Carrying a Rifle or Pistol in the Wilds

zman308

zman308

Joined
Sep 3, 2007
Messages
831
I have noticed that in some of the posts the hikers or campers are carrying rifles. What is the legality of this. I know that in all national and most state parks firearms are not allowed. In federal and state forests there are different rules. I have been told also that if you are carrying during hunting season you need a hunting license. That is the rule in Ohio. In some states sidearms are not allowed on your person during some seasons. What are the rules in your state for carrying weapons in the wilds?
 
In Maine, carrying a firearm in the woods is prima-facie evidence of hunting, which means that a game warden has probable cause to stop you and determine what you are up to. Beyond that, if you're not in a park you can pretty much do what you want, although concealed carry requires a permit. One interesting quirk in Maine law states that if you are travelling in a vehicle on an unpaved road, in an unorganized township on a Sunday, your weapons must be broken down (ie: bolt removed). This provision does not apply to handguns in the possesion of an individual with a valid concealed weapons permit.
 
Just check your local laws. Out here you can carry firearms in the National Forest and Grass lands but not in State for Federal parks. I have a concieled pistol permit thats good in about 26 states.
 
I don't carry a rifle, but I do carry a sidearm on my belt unless I'm hunting deer. I only camp National Forest areas, away from the mainstream, where firearms are allowed. I'll also have one of my bows with me and when hiking off the beaten path, I'll do a lot of roving. Meaning that I will loose arrows at small, insignificant targets like pine cones, clumps of grass, etc.
 
where i go camping and hiking it is absoluely no problem to have a rifle or a pistol on your person... my new set up is this...my glock 9mm model 17 for up close animals...lots of feral dogs and cats out here....and a m1 carbine for longer shots on cyotes and such...most of where i am is privatly owned land and county land...noone really cares much...god bless oklahoma...it doesnt always suck:D
 
udtjim said:
Just check ypur local laws. Out here you can carry firearms in the National Forest and Grass lands but not in State for Federal parks. I have a concieled pistol permit thats good in about 26 states.
Click to expand...

Whose permit is that?

KR
 
Carrying is usually legal in national forests. I avoid national parks like the plague in general.
 
Hypothetically someone might pack a snub-nosed revolver out of sight regardless of the regulations...hypothetically. It might be real convenient if that was an aluminum/titanium Smith & Wesson.
 
Hypothetically it could save your life or land you in jail.I do my best to stay out of places I can't carry.
 
tknife said:
Carrying is usually legal in national forests. I avoid national parks like the plague in general.
Click to expand...

My understanding is that National forests follow the laws of the state. If you have a CCW for the state, then it is OK to carry in the National forest.

KR
 
It makes NO sense NOT to be allowed to carry in the woods. Think about it. You can carry in cities with a CCW permit but not in the woods where no one is around??? Someone explain this to me.
 
Logic need not apply.

In NC, only a gun chambered in .22 short, long, or long rifle with a barrel length not more than 7.5" long is legal to carry in the National Forests, unless you're hunting legally during open season, with the authorized firearm for that type of game, blah, blah, blah... There may be an exception to the .22/7.5" rule for when you're camped in an established camp site, and stay in it, but I haven't followed through on that yet.

All National Forest lands in this state are considered game lands under hunting regulations, so (presumably) to prevent illegal hunting out of season, the only gun you can (legally) carry is a gun particularly suitable for poaching. :rolleyes:

Your fixed blade can't be concealed on your person in the woods, but with a CCW permit, you can conceal your .22. : rolleyes : again.

Unless it's an SBR. :D
 
The NF's that I go to usually have designated shooting areas in them too, which is nice.
 
No matter what fish and game rangers tell me, the kimber I always carry in the wilderness is protection from: Wolves, Bears, People, Bigfoot, Zombies, and Aliens
anim_toilet.gif
 
In Calif., there is a "loaded firearm" and a "concealed firearm law that you have to deal with. Surprisingly, there are many "exceptions" to the laws, that allow you to have a firearm close at hand in many many situations.

For instance, if you are in your vehicle the gun has to be unloaded, and in a locked case or locked in the trunk. So, say you are in a bad neighberhood, and don't have a CCW. You could have your revolver sitting next to you in a locked case, with the keys right there ready to go, and a speedloader right there ready to go too....and it is all perfectly legal! With practice, you could have a loaded gun in your hand in a couple seconds....

And best of all, you can have a loaded concealed handgun in your campsite. While you are camping, your campsite is considered your "home", and you may defend it like it is your home!
 
Also, most of the rural counties allow "target" shooting. In that case, you can have a loaded (but not concealed) firearm on you at any time out in the wild (but not in your vehicle).
 
This topic just bugs me. I grew up carrying a 22 rifle just about anywhere I felt like going in the woods or fields, or along the highway to get to the woods. Now a days, somebody will call the police if they see you walking along the highway with a rifle unless it is in deer season. My general belief is to do what you think is best and be aware of the regulations in the event you are checked by a warden.
 
Well, it's like this... I'm going to have a sidearm on me whether it's visible or out of sight. Keep your mouth shut and your profile low.
 
My thoughts are, that if you camp with people, there will be Rangers around to enforce the firearm laws. If you are 20 miles from the nearest campground or trailhead, odds of meeting a Ranger are pretty slim. I carry my .45 on my belt in camp and out.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top