Concealed Carry While Hunting

[Molly B.]

From the DNR CCW FAQ (https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/LawEnforcement/Documents/ConcealedCarryQnA.pdf):


------------ QUOTE ----------
1) May a person possessing a valid Illinois Concealed Carry Permit carry a concealed firearm when deer or turkey hunting?

Under the current regulations, Concealed Carry Permit holders are not allowed to possess any firearm, including a concealed firearm, when deer or turkey hunting unless the firearm carried is legal for taking the species being hunted. For example, an archery deer hunter would not be able to carry any firearm, whether concealed or not, when archery deer hunting. However, if a concealed carry permit holder is hunting deer during the legal firearm; deer seasons, he/she may carry a concealed firearm, but only if that firearm is of the legal type for firearm deer hunting. It is not unlawful for a Concealed Carry Permit hunter to possess a concealed firearm in their vehicle.

3) May an Illinois Concealed Carry Permit holder be in possession of a concealed firearm when hunting or trapping any species, with the exception of questions 1 and 2 above?

Yes. With the exception of deer, turkey, or dog training as explained in questions 1 and 2 above, an Illinois Concealed Carry Permit holder may possess a concealed firearm on their person or in their motor vehicle while in the field hunting or trapping any species of wildlife, unless the Concealed Carry Permit holder is in one of the prohibited areas listed in the Illinois Concealed Carry Act.

DEFINITIONS
Case: Any case, firearm carrying box, shipping box, or container acceptable under Article 24 of the Criminal Code of 2012.

[luckydawg13]

I was hoping that there was a change in their that we could carry

[DoverGunner]

I was hoping that there was a change in their that we could carry

Dont you know that the 2nd firearm is the one that will push us over the edge into raging mass murdering Psycho Killers

[Uncle Harley]

"However, if a concealed carry permit holder is hunting deer during the legal firearm; deer seasons, he/she may carry a concealed firearm, but only if that firearm is of the legal type for firearm deer hunting. It is not unlawful for a Concealed Carry Permit hunter to possess a concealed firearm in their vehicle."

 

 

This part is insane, if you are carrying a hunting pistol, just open carry it

[Glock23]

"However, if a concealed carry permit holder is hunting deer during the legal firearm; deer seasons, he/she may carry a concealed firearm, but only if that firearm is of the legal type for firearm deer hunting. It is not unlawful for a Concealed Carry Permit hunter to possess a concealed firearm in their vehicle."

 

 

This part is insane, if you are carrying a hunting pistol, just open carry it

Doesn't have to be a hunting pistol (meaning, it's legal to hunt with it, but that's not why you're carrying it); and there could be situations arise while hunting in which you would still want the tactical advantage of having a concealed firearm.

 

So, for instance I could be hunting with my Remington 870 12 gauge, while concealing my S&W 4" .357.

[borgranta]

Would it be possible that someone may be hunting both deer and rabbit simultaneously and have a 357 magnum for the rabbit and have a 12 gauge for the deer?

[ragsbo]

Remember that during firearm deer season, ALL firearms you have in the field must be unloaded during hours when hunting is not permitted. Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. So that means if shooting hours end at 6:00 p.m. you can NOT walk back to your vehicle with any loaded firearm, just as you can NOT walk to your stand in the morning with any loaded firearm prior to shooting hours starting. Once you are in your vehicle the normal rules apply.

 

I guess there is no way to get this changed?

[GWBH]

Would it be possible that someone may be hunting both deer and rabbit simultaneously and have a 357 magnum for the rabbit and have a 12 gauge for the deer?

I guess that's "possible" - but presenting a convincing story that is what you're doing to a CPO might be a tough act to sell.

[Tango7]

"However, if a concealed carry permit holder is hunting deer during the legal firearm; deer seasons, he/she may carry a concealed firearm, but only if that firearm is of the legal type for firearm deer hunting. It is not unlawful for a Concealed Carry Permit hunter to possess a concealed firearm in their vehicle."

