Carry on a WMA....

[Guest Muttling]

Greetings all,

It's getting time to start scouting. Is it legal to concealed carry while scouting on a WMA?

[Fallguy]

You can carry your handgun in a WMA as long as you are "in full compliance with all wildlife laws, rules and regulations" and can legally be there at the time.

You can see the new law here.

[Guest Muttling]

Thanks.

[Guest Risky Ruger]

what is WMA

[oldogy]

what is WMA

Wildlife Management Area

oldogy

[Fallguy]

Wildlife Management Area

oldogy

Yep

More below

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - WMA Regulations*

TWRA GIS - Wildlife Management Area Index

* Has info on some of the regulations you still need to comply with to carry your handgun legally.

Edited July 24, 2009 by Fallguy

[Guest Smitty]

You can carry your handgun in a WMA as long as you are "in full compliance with all wildlife laws, rules and regulations" and can legally be there at the time.

You can see the new law here.

So does that basically mean you cannot carry it on you while not during a valid hunting season such as during the rifle part of whitetail deer season? I thought you could carry it on you regardless as long as you have a HCP.

[Fallguy]

So does that basically mean you cannot carry it on you while not during a valid hunting season such as during the rifle part of whitetail deer season? I thought you could carry it on you regardless as long as you have a HCP.

I don't think that is what it means. I think one example of what it means is if a WMA is closed you can't carry there just becuase you have a HCP, since it is closed. In other words, just becuase you have a HCP and can carry on WMAs don't mean you can go onto the WMA and carry regardless of other wildlife laws.

From the Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - WMA Regulations link.

Unauthorized Persons

Unauthorized persons are prohibited from being in the area during big game hunts except when indicated. Unauthorized persons are prohibited from being in the Wildlife Management Area during managed turkey hunts, except on the Cherokee, Royal Blue, Sundquist, Tellico Lake, and Land Between the Lakes Wildlife Management Areas. Only persons having valid turkey hunt permits for the hunt date are authorized to be on the management area.

So that is saying that just because you have HCP you can't carry in the those areas, unless you are authorized to be in those areas.

[Guest Muttling]

To clarify Fallguy's statements as i understand it.....

There are days when WMA's are closed to the public (the days vary from WMA to WMA.)

There are days when you're allowed to train dogs on WMAs without a permit but not actually hunt. Non permit holders would not be allowed to go armed on these days but a permit holder can have a CCW.

There are designated scouting days on some WMAs where people who drew for an upcoming hunt are allowed, but no one else. Permit holders could go armed while scouting, but non-permit holders can't.

During a hunt, ONLY people who were drawn for that hunt and adults escorting juvenile hunters who drew that hunt are allowed on the WMA. Permit holders who drew for the hunt or are escorting a juvenile can carry a CCW.

Finally, you can't use your CCW for hunting purposes unless it is a weapon that is permitted by hunting laws. For example, you can't pack a .22 cal CCW then try to shoot a deer with it even if you have a hunting permit along with a carry license.

As I said, this is my understanding. If anyone sees a flaw in this, PLEASE speak up.

Edited July 24, 2009 by Muttling

[Fallguy]

Thanks Muttling...I think you did say it bit better than me.

Not hard to tell which one of is the hunter.

[KahrMan]

Finally, you can't use your CCW for hunting purposes unless it is a weapon that is permitted by hunting laws. For example, you can't pack a .22 cal CCW then try to shoot a deer with it even if you have a hunting permit along with a carry license.

As I said, this is my understanding. If anyone sees a flaw in this, PLEASE speak up.

One thing you should check. The TWRA prohibits handguns with barrels shorter than 4 inches to be used for big game hunting. That may mean you can not carry during deer season if your carry gun has a barrel shorter than 4 inches because it would be a prohibited weapon by the twra.

[Guest Muttling]

One thing you should check. The TWRA prohibits handguns with barrels shorter than 4 inches to be used for big game hunting. That may mean you can not carry during deer season if your carry gun has a barrel shorter than 4 inches because it would be a prohibited weapon by the twra.

As I understand the laws (and I could be totally wrong), you CAN carry a snubby for personal protection. You can't shoot a deer with a short barrell pistol as you are then using it for hunting instead of using it as a CCW.

I read them to say that your permit allows you to have a CCW that is not approved as a hunting weapon at all times, but you can't use it to take game unless it is approved for that purpose.

All this said, who needs to carry a side arm when they're carrying a high powered rifle or a shotgun? If someone attacks me while I'm hunting, I hope god has mercy on them because I sure won't.

[Fallguy]

One thing you should check. The TWRA prohibits handguns with barrels shorter than 4 inches to be used for big game hunting. That may mean you can not carry during deer season if your carry gun has a barrel shorter than 4 inches because it would be a prohibited weapon by the twra.

