Backpacking Yellowstone with a gun: open or concealed carry?

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It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear poop and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop smells like pepper and has little bells in it.

That always makes me laugh.
 
Chicken Littles

I never cease to be astonished to CCers who imagine the sky will fall if they OC.

I OCed at Mt. Ranier in Washington State last summer in a heavily populated trail areas with a .44 magnum. I didn't get a second look from anyone.

The only people that freak out over OC are CCers with over-active imaginations.
 
Guess Ill ring in here, I conceal carry. there are a lot of people there and alot of them from a foreign country. Alot of them are Asian and dont speak English, concealed would eliminate alot of problems/questions.

Well, they came to see America, didn't they? (I don't mean that in a rude or crass way) What says "America" to foreigners better than the wilderness and guns? Granted, I wouldn't expect to see a cattle drive through Yellowstone any more than I would a samurai on horseback swinging his sword in modern-day Japan, but guns are still a happening thing in America, and just about everybody in the world knows that, I think.
 
Guess Ill ring in here, I conceal carry. there are a lot of people there and alot of them from a foreign country. Alot of them are Asian and dont speak English, concealed would eliminate alot of problems/questions. Good luck,watch for bear and remeber those animals are not tame.
Would we also exterminate the bears, so foreign visitors don't see them and get upset?

Don't laugh -- I live just south of the Blanchard Springs recreational area in the Ozark National Forest, and the Forest Service distributes questionnaires with a space for writing in comments and suggestions. From time to time they publish some of the comments.

One read, "We saw a lot of wild animals. Can't something be done about this?"
 
One read, "We saw a lot of wild animals. Can't something be done about this?"

Now THAT was worth starting this thread for!

My father in law is going, and he's going to carry his G23 concealed, so I think I'll stow the Ruger in my pack and open carry it in the backcountry.
 
I take it that many of you don’t do much international travel. When you visit another country, you respect their customs and culture, you don’t try to impose yours on them. This is where the term ‘ugly American’ comes from.

If someone comes to the US and is offended or frightened by the mere presence of firearms, that’s their problem not mine.

Mt Shooter said:
…concealed would eliminate alot of problems/questions.
Are you implying that open carry will lead to problems and/or questions? What sort of problems? Questions from who? Was this an off the cuff remark or do you have an intelligent argument to support it? I open carry a G20SF when I hike and have never had a problem or been asked a question.
 
Wow, this thread has turned into a debate of sorts. I'm out of it. Really all you need is pepper spray. Not for a bear or moose. It's to spray your buddy and then push him over and run away. It's like leaving a seasoned steak out as a distraction. LOL

Oh, and enjoy Ystone RyeDaddy. It's a really beautiful place. Wyoming is great, one of my favorite places.
 
It is not so much the foreigners that you will bother, it is the people from NYC and Chicago.

Many years ago we privately hosted a boy from Germany so he could go to a year highschool here and improve his English. (He was from Berlin)

We could not take him shooting enough. He wanted to shoot and have his picture taken with every firearm we owned and most of the firearms my friends owned.

It is like 16 year olds drinking beer, Germans think nothing of it. as to the firearms, all of the ones I know would rather have looser laws, not more control...They like to shoot there, and take pride in their weapons.
 
I've open carried plenty w/ a pack (and rather comfortably), but I can't figure out how anyone would CC with a pack on. An IWB and a pack w/ a waist strap doesn't work, so just how would you CCW and backpack?
 
the thrill of seeing bears up close

A 2# handgun plus ammo and holster adds up to a lot of weight on a true backpack trip - not too bad for a dayhike though.

I use a blackpowder 22LR-propelled bear flash banger to ward off bears that get too curious. This is a pengun: very light and compact. Thank god it is effective, as reload time is forever. I've fired it twice at 50 then 80 or so feet to chase off a peaceful grizzly. With a few shots practice, those penguns will place a banger in the exact right spot.

The few bear incidents that occur in true wilderness backpacking settings like National Park and Nat. Forest backcountry happen because the hiker startles a male while it is feeding on a carcass, or stumbles onto a sow with cub(s). Some happen because of a dirty or poorly sited campsite kitchen, or poor food storage. Some just happen...and your time is up.

Anyhow, what Rangers and COs whose jobs involve managing bears in parks have told me, and what I've read in a couple bear behaviour books back up my personal positive experiences of 10 or so close-ish bear encounters (incl. a huge Black eating on a sequoia log at 150 feet, and a Black sow with 2 cubs at 200 yds - the sow barked a warning & the cubs climbed a birch tree while we took a big azz detour). These occurred out East and out West. I know nothing about Alaska's bears.

The funniest non-encounter was in the Adirondacks High Peaks (NYS) while camping in an out-of-the-way streamside spot, a mile or so up the trail from the established lakeside backpacking sites. Soon after dark, the lakeside groups set out great big clamours of pot-banging and screaming as their sites were methodically raided by Blackies who knew where to find easy meals. I heard later that no-one was injured. Meanwhile, we had a quiet night's sleep, our food hanging high and well away from our site.

You can look up "List of fatal bear attacks in North America" on Wikipedia to get a sense of where and in what circumstances bears kill humans.

Edit: Yellowstone is such an incredible place for wildlife. We only day-hiked but saw elk herds, a moose cow and calf, several bison, all kinds of birds. No bears though. I hear wolves were reintroduced and that as a result elk populations are doing better as are the riparian zones and the trout. Years later, I still think of Yellowstone as an Eden for animals and humans.
 
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who cares if you want to carry open then carry open quit worrying about what other people think it's legal in that state. it really dosen't make a difference at this point dose it!
 
