Zoogster, I assume you are at least partially refering to my sig in regards to your comments about restrictions in NF and BLM land. I also assume that you must be a SoCAl resident. I must admit, the furthest south I've gone shooting is in Sierra NF. I do know that in Mednocino, Shasta-Trinity, Klamath, and Modoc NFs it's OK to carry and shoot. I can't speak for SoCal. So, yes, definately call a local ranger station to be sure of any local restrictions.
This is taken from BLM information. Keep in mind BLM land as well as NF are still subject to county rules and regulations, and of course still subject to CA laws. So when they say something is okay, it means okay with them, but still must be in compliance with more restrictive rules and laws.
On BLM land that is zoned as acceptable for shooting:
"Riverside County - No shooting within 300 yards of roads, campgrounds or occupied dwellings. No shooting 1/2 hour after sunset or before sunrise.
San Bernardino County: - County has designated some areas for shotgun use only; other areas are closed to shooting except for legal hunting.
Kern and Inyo Counties: Open to shooting on BLM managed lands.
Imperial County: No shooting within 300 yards of roads or campgrounds. No shooting 1/2 hour after sunset or before sunrise.
San Diego County: Open to shooting on BLM managed lands. Possession or discharge of steel core armor piercing ammunition is illegal. No shooting in unincorporated areas.
Orange and Los Angeles Counties: Closed to all shooting on public (BLM) lands."
Now for National forest land it gets even worse. Most National forests in Southern CA do no permit shooting except in specific locations, many of which have been closed in recent years. Hunting is usualy allowed, however that requires valid hunting licenses and discharge of a firearm is only allowed in pursuit of game. If you do not have a valid and current hunting license, simply using hunting as your excuse is grounds for loss of your gun rights.
Also keep in mind things like Handgun laws require you to be going to a legal destination for use of the firearm. Well unless you purchase an Adventure Pass your vehicle is not legaly allowed to stop or park in the National Forest in Southern CA. This could be used to imply you are in violation of the laws pertaining to transport of handguns.
Also there is many tricky parts of legislation that can be applied even when the obvious intent of them is different.
For example it is illegal to use a flashlight in the forest while in the possession of a firearm if it is over 3 volts! This means if it takes more than two 1.5 volt batteries it would be illegal to use it while in the possession of a firearm:
"It is unlawful for any person, or one or more persons, to throw or
cast the rays of any spotlight, headlight, or other artificial light
on any highway or in any field, woodland, or forest where game
mammals, fur-bearing mammals, or nongame mammals are commonly found,
or upon any game mammal, fur-bearing mammal, or nongame mammal, while
having in his possession or under his control any firearm or weapon
with which such mammal could be killed,
even though the mammal is not
killed, injured, shot at, or otherwise pursued."
"The provisions of this section shall not apply to the following:
(a) To the use of a hand held flashlight no larger, nor emitting
more light, than a two-cell, three-volt flashlight, provided such
light is not affixed in any way to a weapon, or to the use of a lamp
or lantern which does not cast a directional beam of light."
This applies all the time, not just while hunting. It was created with the intention of stopping the use of lights while hunting, but the legal code is valid at any time, regardless of your current activities. So if you have a firearm or sidearm and use a flashlight over 3 volts, you are in violation. I bet you never expected that? So if approached by a ranger and you use a flashlight while in possession of a firearm you can be arrested. Sitting at your campfire in the woods, use the light to see who is approaching? Have a handgun on you? You broke the law. Walk out to use the restroom in the woods with a firearm and a flashlight, broke the law (unless under 3 volts.)
Obviously most people won't be held to such laws, but it is officer's discretion. If for some reason he does not like you, then you can be found in violation.
There is many similar examples that allow for extremely wide discretion for anyone in possession of a firearm to be found guilty one of many numerous laws. The firearm laws are so numerous, the simple presence of a firearm can turn mundane things into a crime even if the firearm is legaly possessed in a legal location.
As I said many people can and do many things in remote/rural locations without getting into trouble, especialy if they use common sense and are responsible. That does not mean even with good intentions they are not in violation of laws that can revoke gun rights or thier freedom. They may research shooting someplace, look at BLM rules, think it is okay, and be found in violation of ordinances, fish and game codes, penal codes, vehicle codes etc. Just because possession of a firearm, or legal shooting in a location is okay with one agency does not mean it or specific activites are not in violation of the regulations of another agency. So researching one agency and thier rules because you assume it is thier land you will be using does not mean you will have found all the restrictions of regulations pertaining to use.
An imaginative officer or prosecutor can usualy find something illegal without making anything up if they want with most situations involving firearm use in CA. There is enough small regulations and grey areas to give wide discretion.