I got a ticket last year for having buckshot w/ me while duck hunting.Is it legal to carry a pistol w/ you..W/o a conceled hangun license? Would rather be sure than get out there and get another $300 ticket.

0 lead shot on you or in your truck, even if you are going Dove hunting later on. Not sure about the pistol, as long as it is not concealed, I would think your fine, not sure though.

You can have it in your vehicle or camp but not on you while hunting. They are right. Obviously you weren't hutting ducks with it but that is the law, not while hunting period. You can't even have a rifle in case you see a deer while duck hunting unless you shoot 100% steel shot.

There is "Dead Coyote" T shot and Remington Hevi Buckshot which would cover you on the non tox. But some public areas, all corps areas for example, do not allow any shot over #2. Not sure what the federal size limit restriction on shot is, if any. I tried to find it once when someone mentined using 4 buck for Sandhill cranes and I was unable to find anything that said one could not use it. But, I would think the USFW has some rule for a maximum shot size for waterfowl. A worry would be if someone waterfowl hunting accidentally dropped that buckshot load in the gun during a hunt. Then for any person down range.....

In Oklahoma You cant even possess shot larger than BB except for waterfowl. Page 15. http://www.wildlifedepartment.com/regs/2009huntregs.pdf

Shotgun Pellet Size
No person in the field may possess or attempt
to harvest any wildlife, except waterfowl and
crane, with a shotgun using shot larger than
conventional BB (.180 in. diameter.)

I think the question is about legality of carrying a handgun while hunting, is that correct?

ya you can always have a side arm unless your bow hunting
good luck

You can carry one while bow hunting if you have a CHL.

A lot depends on where your hunting. As in the altenative option of a non tox buckshot if you were carrying it for a defensive purpose you get into crazy different rules for various public lands on the handgun issue too. Back to the corps land thing, Last I looked you can't have a handgun on any federal lands including corps lands, so even if you wanted to carry a pistol while bowhunting you still could not carry one while hunting if say on one of the Ft Worth District Corps of Engineers managed properties. CHL or not.

I am not sure John, but I think that you can have a handgun on you if you have a CHL, somebody post a link.

http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/ops/recnres/title36.pdf

327.13 Explosives, firearms, other weapons and fireworks.
(a) The possession of loaded firearms, ammunition, loaded projectile firing devices, bows and arrows, crossbows, or other weapons is prohibited unless:
(1) In the possession of a Federal, state or local law enforcement officer;
(2) Being used for hunting or fishing as permitted under 327.8, with devices being unloaded when transported to, from or between hunting and fishing sites;
(3) Being used at authorized shooting ranges; or
(4) Written permission has been received from the District Commander.
(b) Possession of explosives or explosive devices of any kind, including fireworks or other pyrotechnics, is prohibited unless written permission has been received from the District Commander.


And

http://www.swf.usace.army.mil/pubdata/ops/recnres/HUNTGUIDE09-10final.pdf

10. Are there weapons and/or means and methods restrictions on public hunting areas?
The “Means and Methods” restrictions as required under state law apply to all Corps
of Engineers hunting areas with the following additional requirements:
a. Hunting or shooting within 600 feet of homes, developed parks, roads, fishing piers or
platforms, farm and ranch yards, outlet structures, emergency spillways, or other areas is
prohibited unless otherwise stated or posted.
b. Pistols are prohibited.
c. Buckshot (any shot size large than #2 shot) is prohibited anywhere on government property. Buckshot is prohibited due to increased public safety concerns. Shotguns with rifled
slugs are allowed when hunting deer and feral hogs except at those lakes which restrict deer and
feral hog hunting to archery only.
d. Crossbows may be used in accordance with state law when hunting deer and feral hogs
unless prohibited at specific lakes.
e. Muzzleloaders: Muzzle-loading shotguns may be used at any lake which allows the use of
a conventional legal shotgun as defined by state law. Muzzle-loading rifles may be used only at
Lake O’ the Pines, Town Bluff, Sam Rayburn, and Wright Patman Lakes as stated in the Lake
Information section of this guide.
f. The use of conventional center-fire or rim-fire rifles is prohibited at all lakes, except Lake
O’ The Pines and Wright Patman Lake as stated in the Lake Information section of this guide.
g. The use of pellet, BB, or any other type of air gun is prohibited at all lakes.
h. Archery equipment for bow fishing must comply with TPWD regulations
http://www.tpwd.state.tx.us/publications/pwdpubs/pwd_lf_t3200_1559/ and will not take place
within 600 feet of homes, developed parks, roads, farm and ranch yards, outlet structures,
emergency spillways, or other areas.

Cable,
The only exception I know of is because all TPWD APH permit lands have a provision allowing concealed carry by CHL holders, that it looks like it is ok for hunter with a CHL license to carry on those corps areas managed by TPWD on the APH permit system.

Cranes aren't waterfowl so a slightly different set of rules applies.

Thats how I understood it, I still haven't sent off my paperwork since I am living at a temporary address. It's a pain in the tail to have the address on your CHL changed, but when I do I will probably carry it.

Ok still confused...but if on private property i would assume it would be ok. On public land im gonna stick w/ illegal.

Private land I do know
Bowhunting without a CHL, no on the handgun
Bowhunting with a CHL, yes on the handgun

But Hunting waterfowl on private land, I don't know, with or without a CHL.
I am thinking it may fall in the same line as for bowhunting,
but there may also be a problem if your using a cartridge with
a lead bullet. I don't know on this one.

You will probably want to ask a game warden on that one.

If all the gw's arent on the same page that could be pointless as well though. I have talked to a gw about taking a pistol w/ me. He said HE wouldnt give a ticket for the pistol.(but forgot to mention no chl) It all could be what kind of pistol too i think they would be more likely to write a ticket for a .22 than a .45.