IS THIS A GAME LAW??????

wco told a hunter he would be arrested for having an arrow/bolt with a field tip in the quiver...Is this true????? RSB...is it..can't find it in booklet..don't make sense to me..if it is law..why????...

I never thought about that, I know I was told I could not have one in my quiver because it is not a legal "point" (broadhead)for archery hunting when I used a compound , but now with a cross bow I forgot all about that because of using/carrying a bolt and field tip to "unload"...

Guess I better start leaving it in the car.... and walking back to it with a loaded crossbow.. just what the manufactor says to NOT DO !!!!

here's the law for big game ===

Long, recurve and compound bows, and
crossbows, and broadheads of cutting edge design. The bolt must
be equipped with a broadhead not more than three inches long and
at least 7/8 inches wide, with at least two cutting edges on the same
plane throughout the length of the cutting surface.

field tips do not have any cutting surface at all.... so NO ...

Agreed, Carrying it is not the same as hunting with it.

ORIGINAL: Dr. Trout

here we are again == I too, have been told YES and NO by WCOs and here is the reply to an E-mail about it this morning to the PGC office in Harrisburg ==

Technically the WCO is correct. You cannot be “hunting” big game unless your tip meets the definition of a broad head. Carrying it even in a quiver is considered hunting.

WHAT CAN I SAY ???????????????????????

Look at it this way.  When hunting waterfowl, the game laws specify that carrying lead shot is illegal.  It is specific to what can be in your posession.

In regards to archery, the game laws specify what a big game arrow must be tipped with.  Not what can or cannot be in your posession. 

The two WCO's in the districts I hunt have both stated that it is fine to carry field points or blunts while big game hunting for the purpose of unloading a crossbow or taking a shot at small game.  If shooting at small game, the proper amount of orange must be put on first. 

I have seen wrong info several times coming via PGC emails.  Certain things can be interpretated differently and it would be up to the courts to determine that if a fine was issued.  Ultimately it comes down to the local WCO.  If uncomfortable carrying field tips when archery hunting deer, I would clear it with you local WCO. 

S-10 IS correct... Different WCOs should NOT be enforcing or not enforcing different opinions on what the law states...



and once again here is the law...

if you guys don't like it == take it up with the head of law enforcemnt in Harrisburg... or if you really care === notify him what WCOs are telling you it is legal to have them in your quiver...

because someone is going to read that you are saying it is okay and get busted in some other WMU....

I did send another e-mail to my contact and he explained he went to the head of law enforcement to get the answer I posted/quoted above.. here is the SECOND reply to the question on if they are legal to have in quiver while big game hunting...

I understood the complexity of the question.

I went directly to the Director of the Bureau of Wildlife Protection for the answer. That is what he said.

Technically it is a violation. I would be remiss if I told you otherwise.

I guess that is a concern then.  Being involved in the crossbow issue rather heavily, this was a area of concern as we moved forward.  I thought this was cleared up, but apparently not.

Personally, the language should be clear if this is an issue.  Much like the waterfowl language.   

It is concerning though that varying opinions from LE on this subject, persists.  

Not quite sure what the violation is?  If I were sitting stationary with a field tipped arrow loaded in my crossbow or compound, without orange on, I see a violation as the game law is written.  Otherwise, not sure what I am violating with a field tip in my quiver. 
 
I guess I am gonna have to pursue this issue again.

According to what has been said on here, if you are using a cross bow you could carry a field tip with you and when your hunt is complete unscrew the broadhead put the field tip on, unload your bow and put the broadhead back on. Slip your field tip back in your pocket and away you go. Or if you have any old broadhead laying around just throw that on your unload arrow, then you don't have to worry about getting busted for carrying a field tip in your pocket.

Outdoor...

I just posted 2 replies (E-mails)I got from the PGC TODAY...

and here's the REAL KICKER....

tonight I used an old broadhead to unload...

shot it into the ground, with the power of my crossbow bow, when I tried to pull it out of the ground all the blades pulled off.. now it too is no better than a field tip...

may have to try the "carry the field tip in my pocket" idea,-- we'll see -- I can just see me slicing my finger trying to change them back and forth though..

