Can I Carry a Pistol for Protection During Archery Only Season?

August 6, 2009

Question: If I want to hunt deer and bear in the D-6 zone during archery season in August, would it be legal to carry a pistol for self-defense protection only? I do not feel like getting killed by a mad bear with an arrow in it that’s charging me. I want to be legal but also don’t want to get killed by a bear just because the lawmakers don’t trust me or the hunters of California to use a pistol only in self-defense. (Scott S.)

Answer: Hunters are prohibited from carrying a firearm while hunting during an Archery Only season or under the authority of an Archery Only tag. Fish and Game Commission regulations are very clear on this issue.

Section 354(h): Except as provided in subsection 353(g), 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.

The exception in 353(g) applies to hunting under a muzzle-loading rifle/archery tag.