Ok so i'm new to hunting this year and was wondering about carrying my pistol into the woods. I do not plan on hunting with it or anything like that, I just don't like the idea of going into woods where I know rattlesnakes are during archery season with no gun. I do not have my carry permit if that makes a difference. On all weekends that are not an opening weekend I will be able to hunt on a private hunting club where it is not so much an issue but I was told to ask about what to do on the WMA's. If rules are different on different WMA's I will be hunting the Wolf River WMA. Any information will be helpful. Thanks for your time.

Does this apply on private property? And is there a landowner exemption? Just curious.

Without the carry permit, it is illegal for you to archery hunt for deer and be in possession of any firearm, including a pistol.

It would also be an illegal weapon during the muzzleloader season.

Yes, it applies on all property and there is no landowner exemption.

If you are on your property walking/patrolling there would be no prohibition for you being armed as you wish to be. However, when you are hunting, you fall under those regulations. There is a state statute prohibitting person archery hunting from having any firearm, and there are Rules and Regulations that would prohibit it during the muzzleloader season. Just like other regulations, they do apply to private lands.

Does this mean I can carry my CCW while I am bow or muzzle loader hunting as long as I have my carry permit?

SCN what if I carried my .22 and left it at the base of the tree? I just don't want to be treading through the woods and happen upon a rattlesnake or something like that and only have a bow which more than likely I would get bit by before I could get it out of the case and ready to fire.