Gun or No Gun ?

[SanAn.Fish]

I hate to post this - as I imagine it's deep somewhere in the library of this site, but maybe not - Hell who knows, for some reason I feel like I asked this way back when but can't find it.

In any event, based on personal protection - can we carry a gun with us when we fish? Can you have one like in the truck, on the Yak, in your tent, etc. Just wondering...
I kind of think since we are in the process of a sporting activity we can carry one....aside from the whole concealed thing.

[TexasGringo]

I'm not sure if you can on the water but a guy I know ,who is friends w/a few fellow game wardens, carries a small pistol in his dry box in his yak.
He only does it b/c once he was accosted by some drunk rednecks while yakking over near Cowtrap and it got heated and he punched some dude out and his buddies left and came back w/a shotgun and threatened him. So now he's prepared i guess.

[Ocean Drifter]

I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. I plan on taking a trip to Port A and possibly camping out near the B&R flats. Someone mentioned on this site that they had had some trouble once and it would be safer to just get a motel. I was thinking about taking a piston along for the ride just in case. I think that Texas law allows you to carry a handgun in your vehicle if you are traveling across county lines and the weapon is not concealed. But before I would do anything like that I would contact someone in authority a get a positive answer.

[slowride]

guys, i'm out there on the causeway everyday. i know almost everyone that is a regular around here and most of the part time regulars.


and i have never heard of anything bad happening that would require a gun for protection.


all anglers are in this together, lots of bank fishers, sunbathers, campers and kayakers living together in harmony. but really it is a laid back place where not too much happens.

[Tony C.]

The best way is to just your CHL "Concealed Handgun License"

Here is a link to Texas DPS CHL

http://www.txdps.state.tx.us/administra ... sindex.htm

[osochuck]

take your dog, best protection money can buy!

[Jay Brooks]

I always kept mine in my tent with me, expecially after the fellow that was murdered on the beach last year. From what I understand is you can have it with you as long as your not in a park and its not concealed. correct me if Im wrong someone.

[spursfiend]

I'm no lawyer and this ain't legal advice, but here's my take.
While a gun might not be needed, it's one of those things where it's better to have one and not need it than to need one and not have it. IF I decided to take one for the campsite, I'd make it a shotgun. Preferably a pump. The sound of jacking that first shell into the chamber is probably one of the most recognizable and feared (by those on the other end) sounds there is, so my chances of having to go beyond that drop pretty quickly. Depending on your yak, you may or may not be able to slide it in the hull. Also, I think the law makes a distinction between hand guns, long rifles, and shotguns. Shotguns having the most latitude with regards to where you can and can't have one.

[Hard Wired]

I was thinking the exact same thing this morning. I plan on taking a trip to Port A and possibly camping out near the B&R flats. Someone mentioned on this site that they had had some trouble once and it would be safer to just get a motel. I was thinking about taking a piston along for the ride just in case. I think that Texas law allows you to carry a handgun in your vehicle if you are traveling across county lines and the weapon is not concealed. But before I would do anything like that I would contact someone in authority a get a positive answer.

TALKING ABOUT HAND GUNS...not rifles or shotguns

Traveling is traveling...with the new law passed, there are no county lines rules. BUT THE GUN MUST BE CONCEALED AND HAS TO REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE NOT ON THE PERSON. Keep in mind many of the DA's around are telling their officers to arrest people and take their guns (this is illegal because they are making their own laws and ignoring the ones on the books but still sucks for you, attorney fees are expensive)

Best to just get a CHL, they are not as expensive as most think...but if not, you CAN legally carry in your vehicle, just not on you.

As for kayaks, I believe you would need a CHL. As for a boat, I don't know, I would assume you would also have to have a CHL as well.

You can legally carry a flare gun on a kayak or boat though... That can do some damage, and give you a little peace of mind if needed, all for around $30. (SO...the question to ask is can a flare gun fire 12 gauge double ought)...Get it?

As for camping, I believe you must hold a CHL unless you are on private property, public hunting lands (licensed) etc.

I'm not sure as to the legalities of carrying a shotgun on a kayak outside of hunting, but it would be tough to draw from anything except a Trident with the rodpod/shotgun pod.

