[monkeyshine]

There is a separate clause for open carrying at campsites and in state parks where people are at risk of attack from an animal and where there is virtually no law enforcement. Also, counties with population less than 200,000 have a separate clause that allow carry without a permit (or, with a special permit perhaps and perhaps that is what you were referred to).

Loaded open carry is not legal in cities. Unloaded open carry is legal.

[Grampa Dave]

Thanks for your excellent data.

Our older son has become an excellent bowhunter and prefers to bowhunt except for waterfowl and dove hunting.

A couple of years ago he was drawn for a deer tag in the Northern part of the state for deer hunting. When he scouted the area he saw more bear tracks versus tracks, and he got a bear tag as well as his deer tag. The area he planned to hunt was in a National Forest. He ran into a ranger on a scouting trip and was told he couldn’t bring in his open side arm while bow hunting. He got bs for even having an open pistol while scouting in the NF.

So, when he went bow hunting, he left his pistol at home. He had a very close/scary encounter with a very aggressive brown bear and a couple of more encounters with aggressive brown bears. He has hunted big game in Ca, Or, Wa, Nv,Id, Mn, NM and other states and never had scary moments with brown bears.

So what is the status if he bowhunts re carrying an open sidearm?

Thanks again.