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Wisconsin New Rule

Discussion in 'Bowhunting Talk' started by Born2Hunt, Nov 18, 2011.

  1. Born2Hunt

    Born2Hunt Die Hard Bowhunter

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    I was wondering about Walker signing a bill saying that you dont have to have your gun or bow case i was just wondering if this was true?
     
  2. Dan

    Dan Senior Member

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    Yes it is. Effective tomorrow.
     
  3. Dan

    Dan Senior Member

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    "2011 Wis. ACT 51 - Firearms, Bows & Crossbows in Vehicles - Questions &
    Answers
    Corrections: A number of the answers provided below were revised on 11-10-11
    to clarify that it remains illegal to place a loaded long gun (rifles,
    shotguns, and muzzleloaders) inside any vehicle. A loaded long gun may only
    be placed on the top or exterior of a stationary motor vehicle, or leaned
    against a stationary motor vehicle.

    Q1: Do firearms still have to be in a case before they are placed in or on a
    motorized vehicle, including ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles and farm implements?

    A: No. Effective Nov. 19, 2011 for rifles, shotguns and muzzleloaders, and
    Nov. 1, 2011 for handguns, firearms no longer have to be in a case in order
    to place them in or on a vehicle, or to transport them unloaded in or on a
    vehicle.

    Q2: Do firearms still have to be unloaded before they can be placed in or on
    a motorized vehicle, including ATVs, UTVs, snowmobiles and farm implements?

    A: If the firearm is a loaded rifle, shotgun or muzzleloader, it can only be
    placed on the top or exterior of a vehicle which is stationary. It is
    important to be aware that it remains illegal to place a loaded rifle,
    shotgun or muzzleloader inside any motorized vehicle or to actually load any
    rifle, shotgun, or muzzleloader while the firearm or person loading the
    firearm is still inside the vehicle. All long guns must be outside of a
    motorized vehicle before a person may load these firearms. A loaded firearm
    can be set down on the top or exterior of a stationary vehicle, but it must
    be unloaded before the firearm is placed inside or transported in or on the
    vehicle.

    Q3: Is there anytime when a person is allowed to actually load a firearm
    when they are still in or on a motorized vehicle?

    A: Yes. Handguns can be loaded by a person in or on a motorized vehicle. In
    addition, certain disabled individuals who hold a Class A or B hunt from a
    vehicle permit are still allowed to load a firearm and hunt from a
    stationary motorized vehicle.

    Q4: Now that it is legal to place a loaded uncased firearm on a vehicle, is
    it also legal for a person to be sitting on the exterior of the vehicle
    holding the loaded uncased firearm.

    A: Yes, provided the vehicle remains stationary.

    Q5: Since the law has changed to allow a person to possess a loaded uncased
    firearm when they are sitting on the exterior of a stationary motorized
    vehicle, does this mean a person can hunt and shoot from their parked and
    stationary motorized vehicle?

    A: No. Except for the pre-existing exemption for certain disabled hunters
    with the proper permit, it is still illegal to discharge a firearm in or
    from a motorized vehicle. The laws regulating hunting and discharge of a
    firearm in or from a vehicle and within 50 feet of the center of a roadway
    have not changed.

    Q6: Can I use my truck or car as a shooting platform to rest my firearm on
    when sighting in my firearm or shooting at a deer?

    A: No. It is not legal to discharge a firearm in or from a vehicle.

    Q7: In the past it was only legal to lean an unloaded firearm against a
    vehicle. Is this still true?

    A: No. Now that it is legal to place a loaded firearm on a vehicle, this
    means it is also legal to lean a loaded firearm against a vehicle. Caution
    should be taken as vehicles can easily be jarred when a person opens or
    closes a door, or gets in or out of a vehicle, which might case the fire to
    fall to the ground. If loaded, this could lead to an accidental discharge.

    Q8: Must the vehicles engine be turned off in order to place or possess a
    loaded firearm on the exterior or against a vehicle?

