fwiw...back when I was deer hunting Unit 2 a couple years ago I was waiting along a road to meet up with BIGBULL48 when a local deputy sherriff pulled up behind me and put his lights on. He told me he was just doing a routine check. Anyway, I had my gun hardcased behind the seat, the detachable magazine in my pocket, and no round in the chamber. There was four rounds in the bullet band that was slipped around the gun stock butt.
The deputy "let me off" but gave me a verbal warning that he believed the bullets in the bullet band constituted a loaded weapon in the vehicle. I personally think that he was just going for a little self-justification, but on the other hand there's no point in risking a confrontation over such things when you just want to get on with your hunting, and I'd rather error on the side of caution. Besides, I'm glad they're out there checking this stuff.