What gun to carry while hunting?

[Boulder Tuff]

Thanks and ya that is correct I am from Montana and now I am wondering if anyone knows the law for dog defense in Montana. I thought that you had the right to protect your pets. Let me know if you have any thoughts or anything about that.

Thanks again, Cole

[Rockcreek]

If you look on page 40 of the Utah Biggame hunting regs you will see that it is legal to carry a firearm if you have a conceled weapons permit on any type of hunt.

Not if you have a PURSUIT PERMIT! Try it you'll see. I had a buddy get in some hot water over this a couple years ago.

I like the .22 Mag personally. IMO it all boils down to what you feel comfortable shooting and shot placement.

Take care.
Mason

[Ike]

According to the Proclamation and the attorney general!

[Mike Leonard]

You know guns are one of those interesting things...Sort of like hounds..yep sort of the same.

Ike I think you will probably be with me on this one.

Guns can get you in bad trouble, and guns can get you out of other's troubles but it still comes back to YOU.

Hounds can get you into real trouble not just with the law but with your self and those around you, and hounds can also lead you to a life of serene peace. Wow! Imagine that but it is true.


Guns and hounds have been a HUGE part of my life, there has to be SOMEONE higher , and greater and more powerful than the best hounds or the most powerful guns in your life. Balance is the factor and without it you are tossed on a troubled sea. Do not ever think for an instant that you are a mistake, or that your life is not meaningful. You influence people everyday, if you are brave enough to walk into the face of the bear or the lion then you must step up and be that brave to face the man in the looking glass. If not you will become an empty gun, a hollow shell that beats it's drum but nobody really listens.


DO THE RIGHT THING

[Ike]

What is the right thing Mike? The right thing is different for most people, so what aspect of life are you talking about? To a deer hunter killing a big buck is the right thing, but to a anti hunter it would be the wrong thing; likewise one lion hunter may live for the kill, do it by the book and within any laws that are on the books while the next hounddogger may see that as wrong and choose to walk away. So isn't "the right thing" only a matter of perspective?

ike

[Rockcreek]

According to the Proclamation and the attorney general!

As far as I know, the law hasn't changed. If you have a PURSUIT PERMIT (The only kind I ever get) you CAN NOT CARRY A WEAPON! If the law has changed, please do correct me.

Take care.
Mason

[Ike]

Several years back (about eight years), all the papers in my area and even the one in St George had an article by the Attorney General of Utah stating that the State of Utah did not have the power to restrict a person with a concealed weapons permit from carrying a concealed weapon. The following year, for the first time, the Utah hunting proclamations stated that a person without a hunting tag may not have a firearm in possession on a open hunting unit unless they have a concealed weapons permit. Some of those Guide Books refer us to a state code that will tell us that if we go look it up.

I believe one of the real issues is that State law generally can't trump Federal law, and if a Federal Concealed Weapons permit is issued a State probably some trouble limiting that permit. But don't take my word for it do the legwork and research yourself.

I never owned a handgun in life Mason, never! But because I usually hunt alone my family had pushed me for years to pack one. I explained to them that it wasn't legal so end of discussion. After reading two or more of those articles I spoke with the head of law enforcement in our region and he agreed, but warned a guy should attempt to hide the weapon and not flaunt it. After my research, I went through a concealed weapons class and bought a handgun. My views have changed greatly since I was a young man, and they more closely follow the idea that I rather be judged by twelve than carried by six and that's all I'm gonna say about it..............

ike

[Rockcreek]

I agree Ike, better to be judged by twelve than carried by six... Just don't try and convince the Warden you're legal on the pursuit tag if you have a CWP... Just won't work out for you as far as I know, I was only trying to help. (If the law has change, which I doubt, please correct me)

Take care.
Mason

[Brady Davis]

The firearm restrictions in this section do not apply to concealed firearm permit holders carrying
a concealed weapon in accordance
with Utah Code § 76-10-504, provided the person is not utilizing the concealed firearm to hunt or take wildlife.
Please see Utah Code §§ 76-10-504 and 76-10-523 at wildlife.utah.gov/rules for more

This was in the 2010 Utah cougar guidebook.....You can carry if you have a legit CWP....AS long as you are not planning to take wildlife with it....That's the gray area, but it is legal and it would stand in court...

[Mike Leonard]

Brady,

You are correct and this is on the books. Here is the problem if you are out there with a pack of hounds and you have an animal treed or bayed and you have this gun concealed but in your posession how will the District Officier that walks up handle it? Well if it is concealed he will not see it. He may ask. Do you have any weapons with you? You can lie and say no sir I do not. He can search your vehicle in some states but in other states your vehicle is considered you domicile so he can not search it without a warrant or just probable cause.Here again it is speculation what he will or will not do.

And as Ike said this can all be different perspectives and we all know the famous line. It all depends on what your definition of is,is.Pres. Clinton

But you better know the law and know where you stand and then as I said do the right thing. What is the right thing? Obey the law because these are priveldges and not rights.

The pursuit permits offered by Utah are a fantastic tool and priveldge to help sport hunters train their dogs and enjoy their sport. But if you will look at many other states who had them in the past they are no longer offered because so many did the wrong thing.


I carry a gun whenever I am out in the woods with my dogs or by myself. We do not have a pursuit season and we no longer have an open training season for raccoon. So if you are out there on Federal or State property you must have a permit to be there.This could be a grazing permit, a lumber or firewood permit, hunting permit or industrial but you must have a special use permit. Private land you must have permission to trespass. Certain areas can be designated open and then permits are not required but they are open to only certain activities. Hiking, horseback riding and etc.So when I am out there with my dogs and a gun I have a permit or I have permission and am on private land. This state even has a leash law and outside of permitted hunting dogs can be killed if they are presumed to harass or pose a threat to livestock or wildlife and there is nothing you can do about it. Is it right? I don't like it but it is what it is, so know where you stand.

[Brady Davis]

I agree with you Mike. The law clearly states that a CWP holder has the right to carry....As for the situation when the officer comes up to you, I think any responsible person holding a CWP would agree it is common courtesy to the officer to let them know you are carrying and let them know you have a CWP. I have run into LEO's before and every one of them was gracious that I stated that I was carrying and that I had a permit to do so.,...In fact, come to think of it, none of them even asked to see the permit...

I think doing the right thing is important. However, I also beleive a right unexcersized is a right lost.

I would carry while pursuing lions, and I beleive that if CWP holders do the right thing then the pursuit season will remain open...it always takes just a few bad apples to ruin it.

[Ike]

Last spring I was talking to a guy with DWR and told him then that the day was coming when there just wouldn't be any place left to turn a hound loose. When I look around at any unit in my region, I can see the possibility of having dogs go onto private or tribal lands from just about any place that i would release a hound. With the trespass laws changing and low tolerance of the tribe for outsiders, a guy has to stop and think how far that old tom is before he sends them--and it's a damn shame! What we really need is a leash on the law makers and regulators..........

ike

[Brady Davis]

What we really need is a leash on the law makers and regulators..........

ike

+1!! I will sign that petition......

[Mike Leonard]

Me too Ike I will sign it!