Has anyone out there ever heard of or been cited for hunting from a motor vehicle when gun was unloaded?

Answer 1

It depends on the state, but yes...I've heard of it.

Some states, regardless of whether the gun/rifle is loaded, if there is ammunition in the car, you can be cited.

In other states, they require a trigger-lock on the gun or rifle.

I hope no one is hauling around a gun or rifle in the car....(you need to stick it in the trunk).

Answer 2

I don't know anyone personally.

The state of Wisconsin requires that a firearm in the vehicle must be unloaded and enclosed in a carrying case at all times in a vehicle.

There is an outdoor newspaper that prints many of the DNR reports from each month. Having an uncased firearm in a vehicle is a pretty common occurance.

If you are interested, the Wisconsin DNR puts out a report every year on the Gun Deer Hunting season:

http://dnr.wi.gov/org/es/enforcement/docs/2006_Nine_Deer_Gun_Season_Report.pdf

Page 16 has the top 10 citations issued. 106 people were cited this year for having a loaded gun in the vehicle and 88 were cited for having an unloaded gun in the vehicle. Keep in mind, this is only about a two to three week season (depending on the number of bonus hunts)

Answer 3

this is something i have been curious about lately too. recently i was told that it is now a felony in ohio to wrongfully carry a gun in your car. usually i have my guns in a locked case with the ammo in or next to the case. I bought a gun a few weeks ago, and i had my friend in the back seat hold it across his lap, and i also had ammo in the car. I'm sure that was a bad idea, but I had no other option.

I would also like to hear the correct way to carry a firearm in a car, especially in ohio if anyone knows. it is very scary to think i could be charged with a felony for something so harmless and simple.

Answer 4

I live in Illinois, as long as your gun is unloaded and in a case it is legal. You can even have the ammo in the case with the gun! None of them have to be "locked away" separately. Of course we do have to have a valid Foid card. "Firearms Owners Identification" card to be in possession of the firearm! If the weapon is uncased then you could be charged with hunting from a motor vehicle!!

Answer 5

Yeah, I know a couple of guys who got busted a few years ago, in Kansas. They weren't out hunting, but they had a gun in the truck, saw some deer, shined a spotlight on them, and got tickets.

Answer 6

I'm in British Columbia. i know of a guy that had a conservation officer watch him try to "window ledge" a white tail buck in a protected area. not only did he miss and blow his mirror off the side of his truck he lost his hunting privileges for 5 years and had his truck and rifle confiscated and sold at auction. he also got a 5000.00 fine. pretty stiff penalty for being a lazy idiot.
it may seem excessive but it's a good deterrent for anyone else who might try it.

Answer 7

yeah it all depends on where the bullets are from the gun. If say your gun is in the front seat with you and the bullets are in the back seat laying on the seat or anywhere in the car loose then you can get sited for poaching but if they are contained in the box they came in then they can not charge you. No matter where the bullets are as long as they are in the box and not right next to you, they can not charge you.

Answer 8

I live in IN. and if there is a firearm of any kind in your vehicle loaded or not ammo in the vehicle or not they can bust you if any kind of a light on or in the vehicle shines on a deer.

Answer 9

createdto...

In Ohio you are not permitted to have ammo and a gun within reach. Your best bet is to stick one of them in the trunk. If it is possible for you to load it without getting out (of the car), then you are in trouble.

Answer 10

it mostly depends on the state that you live in but like over here in California im pretty sure its not allowed