TexasCHLforum.com

what's the largest knife i can carry legally when hunting?

Depends.
If the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity, and while engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or en route between the premises and the residence... I can carry a knife weighing up to 50 pounds, anything over that pulls my belt down and hurts my back.
YPCMV (Your Physical Condition May Vary)

Just like you can carry a spear gun fishing etc. (spear is in the definition of "illegal knife)
(I'm wishin' for a semi-auto speargun, with a capacity over 10 spears for "schools") Schools of fish I mean.

KD5NRH wrote:

The Annoyed Man wrote:Obviously, a 24" machete is not going to make as practical a hunting knife as a good traditional skinning knife will.

What if you're hunting hogs without a gun?

My cousin is trying to get me to go on a hog knife hunt later this year. I'm still debating on whether or not I think I am crazy enough to actually want to do it. It sounds like some good primal fun, but it also sounds like the potential for disfiguring injuries is a real possibility, and I'm not into that kind of excitement anymore.

This has been discussed on here before...I asked a similar question a while back.

The gist of that previous thread is that no matter what the law says, it's unlikely to be enforced if you have a legitimate use for an "illegal knife". As others have said, as long as you're legally and peaceably pursuing some outdoor activity, whether it's hunting, fishing, camping, whatever...it's extremely unlikely that you're going to get hassled by law enforcement if they catch you with an "illegal knife." On the other hand, if you're caught poaching, driving drunk, or committing other crimes...it might be just another charge tacked on against you.

If I was going hog hunting, using only dogs and a knife, I would definitely want something with a blade longer than 5 inches...like the Ka-Bar BaconMaker...

https://www.kabar.com/product/productDe ... umber=5601

Just my opinion of course...
MojoTexas

MojoTexas wrote:This has been discussed on here before...

Right here in this thread, which was dormant for almost two years before the BTT last night.

Ameer wrote:

MojoTexas wrote:This has been discussed on here before...

Right here in this thread, which was dormant for almost two years before the BTT last night.

*LOL* I didn't even notice the thread necromancy...

MojoTexas wrote: If I was going hog hunting, using only dogs and a knife, I would definitely want something with a blade longer than 5 inches...like the Ka-Bar BaconMaker...

https://www.kabar.com/product/productDe ... umber=5601

Just my opinion of course...
MojoTexas

The Baconmaker, eh? I reckon it's all in the name. Though, I think I would want something with a bit better of a shroud between the blade and the grip, for that instance that you thrust the knife, it hits a bone, and your hand wants to keep going when the knife stops. I could see your hand sliding right over onto the blade of the baconmaker, making a mess out of your fingers.

Back in my High School/early college days, I used to carry along a WWI German M98/05 bayonet along with a smaller fixed filleting knife when I went out fishing or camping (it had spent too much time in a barn to be a collectible, but the blade was in great shape). Never had a Game Warden look twice at it. That big heavy old blade was very good around a campsite for cleaning fish, etc. I got more use out of it than any of the hatchets I have ever owned.

It's been a few years since those days, but I'd probably still hang it on a back pack if I was heading out.

Yep!cubar knife are good to carry and it's legal.


I'm glad to signed up.

Not long ago we were cleaning fish at a dock on Lake Texoma and as they often do the game warden ambled up to see what we had caught, on what and how many. We were well within the limits and he didn't even ask any of us to show our licenses. The designated cleaner was using a 14 inch long serrated carving knife (battery powered - really makes nice fillets from a Striper).
That's probably an illegal knife in Texas... we were displaying/using it in a public place... Technically, it would seem we, or at least Jerry the one doing the cleaning at that moment, was/were violating the law but, no harm, no foul. Might have been different if the knife had been hanging in a holster on a tactical belt around his thigh.

According to Sec. 46.15 of the Texas state statutes:

Sec. 46.02. UNLAWFUL CARRYING WEAPONS. (a) A person commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal knife...

[snip]

Sec. 46.15. NONAPPLICABILITY
(b) Section 46.02 does not apply to a person who:

(3) is engaging in lawful hunting, fishing, or other sporting activity on the immediate premises where the activity is conducted, or is en route between the premises and the actor's residence or motor vehicle, if the weapon is a type commonly used in the activity;

So in other words, you can carry whatever size knife you feel like carrying, as long as you're hunting or fishing or some other lawful sporting activity. I would say using a filet knife to clean fish is pretty obviously a valid use, and carrying a hunting knife for gutting and skinning game would also be a pretty obvious valid use.

Hopefully this thread can die now. :-)