 

 

This part is insane, if you are carrying a hunting pistol, just open carry it

 

Seems like the DNR drank the same Kool-Aid that the politicrats at ISP did when they testified that if the ILGA overrode Quimby's veto that CCW holders would undergo the longest mandated training in the country, a half dozen proctological exams and pay the highest statewide poll tax in the country then go into a restaurant and get themselves intentionally drunk...

 

Or like the folks that want us to wait 72 hours to take possession of a handgun or 24 hours for a long arm because the one we are carrying at that moment just isn't deadly enough by itself.

[borgranta]

 

Would it be possible that someone may be hunting both deer and rabbit simultaneously and have a 357 magnum for the rabbit and have a 12 gauge for the deer?

 

I guess that's "possible" - but presenting a convincing story that is what you're doing to a CPO might be a tough act to sell.

It might help if you have both a dead rabbit and dead deer.

[anonymous too]

Remember that during firearm deer season, ALL firearms you have in the field must be unloaded during hours when hunting is not permitted. Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. So that means if shooting hours end at 6:00 p.m. you can NOT walk back to your vehicle with any loaded firearm, just as you can NOT walk to your stand in the morning with any loaded firearm prior to shooting hours starting.

 

Pisses me off. Shouldn't apply to private property owners,

 

But for me in my county with the current SA and judges, ummm............do the math.

[jazzemt]

The rules they publish conflict with themselves. https://www.dnr.illinois.gov/hunting/Documents/DeerHuntingInfoAndCheckInSystem.pdf. Read the last page under unlawful."It is unlawful: a) to carry any firearm or sidearm while hunting deer with a bow and arrow unless on private land."

 

 

Also the Q&A mentions that "Below are some common questions and answers to help guide Concealed Carry Permit holders who hunt on or utilize IDNR properties".

[Grigdaniel]

 

Remember that during firearm deer season, ALL firearms you have in the field must be unloaded during hours when hunting is not permitted. Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. So that means if shooting hours end at 6:00 p.m. you can NOT walk back to your vehicle with any loaded firearm, just as you can NOT walk to your stand in the morning with any loaded firearm prior to shooting hours starting.

 

Pisses me off. Shouldn't apply to private property owners,

 

But for me in my county with the current SA and judges, ummm............do the math.

 

at sunset, unload your shotgun, and take off your orange, now you cant be hunting because its after sunset, you are not wearing orange, and you are only carrying a concealed fire arm. You would need to really tick off the game warden for him to get away with that ticket. I all ways take my orange off after that days close time. As weird as it sounds, it really helps justifies you're not hunting with out a loaded firearm and no orange.

[quackersmacker]

 

 

Remember that during firearm deer season, ALL firearms you have in the field must be unloaded during hours when hunting is not permitted. Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. So that means if shooting hours end at 6:00 p.m. you can NOT walk back to your vehicle with any loaded firearm, just as you can NOT walk to your stand in the morning with any loaded firearm prior to shooting hours starting.

 

Pisses me off. Shouldn't apply to private property owners,

 

But for me in my county with the current SA and judges, ummm............do the math.

 

at sunset, unload your shotgun, and take off your orange, now you cant be hunting because its after sunset, you are not wearing orange, and you are only carrying a concealed fire arm. You would need to really tick off the game warden for him to get away with that ticket. I all ways take my orange off after that days close time. As weird as it sounds, it really helps justifies you're not hunting with out a loaded firearm and no orange.

 

Wouldn't that be 30 minutes after sunset, for taking off the orange?

[ragsbo]

 

 

Remember that during firearm deer season, ALL firearms you have in the field must be unloaded during hours when hunting is not permitted. Legal shooting hours are 1/2 hour before sunrise to 1/2 hour after sunset. So that means if shooting hours end at 6:00 p.m. you can NOT walk back to your vehicle with any loaded firearm, just as you can NOT walk to your stand in the morning with any loaded firearm prior to shooting hours starting.

 

Pisses me off. Shouldn't apply to private property owners,

 

But for me in my county with the current SA and judges, ummm............do the math.

