11 replies to this topic

[Hausse]

So title is somewhat miss leading, I want to walk next to a car while hunting rabbits. Here's the issue:I went rabbit hunting last week and I walked 4h and only saw 1 (which I missed). Then when I got back into the car to drive home, 6 of them jumped into the road. I parked my car and went back but they were mostly gone (got another shot off but missed again).So, I made the "obvious" conclusion that the rabbits are probably chased out of the bushes by the car, so I came up with the even more logical conclusion to walk next to the car while someone else drives it.Sounds like a dumb idea, probably is one but it might just work.Anyone know if this is illegal? I won't be on or in the car at any point in time with a loaded gun. I know I can't shoot across a street, but what about shooting into the bushes from a street (it's completely empty where I go)?Thanks!

[Braz]

Become intimately familiar with the DFG rules for hunting. They are your friend. Shooting from a road is illegal.

[jawbreaker]

Just shoot from the shoulder and you should be fine but as Braz said know the laws in your area both DFG and local penal codes.

[X EAGLE 23 X]

Hmmm, that sounds a little like herding/harassing the animal which is addressed in section 251.1:

§251.1. Harassment of Animals.Except as otherwise authorized in these regulations or in the Fish and Game Code, no person shall harass, herd or drive any game or nongame bird or mammal or furbearing mammal. For the purposes of this section, harass is defined as an intentional act which disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns, which includes, but is not limited to, breeding, feeding or sheltering. This section does not apply to a landowner or tenant who drives or herds birds or mammals for the purpose of preventing damage to private or public property, including aquaculture and agriculture crops.

The next section (251.2) does go on and give some exceptions to this rule, but it requires applying for and getting a permit which seems like it would be a hassle and not worth the effort.Here's the link to the regulations: http://www.fgc.ca.go...malregs.asp#307

[Hausse]

Hmmm, that sounds a little like herding/harassing the animal which is addressed in section 251.1:The next section (251.2) does go on and give some exceptions to this rule, but it requires applying for and getting a permit which seems like it would be a hassle and not worth the effort.Here's the link to the regulations: http://www.fgc.ca.go...malregs.asp#307

Hm interesting but if you'd apply that to my idea, wouldn't any driving on a road be illegal since it would harass the animals? If I'd get a huge F350 and go off road with it and shoot anything that moves then I'd agree but as is I don't really see it being an issue.Overall seems like there's no specific law against it and that it's just kinda borderline. Will probably just keep doing it the old fashion way.

[screwwork]

please check this out before shooting on or by the road.zone.” FGC 3004(a).http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/archive/index.php/t-347000.htmlsee the CA hunting digest and search code FGC 3004see pg 10 for: related terms and definitions, it is illegal to... and safety issues.this will ansrew your questions and the chioce is ours.Safety IssuesIt is always unlawful to: Place on, or carry or possess a loaded rifle or shotgun in a vehicle or conveyance or its attachments on any public road orother way open to the public; hunt while intoxicated; shoot at any game bird from a powerboat, sailboat, motor vehicle, or aircraft while under poweror still moving from use of sail or motor; or shoot any firearm from or upon a public road or highway. It is unlawful to possess a loaded rifle or shot-gun in any vehicle or conveyance or its attachments that is standing on or along or is being driven on or along any public highway or other way opento the public. A rifle or shotgun shall be deemed to be loaded for the purposes of this section when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell inthe firing chamber but not when the only cartridges or shells are in the magazine. The provisions of this section shall not apply to peace officers ormembers of the armed forces of this state or the United States, while on duty or going to or returning from duty. FGC 2006, FG 3001, T14 215(1),PC 374©Except as provided in subdivision (, © or (d), every person who carries a loaded firearm on his or her person or in a vehicle while in any publicplace or on any public street in an incorporated city or in any public place or on any public street in a prohibited area of unincorporated territory isguilty of a misdemeanor. A firearm shall be deemed to be loaded for the purposes of this section when there is an unexpended cartridge or shell,consisting of a case which holds a charge of powder and a bullet or shot, in, or attached in any manner to, the firearm, including, but not limited to,in the firing chamber, magazine, or clip thereof attached to the firearm; except that a muzzle-loader firearm shall be deemed to be loaded when it iscapped or primed and has a powder charge and ball or shot in the barrel or cylinder. PC 12031.It is unlawful for any person, other than the owner, person in possession of the premises, or a person having the express permission of the owneror person in possession of the premises, to hunt or to discharge while hunting, any firearm or other deadly weapon within 150 yards of any oc-cupied dwelling house, residence, or other building or any barn or other outbuilding used in connection therewith. The 150-yard area is a “safety

[Bisley]

Do you have something against actually having to work for game?! Hell, why don't you just raise rabbits and release them when you want to shoot them if that is all you care about and not the time spent outdoors doing it or the satisfaction of actually earning it! What's next, riding around in the back of a truck during bird season while a buddy drives through the brush flushing quail? C'mon now..........Really?

[Switch]

Bisley +1Hike away from the road and stay away from a moving car. The regs state you can't shoot from the road. Get to know your game. If you have an idea on habitat and what they want and need, you can easily figure their habits and hunt them. Using your car to scare any game is harassment and is pretty ridiculous. If a warden saw you hunt in this manner, you'll get stopped.

[X EAGLE 23 X]

Hm interesting but if you'd apply that to my idea, wouldn't any driving on a road be illegal since it would harass the animals? If I'd get a huge F350 and go off road with it and shoot anything that moves then I'd agree but as is I don't really see it being an issue.Overall seems like there's no specific law against it and that it's just kinda borderline. Will probably just keep doing it the old fashion way.

That is not necessarily true because in this scenario there is an, "intentional act which disrupts an animal's normal behavior patterns." Whereas if you are simply driving down a road, the disruption is not an intentional act.

[Bisley]

Bisley +1If a warden saw you hunt in this manner, you'll get stopped.

And I'd like to think if anyone including me saw him hunt in this manner, he'd get slapped. I think he got the words ethic and pathetic mixed up.

[beniflas]

Do you have something against actually having to work for game?! Hell, why don't you just raise rabbits and release them when you want to shoot them if that is all you care about and not the time spent outdoors doing it or the satisfaction of actually earning it! What's next, riding around in the back of a truck during bird season while a buddy drives through the brush flushing quail? C'mon now..........Really?

+2Some of my better hunting memories/stories are going out and only coming back with one single "trophy" and no where near coming close to bagging my limit.....

[oz_fox_hunter]

It's a pretty common way of shooting rabbits, foxes and kangaroo down here although I don't do a lot of it myself anymore. There's no point walking next to the car. You'd be better off shooting from the vehicle as the rabbits are less spooked by a vehicle than a person walking. Don't ask me why but they just seem to react differently. You can use the outside mirror as a rest by wrapping something soft around it, or use a soft bag rest that hangs over the window sill, or even buy one of the rigid frame window rests that extends out from the cabin. That way you can do your own driving and operate solo.It's obviously illegal to do from public roads, but it may be legal on private land where you live, but you'd have to find that out yourself. Just keep in mind accidents shooting from vehicles are common. Setting the vehicle up to do it solo makes it safer.