Letter to Editor in Flyfisherman Magazine

throwinmetal · Veteran Member

Letter to Editor in Flyfisherman Magazine

keith bigelow · Webmaster

nope, not in the DFG fishing regs

SCM · Senior Member

Carrying handguns concealed, during fishing, or otherwise is addressed in the California Penal Code. In addition to the Penal Code, you should be aware of any local agency (city and county) ordinances addressing the posession of handguns before you take your heater to the water, especially when the waters you're fishing are located on county or city lands.

http://ag.ca.gov/firearms/forms/pdf/Cfl2007.pdf

Keyword search: Fishing

Oh ya,�and if you are carrying or plan to carry, you should familiarize yourself not only with safe handling/use of your handgun, but�also the laws regarding use of force (included in the pdf. link).

-- Edited by SCM at 22:07, 2008-02-06

-- Edited by SCM at 22:12, 2008-02-06

-- Edited by SCM at 22:12, 2008-02-06

bono · Master Fly Fishing Guide

Well here I go again,saying something but not really knowing for sure if it is fact.I believe a person can carry a firearm on Putah as long as it is visible,just like any un-incorporated area.Its when a person�conciels the weapon is when the trouble starts.And please if any of you decide to posess a firearm be sure you take a firearms safety class and a hunter safety class.I and my family are avid sportsmen and hunter/conservationists and have been around guns my entire life.Guns are no joke which should always be treated and used with maximum respect and awareness in any situation.I have witnessed people doing some very very stupid things in the name of carrying and using firearms,one of those things included a kid acidentally shooting his brother in the neck�while deer hunting.I did not witness the actual shooting but came upon the incident moments later.The kid believe it or not lived.I am a strong believer in our rights to bear arms but only for those that are qualified and competant.

flygirl1 · Veteran Member

I completely agree with Bono.� I plan on taking a gun safety class and a whole lot of shooting practice to make sure I am comfortable with what I get and know how to use it safely.� I have put a lot of thought into this decision and realize there is a tremendous responsibility when carrying a firearm.� Hopefully, I will never have to actually use it.� My brother also recommended I take a RADD class...an intense self-defense course for women...in addition to getting a weapon, and I think that is a good idea.

I may persue�getting a concealed�and carry permit, which I understand can be difficult to get, only because the one incident I did have was on the side of the road while I was getting my gear on.� But we'll.� I definitely want to do this the right way.

�

Swinger · Veteran Member

Don't own a gun, never have and don't plan on buying one(my parents were anti-war and anti-gun, I guess you could say they were hippies). I understand flygirl1's reasoning though. I would be a little apprehensive if I were a female also. I've seen a few questionable characters out in the sticks but never had any trouble. I also fish alone alot but the only thing I am really afraid of are mountain lions and bears. I have thought about carrying pepper spray but I haven't followed through. Any body else carry pepperspray?

Last year I was fishing the Stan between spring Gap and Sand Bar flat. I hadn't seen another soul all day and I am fishing the the head of a pool. This guy comes off the trail and starts fishng the tailout 40ft below me(no I wasn't Hole Hoggin). I raised my hands over my head and gestured WTF! He was oblivious to me and kept fishin. I reeled in and just moved on.

I have never seen anyone else with a gun but I guess they could have had a concealed weapon.

I have heard of guns being pulled on Barge hole on the lower sac. If you've never seen Barge Hole during salmon season you should check it out. Last Fall on one drift we had quite a time trying to weave our way through the 20 or so boats that were fishing it.

-- Edited by Swinger at 14:10, 2008-02-07

mx19 · Senior Member

I have been thinking about� weather to or not to carry a hand gun while fishing...If I do decide to carry one I will make the first bullet a blank so I dont shoot off my dingy and the second bullet a snake shot...If you dont know poop about firearms and you are worried about your saftey while fishing then dont fish alone...make more freinds and enjoy the day with others.Its better than coming home with nine toes...

� mx19

flygirl1 · Veteran Member

I do carry pepper spray.