 

at sunset, unload your shotgun, and take off your orange, now you cant be hunting because its after sunset, you are not wearing orange, and you are only carrying a concealed fire arm. You would need to really tick off the game warden for him to get away with that ticket. I all ways take my orange off after that days close time. As weird as it sounds, it really helps justifies you're not hunting with out a loaded firearm and no orange.

 

 

I would NOT want to be the test case on that one. The fact that you are still carrying the shotgun/muzzle loader, still have the orange vest with you, you have hunting tags on you, and walking out of the woods==== I think the judge would say you were hunting. PLUS depending where you are hunting, there would be other idiots in the woods that take you for a deer and that might hurt.

[GTX63]

 

 

Pisses me off. Shouldn't apply to private property owners,

 

But for me in my county with the current SA and judges, ummm............do the math.

 

 

I agree. It is your land (well we like to think it is); unfortunately the king has proclaimed the deer to be his.

[Uncle Harley]

 

 

 

Pisses me off. Shouldn't apply to private property owners,

 

But for me in my county with the current SA and judges, ummm............do the math.

I agree. It is your land (well we like to think it is); unfortunately the king has proclaimed the deer to be his.

 

It's not your land either, if you don't believe me stop paying your taxes

[ragsbo]

Here is what I do. I use a pump 870 Remington. I keep the slide back (chamber open) and have a slug ready. IF I need to I can combat load the slug and get nasty real quick. Not perfect but better than nothing.

[anonymous too]

It's not your land either, if you don't believe me stop paying your taxes

 

I'll get more than my money's worth for sure if that day ever happens.

[max503]

I can see the logic to the prohibition. Poaching would be easy if you could carry a 357 while bowhunting.

[tkroenlein]

I can see the logic to the prohibition. Poaching would be easy if you could carry a 357 while bowhunting.

What prevents poaching when not bow hunting?

[OldMarineVet]

Crazy. Take the case of bow hunting a deer. You carry a bow and arrow to kill the deer. But why would you lose your right for self-defense especially in the middle of the wilderness? Might your only option be to kill a bear with a bow and arrow? How about a well armed human predator?

 

Two weapons for two different reasons. One to hunt and one for self defense. I you choose to carry one for both purposes, fine.

[Gamma]

 

I can see the logic to the prohibition. Poaching would be easy if you could carry a 357 while bowhunting.

What prevents poaching when not bow hunting?

 

Exactly. You could CC and choose to poach at will if you were NOT bowhunting.

 

It's just another example of the liberal/statist mentality that if you have a gun, you can't be trusted to control yourself and you'll use the gun inappropriately.

[tkroenlein]

I can see the logic to the prohibition. Poaching would be easy if you could carry a 357 while bowhunting.What prevents poaching when not bow hunting?Exactly. You could CC and choose to poach at will if you were NOT bowhunting.It's just another example of the liberal/statist mentality that if you have a gun, you can't be trusted to control yourself and you'll use the gun inappropriately.

^Bingo. Logic = "my feels"

[adjc]

It is Illegal to hunt small game during Deer season..

[InterestedBystander]

As an example in the suburbs of Chicagoland this late summer and fall has been ridiculous with the amount of skunks.

You are not kidding. Where did they all come from this year?

[anonymous too]

Crazy. Take the case of bow hunting a deer. You carry a bow and arrow to kill the deer. But why would you lose your right for self-defense especially in the middle of the wilderness? Might your only option be to kill a bear with a bow and arrow? How about a well armed human predator?

 

Two weapons for two different reasons. One to hunt and one for self defense. I you choose to carry one for both purposes, fine.

You lose that right on your own property while bow hunting, turkey hunting, and dog training.

 

And I'm only supposed to use a blank firing pistol while training my retriever. Can't use a shotgun with poppers. The DNR believes we're gonna shoot birds out of season!

[quackersmacker]

It is Illegal to hunt small game during Deer season..

That's true for fox/gray squirrel and woodchuck/groundhog. Bunnies and birds can be hunted during deer season.