Carrying a Sidearm While Archery Hunting

August 29, 2019

Question: Is it legal to carry a sidearm for personal protection while archery hunting during deer season this year? (Gary D.)

Answer: Unless you are an active or honorably retired peace officer, you may not possess a firearm while hunting deer during the archery season or under an archery only tag during the general season.

The California Code of Regulations says that “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” (CCR Title 14, section 354(h)).

Additionally, the California Fish and Game Code, section 4370, states that during archery season a deer hunter cannot legally “carry, nor have under his or her immediate control, any firearm of any kind.”

California Code of Regulations Title 14 was recently amended to allow persons hunting for big game other than deer during the archery season to carry a concealable firearm, as long as that firearm is not used to take wildlife. There is also an exception for peace officers and retired peace officers.