Fall Turkey.

[DonBo]

Sitting in my blind for archery deer opener and am hearing gobbles all around me. Gets me pretty excited for opener, still two weeks away. 

Anyone else seeing or hearing birds yet this fall?

[monstermoose78]

I am seeing big groups young birds. Looks like they had a great hatch this spring. Heard one gobbling when I was with my nephew looking deer hunting spots. Should mean lots of jakes come spring.

[DonBo]

Archery hunting Friday night (night before opener) had 4 big toms roost right near my deer stand.  Saturday morning had one come to my calls, but busted me as I was trying to get ready for a shot.  Dang. Should have brought the shotgun as I never did see a deer that morning. 

Anyone know if it's legal to carry a shotgun while bowhunting?

 

[nofishfisherman]

 

Anyone know if it's legal to carry a shotgun while bowhunting?

 

It is not legal to carry a shotgun while bow hunting.

 

Page 89 of the Regs.

"Except those licensed to carry a concealed weapon, a person may not take deer by archery while in possession of a firearm."

[ANYFISH2]

That is true, however, it is legal to carry both while turkey hunting.

However, I am not promoting illegal actions(carrying both while hunting deer).  I would have check to see if there is a legal grey area here.

[nofishfisherman]

There really isn't any grey area.  The regs explicitly state you can not take a deer by bow while in possession of a firearm. You can say you are turkey hunting and you'd be legal while possessing both gun and bow but as soon as you were to take a deer by bow while in possession of a gun then you've broken the law.

Only way to get around that rule is to ignore it.

Personally I'd love to be able to take a bow and a rifle out in the field during firearms season since I don't have a doe tag this year.  It would be nice to use the bow on a doe if the opportunity came up while also having the rifle in case Mr. Buck came by for a visit.   Just no legal loop hole that would allow it.

Edited October 7, 2015 by nofishfisherman

[DonBo]

Heard several last night while on deer stand, but they wouldn't come to calls. Never heard them fly up.  Sure hope to get a crack at one with my bow soon. Not quite ready to bring the gun into the small area I get to bowhunt.

[bigbucks]

Heard some gobbling Friday midmorning while out & about & actually saw two different ones, but I wasn't carrying the shotgun yet as I didn't want to mess with bowhunting.

[DonBo]

Missed one Sunday morning. Sitting in my deer stand and three longbeards came in. Shot just under the biggest one at about 23 yds    Hoping for another chance before season's end.