Anyone get in trouble with CO about Hunting with both Rifle and Bow beofore?

[bruce44]

I went deer hunting in 7-13, with a crossbow last evening. I was hunting on my friend's farmland and although I didn't see any deer, I did see a black bear as I was coming around a corner on a trail, leading to the grain fields. Unfortunately, he saw me before I could see him. He was 100 yards away and he b-lined it to the trees. I didn't really feel like chasing after a black bear, in thick bush, with just a cross bow.

I was thinking of bringing my rifle with my crossbow, to my blind, just in case there's another one. Has anyone faced any issues with this before? I know it's clunky but I won't be moving around much. I'll just be sitting in a grain field. I know some CO's can be pretty nit picky about the regulations.

Edit: It's bow season for ungulates and open black bear

[Fella]

I mean technically if there’s a rifle season open there shouldn’t be a problem. Of course I guess if the CO is a dick you might have an issue

[bruce44]

It's bow season for ungulates and open black bear season at the same time. I don't want to be accused of hunting ungulates with a rifle during bow season.

[Island Idiots]

I carry a loaded rifle when I’m in the woods. Predator protection. No law broken. I carry a firearm for the same reason they do.

[Ron.C]

I've haven't heard of any issues. There is no rule in the regulations that states it's unlawful to carry a legal firearm during bow season for wildlife protection. If a CO believes you to be lying and hunting with the firearm you say you are carrying for protection, it's his call if he wants to lay a charge or not. But I would suspect he would need some sort of proof you are actually hunting with the firearm otherwise his charge wouldn't go to far in court.

Same for a warning or fine, both can be contested if you get accused of something you were not doing.

I know a couple folks who carry a defender type shotgun and one who likes a lever action 45-70 while bowhunting

[upperleftcoaster]

as long as your deer doesn't have a bullet hole in it, you should be fine.

[skibum]

Isn't that part of the experience to hunting with a bow - that you don't have a rifle with you?

Or is bow season just an opportunity to harvest something?

Don't care is someone carries a rifle while bow hunting, just wondering.

[Seeker]

Bear spray

[Redthies]

Isn't that part of the experience to hunting with a bow - that you don't have a rifle with you?

Or is bow season just an opportunity to harvest something?

Don't care is someone carries a rifle while bow hunting, just wondering.

It all depends on your perspective. I can’t bow hunt due to shoulder and elbow injuries, but if I could, I’d be packing a compact shotgun or mares Leg in .44 mag for defence purposes, especially if I were in grizzly country. I know you can’t hunt a grizz, but if it’s a “him or me” scenario, I will be shooting first and asking questions later.

[Leaseman]

I carry a loaded rifle when I’m in the woods. Predator protection. No law broken. I carry a firearm for the same reason they do.

Read this again and head for the woods with your bow and rifle!