felons hunting

[Wampuscat]

A friend at work asked me a good question that I don't know the answer to. Can somebody with a felony conviction get a hunting license? The guy stole a car over 30years ago. At 50 he would like to start hunting. I don't think a felon can ever own a firearm but what about bow hunting or even black powder since a FFL isn't required for the sale.

[str8shooter]

I've got a friend at church that is a felon and he has one. So I would assume the answer is yes.

[HARDWAY78]

My understanding is that "traditional" black powder and archery stuff is legal. Actual firearms and the new style of bp (in line and what not) is not

[Tmag]

My understanding is that "traditional" black powder and archery stuff is legal. Actual firearms and the new style of bp (in line and what not) is not

This ^^^^^^^!

He can get a license and hunt old style blackpowder (even a black powder shotgun) and archery equipment.

[Tylerbost33]

I would think he would be able to get a hunting license. I didn't think the background checked for that, just purchasing firearms?

[Wampuscat]

Thanks for the input. Still told him to make sure of the laws definitively before heading out of his house with any kind of boom stick.

[Txjourneyman]

I made some poor choices during my mis-spent youth. I am a convicted felon. I hunt with archery gear,(it's why I started bowhunting), and traditional blackpowder firearms. Every LEO I have ever talked to about this tells me I am legal.
Make sure your friend knows that only sidelock BP firearms are legal. In line guns are a no no.

[Team me]

Yes I'm living proof. Made some mistakes as a dumb kid and will pay the price for the rest of my life so will my kids( can't take them hunting). The Thompson centers are off limits still even though you don't have to have a background check to purchase. 1899 or replica black powder. Bow and legal unless the judge ordered no hunting like a poaching charge. Your rights cannot be taken away so they just call it suspended. You can fill out a form to get your rights reinstated but that department has no funding supposedly even if you pay for it yourself ( imagine that ).

[kparker158]

I know a couple of people that have felonys and they still buy hunting licenses. They've shot a couple deer with rifles too and the game warden didn't say anything when he checked us.

Here comes all the "they shouldn't have guns for a reason"
"Poachers" post.

[Team me]

I know a couple of people that have felonys and they still buy hunting licenses. They've shot a couple deer with rifles too and the game warden didn't say anything when he checked us.

Here comes all the "they shouldn't have guns for a reason"
"Poachers" post.

Parole officer told me one time when I asked her about hunting, she said how many parole officers are out in the field ? She told me dont worry about it and go hunt. I used to report in full camo. Had another officer ask one time were I was going and my old officer stepped in and said hes going hunting when he leaves here. They knew I paid my money, served my time, and did what I was supposed to. They lean on the guys that come in with pants on the ground or short that almost touch their shoes and have no job. Me feeding my family was the least of their worries. Could I get away with rifle hunting ? Probably but I dont wanna take that chance. Plus I dont like rifle hunting, I prefer my Hoyt, but would be nice to be able to teach my kids how to hunt legally.

[Jeremy7306]

Parole officer told me one time when I asked her about hunting, she said how many parole officers are out in the field ? She told me dont worry about it and go hunt. I used to report in full camo. Had another officer ask one time were I was going and my old officer stepped in and said hes going hunting when he leaves here. They knew I paid my money, served my time, and did what I was supposed to. They lean on the guys that come in with pants on the ground or short that almost touch their shoes and have no job. Me feeding my family was the least of their worries. Could I get away with rifle hunting ? Probably but I dont wanna take that chance. Plus I dont like rifle hunting, I prefer my Hoyt, but would be nice to be able to teach my kids how to hunt legally.

Just curious, why can't ya take your kids hunting?

[Split_Brow]

I talked to the ATF agent out of the Tyler office about this very question. As mentioned above, an 1899 or before muzzleloader or replica is allowable but can still be slippery slope. If the one doing the checking is not familiar with that part of the law, they can still arrest you, put you in jail for Unlicensed possession of firearm by felon, and not until going through the court process would it get dismissed. This is coming from him, stating that if it were him, he would not want to risk being checked by someone that didn't know the full extent of the law. I am a probation officer and I tell all my guys that bowhunting is the way to go, for a multitude of reasons. Deferred felony probationers regain their gun rights upon successful completion of probation, but do not have them while on probation. Convicted felons can only regain through a pardon from the Governor of Texas (per ATF agent). Convicted felons can not take their kiddos rifle hunting because it puts them in possession during travel and while hunting.

[Speedgoat]

If the felony is ten years old or older, I think that they should be able to own a firearm again, just saying, especially if there was no weapon used while committing the crime.

[PEC]

I have a family member that his officer told him. Flint lock muzzle loader only. Compound bow and crossbow are no no's.

[Texastaxi]

If the felony is ten years old or older, I think that they should be able to own a firearm again, just saying, especially if there was no weapon used while committing the crime.

A guy that I work with is in this boat and he said it's 7 years.
He spent some time on "vacation" as he calls it, and he has bought several long guns through a normal gun store.
He did say that he can not own a handgun.