Hiking with K-Bar In Michigan

R

rewster

Joined
Sep 11, 2009
Messages
4
Greetings ! I'm new to the forum and have a question.

I'll be doing some woods hiking in the Upper around Tahguamenon Falls and want to stap on my full size K-Bar. Will I have any legal problems carrying this in the woods ?

regards....Roger
 
Thanks, akabu !
Sec. 227.

(1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business or on other land possessed by the person.

Now, would/could a K-Bar be considered a hunting knife ? I would imagine that someone camping overnight would carry a "hunting" knife even tho, like a hiker, he's not hunting.


regards....roger
 
I would not carry it concealed. Also, do not sharpen the swedge, that would make it "double-edged".
 
rewster said:
Thanks, akabu !
Sec. 227.

(1) A person shall not carry a dagger, dirk, stiletto, a double-edged nonfolding stabbing instrument of any length, or any other dangerous weapon, except a hunting knife adapted and carried as such, concealed on or about his or her person, or whether concealed or otherwise in any vehicle operated or occupied by the person, except in his or her dwelling house, place of business or on other land possessed by the person.

Now, would/could a K-Bar be considered a hunting knife ? I would imagine that someone camping overnight would carry a "hunting" knife even tho, like a hiker, he's not hunting.


regards....roger
Click to expand...


According to that, as long as it only has one sharpened edge (not double edged) you can carry it concealed or open. If it does have a double edge, then it must be carried openly. Of course, there may be a provision somewhere else that prohibits carrying double edged at all, but according to this snippet, you should be fine with the K-bar. It seems they are only talking about "concealed carry", so if you plan on carrying it on your belt you should be fine, whether it's a "hunting" knife or not.

I'm not a lawer so take my interpretation for what it's worth.
 
Pay attention to the law and don't do anything stupid.

Stupid things tend to draw attention from park rangers and the police.

You should have no issues whatsoever.
 
Unless I'm in a state park or camp ground I carry about anything and everything when I'm in the north woods.
 
My interpretation is, once you are in the woods, unconcealed carying of the K-bar would be fine. However, putting it in your car to get there is ilegal, unless you are going hunting.
 
pvicenzi said:
However, putting it in your car to get there is ilegal, unless you are going hunting.
Click to expand...

Carrying is not the same as transporting, if the knife was in your hiking pack in the trunk/back of the car, you are not carrying it as you don't have ready access. But IANAL
 
I believe you should be fine. In the woods, I don't think anyone should give you a problem with have a knife on you ;)
 
You can open carry any knife or firearm in Michigan. However they warned us in the CCW class that are some cities and townships that have ordinances against open carry. A few weeks back a group had a picnic in a park in the city of Kalamazoo where everyone opened carried. Their belief is if you don't use a right you lose it.

There is also an intent law. You can't carry open or otherwise if you "intend" to use the firearm or knife "unlawfully" against another person. So don't ever tell the cop you are mad at someone while open carrying.

Also a note is cmdionne is correct. Transporting locked in the trunk of a vehicle is transporting as long as it is not "easily accessible" to people in the vehicle.

If you do get questions by the police they will ask what the knife is for. The answer is in case I have to build an emergency shelter, cut wood for a fire, or clean some fish should I get lost in the woods overnight. The wrong answer would be to protect myself from jackbooted thugs who want to deny me my inalienable right of self protection.
 
I used to live in the U.P back in the '80's, and unless anything has changed, which it probably hasn't, nobody is going to bother you with that knife unless you are threatening someone. Also, you probably won't even see an LEO, or one who is cares to enforce the specifics of this law. Some of these laws are derived from the majority of down state representatives to protect the people in some of their out of control cities. Michigan has a handgun registration and I am sure it wasn't conceived from a U.P representative.
 
Thanks, guys ! I really appreciate your input. I'll be wearing the K-Bar on my belt while hiking.

regards....roger
 
rangers understand very well how useful a knife is in the wilderness so i doubt you will have a problem
 
Roger,
I just spoke to my son who works at the falls. He stated that yes you can carry your K-bar while hiking in the park. Lots of great area's around here to hike. I have lived in Newberry for the past 12 years having moved here from Ann arbor/Ypsilanti area and just love it great hunting and fishing. everything outdoors less than a couple miles from my house.
 
charadeur said:
However they warned us in the CCW class that are some cities and townships that have ordinances against open carry.
Click to expand...


These ordinances are all unconstitutional as Michigan has a Preemption doctrine in regards to firearms laws, ie no unit of local government can pass more stringent regulations on firearms than state law.

If Open Carry is something any of you are interested in, there's a good group of guys in the Michigan forum of opencarry.org.
 
You must log in or register to reply here.
Back
Top