Carrying a handgun while hunting

[FishGuru]

Anyone know if it is legal to carry a handgun with you while hunting for grouse or other small games.

[reinhard1]

Handguns: page 17 and 18 of the hunting regs.

Persons age 18 or older may carry a handgun in the woods and fields or upon waters to hunt or target shoot. persons under age 18 may carry handguns for hunting if in the actual presence or under the direct supervision of the person's parent or guardian, and if they meet firearms safety requirements [page 14]. a person may not possess a firearm while bowhunting for deer. a person may take bear, elk and moose by archery while in possession of a firearm. good luck.

[TooTallTom]

Do you mean to carry and hunt with, or to carry in addition to whatever you're using to hunt (bow, shotgun, rifle)?

[FishGuru]

I mean to carry with for protection, while hunting with a .22 rifle.

[TooTallTom]

I think in that case you need a carry permit. My understanding is that with a permit it's legal to have a handgun for protection, as long as you don't use it for hunting.

But you'd probably be better off emailing the MN DNR or your local CO to ask them. In my opinion, legal advice from the internets is always suspect. Would you post any response you get here to help increase the knowledge base? Thanks.

[FishGuru]

Ok Thanks guys for the info and yes I did call the DNR office but the lady that answered was not sure and she transfered to another person which went to voicemail, so the next best thing to do is I'll email them. Thanks again...

[hunt fish repeat]

I mean to carry with for protection, while hunting with a .22 rifle.

Okay, Ive got to know "protection from what?"

[TooTallTom]

The other nice thing about email is the paper trail. Print the response off and carry it with you. Might not do any good, but it won't hurt and it doesn't weigh much.

[FishGuru]

Will you never know when you will meet a bear or mountain lion especially if hunting by yourself and I know they are more afraid of you then you are of them but you never know.

[Archerysniper]

Call your local Warden and get his interpretation of the law,since he will be the one handing out a ticket or not.

[DanH]

In addition to a carrying a handgun while hunting for Grouse or other small game, one might also tow a Howitzer 105 or a GAU-8 behind the truck. In the same way that “you never know” about bears or mountain lions; perhaps civil unrest breaks out while you are hunting, or Aliens from outer space launch an attack. You just never know…

[TooTallTom]

Oh, c'mon now DanH. That's totally unrealistic. A vehicle which could town those weapons is just not financially feasible for most hunters. Not to mention the accessory vehicle necessary to carry enough ammunition to make either option worth pursuing...

In all seriousness, while I may not see the need to carry a firearm for protection against wild animals, I'm not going to throw stones at anyone who chooses to be more cautious than I do.

[FishGuru]

Sorry guys but I'm fairly new to this and my protection comes befor anything else. Maybe when I'm a veteran I won't be so nervous but that will come with experience. Dan H I don't know how you started the sport but I'm guessing you grew up with it and its in your blood. As for me I'm learning it right now and it's not second nature to me yet, but thanks for the great info from all the fellow F'mers. I love this site and will enjoy it for the years to come.

[DanH]

FishGuru: No harm intended. If it’s guidance you’re looking for: leave your pistol at home. You’re likely to see more hunters in the field than anything else. If that’s not the case for you –keep it that way, cover your tracks and don’t ever tell anyone where you hunt. But I would still leave the pistol at home.

If you’re concerned about safety and risk mitigation remember that by carrying one gun you increase your chances of having a tragic accident. Do the math on carrying 2 guns. If your fear of bears and cougars is absolutely insurmountable consider carrying a can of pepper spray. It’s much cheaper than a pistol, and if you make a mistake the damage you do won’t be permanent. Lastly, if you only use it only on bears and cougars that attack you while you are hunting small game you’ll be able to pass it on to your heirs (unused) when you are too old to hunt.

Be safe, don’t take anything too seriously here, and enjoy the hunt.

[FishGuru]

Great info DanH, I forgot about the pepper spray and I don't intend on hurting anything purposely. I did get an email from the DNR office and she said you can carry a handgun while hunting small games but not concealed, meaning only during the hunt unless you have a permit but I do like the pepper spray idea better, no permanent damage.

No hard feeling its all for the sport and I hope everyone takes care of it for the next generations to come.

[reinhard1]

the most important thing in hunting is to be as safe as possible, follow the regulations, read them if you have questions, and if you have a question call the DNR so you can have peace of mind.

i just called the DNR to clear the air hear regarding the possesion of a handgun during small game or firearms deer season. you can carry a handgun during small game and firearms deer season. that is also what it says in the regs. your chance of being attacked by a bear or cougar are real slim. if you do decide to use a hand gun, make sure you know how to use it, are accurate, and dont use it unless you have to. hope you have a safe and memorable hunt. good luck

[Powerstroke]

Legally you can carry your pistol. Its your right to do so. I won't fault you for that.

That being said, there is nothing in the woods that requires a handgun to fend off. That .22 will do the job. Growing up as a hunter has nothing to do with carrying a pistol. I've hunted for 20yrs and never touched a pistol until I went to cop school. I would be more concerned with twisting an ankle or crossing a skunk.

[DanH]

+1

Legally you can carry your pistol. Its your right to do so. I won't fault you for that.

That being said, there is nothing in the woods that requires a handgun to fend off. That .22 will do the job. Growing up as a hunter has nothing to do with carrying a pistol. I've hunted for 20yrs and never touched a pistol until I went to cop school. I would be more concerned with twisting an ankle or crossing a skunk.

[TooTallTom]

Great info DanH, I forgot about the pepper spray and I don't intend on hurting anything purposely. I did get an email from the DNR office and she said you can carry a handgun while hunting small games but not concealed, meaning only during the hunt unless you have a permit but I do like the pepper spray idea better, no permanent damage.

No hard feeling its all for the sport and I hope everyone takes care of it for the next generations to come.

Wait, you are going HUNTING right?

Just having a little fun. Best of luck to you.

[FishGuru]

LOL... Thanks again guys...

[Musky Buck]

Put that Big Iron on your hip man, 2nd amendment baby. I on occassion carry because of what may be waiting for you when you come out, actually not what but who, depends in MN where you hunt. There are a few areas, very few that we are not welcome in, I no longer hunt those. Yes I attended Bemidji State and was hunting east of there.

[hunt fish repeat]

Unless youre huntin downtown Minneapolis I would skip the pistola, who needs the excess weight to drag around. With the exception of a bull moose or sow with cubs chances are whatever you come across in the wild would be long gone before you could ever draw the pisol, a 22lr is more than adequate to make you feel safe from anything you might encounter, although I do remember this one red sqirrel one time.....

[CJH]

As long as its legal, I say if it makes you feel better, go for it!

[TR21HP]

thellcon, I was that exception. About 10 years ago near Magregor, hunting grouse with shotguns and nothing but 8 shotin there we came across a sow and her cubs. Although she didn't charge she did posture and presented herself. Both my partner and I had 45's with 240 grains loaded and felt a whole lot safer than without. The old adage holds true about it's better having it when you need it. Luckily neither of us had to shoot as she allowed us to back off but don't believe that nothing like that will ever happen because sometimes it does.

[Powerstroke]

Fishguru, not sure where you do your hunting, but if you're interested in company feel free to ask.

I am a self-taught hunter also so I know the struggles of learning on your own. I'm still learning new things every day. I usually hunt by myself so if you'd like to double up sometime it could work out. I can share what I've learned so far. That's what's all about.