    A: No. It is legal to have the motor/engine running, as long as the vehicle
    is not put in motion.

    Q9: Since firearms generally no longer have to be placed in a case when in
    or on a vehicle, can a person roll up their firearm in a blanket, towel or
    sleeping bag to protect it from getting damaged if they do not have a
    firearm case?

    A: Yes, however it is generally not legal to be armed with a concealed rifle
    or shotgun, and only with a handgun if authorized to possess a concealed
    weapon. So unless you are authorized by law to possess a concealed weapon
    and the firearm is a handgun, you need to place a firearm which is hidden
    from view in a location where it will not be within reach of a person while
    it is concealed in this manner.

    Q10: Are there any situations or locations where a person is still required
    to have their firearm unloaded and enclosed within a case?

    A: Yes. With some exceptions, firearms possessed within 1,000 ft of a school
    grounds (K-12) must be unloaded and either cased or locked in a firearm rack
    on a motor vehicle. Also with some exceptions, firearms possessed or being
    transported in a state park, state fish hatchery and state wildlife refuge
    must be unloaded and cased. Therefore, visitors to a state park will need to
    be sure to have their firearms unloaded and cased before entering the park
    property. In areas of a state parks which are open to hunting, a person may
    uncase and load their firearm for the purpose of hunting after removing it
    from their vehicle at the location they will be hunting. Note: under 2011
    Act 35, persons with a CCW license can possess a loaded uncased handgun in
    these areas, but not on the grounds of a school.

    Q11: Are there any circumstances where a person would have to still case
    their bow or crossbow?

    A: Yes. With some exceptions, bows and crossbows must be unstrung or
    enclosed in a carrying case while in any state park, fish hatchery, or
    within 100 yards of any state campground, picnic area or other special use
    area designated by the DNR by posted notice. A crossbow, if left in a cocked
    position, must also be unloaded and encased before it may be placed in or on
    a motorized vehicle.

    Q12: In the past, it was not legal to possess or transport a loaded firearm
    in a motor boat with the motor running. Has this changed?

    A: No. All firearms, except handguns, must be unloaded whenever the boats
    motor is running.

    Q13: In the past, when a person wanted to hunt from a hay wagon or a hunting
    blind built on a trailer frame, these devices had to have the wheels removed
    and put up on blocks so they would not be considered a vehicle. Is this
    still true?

    A: No. A new exception has been created to allow hunters who are lawfully
    hunting, to load and discharge a firearm, bow or crossbow from a stationary
    non-motorized vehicle that is not attached to a motor vehicle.

    Q14: I can legally hunt with a crossbow. What must I do before I place or
    transport my crossbow in or on a vehicle?

    A: The arrow/bolt must be removed from the crossbow and:

    .The crossbow may not be cocked, OR
    .If left cocked, the crossbow must be enclosed within a carrying case before
    it is placed, possessed or transported in or on any motorized.
    Q15: I use a motor boat to get to the area where I normally archery hunt for
    deer. Do I still need to unstring my bow or put it in a carrying case?

    A: No. However, you may not have an arrow nocked when the boats motor is
    running, unless the bow is being used for Bowfishing for rough fish.

    Q16: Can a person operating or riding in or on a tractor, combine or other
    farm implement possess a loaded uncased firearm in or on these vehicles with
    them?

    A: No. Except for handguns, all other firearms must be unloaded when in or
    on a tractor, combine or other implement which is in motion. Long guns must
    also be unloaded when inside the cab of a stationary motorized farm
    implement. It is also still not legal to discharge any firearm from any such
    implement, moving or stationary.

    Q17: Can a person possess a loaded uncased firearm in a horse drawn cart,
    carriage or wagon?

    A: When the horse drawn device is in motion, firearms may be uncased, but
    may not be loaded unless the firearm is a handgun.

    Q18: Can a person shoot a firearm from a horse drawn cart, carriage or
    wagon?

    A: Only when stationary and for the purpose of hunting, as it would be
    considered a non-motorized vehicle.

    Q19: When is a firearm considered unloaded?