[RandallW20]

Traveling is traveling...with the new law passed, there are no county lines rules. BUT THE GUN MUST BE CONCEALED AND HAS TO REMAIN IN THE VEHICLE NOT ON THE PERSON. Keep in mind many of the DA's around are telling their officers to arrest people and take their guns (this is illegal because they are making their own laws and ignoring the ones on the book but still sucks for you)

Best to just get a CHL, they are not as expensive as most think...but if not, you CAN legally carry in your vehicle, just not on you.

As for camping, I believe you must hold a CHL unless you are on private property, public hunting lands (licensed) etc.

As for kayaks, I believe you would need a CHL. As for a boat, I don't know, I would assume you would have to have a CHL as well.

Ditto! Word for word. Its best just to fork up the money for the CHL that way you are safe no matter what.
Although, If you are camping on the causeway I'd take it anyways. Keep it in your truck when your gone and in your tent when your there. I highly doubt that a game warden or police officer will want to search your tent w/o justifiable cause. And either way if its in your truck, he can't do anything to you.
MAKE SURE ITS CONCEALED The only people that don't have to conceal their small arms firearms anymore are people active in govt jobs that require you to have a gun.
I hate to disagree w/ anything Dean (slowride) says, cause I pretty much agree w/ him on everything. But just because he's never had an encounter doesn't mean no one else will. Remember it only takes one time for someone to be murdered while camping for you to realize no one is going to protect you but YOU. And I highly doubt that anyone on here wants to be that one statistic saying they've been murdered while camping on a fishing trip. I know I don't want to be.
Just get your CHL as soon as possible, its a good decision and cheap life insurance. Its one of teh best decisions I've ever made.

[Kelly Watson]

I always kept a small pistol in my drybag on the rivers. There are alot of cottonmouths and wild pigs to deal with. More than once I have been invaded by pigs late at night and had to shoot at them. If you can convince a GW that you have legit cause, you should be alright.

[boater71]

Please read so you fully understand It is a defense to prosecution if you are travelling..... so they CAN arrest you. Most will not.

§ 46.02. UNLAWFUL[0] CARRYING[0] WEAPONS[0]. (a) A person
commits an offense if the person intentionally, knowingly, or
recklessly carries[0] on or about his or her person a handgun, illegal
knife, or club if the person is not:
(1) on the person's own premises or premises under the
person's control; or
(2) inside of or directly en route to a motor vehicle
that is owned by the person or under the person's control.
(a-1) A person commits an offense if the person
intentionally, knowingly, or recklessly carries[0] on or about his or
her person a handgun in a motor vehicle that is owned by the person
or under the person's control at any time in which:
(1) the handgun is in plain view; or
(2) the person is:
(A) engaged in criminal activity, other than a
Class C misdemeanor that is a violation of a law or ordinance
regulating traffic;
(B) prohibited by law from possessing a firearm;
or
(C) a member of a criminal street gang, as
defined by Section 71.01.
(a-2) For purposes of this section, "premises" includes
real property and a recreational vehicle that is being used as
living quarters, regardless of whether that use is temporary or
permanent. In this subsection, "recreational vehicle" means a motor
vehicle primarily designed as temporary living quarters or a
vehicle that contains temporary living quarters and is designed to
be towed by a motor vehicle. The term includes a travel trailer,
camping trailer, truck camper, motor home, and horse trailer with
living quarters.
(b) Except as provided by Subsection (c), an offense under
this section is a Class A misdemeanor.
(c) An offense under this section is a felony of the third
degree if the offense is committed on any premises licensed or
issued a permit by this state for the sale of alcoholic beverages.

[Renfish]

Great thread. Something we've been talking about but never thought to ask here. We camp a lot and slept in a tent cot for the past year. I always slept very lightly and felt pretty vulnerable out there. We often kept a knife in the tent.

After our first trip to West Bay this year, I did not want to sleep in the tent out there again. Saw a few shady looking people and was real uncomfortable in the tent.

Ended up buying a travel trailer. Now, not only are we much more comfortable, but I feel much safer. Also, we keep the shotgun over the bed so there's that extra comfort level.

You guys are right in the "better safe than sorry". I never want to see a post that someone was harmed while out there doing what we love to do.

[castawaydan]

what ever you choose to do ... be careful... dont do anything you will regret..
once my brother almost shot me for going in his back yard and not letting him know .. he was scared because he lives by himself with his wife... this happened like a month ago and since then he feels very bad because of it .. even when he didnt do it ... ..

[galvestonaggie]

Is there a good game warden that yall know of that I would be able to contact about this? Do any of yall have numbers? My friends and I have been discussing this for awhile.

