Is It A Good Idea To Hunt and Have A few In Montana?

We just got into hunting season in Montana.

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It's that time of year where most of us are off in the bush trying to bag that big buck as well as something to fill the freezer and to chew on for the winter. Everyone and their buddies ritualistically head out for the week to wind-down and enjoy the spirit of the wild.

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While out on the hunt people tend to sit back and have a few beers and hangout in between all the action of the hunt which is okay, there's nothing wrong with having a couple beers amongst friends, right? Sure, there are no laws against drinking.

However, it gets a little dicey when a few too many have been passed around, you know what I mean?

Is it illegal in the state of Montana to hunt while intoxicated?

While hunting and drinking isn't against the law by themselves in Montana. Also, there are not any laws on the book for discharging a firearm while intoxicated, there certain laws that prohibit concealed firearms while intoxicated.

According to Montana Code 45-8-327 Carrying concealed weapon while under influence.

A person commits the offense of carrying a concealed weapon while under the influence if the person purposely or knowingly carries a concealed weapon while under the influence of an intoxicating substance. It is not a defense that the person had a valid permit to carry a concealed weapon. A person convicted of the offense shall be imprisoned in the county jail for a term not to exceed 6 months or be fined an amount not to exceed $500, or both.

Many hunters do in fact conceal carry handguns for protection against larger, more dangerous predators. It may be a good idea to remove any firearms from concealment before partaking in a drink after the hunt.