Carrying a handgun while hunting

[FishGuru]

Thanks for the invite Powerstroke, one of these days I'll take you up on that offer. I would love to learn from you...

[Tom7227]

I am not aware of any restriction on carrying a pistol while hunting other than possibly the limitation on the size caliber during deer season. I read recently a claim that the firearm could not be concealed and I am not aware of any statute that includes that limitation. In fact a search of the statutes for "concealed" turns up 38 instances and none have to do with carrying firearms.

I also think I read some claim that a permit holder cannot carry while hunting deer. That may be true while bow hunting during bow only season but again I am not aware of any other restrictions.

I am not encouraging anyone to carry a pistol while hunting, but I also think that an accurate understanding of the law is useful.

[reinhard1]

what you said i agree with. i have said many times that people should read the regulations and if they have questions they should call the DNR. good luck.

[MTstringer]

Amen. I hunt from Grand Rapids all the way North of Effie. I carried a sidearm in the military and I pack when I'm out in the woods. You get used to the weight. It beats a ruck sack any day! I've come across one meth lab up there and I sure didn't feel like I was carrying too much in terms of weaponry with bird shot and a 1911.

Stay safe and have fun.

[Tom7227]

what you said i agree with. i have said many times that people should read the regulations and if they have questions they should call the DNR. good luck.

Except that the DNR gave the wrong info IMO. Higher up it was reported that a DNR person said the weapon could not be concealed. In my experience very few law enforcement personnel know the law regarding firearms in MN. I wrote a book and taught many classes, charged out hundreds of gun cases, and the lack of knowledge was astounding. On the other hand the laws are a mess - not in any one place and very often not at all logical.

[reinhard1]

i do agree that some of the regs are confusing to many including myself. we had issues with fishing regs as well. i talked to the DNR about those and they agreed as well. they are trying to clarify some that are confusing i am told. good luck.

[carpshooterdeluxe]

I walked into an active marijuana growing operation one time while bow hunting/scouting some public land...made me consider carrying. Thankfully nobody was around to confront me. I slipped out the way I came and put a call in to the sheriff.

[BassKnuckles]

I'm new to hunting also and I also thought about carrying my .45 because after I read the regs and they stated you can carry it for target shooting I thought it might be fun to sit down and have a little target practice before we left. If I have a chance to fire my handgun without paying someone to use the range I think that would be fun. Of course all safety precautions to be taken also.

[Loose]

Obviously you guys have never seen Deliverance!

I always carry, don't matter what I'm doing. And I will be carrying during deer season. Might even try to take a deer with my carry gun if hunting is good.

[DanH]

Obviously you guys have never seen Deliverance!

Wow. And here I was all parochial thinking that a sow and cubs was the most dangerous intercourse a hunter could encounter in the woods.

Lived in Alabama years ago. This thread is starting to remind me of my favorite Southern colloquialism: “that boy is a ball in high weeds.”

enjoy the hunt,

[Powerstroke]

Just remember that "target shooting" is not allowed on WMA's. I'm not sure about state forests and other public lands.