[CharlieJ]

On the plastic 12 ga flare gun- DO NOT put a 12 ga shell in there- the flare gun will NOT stand the pressures.

I recently read a test report of that exact thing, Without fail, the flare gun came apart on either the first or second shot, in some cases violently

DONT do it.

But a flare from one would burn the hell outta whatever it hit, so if you chose to keep one of those, be careful of both any tents and of your kayak- they burn until they burn themselves out- you CANNOT put the flare out early

[fishin phantom]

I carry 2 guns every time i paddle and i use them a lot. My left and right arms, they help me paddle. HaHa

[Blindcasting]

After our first trip to West Bay this year, I did not want to sleep in the tent out there again. Saw a few shady looking people and was real uncomfortable in the tent.

Yeah I had a coule of shady guys that were drunk (at the very least) actually open up my tent and shine a light into it. Pretty freaking disturbing at 3 in the morning. This was on the B&R side of the causeway. On the other side, over by terminal, I had a truck go past my tent doing at least 30. From the tracks he didn't miss my tent by more than 10 feet. In the dark his lights made it look even closer. Motels and real campsites seem really cheap after that.

[Hard Wired]

On the plastic 12 ga flare gun- DO NOT put a 12 ga shell in there- the flare gun will NOT stand the pressures.

I recently read a test report of that exact thing, Without fail, the flare gun came apart on either the first or second shot, in some cases violently

DONT do it.

But a flare from one would burn the hell outta whatever it hit, so if you chose to keep one of those, be careful of both any tents and of your kayak- they burn until they burn themselves out- you CANNOT put the flare out early

Good catch...That is very important. What about the German surplus guns that are so popular...I guess that is why, because they served double duty.

[Johninaustin]

I have had problems at B&R, (popup camper) I stopped overnighting there three years ago because of it. On two occasions I've been found folks wandering around the camp after bedtime and the constant spotlighting and cruising slowly by the camper at night was annoying.

The beach south of Bob Hall to the sticks is even worse. Nothing like waking up to a couple of drunks sitting in your lawn chairs and we have to park the vehicles to block idiots from ramming the camper. Honestly, if it was not for the wife's compulsive need to have immediate access to a clean bathroom regardless of the location I'd ditch the camper and stay in motels.

BTW: stainless .357 on the yak plus a shotgun in the camper and big boat.

[TexasSurfFisherman]

Id rather beat someone down first off.

I pack only when needed fishing remote areas known with illegals and smugglers.

[whatwake]

I have a CHL and carry just about all the time. Its true that nothing will ever happen to where you would need a gun but its that 1% chance that you will need it. I hope I never have to use mine but??????????

Get your CHL

[fryemup]

We once had a similar event...
The dopehead "KNOCKED" on the tent door at 3am.. Scared the hell out of us... He then asked.. Sir,, do you know what time it is???

At 4am (They were all bikers- around 40 of them.. ) All hell broke loose because 1 guy was sleeping with 2 of the women.. Shots were fired...

Talk about scared ****less.. Ever try to hide behind something that can stop a bullett in a tent? That my friends was our LAST tent camping trip.
We high tailed it out early AM once they had stumbled off to sleep-- Left the tent there., Found the local sherriff reported what happened, and never looked back as we headed home.

[WATER HOG]

I had a problem at LHL one afternoon , I was off fishing and when I came back later that day , I noticed someone had been around camp & on my truck , left all these business cards & I mean a bunch .in my ice chest on my truck, tentcot ,anywhere you could put one ,I happen to find them . the culprits business name was some freekn waco kayak rental /fishing guide service named slowrides such & such bla bla /?? man when I find this fellow Im going to give this turd a total a$$ chewing he will never forget . heck that was 2 yrs ago & Im still running across these dang cards in my camping gear ? so a warning to you guys watch out for this syco card bandit ! & lock your ice chest full of beer up in the truck !

[Ocean Drifter]

Wow, did that question cause a lot of responses. Carrying a gun of any kind is a serious decision and one not to take lightly, not that any of us would. It was very interesting reading all of the comments. Especially the one about the 40 bikers. I don't think one or two guns would have helped you in that situation, probably just got you into more trouble for sure. I think after reading all of the responses, I'll leave mine at home and play it safe as far as legalities are concerned with. I think I'll stick to carrying my jo staff instead. I've trained with it for several years and it gives me the feeling of having some assured assistance.