Full Notification

Written by
Keith Uhlig
For Wisconsinoutdoorfun.com

Hunters no longer will have to put their rifles in cases when transporting them in vehicles, thanks to a new state law that relaxes some gun-handling rules.

The new law, which takes effect Saturday, the opening day of the state's gun-deer hunting season, also allows people to lean loaded rifles or other long guns against a vehicle, or put them on top of a vehicle as long as the vehicle isn't moving.

Loaded long guns -- such as rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders -- still cannot be put into a car, truck or other motor vehicle. However, under a different law that covers concealed carry regulations, anybody can transport a loaded handgun in a vehicle, but if the person lacks a concealed carry permit, the gun must be visible from outside the vehicle. People with permits to carry concealed weapons can drive while carrying a concealed, loaded handgun. That law went into effect Nov. 1.

The state's Department of Natural Resources leaders are trying to get the word out about the details of the new regulations, and hoping that, despite the relaxing of the laws, hunters and others who handle guns still take precautions to prevent gun-related incidents.

Most hunters likely will continue to abide by old gun-handling rules when it comes to hunting rifles, shotguns and other long guns, said Fred Yulga of the town of Marathon, a longtime hunter and hunter's safety instructor.

But the relaxation of the rules also "will make it easier and more practical to hunt," he said.

Tim Lawhern, the division administrator for the DNR's Division of Law Enforcement and Science Services, said the new rules won't be a problem if hunters are careful to follow basic safety rules.

"If handling a firearm properly, it should not be an issue," he said. "But if you get lax, that's when problems occur."

Even though it's now legal to do so, Don Winkelman, 70, of the town of Merrill, a longtime hunter and hunter's safety instructor, won't be driving around with uncased rifles.

"I think a little more of my guns than that," Winkelman said. "I don't want them all beat up."