Here is what the regs say about firearms including handguns.
1. Modern Firearm Regulations
Rifles—Elk, deer, and bear may be
hunted with a minimum of 24 caliber
(6mm) centerfire rifle. Cougar may
be hunted with 22 caliber centerfire
rifle. Rimfire rifles are not legal.
Handguns must have minimum barrel
length of 4 inches per manufacturers
specification, and fire a minimum
24 caliber centerfire cartridge.
Shotguns—Deer, bear, and cougar
may be hunted with 20 gauge to 10
gauge shotguns shooting slugs or #1
or larger buckshot. Other big game
may be hunted with a 10 or 12 gauge
shotgun using slugs.
2. Muzzleloaders
(a) It is illegal to carry or possess any
firearm during special muzzleloading
seasons which does not meet the
following specification for muzzleloader:
Is loaded from the muzzle
and uses black powder or a black
powder substitute as recommended
by the manufacturer for use in muzzleloading
firearms. Has a single or
double barrel of at least 20 inches,
rifled or smoothbore. Ignition is to be
wheellock, match-lock, flintlock, or
percussion using original style percussion
caps that fit on the nipple
and are exposed to the elements.
Shot shell and 209 primers are not
legal. Sights must be open, peep, or
of other open sight design.
Telescopic sights or sights containing
glass are prohibited. Except
hunters with disabilities who meet
the definition of being visually
impaired in WAC 232-12-828 may
receive a special use permit that
would allow the use of scopes or
other visual aids. Contact the
Department’s ADA coordinator for
further information. Fiber optic sights
are legal. It is unlawful to have any
electrical device or equipment
attached to a muzzleloading firearm
while hunting.
(b) A muzzleloading firearm used for
deer must fire a single, non-jacketed
lead projectile of nominal 40 caliber or
larger except that buckshot size #1 or
larger, may be used in a smoothbore
of 60 caliber or larger.
(c) A muzzleloading firearm used for
all other big game must fire a single,
non-jacketed lead projectile of
nominal 50 caliber or larger, or fire a
single, non-jacketed lead projectile of
at least 170 grains.
(d) Muzzleloader hunters can carry a
handgun designed to be charged with
black powder only. It is NOT legal for
hunting or dispatching big game.
(e) Muzzleloader hunters may lawfully
hunt game birds with a muzzleloader
shotgun.
(f) Only one barrel of a double barrel
muzzleloader may be loaded with
powder or bullet or capped at any one
time while hunting in a muzzleloading
season. Muzzle-loaders hunting in a
firearm restriction area, outside of a
muzzleloader season, may have both
barrels charged.
(g) In-line Muzzleloader: In-line
muzzleloaders are legal only if
ignition uses original style percussion
caps that fit on the nipple.
3. Archery
(a) It is illegal to hunt big game animals
with a bow that has less than 40
pounds of pull measured at 28 inches
or less draw length. It is illegal to hunt
big game animals with any arrow,
including broadhead, measuring less
than 20 inches in length, weighing
less than 6 grains per pound of draw
weight with a minimum arrow weight
of 300 grains, and having sharp
broadhead blade or blades less than
seven-eighths inches wide. It is
unlawful to hunt with a broadhead
blade unless the broadhead is
unbarbed and completely closed to
the back end of the blade or blades by
a smooth, unbroken surface starting
at maximum blade width forming a
smooth line toward the feather end of
the shaft and such line does not angle
toward the point. Retractable styled
broadheads are illegal.
(b) It is illegal to carry or have in
possession any firearm while in the
field archery hunting, during the
archery season specified for that area.
(c) It is illegal to shoot at wildlife with
an arrow from a vehicle or from,
across, or along the maintained
portion of a public highway.
(d) It is illegal to use any device
secured to or supported by the bow
for the purpose of maintaining the bow
at full draw or in a firing position,
except for hunters with disabilities
with archery special use permits in
compliance with WAC 232-12-054.
(e) It is illegal to have any electrical
equipment or device(s) attached to
the bow or arrow while hunting.
(f) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife with
a crossbow, except for hunters with
disabilities with archery special use
permits in compliance with WAC 232-
12-054.
(g) It is unlawful to hunt wildlife with
any bow or crossbow equipped with a
scope. Except hunters with
disabilities who meet the definition of
being visually impaired in WAC 232-
12-828 may receive a special use
permit that would allow the use of
scopes or other visual aids. Contact
the Department’s ADA coordinator for
further information.
4. Dispatching wounded game
A hunter can only use a hunting
method that meets the equipment
requirements of his/her tag to
dispatch wounded game.
When hunting with a ML hand gun only small game maybe shot. As for the hunter ed teacher he needs to be report to WDFW ASAP!
This moron is going to get people in trouble.
Party hunting is not legal, period. Under the Prohibited Hunting methods it says:
7. Failure to Tag Properly
It is illegal to use another hunter’s tag
for an animal you have killed. It is illegal
for another hunter to use your tag on an
animal they have killed.
The only people who can shoot someone elses animals are hunter companions for disabled hunters. And the disabled hunter must be within either radio contact or line of sight.