I know the laws on carrying a gun while fishing, but do you guys and gals think its necessary to carry while fishing the waters of the lowcountry? And why?
Out of curiosity, why would you think about carrying a gun while you were fishing in the beautiful lowcountry waters? Are you expecting to encounter some somali pirates cruising around looking for plunder? 
I carry one everywhere I go. It’s not fishing that I might need it, it’s the scalawags that hang out at the boat ramps after dark.
Capt. Larry Teuton
Cracker Built Custom Boats
Marine Surveying & Repair
I was just wondering if my views were the same as others, Some of my friends and family always question me on why I carry my gun with me. And yes PIRATES is what I tell them! And I agree with you Larry, you never know who is gonna be at the landing when you get back.
quote:
Originally posted by Cracker LarryI carry one everywhere I go.
</font id=“quote”></blockquote id=“quote”>winner!
it can go down at a stoplight, walmart, boat landing, the grillage, whatever. if the bad guys can throw lead, i want to have the option as well. ruger makes very nice things out of stainless steel that are well-suited for salty pastimes.
my guns are my only possessions worth trying to plunder… and somalians are the least of my worries- i’ll let the boys in orange with the twin .50’s cover me on that one.
I’m not in anyway anti-gun and I own a few, but have never carried one. I’m 52 and have never encountered a problem that a gun would have solved. If you pull it out, be prepared to use it.
I have been at most of our boat ramps at all hours day and night for 25 years and have seen some rough characters. Nothing that would warrent pulling a gun. Just my humble opinion, to each his own.
Jack Taylor
Cracker Larry answered the why, you have to have it with you on the water to have access to it at the landing. Can’t say that I have really ever needed it on the water, but better safe than sorry. I have shot a big shark or three to calm them down before putting in the boat.
I’ve had only one time loading the boat after running some bush lines that I honestly believe saved me some grief. “He’s packing”, is what I heard. To which I replied so is my son and he’s a better shot than me. That was at a Public landing near Yemassee. I’ll not let a bad crowd scare me out of fishing, but on the other hand I would not have used this landing if I had my wife or daughter with me after dark.
< Evil is simply the absence of God >
Necessary? No. Prudent? Yes.
I always carry, and the boat is no exception. It’s not what I’m expecting that concerns me; it’s what I’m not expecting.
If I have people with me, I always make them aware of the firearm and firearm safety. Of course virtually all my friends and family are adept with firearms.
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120where do y’all carry it, on you or in a glove box on the boat? I need to install one on mine…
Sea Hunt Triton 177
115 Yamaha
You can legally openly carry with no CWP a gun while directly en route to/from hunting or fishing and while hunting or fishing. This does not mean you allowed to walk into the bait store with a pistol on your hip on your way to the landing. If you are just boating, bring a fishing pole this will cover you to openly carry. However, if you are openly carrying, be prepared for some weary DNR Agents, yes you are legal, but they like to be the only ones with a pistol on the hip.
- A bad day fishin’ is better than a good day at work!
quote:
Originally posted by SCGamecock2001You can legally openly carry with no CWP a gun while directly en route to/from hunting or fishing and while hunting or fishing. This does not mean you allowed to walk into the bait store with a pistol on your hip on your way to the landing. If you are just boating, bring a fishing pole this will cover you to openly carry. However, if you are openly carrying, be prepared for some weary DNR Agents, yes you are legal, but they like to be the only ones with a pistol on the hip.
- A bad day fishin’ is better than a good day at work!
Good topic. I would add this reason “Because I can!”. I believe in all of our rights and believe we should exercise our freededoms. Freedoms that are publicly demonstrated are tougher to take away.
Something I was never sure of on this topic - so please clarify if I am wrong. You have to open carry as SCGamecock describes unless of course you have a CWP.