As I understand the laws (and I could be totally wrong), you CAN carry a snubby for personal protection. You can't shoot a deer with a short barrell pistol as you are then using it for hunting instead of using it as a CCW.

I read them to say that your permit allows you to have a CCW that is not approved as a hunting weapon at all times, but you can't use it to take game unless it is approved for that purpose.

All this said, who needs to carry a side arm when they're carrying a high powered rifle or a shotgun? If someone attacks me while I'm hunting, I hope god has mercy on them because I sure won't.

I think Muttling is right. A handgun with a barrel less than 4" is prohibited for hunting, but if you aren't carrying it to hunt (so you would need to have a hunting gun with you) then it would be legal as your carry weapon.

[Guest Mugster]

I think Muttling is right. A handgun with a barrel less than 4" is prohibited for hunting, but if you aren't carrying it to hunt (so you would need to have a hunting gun with you) then it would be legal as your carry weapon.

edited to reflect my disgestion of the new law, lol.

Edited July 25, 2009 by Mugster

[Guest 270win]

The way I understand it, you can carry any handgun for self defense while out hunting or say walking on a WMA, as long as you have the proper hunting license and WMA permit or 136 dollar sportsman license. If you want to say use your handgun for deer hunting, it must meet hunting regs, which means centerfire with 4 inch barrel. For small game, it must be a rimfire...i can't recall barrel length, but I have a browning 22LR with a 5.5inch barrel. I had a habit before this law went into effect of carrying a 4 inch barrel 9mm while deer hunting, honestly for self defense, but also to finish off deer. Whatever you do, do not finish off a deer with a handgun under 4 inch barrel or say a 22LR. That would be breaking game regs. I use my 4 inch 9mm for that.

[Wingshooter]

i think we might have touched on this once before in another thread, but I can't remember the answer. What about during the archery only season on WMA's?

The regs prohibit firearms during this season, but does my HCP provide an exemptin? As long as I am permitted to be on a WMA with proper license and bow in hand during the archery only season, can I carry an handgun for defense only since I have an HCP?

[Fallguy]

i think we might have touched on this once before in another thread, but I can't remember the answer. What about during the archery only season on WMA's?

The regs prohibit firearms during this season, but does my HCP provide an exemptin? As long as I am permitted to be on a WMA with proper license and bow in hand during the archery only season, can I carry an handgun for defense only since I have an HCP?

It is still illegal to carry or even have anyone with you that is armed while bow hunting.

The bill (HB0770/SB0842) that would have changed that law (70-4-123) is still in committee.

[JayC]

Not sure if that site is still correct, for example they state loaded magazines are not allowed, but I'm pretty sure long gun carry does counts on WMAs?

Yep

More below

Tennessee Wildlife Resources Agency - WMA Regulations*

TWRA GIS - Wildlife Management Area Index

* Has info on some of the regulations you still need to comply with to carry your handgun legally.

[Wingshooter]

It is still illegal to carry or even have anyone with you that is armed while bow hunting.

The bill (HB0770/SB0842) that would have changed that law (70-4-123) is still in committee.

That's what I figured. Bummer. Well, something to look forward to next session I hope.

Thanks for the info.

[Jct1911]

Does not apply to HCP holders. Obviously you can't hunt out of season.

http://www.capitol.tn.gov/Bills/106/Chapter/PC0606.pdf

[monkeylizard]

Yeah....a lot of our gun laws have changed over the past SIX YEARS.  :D

[chances R]

May carry while bow hunting........http://www.outdoorlife.com/blogs/newshound/2010/03/tennessee-bowhunters-may-pack-heat

[R_Bert]

One thing you should check. The TWRA prohibits handguns with barrels shorter than 4 inches to be used for big game hunting. That may mean you can not carry during deer season if your carry gun has a barrel shorter than 4 inches because it would be a prohibited weapon by the twra.

that changed a few years ago when at least one person (ahem) pointed out the ballistics data of a big bore snubby (i.e. Ruger Alaskan) vs. all the small crap in 25 cal 4"..

 

Any centerfire pistol may be used on big game (except turkey), (unless they changed it back this year).   

Edited August 5, 2015 by R_Bert

[Oh Shoot]

that changed a few years ago when at least one person (ahem) pointed out the ballistics data of a big bore snubby (i.e. Ruger Alaskan) vs. all the small crap in 25 cal 4"..

 

Any centerfire pistol may be used on big game (except turkey), (unless they changed it back this year).   

 

Yep, indeed I think it only fair for folks to go after bear with a .25 mouse gun.

 

- OS

[RED333]

Yep, indeed I think it only fair for folks to go after bear with a .25 mouse gun.

 

- OS

Best post of the day :up: