I usually take a pistol with me when bow hunting and asked a game warden if he would fine someone if he found them to have a pistol on them in bow season. He said each warden may handle the situation differently but for him, and a lot of other wardens he knew, most likely he would not fine someone if it appeared they had the pistol only for protection (as opposed to carrying a .44 with a scope on it). So while it may be the law, I will continue to carry a pistol for security/safety reasons and feel confident I most likely will never have to use it and if so it will be a very legitimate reason to. I would never use it to take an animal in bow season. I would be prepared to get a fine if a warden felt it absolute necessary but most wardens are sensible people and hunters themselves. I do not consider myself a poacher although I may not be following a regulation to the letter.