Possession of a Loaded Sidearm While Fishing

August 21, 2008

Question:Am I allowed to possess a loaded sidearm while fishing in the back country? Sometimes I encounter some pretty shady people, rattlesnakes and am usually by myself. And what about if I’m bow hunting? Do I have a right to protect myself by carrying a loaded sidearm? (Adam N.)

Answer: According to game warden Todd Tognazzini, you may carry a loaded sidearm while hunting or fishing if the possession/discharge of a firearm is legal in that area. It’s best to check before your trip with the local sheriff’s and police departments to see if there may be additional city, county, state and/or federal laws and ordinances prohibiting the possession of a loaded firearm in certain locations in their areas of jurisdiction. If you are fishing in a National Park, for example, then possession of a firearm is a violation of the law on those lands.

The one exception to this rule is when archery hunting during archery season or when hunting with an archery-only tag. The law says, “Archers may not possess a firearm while hunting in the field during any archery season, or while hunting during a general season under the provisions of an archery only tag. (Archery section. 354 (h) Except as provided in subsection 353(g), (which covers muzzleloader rifle/archery tags.)