onecruiser
Member
I'm heading out to the White Mountains in NH next week and thought that I would like to bring along a .38. Is it legal in National Forest Lands? Yes, I am licensed to carry in NH.
Carrying in a National Forest - Legal?
- Thread starter onecruiser
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modifiedbrowning
Member
AFAIK carrying in a National Forest is fine. A National Park is another matter.
Sindawe
Member
Usually carrying in a Nat. Forest is no problem, as is shooting so long as follow the rules (no shooting over roads, trails and the like, away from buildings by X yards, etc...). If in doubt, contact the Ranger Station of the Nat. Forest you are gonna be in to confirm.
As far as I am aware, carrrying Nat. Parks is VERBOTEN! So where a Nat. Forest surrounds a Nat. Park, you must know where the boundry is.
As far as I am aware, carrrying Nat. Parks is VERBOTEN! So where a Nat. Forest surrounds a Nat. Park, you must know where the boundry is.
Gung-Ho
member
If you want to dot your I's and cross your T's, it varries from state to state. In Florida it's a no-no, ... in California it's A-OK. Go figure.
Bear Gulch
Member
Gung is that a state or federal forest? I've never heard of a no gun Federal forest yet.
onecruiser
Member
Thanks for the replies. I wouldn't have asked except that I emailed the ranger station and get no reply. Carry it is then!
Ukraine Train
Member
I carried a shotgun strapped to my pack while backpacking in the Green Mountain national forest in VT and stopped to chat with a ranger on the trail. He looked at it and said "looks like you came prepared" hehe. I had my Buckmark with me also and shot a few rounds at the top of Broadleaf Mountain. Black helicopters didn't swarm my location.
Gung-Ho
member
In California you cannot carry in state "parks", but you can in any other "rural area" including National Forest.
Aguila Blanca
Member
I am not certain where I read it, but I believe the rule is that national forests default to the laws of the state in which the forest (or portion thereof, if it spans more than one state) is located.
National parks are a different matter entirely. Strictly no firearms.
National parks are a different matter entirely. Strictly no firearms.
ReadyontheRight
Member
In Minnesota, I belive it's OK to carry in State Forests (not Parks) if you are carrying for the purpose of target shooting 
I guess it's a good excuse to get in some target practice!
I guess it's a good excuse to get in some target practice!Bear Gulch
Member
In Idaho State and federal lands are okay for carry except parks.
Cosmoline
Member
NFS has a completely different organizational structure and attitude than the fascist jackboots at the NPS. NPS has always seen itself as a quasi law enforcement/military organization, and views the lands it manages as ITS lands, not the public's. You are on their land at their pleasure, and they set all the rules. They like to keep the sheep unarmed and in tightly packed buses and tour groups.
The NFS, on the other hand, views itself as helping to manage public lands between multiple users. I've never had any sort of trouble with them. Indeed all my experiences with them have been good.
The NFS, on the other hand, views itself as helping to manage public lands between multiple users. I've never had any sort of trouble with them. Indeed all my experiences with them have been good.
Bear Gulch
Member
Unfortunately, we're finding more and more fascist in the USFS. My father in law is retired form there, so are many friends. The eco freaks are slowly taking over and fighting the conservationists.
Coltdriver
Member
In Colorado it is legal to carry in all National Forest and to shoot except the places where the Forest Service has prohibited shooting which they post on the web.
In addition to not shooting within 100 yards (or is that 500 feet?) of a camp ground, nor across a road, or from a road they don't want you shooting into live trees. Dead trees are just fine.
For example I believe the Rampart Range is now off limits to shooting. However, that does not mean you can not carry there. The Hayman fire burn area was off limits to shooting for a while, don't know the current status on that one.
So, its a good idea to go and check on the web. Then it is not a bad idea to contact your managing Ranger Station.
In addition to not shooting within 100 yards (or is that 500 feet?) of a camp ground, nor across a road, or from a road they don't want you shooting into live trees. Dead trees are just fine.
For example I believe the Rampart Range is now off limits to shooting. However, that does not mean you can not carry there. The Hayman fire burn area was off limits to shooting for a while, don't know the current status on that one.
So, its a good idea to go and check on the web. Then it is not a bad idea to contact your managing Ranger Station.
gunsmith
member
check with local rangers or LE
When I called Yosemite National Park the LE's there were upset for me even asking!
When I called ranger headquaters for Mendicino National Forest
they were real friendly,said open carry "was a good idea out in the woods"
& said "just follow the regular gun safety rules"
I can't understand why CA is 100% better then FL on this issue
When I called Yosemite National Park the LE's there were upset for me even asking!
