[Jeff Higgins]

I have always wondered about that here in Washington. It is illegal to have a sidearm while bowhunting, or a "modern" sidearm while hunting during muzzle loading seasons. Yet Washington is one of the most liberal states in the area of CCW permits; we have a "shall issue" law and a pre-emption law that states no jurisdiction can impose stricter carry laws than the state itself. Both are actually a part of our state Constitution, which is far more specific on this than even the Bill of Rights.

So, I've always wondered. If I have a CCW, why can't I carry while bow hunting? Does our game department trump our state Constitution? I don't think so. Their regulations, passed by their committees, cannot, by law, be stricter than the state Constitution. I don't think they would have a prayer if they tried to prosecute a case.

Incidently, I do carry a side arm while muzzle loading, either my Ruger Old Army cap and ball revolver, or a Lyman Plains Pistol in .54 caliber. Both are legal under our game regs. Neither would do much against a bear, so I have taken to carrying an old Peacemaker in .45 Colt every now and then, loaded with black powder. Our regs state we may not carry a side arm during muzzle loader seasons that "was not originally intended for black powder or a black powder substitute", so I figure I am within the letter of the law on that one. Of course, I don't expect the average fish cop to understand a metalic cartridge side arm "originally intended for black powder", but I'll cross that bridge when I come to it.