    A: "Unloaded" means:

    1.Having no shell or cartridge in the chamber of a firearm or in the
    magazine attached to a firearm.
    2.In the case of a cap lock muzzle-loading firearm, having the cap removed.
    3.In the case of a flint lock muzzle-loading firearm, having the flashpan
    cleaned of powder.
    4.In the case of an electronic ignition muzzle-loading firearm, having the
    battery removed and disconnected from
    What has & has not changed:
    1. Vehicles, including ATV's, UTV's, Snowmobiles, Bicycles, Horse & Buggy,
    etc:
     
  4. seanmoe

    seanmoe Weekend Warrior

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    Thats awsome news, give back the freedom.
     
  5. Dan

    Dan Senior Member

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    BOWS & CROSSBOWS:
    .NEW - It will be legal to possess and transport uncased bows and crossbows,
    however, bows may not have an arrow nocked and a crossbow may not be cocked
    unless it is unloaded and cased.
    FIREARMS (other than handguns):
    NEW - It will be legal to possess long guns such as rifles, shotguns and
    muzzleloaders in or on a vehicle in the following manner:
    1.When a vehicle is in motion, long guns can be uncased in or on the
    vehicle, but must still be unloaded.
    2.When a vehicle which is stationary, long guns can be uncased when placed
    in or on the vehicle, and can remain loaded when placed on top or against
    the exterior of the vehicle.
    3.A stationary vehicle can have the motor running. "Stationary" means not
    moving, regardless of whether the motor is running.
    .It remains illegal to place a loaded firearm inside any vehicle, or to load
    or discharge a firearm in or from any moving or a stationary motorized
    vehicle. The exemption for certain disabled hunters with proper permits
    remains the same (no change).


    2. Non-motorized Vehicles:

    BOWS, CROSSBOWS & FIREARMS:
    .NEW - When lawfully hunting, it will be legal to load, possess when loaded,
    and discharge firearms (including handguns), bows and crossbows from a
    stationary nonmotorized vehicle that is not attached to a motor vehicle.
    This addresses the issue of hunting from hay wagons, blinds on wheels or
    utility trailers, so they no longer need to be put up on blocks or have the
    wheels removed.


    3. Motor Boats:

    BOWS & CROSSBOWS:
    .NEW - It will be legal to possess and transport uncased bows and crossbows,
    however, bows may not have an arrow nocked and a crossbow may not be cocked
    unless it is unloaded and cased.
    .The exception for shooting rough fish from a motor boat with the motor
    running remains in place (no change).
    FIREARMS:
    .It was already legal to possess uncased firearms in boat with the motor
    running, moving or stationary (no change).
    .It was already legal to load and discharge a firearm from a boat without
    the motor running (no change).
    .It remains illegal to load a firearm (other than a handgun) or discharge
    any firearm (including handguns) from a boat with the motor running (no
    change).


    4. Aircraft (commercial & non-commercial):

    BOWS, CROSSBOWS & FIREARMS:
    .no change.


    5. Definition of Unloaded for Electronic Muzzleloaders:

    .NEW - The definition under s. 167.31(1)(g) of what it means to be unloaded
    for most firearms was amended to include a clarification for an electronic
    ignition muzzle-loading firearm. Such firearms will be considered unloaded
    when the battery is removed and is disconnected from the firearm. This
    allows a person to leave the ball and powder in such muzzle-loading
    firearms, similar to what is allowed for cap lock and flint lock type
    muzzle-loading firearms."
     
  6. dj-skyy

    dj-skyy Weekend Warrior

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    i rather keep it in the case regardless.....who wants their expensive stuff rolling around on a truck bed, haha....
     
  7. Born2Hunt

    Born2Hunt Die Hard Bowhunter

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    cool cool thanks for the update
     
  8. early in

    early in Grizzled Veteran

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    It amazes me that they actually allow a loaded firearm to be placed on or against a vehicle. To me, that's nuts. That kind of activity is taboo in Pa!
     

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