legal question

fishnxtc · 02-09-2007, 07:13 PM

Can you ride around hunting with a loaded firearm and how far off a road do you need to shoot an animal but not shooting across the road?

Swamp Puppy · 02-09-2007, 07:19 PM

i believe as long as you step off the road and don't shoot across it you're legal. i'll have to double check the regs, but i know you can have a gun with ammo in the magazine, but i think the chamber has to be empty.

you cannot have a loaded gun on a ATV.

fishncliff · 02-09-2007, 07:24 PM

In WA state you cannot have a loaded rifle or shotgun in the vehicle, in the chamber or magazine.
You also cannot shoot from, or across any road, regardless of the surface.

Big TULE · 02-09-2007, 07:31 PM

Cliff in Wa you can, unfortunatly shoot from a non maintained road.
You must be 50 feet off of maintained roads.

I am not sure about oregon.

BleuBackKoke · 02-09-2007, 07:37 PM

In WA, you can have a loaded side arm in your vehicle. I have a flip down clip that can stay attached to my rifle and I don't think you can leave the clip attached in that case. I should check on that though? Also, if you're rifle is loaded, it cannot be touching the vehicle...period. Don't leave a loaded rifle leaning against the outside of the truck or in the bed. They can give a ticket for that.

huntinfool · 02-09-2007, 11:00 PM

In Oregon, you could ride around in your truck/car with a loaded gun, cocked-locked-and ready to rock, finger on the trigger and even pointed out the window. The moment you fire from the vehicle, you're busted. No loaded firearms while on an ATV (not even in the magazine).

steelheadslayer · 02-10-2007, 05:28 AM

WA guys, this is straight from a gamie. You can stand in the middle of I5 and shoot a legal assault rifle any which way as long as it doesn't endanger lives. It came from a legislator from Eastern WA who decided he should be able to shoot coyotes from the road.

nehalemguy · 02-10-2007, 05:41 AM

Why would you want a loaded rifle in your vehicle? This violates every safety rule we have been taught as sportsman. Every season we hear of accidental discharges that hurt or kill. A large percentage of them are AT THE VEHICLE!

nehalemguy · 02-10-2007, 06:17 AM

OK, here is Oregon's regs. Page 31 ODFW regulations.

"No person shall hunt any wildlife from a motor propelled vehicle. Exceptions: A qualified disabled hunter may obtain an "Oregon Disabilities Hunting and Fishing Permit" to hunt from a motor propelled vehicle except while the vehicle is in motion or on any public Rd. or hwy, or within Cooperative Travel Management Areas. Landowners and their agents can shoot predatory animals from motorized vehicles on land they own or lawfully occupy."

"No person shall shoot from or across a public rd., rd. right of way,(right of ways vary in width. Eric) or railroad right of way except that persons legally hunting on closed roads within Cooperative Travel Management Areas are not violating current prohibitions on shooting from or across a public rd."

"No person shall operate a snowmobileor atv while carrying a loaded firearm." Loaded is defined as a live round in the chamber, magazine or clip.

I cannot find any reg. that says you cannot have a loaded rifle in your vehicle(car/truck) but I still have to ask why would you want to?

Swamp Puppy · 02-10-2007, 07:40 AM

Quote:

Originally Posted by nehalemguy

I cannot find any reg. that says you cannot have a loaded rifle in your vehicle(car/truck) but I still have to ask why would you want to?

i know a few rancher types that carry a loaded rifle in their trucks in case they run across unwelcomed critters. also, making carrying a loaded firearm in your vehicle illegal would create a conflict for those with concealed carry permits.

i see no need for a law regarding it.

oregonoutdoors · 02-10-2007, 08:27 AM

I have a carry permit. Does the snowmobile and ATV regulation still apply to me? Not that I have either but I have been looking into getting a couple of snowmobiles.

Swamp Puppy · 02-10-2007, 08:35 AM

we debated this awhile back. i was under the impression that a conceal carry permit would still allow you to carry on an ATV, but i think the end result was that you couldn't. which is why i wouldnt be in favor of them changing general regulation to prohibit carrying a loaded firearm in your truck.

nehalemguy · 02-10-2007, 06:27 PM

Quote:

Originally Posted by Swamp Puppy

i know a few rancher types that carry a loaded rifle in their trucks in case they run across unwelcomed critters. also, making carrying a loaded firearm in your vehicle illegal would create a conflict for those with concealed carry permits.

i see no need for a law regarding it.

I agree with the landowner exception and the law allows it under those circumstances(predators). But the question was "Can you ride around hunting with a loaded firearm?" Unless you are a landowner or his agent(friend)or disabled you must be out of the road right of way to legally shoot. If you have the time to get off the road you should also have time to load as well. I do not look at this as a question of needing a new law or not. We have far to many regulations to follow as it stands. I look at this as a safety issue and also a road hunting issue. The carry permits are clear in that you have the right to be armed for your personal protection in all but a few public places but the intent of the CCP's is not to give a loophole to road hunters.

Rainman · 02-10-2007, 07:31 PM

To me. whether or not you can legally have a loaded gun in the vehicle is pretty much irrelevant. I mean, why take the chance of accidently discharging it while loading/unloading your rig ?? I don't see how one can save that much time by having it loaded in the rig. We take enough risks already, and here's a great way to cut down on them.