Legal to Open Carry While Hunting?

[Jumping Frog]

It makes sense that there would be. But where is it in the law?

Ahhh . . . . it was quoted in the first post of this thread by drjoker.

[Greybeard]

Question "Can you open carry on public land?"

Carrying a handgun on public land can be highly dependent upon the TYPE of public land. Corps of Engineers lands, for example, can be very problematic. Even with TPWD controlled public hunting units, one must read up on the specific rules for individual units for possible prohibitions of certain types of firearms and/or ammunition.

[2firfun50]

PC §46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS.

1) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly,
or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun in a
motor vehicle or watercraft that is owned by the person or under the person's
control at any time in which:
(1) the handgun is in plain view;

AND

PC §46.15. NONAPPLICABILITY.
(a) Sections 46.02 and 46.03 do
not apply to:
... is engaged in lawful hunting... if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity.

HOWEVER, what if you're not in a motor vehicle or watercraft? You're on foot on non-federal public Texas state land hunting with your Ruger Single Action Blackhawk 44 magnum with 6 inch barrel? You're hunting for deer. Is that legal?

Or you're hunting for deer with a rifle, but you have a 22 lr revolver just in case you spot a squirrel or rabbit. Is that legal?
Thanks,

I'd be careful with that one. if your deer hunting, having a .22 rimfire could be problematic.

from the Wesite:

Firearms
NEW LAW: Silencers may be used to take any wildlife resource; however, all federal, state and local laws continue to apply.

Game animals and game birds may be hunted with any legal firearm, EXCEPT:

•white-tailed deer, mule deer, desert bighorn sheep, and pronghorn antelope may NOT be hunted with rimfire ammunition of any caliber.

[Carry-a-Kimber]

wrong, the law makes no exception for possession without a CHL during archery only deer season, but then I assume you have a CHL and must abide by those rules so OC is against the law there. you either don't meet many game wardens or they just don't want to bother.

It's a good Idea to read before a mouth is opened and a foot is inserted.



From Above:

Only the archery and crossbow equipment prescribed in this section may be used for taking game animals or game birds. Archery and crossbow equipment may not be used to hunt deer during the Muzzleloader-Only Deer Season. It is unlawful to be in possession of a firearm while hunting with a broadhead HUNTING point during the Archery-Only season, except a person licensed to carry a concealed handgun in Texas may carry a concealed handgun. NOTE: A firearm may be possessed in camp, in a motor vehicle, or while hunting lawful game other than whitetail or mule deer and turkey (e.g., exotics, feral hogs, squirrels).

Archery only season only applies to deer and turkey.

If you have a rifle during archery only deer season and you are in possession of a bow and braodheads then you in violation of the law. It doesn't matter if you are hunting whitetail and pigs, whitetail and axis, or whitetail and any other non-game species, you are still hunting whitetail. It says it right there in the law you quoted.