Transporting Firearms — Texas Parks & Wildlife Department

Education Menu

• Expand Angler Education
• Expand Archery
• Expand Becoming an Outdoors-Woman
• Expand Boater Education
• Expand Classroom Resources
• Expand Get Outside
• Expand Hunter Education
  •   Hunter Education
  •   Print a Certification Card
  •   Firearm & Hunting 101 Courses
  •   Instructor LOGIN
  •   Instructor Resources
  •   Become an Instructor
  •   Target Talk - Hunter Education News
  •   Texas Hunting Accident Reports
  •   Student Resources
  •   Bowhunter Education
  •   FAQ
  • Expand Shooting Sports
  • Expand Hunter Education Instructor
  • Expand Opciones en español
  •   Know your doves
  •   Hunter Ed Online Course
    •   Online Course
    • Expand Chapter 1 - Intro to Hunter Education
    • Expand Chapter 2 - Firearms and Ammunition
    • Expand Chapter 3 - Shooting Skills
    • Expand Chapter 4 - Hunting Skills
    • Expand Chapter 5 - Primitive Hunting
    • Expand Chapter 6 - Hunting Safety
      •   Chapter 6 - Hunting Safety
      •   Transporting Firearms
      •   Safely Carrying Firearms
      •   Crossing Obstacles
      •   Elevated Stands
      •   Firearm Safety
      •   Boats and Dogs
      •   Next Chapter - Responsible and Ethical Hunting
    • Expand Chapter 7 - Responsible and Ethical Hunting
    • Expand Chapter 8 - Preparation and Survival
    • Expand Chapter 9 - Wildlife Conservation
    • Expand Chapter 10 - Texas Regulations
• Expand Project WILD
•   Texas Buffalo Soldiers
•   Education
•   Texas Children in Nature
• Expand Water Education
•   Outreach and Education Staff Directory
• Expand Pollinator BioBlitz

Transporting Firearms

Whenever you transport a firearm, it should always be unloaded and secured in a case. Never transport a firearm displayed in a window gun rack. This is an invitation to thieves.

Transporting in the Field

When hunting in the field, do not carry loaded firearms in or on vehicles. Always transport firearms unloaded and cased. If you can, remove the bolt and the magazine. Hard cases provide the most protection, especially to rifles with scopes. Ammunition should also be stored separately.

 

Transporting Firearms on ATV’s

Many hunters use all-terrain vehicles to access remote hunting areas and help move their equipment. Here, too, firearms should be transported unloaded and in their cases.

When hunting, often you will be moving to a location, such as a blind, in darkness. Keep the firearms unloaded and cased until you arrive and are prepared to hunt so your firearms stay clean, protected and safe.

Once you have arrived at your hunting location, you can load your firearm. Knowing how to safely load and unload your firearm is one of the fundamental skills for safe hunters. The muzzle should always be pointed in a safe direction with the safety placed in the on position.

« Previous: Chapter 6 - Hunting Safety Next: Safely Carrying Firearms »