Non-lead Ammo in sidearm while Hunting OK?

[newglockster]

I know that non-lead ammo is required while hunting in CA now. Can a hunter carry a sidearm (not intended for hunting) with leaded ammo, at the same time as carrying his hunting rifle that has copper ammo?

Kind of convoluted way of putting it, I guess.

Thanks

[H8Mud]

This question is literally asked every week lol

[bigboarstopper]

Use the search function.

[edgerly779]

Amazing many posts on this. I wonder how many people will show up for dove opener with lead ammo.

[newglockster]

Sounds like lead is fine. Thanks guys!

[edgerly779]

Yes for protection handgun while hunting. Do not use to finish off wounded animal.

[TrailerparkTrash]

[deckhandmike]

It’s legal but I got a 12 pack to bet someone gets a ticket anyway. I’ll use copper in my sidearm as cheap insurance.

[NapalmCheese]

A suggestion; the next time the question comes up, just answer "yes" and let the thread die there. It'll save all of us some time and we won't feel obligated to hop in and comment about how this is asked all the time or how it may or may not be a good idea (before going off in the weeds about some peculiar particular that is likely not relevant to the discussion just so we can argue about something).

@TrailerparkTrash - If you are hiking in a place that allows discharge of firearms (at least for things other than hunting), you can carry loaded and holstered with lead ammo without saying you're hunting.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=186457

[mikeyr]

I got non-lead ammo for all my firearms, rifles and handguns. I know I can carry lead ammo in my handgun when hunting with a rifle but why bother arguing with the ranger who may or may not know that.

[CVShooter]

If it's something that COULD be used to take the animal, like a .357 handgun carried during deer season, don't do it.

I think it's a lot easier to get away with if it's a sub-compact 9mm, .380 or the like and carried concealed under a permit. A warden would have a hard time making a case that you intended to hunt deer with a little pocket gun than a full-sized revolver.

[H8Mud]

The only people that ask this question dont actually hunt, or havnt hunted long. Out of all the hunters I've met and befriended over the years in CA, none of them carry a pistol while rifle hunting. You have a long gun, a pistol is extra weight and gets in the way.

Your far more likely to encounter a fisherman with a sidearm than a hunter. But since this is calguns I'm sure somone will be along shortly to argue the finer points. Stay safe and eat tasty animals.

[leadstorm]

The only people that ask this question dont actually hunt, or havnt hunted long. Out of all the hunters I've met and befriended over the years in CA, none of them carry a pistol while rifle hunting. You have a long gun, a pistol is extra weight and gets in the way.

Your far more likely to encounter a fisherman with a sidearm than a hunter. But since this is calguns I'm sure somone will be along shortly to argue the finer points. Stay safe and eat tasty animals.

I don't care about arguing, I'm just up filling space on the internet...

I've been hunting for decades, and I still carry a handgun when I've got a long gun.

Neener, neener!

[leadstorm]

If it's something that COULD be used to take the animal, like a .357 handgun carried during deer season, don't do it.

I think it's a lot easier to get away with if it's a sub-compact 9mm, .380 or the like and carried concealed under a permit. A warden would have a hard time making a case that you intended to hunt deer with a little pocket gun than a full-sized revolver.

opinion.jpg

I carry a J-frame .357 more than anything else (see post above). I've also been carded by wardens several times during rifle deer season in condor zones. None of them even cared to look at my revolver.

Honestly, it's probably more habit than anything (I have a CCW permit). I also just don't think that it's that big a deal.

Bottom line is: if you piss off a game warden (even unintentionally), then he'll dig deep on finding any violations he can on you. If you pass the attitude test and aren't breaking any game laws in the first place they really don't care.

[Hunt]

yep, keep copper in it and say you are hunting jack rabbits, if big game season better have a copper and expanding bullet, forget all that great underwood ammo.