by DeadEye_Dan » Wed Jun 12, 2013 6:13 pm
It varies state to state.
MT & the Dakotas - ride around with an uncased weapon, loaded magazine & unloaded in the chamber = perfectly legal.
Try the same thing in MI, and they'll bury you under the jail.
Last year in RI, we were observed hunting sea ducks by COs from shore.
They watched us wax several cripples while under power. When we got to shore they threatened to arrest us and haul us to jail for hunting in a party of 6 (which apparently is serious deal punishable by crucifixion in RI - and not party limits, FYI. Literally having more than 5 people hunting together). They went through all the gear and guns and shells and licenses looking for violations, and never said boo about us shooting cripples under power (and they said they saw us doing it).
And as a side note - the party hunting rule was not printed in the waterfowl rule book and none of us had any idea it was even a rule. Certainly no excuse, but it goes to show you that, even though collectively our group had 120+ years of water fowling experience and have hunted (amongst us) 20+ states, always, always, ALWAYS know the laws where you are hunting.
Cover your ears, Darlin'