Federal National Parks in Canada have "ZERO Tolerance" to ANY personal Fire Arm in the National Parks system,
We (British Columbia ,Canada) still have generous Hunting seasons for Grizzly Bear, both spring and fall open Grizz seasons, both for resident citizens and Guided non-resident hunters,,,

If a FEW tourists are eaten every year by Grizzly Bears ??,and SOME are EATEN every year!

apparently National Parks Canada management is OK with that !,
 
OC-ed last year

I went in July last year (it was a sunday through tuesday). I remember finding out that Wyoming doesn't give reciprocity to WA CPL's but national parks just started allowing people to carry. So I open carried.

Me: hiking boots, cargo shorts, long sleeved t-shirt, S&W 686+ .357mag in a cheap Uncle Mike's holster. I also went to fairly crowded tourist hot spots like Old Faithful and several look outs. Could have been arrested for fashion, but not for the gun. And no one freaked out or stared me down either, even got an approving nod and a complement here and there by other S&W fans.

Now that I think about it, I didn't see many, if any, other OC-ers... it was just recently allowed though, so maybe that's why.
I can't remember, but I think I unloaded it, or put it in the trunk while driving because my CPL was meaningless there and you can't (I think) carry a loaded weapon in your vehicle without one in WY.... or maybe that was a different state. Look that part up.

Don't think I have to say this, but don't unholster it in public or in view of others. That seems to be fairly accepted by OC-ers even if some one asks about it.

On a final note, avoid killing a bear if you can. I know thats why you're bringing it, thats why i brought mine. But discharging a weapon is still illegal, and I would imagine you'd get some additional fines... self defense or not. Just the way it is.
 
Most of Yellowstone is in WY, and if open carry there is legal I'd open carry. This may sound a little chicken, but I'd pack a big can of bear spray and have bear bells on everyone. Most bears aren't going to attack unless you get between them and cubs or if they have cubs and think you're bothering them. As someone pointed out moose are very cranky animals. A cow with a calf or a bull who's in a bad mood will stomp you into the ground faster than fast. Buffalo are also fast and can be ornery, think a range bull that's fast and has big horns.

Take care when storing food too.

If you take all precautions and have to shoot an animal it's likely that the shooting will be viewed as self defense. If you are harassing animals (which is up to a warden or wardens to determine), don't store your food properly, or shoot a bear that's just going about his business and you think is too close you're likely to be in deep and hot water.

It never fails to amaze me that a lot of people think that the animals are tame or "know" you mean them no harm because they're in a national park, but would be scared spitless if your Labrador ran up to them with its tail wagging.
 
As a foreigner in the USA, I think it's really cool to see someone open carrying! I think nearly all foreigners would NOT be scared but would assume that the person was OC'ing lawfully. If they are totally unaware of the US laws on concealed and open carry, I think they would assume the person must be a plain clothes police officer. I really don't find it very credible that people would be scared at the sight. None of the people who suggested OC might be problematical appeared to have any actual experience of third parties getting scared. I could be wrong but I'm skeptical that it would be a problem (but then I don't have any experience either).

A specific question, I'm a resident alien with a TX CHL -- would I be OK to OC in Yellowstone? Or is there any law that requires you to be a US citizen, or at least a resident alien living in one of the states the park is in?
 
If you drive into Idaho, open carry is legal everywhere with no permit, even for non residents. Conceal carry is legal without a permit outside of city limits, even for non residents. Idaho is one of the few States that reciprocates with all States concealed weapon licenses.
 
vIf you drive into Idaho, open carry is legal everywhere with no permit, even for non residents. Conceal carry is legal without a permit outside of city limits, even for non residents. Idaho is one of the few States that reciprocates with all States concealed weapon licenses.

Wow, is there any other state this free?
 
IdahoLT1 said:
If you drive into Idaho, open carry is legal everywhere with no permit, even for non residents. Conceal carry is legal without a permit outside of city limits, even for non residents. Idaho is one of the few States that reciprocates with all States concealed weapon licenses.

Wow, is there any other state this free?

I might be mistaken as far as non residents concealed carrying outside city limits. They do offer non resident ccw's and all you have to do show a hunter ed certificate, military ID or any firearm safety course certificate.
 
This is what the NPS has to say on the firearm issue.

A change in federal law effective February 22, allows people who can legally possess firearms under federal, state, and local laws, to possess those firearms in Yellowstone National Park.

The new federal law makes possession of firearms in national parks also subject to the firearms laws of the states where the parks are located.

Yellowstone spans portions of the states of Idaho, Montana, and Wyoming. All three states allow open carry of handguns and rifles on one’s person or in a vehicle. They all also allow concealed carry of firearms with a permit.

While the state boundary lines are posted along park roadways, they are not posted along trails or in the backcountry. Each state has somewhat different firearms regulations. Those possessing firearms are responsible for knowing which state they are in, and are subject to the laws of that state.

Visitors who may wish to bring firearms to the park are encouraged to do their research ahead of time to ensure that they are aware of and abide by the laws that apply. Additional information is available online at http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm.
 
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It is also a good idea to watch for fresh signs of bear activity. Outdoorsmen should recognize the difference between black bear poop and grizzly bear poop. Black bear poop is smaller and contains lots of berries and squirrel fur. Grizzly bear poop smells like pepper and has little bells in it.

Balrog


That always makes me laugh.

As funny as it sounds, I've done a great deal of hiking over the years and have always found it useful to be able to identify many different types of scat.

On refelection............go ahead and laugh, it is funny.
 
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