Laser sights

[quedz]

Recently emailed TWRA and asked if laser sights where legal for hunting. This was the response I received.

 

"it is illegal to use a laser target that is a projection target".

 

“Firearms or archery equipment with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife.” Meaning a light that would project on to a target.

 

Can anyone elaborate on this? I just dont see how a laser sight is capable of locating wildlife.

Thank you, Hughd

 

[ShaunM]

I'm pretty sure Laser sights are legal as long as they don't project enough light to locate wildlife.

 

This is what the regs say.

 

• Firearms or archery equipment with any device utilizing an artificial light capable of locating wildlife.
• Any electronic light amplifying night vision scope or device while in possession of a firearm or archery tackle between sunset and sunrise.

Small lasers such as crimson trace grips or the like won't be considered in this group.

Edited July 23, 2013 by ShaunM

[whiskey]

Just curious, what are you planning to put a laser on and what do you plan to hunt?

[quedz]

According to the email I received from TWRA an "artificial light capable of locating wildlife" includes a light that would project on to a target.

 

 

 

 

 

[quedz]

Wiskey, Was thinking possibly 10-22 & Squirrels.

[whiskey]

So before we proceed to the legal issue...Not knocking your choice, just offering my experience. I'd recommend a red dot sight or a conventional scope as a better alternative for squirrel hunting. I tried playing around with a laser sight many years back and found it to be ineffective in the woods. I really like the red dot sights for short distance. I hunt conventional scopes on my .22 rifles, but I do have a red dot on my turkey gun and on my .22 pistol. 

 

Now legally: 

 

Their explanation isn't clearly written. A laser isn't capable of locating wildlife through it's projection of visible light. According to a senior TWRA employee on another forum, laser sights are completely legal.

 

check here: "scn" is a TWRA employee and he and other TWRA officers routinely answers questions to clear up the regulations. 

 

http://www.tndeer.com/tndeertalk/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=31&Number=3205329&Searchpage=1&Main=241819&Words=laser&topic=0&Search=true#Post3205329

 

and

 

http://www.tndeer.com/tndeertalk/ubbthreads.php?ubb=showflat&Board=31&Number=2892455&Searchpage=1&Main=214266&Words=laser&topic=0&Search=true#Post2892455

 

 

Welcome to the forum. Hope you hang around. 

[gjohnsoniv]

They make a laser designator designed to light up targets for nvd's at long range. I think the law is in reference to that, not laser grips or similar.

[quedz]

Thank You for the input and Information...

R/S Hughd

[DaveS]

Lazer sights that are capable of projecting a light/dot onto a game animal is illegal.

[ShaunM]

I talked to one of the Game Wardens today. He said that a light capable of locating deer was illegal to use. I asked him what about lasers like a crimson trace grip. He said it wasn't like spotlighting and your using it during the day, so your able to see the deer anyway. I don't maybe he didn't really understand what I was saying.

[DaveS]

I talked to one of the Game Wardens today. He said that a light capable of locating deer was illegal to use. I asked him what about lasers like a crimson trace grip. He said it wasn't like spotlighting and your using it during the day, so your able to see the deer anyway. I don't maybe he didn't really understand what I was saying.

I would agree with "daylight", but if used in "lowlight" conditions as in Sun-up or Sun-down, that might be the problem. If the warden who checks him goes on "intent" opposed to "letter of law"  most likely there won't be a problem. Best solution is don't use a light/laser sight while hunting. It's crap I know, but it's not worth the headache it could cause. Too many young wardens out there wanting to make a name for themselves...albeit a bad one at that! Maybe use it and turn it off if you see "the man" coming. Red Dot sights are fine. Lasers ?

 

DaveS

Edited July 23, 2013 by DaveS

[Wiljo05]

Check this out...rigged up a laser on bow fishing rig for the new guys in the past to help locate their aim point, made a huge deference in how fast they learned where to aim. Never thought of this for normal hunting. sportsmanship guide is where I first saw it


http://youtu.be/y_Kw8PKjskY

[DaveS]

I think what they are referring to is projecting either a laser dot or "spot light" onto a game animal when otherwise a crosshairs in a scope or iron sights can't be seen. It's not real clear either way. After reading the regs it's pretty flakey. I'll be seeing a game warden in about an hour, I'll get his opinion.

 

Dave

[whiskey]

I tried a laser as a bow sight many years ago, but had less than great results. I wanted it to bow fish with also. 

[DaveS]

OK., there is no ruling on Federal property that would disallow the use of Laser sights. As far as the Federal Game Wardens are concerned, they are OK just as long as it only projects a laser beam and you do not point it at aircraft, which will land you in jail. He will talk to the state warden tomorrow and get us a "statewide" answer. As the Fed warden said, it's not a light to "locate" game, it's a laser device used for "sighting". Do not take this as gospel until we talk to the state guys tomorrow.

 

Good evening to all.

 

Dave

[ShaunM]

The local warden talked like it was o.k when I talked to him. He said its not considered a deer "locator"

[DaveS]

The local warden talked like it was o.k when I talked to him. He said its not considered a deer "locator"

Exactly. It's a sighting device. No different than crosshairs, scope ect, ect.

 

Dave

[quedz]

DaveS, Any word yet?

[DaveS]

They are not permitted by law. As per TWRA. That sucks too, my wheels were turning!

Dang it!

 

DaveS

[Dolomite_supafly]

Why not just call the TWRA in the region you plan on hunting in?

Get their name when you get the answer.

Red lasers are useless during the day except when you are really close. Most green lasers designed for firearms are visible to about 50 yards during the day.

[whiskey]

They are not permitted by law. As per TWRA. That sucks too, my wheels were turning!

Dang it!

 

DaveS

Dave, which officer did you get this from? Initials are fine, or a PM if you don't want to post publicly. Thanks

[DaveS]

It is illegal as of now because it projects an artificial beam of light. There are some changes planned to that law though.

 

DaveS

[DaveS]

Dave, which officer did you get this from? Initials are fine, or a PM if you don't want to post publicly. Thanks

NL and JC  PM sent. I'm waiting on Dale and Jerome to call me back as well.

 

DaveS

Edited July 30, 2013 by DaveS

[ShaunM]

The Warden I talked to seems to say something different and they wonder why people dont understand the reg book. All I can do is shake my head.

[whiskey]

Thanks. This law is a perfect example of the room for interpretation that TWRA leaves in their rule writing. For years and years every officer you asked had a different version of how far you had to be from a feeder before it wasn't baiting. It only took them 30 years or so to clear that up...