements of the muzzleloader season.

But how would that apply to overlapping gun and bow seasons? It seems, according to the text above, that you wouldn't be able to take a shotgun out at all during bow season, even if you didn't have a bow.

[ChuckS]

Just found this:



But how would that apply to overlapping gun and bow seasons? It seems, according to the text above, that you wouldn't be able to take a shotgun out at all during bow season, even if you didn't have a bow.

Sometimes the digest is a little vague on details.

I guess you would interpret it the same as if it were overlapping squirrel season and archery...you have to pick one or the other. Either carry the firearm or the bow but not both.

Take a hunting buddy. You carry the bow he/she carries the shotgun and sit in a double wide tree stand? I wouldn't try it though.

[bac0nfat]

How stupid, so I basically have to decide beforehand what I'm gonna take out. I don't see why they care as long as I'm legal and have tags for both. Oh well.

Maybe I should just load my shotgun with blanks and shove an arrow down the barrel.

[41 Redhawk]

I'd call the regional office and ask them.

[ChuckS]

I'd call the regional office and ask them.

This is probably the better action.

The digest is an "explanation" of the statutes and can easily be misinterpretted and can be unclear.

For instance, the quote above:

and then only those firearms authorized by the permit (most sporting arms are not authorized).

Nothing in the law limits the type to anything other than a handgun. If you can make a good argument you may be able to get a judge to believe a scoped out SRH in .41 mag is for "defensive purposes" but I kind of doubt it.

The PGC doesn't want you to have a gun with you during archery hunting. They even fought that carry law on the above point.

I doubt very highly that the regional office will say anything differently than the advice you've already gotten.

[bac0nfat]

Yeah you could argue that your short barreled shotgun is covered by your LTCF and bring that out with you. I'll call them when I get a chance.

[Yoder]

What if I took my rifle and my bow during rifle season?