Can you stow it at anytime? For example, when hunting, put it in a backpack while setting up a tree stand or on board, but it in a glove box or tackle box to keep it out of the salt spray?
sealevelPete
Being somewhat new to the Lowcountry and the gun laws, am I correct to say that it is legal to carry a gun without a CWP while fishing/boating? If so, are you saying that it has to be out in the open or can I keep it in a storage area, like a glove box in a vehicle?
hunting or fishing with a CWP you can carry it open or concealed during, to and from
without a CWP it has to be carried open so as an LEO can see it on approach
without a CWP you can legally carry in a car or boat in a factory glove box or compartment… no you can NOT carry it in a tackle box legally, has to be a factory compartment… doesn’t have to have a lock on the compartment, but it can’t be some homemade added storage you threw on the boat… “factory” being key
jfyi you can NOT carry a sidearm on WMA hunting land without a CWP in SC, if you have a CWP you can
Sea Hunt Triton 177
115 Yamaha
i say it all depends where your going to be. some of my park&walk to spots i would keep it handy. ive seen no reason to carry on the boat
if im not mistaken there are some certain hunts you cant have 2 firearms.
ie: turkey hunting with a shotgun and a pistal
is that correct? Ive never carried more than 1 firearm hunting
American Express… never leave home without it.
Stainless mini-14 ruger .223 takes care of pirates from a long distance!
Just saying…
Sea Hunt 212
Guys, watch the to and from thing. If in a car in S.C. you better have it concealed if you have a CWP or in a glove box or console if you don’t. Let a law officer catch you with one in the open while in a vehicle and it’s not worth the arguement or fighting the grey area of this law.
Once at the hunting stand or boat landing and out of your vehicle strap it to your side and display it openly if you desire. I can’t say about CWP for sure because when I went through the course I was told a CWP holder had to keep it concealed at all times unless it was needed in self defense.
While I’m on the boat mine goes with my wallet, phone, and keys in a floatable water tight container.
< Evil is simply the absence of God >
Fred,
A CWP does not remove your other rights. Any legal way you can carry without a CWP, you can carry with a CWP, and you can also conceal it if you choose.
Regarding carrying in your vehicle, the law is absolutely clear when it comes to open carry in your vehicle. You are legal to open carry if you a LICENSED hunter or fisherman and going to or coming from hunting or fishing “while in a vehicle or on foot” (directly from SECTION 16-23-20, http://scstatehouse.gov/code/t16c023.php).
Regarding a factory glove compartment on a boat, that may be a gray area. In that case, open carry or put it in a closed container with an integral fastener in any closed compartment on the boat. I believe you would have no issue on a boat in any compartment, but I don’t think the law is specific on this and I have not asked any Coast Guard or DNR folks about this. Maybe someone in that field will weigh in.
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120“jfyi you can NOT carry a sidearm on WMA hunting land without a CWP in SC, if you have a CWP you can”
Absolutely false information there. I openly carry a sidearm everytime I hunt in the FM and have been checked with no problem whatsoever. Even during small game season carrying a rimfire rifle you can dispatch a shot and wounded animal with a sidearm.
I for one would not be getting gun carry information on a internet forum.
Russ B.
www.joinrfa.org
God is great, Beer is good, People are crazy
http://www.dnr.sc.gov/regs/wmaregs.html
Weapons
3.1 On WMA lands hunters may use any shotgun, rifle, bow and arrow, crossbow or hand gun except specific weapons may be prohibited on certain hunts. Small game hunters may possess or use shotguns with shot no larger than No. 2 or .22 or smaller rimfire rifles/handguns or primitive muzzle-loading rifles of .40 caliber or smaller. Small game hunters may not possess or use buckshot, slugs or shot larger than No. 2. Blow guns, dart guns or drugged arrows are not permitted. Small game hunters using archery equipment must use small game tips on the arrows (judo points, bludgeon points, etc.).
BUT REMEMBER
3.4 On WMAs all firearms transported in vehicles must be unloaded and
secured in a weapons case, or in the trunk of a vehicle or in a locked
toolbox. On the Francis Marion Hunt Unit during deer hunts with dogs,
loaded shotguns may be transported in vehicles.
Not sure whether DNR would enforce the unloaded requirement for handguns, since SC law allows loaded handguns in your glove. It’s not a violation of gun laws, but a violation of WMA rules.
Tidewater 196DC
Yamaha F115
Pungo 120