OK mx19, I guess that mean I'm fishing with you.� So when are we goin?

shon42073 · Senior Member

I'm surprised that happened in that area swinger, I have fished sand bar flat a few times and have rarely even seen another person fishing, Its one of my favorite spots to fish. Of course if you plan to purchase a firearm you better take a safety class, Think I took mine when I was about 8 years old. Mx19, I assume your fly selection is better then the way you select bullets biggrin

, I preffere every other round a hollow point and every other round a full metal jacket, If shotgunnin it would be a 00buck followed buy a 1 ounce slug, Thats for night time bear protection.

ez · Senior Member

�� crap i might have to get one to protect myself from all of you...�� also remember this !!! WHEN YOUR NUMBERS UP YOUR NUMBERS UP !! theres nothing you can do to change that...i thought my varrio was bad... GODS GOT MY BACK...

WytEurp · Senior Member

Firearms are not allowed on Putah (its posted)....guys Id check with the local Cops before I started carrying a gun...If you have a gun visable and get taken on buy a cop it will be at gun point and you will be proned out and handcuffed...until he can figure out if you are legaly carrying the gun....

WytEurp · Senior Member

they make a couple of brands of tazer guns that are legal to posses....they work pritty good...just a thought

Stefan707 · Member

i really doubt its necessary to carry a gun while fishing, but if you had an encounter like flygirl i can understand thinking twice about it. Best idea is trying to get out there with a buddy.

Worthy · Member

I am sure that if you or I were out on Putah Creek and a Game Warden or local Deputy Sheriff came up to you and asked you, why are you carrying a sidearm?
He /She will probably give you some crap if not a citation for it.
You may be in violation because you may have to have a concealed weapons permit. Also in California you may not discharge a firearm within a certain amount of yardage from a Highway or road.
I would check for current regulations on this situation with a Fish&Game Warden.
It is much easier to walk away from a verbal dispute before it turns physical.

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

Worthy wrote:
It is much easier to walk away from a verbal dispute before it turns physical.

What if the person you encounter doesn't want a verbal dispute. What if that person has a weapon. There are some crazy people out there. I think a gun is definitly necessary for self defense.

ANGRYINCHER · Veteran Member

California's 12025 PC states the elements of the crime and penalties of carrying a concealed firearm on your person and/or vehicle/vessel. This does not include long guns (Shot, rifle, etc 16" or greater in length). If you google 12027(g) PC, it states:

Persons authorized to carry concealed firearms. Section 12025 PC does not apply to, or affect, any of the following:

(g) Licensed hunters or fishermen carrying pistols, revolvers, or other firearms capable of being concealed upon the person while engaging in hunting or fishing, or transporting those firearms unloaded when going to or returning from the hunting or fishing expedition.

You still have to follow local city�and county ordinances as well. I believe most of Putah is in Yolo County. I'd check with Napa and Yolo Counties for any additional rules that apply.

If you are deciding to carry a firearm and are approached by a law enforcement officer, they appreciate it when you lift your arms slightly above your head and verbally notify them that you are packing. It allows you to not get shot or placed gently on your face. And just remember, a gun can always be taken away and used on the owner. JW

dtp916 · Senior Member

Have yall not seen the signs where along the creek that says no firearms???

"No hunting, no firearms" I have seen it everytime I go down there.

We are trying to fish here.

Mace will work, if you feel the need to protect yourself.

LilWhippersnapper · Senior Member

I don't think you need to pack any firearms at Putah, but when you're fishing out in the boonies...I think it would be smart, especially if you're fishing alone.

ryanpadgett · Member

I definately agree on the etiquette rules; I grew up on some GREAT trout fisheries up in Oregon, where I saw some the best, and worst, fishing manners....I think it's simply a matter of being considerate.....if someone's there, it's their spot. If you don't plan on keeping a fish, treat it like it's going right back..do as little harm as possible. One of the greatest tragedies I saw was the Crooked River up by Prineville, OR....When I first started fishing it, it wasn't uncommon to catch 75-100 fish a day per person(flyfishing)....But in the period of about 6 years, thanks to careless catch and release techniques(think: bait fishing, fish swallows the hook, fisherman doens't want to keep it, or lose the hook, so they rip the fishes guts out..literally, and throw the dying fish back in the water)....went down to getting skunked half the time. It's a wonderful priviledge to have a great fishery like putah creek so close to us; with some simple conservation and preservation efforts(i.e. pack out what you pack in, don't thrash the river), and simple etiquette, we can keep using this for years and years to come....OK, OK, enough of my lil rant there....BUt thanks to all of you that DO make the effort to respect the fisheries we use