I sent another E-mail telling what happened tonight and stating I can not affrod a broadhead every time I unload...

and for what it's worth ==

carrying a printed-out E-mail for me - will do NOTHING..

The 2 E-mails I received today said it is illegal to do so and my local WCO told me it was illegal when I used a compound bow several years ago .... I can't image any WCO or PGC person sending an E-mail saying go ahead and do it when it is illegal to do so..

guess I am done again unless I hear more from the PGC tommorrow...

That is an option S10.  For me, I am very uncomfortable carrying a cocked crossbow anywhere.  Especially through the woods.  You hands end up in very bad places if something bad happens.  Kinda like never placing yourself or anyone in front of the barrel of a gun.  Placing any part of yourself around the rail of a cocked crossbow is a no no.  The more you play with crossbows, the more you respect the power in them short limbs.
 
One of the advantages of a Excalibur crossbow is that it can be decocked by hand.  Most need to be fired to unload.

This is what the regulations allow and prohibit while archery hunting for deer.
 
 (a)  Archery deer season.
 
   (1)  Permitted devices. It is lawful to hunt deer during the archery deer season with any of the following devices:
 
     (i)   A bow and arrow. A bow must have a peak draw weight of at least 35 pounds. An arrow must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length.
 
     (ii)   A crossbow and bolt. A crossbow must have a peak draw weight of at least 125 pounds. A bolt must be equipped with a broadhead that has an outside diameter or width of at least 7/8 inch with at least two cutting edges located on the same plane throughout the length of the cutting surface, and may not exceed 3 inches in length. This subparagraph shall become effective July 1, 2009, and expire on June 30, 2012, unless the Commission authorizes its continued legal effectiveness prior to June 30, 2012.
 
   (2)  Prohibitions. While hunting deer during the archery deer season, it is unlawful to:
 
     (i)   Use or possess a firearm. Exceptions:
 
       (A)   A person may possess certain firearms during the archery deer season under the authorizations of section 2525 of the act (relating to possession of firearm for protection of self or others).
 
       (B)   A person may possess and use both a bow or crossbow and a muzzleloading firearm during the overlaps of the early archery and muzzleloader deer seasons and the late archery and flintlock muzzleloading deer seasons if that person is in possession of both a valid archery deer license and a valid muzzleloader deer license and meets the greater protective material requirements for the muzzleloader deer season, if applicable.
     (ii)   Use a device not provided for in the act or in this subsection.
 
Though I can see where it can be interpreted that a person could not be in possession of a field point I am confident it was not the intent of the regulation to prohibit a person from carrying a bolt equipped with a field point for the purpose of discharging their crossbow.
 
I will not be charging anyone for simply having a field point in his or her possession.
 R.S. Bodenhorn

I will not be charging anyone for simply having a field point in his or her possession

I was not going to post it unless RSB said something.. so now everyone know who my YES is

That's total bull s***!! There is no law that says you cant take you bow afield and hunt game other than deer. What you are reading is "ONLY" for deer. I can also hunt small game while hunting in a stand or blind and use the appropriate tip for what ever it be. No law says you can't. If you "nock" an arrow for deer,it must be a broadhead. I thought you guys were smarter than that !

ORIGINAL: bingsbaits

The head of law enforcement who says you are breaking the law..
Or will all WCO's willingly look the other way as a law is being broken...

Seems pretty grey to me ......

 
Much the same way as the speed limit is 55mph.  If ya go 57, you are breaking the law but most likely will not get a ticket.
 
Seems to me proper discretion is being used to allow crossbow users to safely transport their weapons.  Now, I would hope that those using compounds and traditional would be allowed to carry field points as well. 

Got the answer while I was typing the above....


This is from the head of law enforcement ===

Summary of the fifth degree 100-200 dollars. He might lessen the chance of getting cited if he used a blunt tip instead of a field tip. Still technically illegal because they are also use for small game, but would be more indicative of his intended purpose to simply unload the crossbow and he would probably prevail at a hearing if cited. You can get blunt tips for a couple of bucks on line or at most archery shops.

This was in another E-mail yesterday...

Officer discretion is a wonderful thing but also a double edged sword. It can work for or against you.

That's pretty much the way much of life is..