When I called ranger headquaters for Mendicino National Forest
they were real friendly,said open carry "was a good idea out in the woods"
& said "just follow the regular gun safety rules"
I can't understand why CA is 100% better then FL on this issue
Bear Gulch
Member
Start hammering your legislature. When they get enough heat things change.
thorn726
Member
the weird thing is , although you can pretty much drive into the woods, set up targets and shoot, i am not so sure you can hike around with your guns loaded
Gung-Ho
member
Well rest your mind to that. I have throughly looked into the law, and in California you can. To paraphrase, the law says that in an unincorporated rural area, open carry is OK. And this also applies to the National Forest. (But NOT National or State PARKS.) This was really hard to get used to. As I used to live in Florida where this was a big no-no. As a matter of fact the first year I was here, I was up in the Forest camping at a primitive camp. I was the only one there, and I had built a fire and was sitting in my chair shooting accross the fire at some targets I had set up nearby. I hear a truck coming, and stop shooting...with .45 just laying in my lap. Soon a Ranger drives up, he smiles and says HI. We chat for minute or two, then he says something to the effect of "have fun shooting and stay safe", and drove on. I have since been way up in the Forest many times hiking and shooting, and have never again seen a Ranger or any type of law enforcement....I think for the most part, they must try to stay away from gunfire when backup is 3 hours away.
...........BTW, just in case I ever do run into a Ranger that is a moron, I always carry a hunting license. Since rabbit season never closes, and you can use any firearm from shotguns to cannons on them, I could just say I was wabbit hunt'in.thorn726
Member
AAAAAAAAHHAAAAAa!
thank you! i should have realized how the "open carry in county with less than 200 000" would work with the rest of it.
i need to look up sonoma data, my friend jsut got some land there, open land but not natl forest.
yes, one of my maniac friends told me about that too. four of them, one of him, they were using questionable items. ranger just drove by slowly. heheh.
wow that post was really helpful, thanks a million Gung-Ho
Molon Labe
Member
FYI, I inquired about the carrying of firearms in Wayne National Forest (Ohio). Here's the response I received:
From: r9 wayne website ([email protected])
To: Molon Labe ([email protected])
Subject: Re: Question about Wayne National Forest
Date: 4/20/2005 9:36:52 AM
Importance: Normal
No, not if you comply with all other laws. People hunt on the Forest all the time.
Teena Ligman, Webmaster
From: Molon Labe
To: [email protected]
Subject: Question about Wayne National Forest
04/16/2005 04:07 PM
Is there a law that prohibits the carrying of firearms in Wayne National Forest?
Thank you,
Molon Labe
Saint Paris, OH
From: r9 wayne website ([email protected])
To: Molon Labe ([email protected])
Subject: Re: Question about Wayne National Forest
Date: 4/20/2005 9:36:52 AM
Importance: Normal
No, not if you comply with all other laws. People hunt on the Forest all the time.
Teena Ligman, Webmaster
From: Molon Labe
To: [email protected]
Subject: Question about Wayne National Forest
04/16/2005 04:07 PM
Is there a law that prohibits the carrying of firearms in Wayne National Forest?
Thank you,
Molon Labe
Saint Paris, OH
A lot depends on the officer,too.When I lived in Arizona,Lake Mead Nat'l Park was right there,and we used to take our 4WD vehicles to Lake Mohave and find a fishing spot that was not accessible to the sheep from California that "touristed" there,except by water.One time we were WAY out there(20+ miles of dirt/sand roads/trails)and at about 2AM,we were approached by a Park Ranger(Federal LEO)and asked for our fishing licenses.I was sitting on my open tailgate,and I had a Ruger P89 on my hip,next to my wallet.When I didn't move(keeping my hands on my lap,in sight)the officer asked me if I had a license.I replied,"yes",and he asked me if I would get it out of my wallet for him.I said "No,because I have a gun on my hip and I wanted to inform you of it first so you wouldn't think I was pulling it."He calmly told me not to move while he removed it from my holster.He checked it,me,my fishing and drivers licenses,then placed the now unloaded gun on my trucks seat.He thanked me for being aware of his frame of mind(2AM,solo officer,20+ miles of dirt/sand road between him and backup,5 of us,and we had open beers visible.(Not drunk,though)Then he told me of the illegality of my actions,adding that he'd do the same thing,except that if he saw LEOs approaching,he'd hide the weapon.Then he told me he didn't "want to see me with that gun again tonight."I asked if he was returning."Nope,good luck with your fishing." I realize I got REALLY lucky in encountering that particular officer,but I was ABSOLUTELY courteous and respectful,and I think that saved my butt that night more than anything else....However,as to the content of the thread starter,it is a FEDERAL crime to have a loaded gun in a National Park,states might have their additions,but that's a separate issue,state law cannot preempt federal law,so the federal law applies regardless.As a previous poster stated,National Forests are a different matter as they're under the jurisdiction of a different agency.
Molon Labe
Member
kirkcdl: Your story got me thinking about a "what if" situation:
Let’s say I'm in a National Forest and I'm carrying my FAL rifle. A forest ranger stops and demands that I produce an ID. If I refuse to handover my ID, am I breaking a law?
I know there's no blanket federal law that says I must handover an ID to a cop. And I know Ohio does not have a law that says I must handover an ID to a cop. But what about in a National Forest?
Let’s say I'm in a National Forest and I'm carrying my FAL rifle. A forest ranger stops and demands that I produce an ID. If I refuse to handover my ID, am I breaking a law?
I know there's no blanket federal law that says I must handover an ID to a cop. And I know Ohio does not have a law that says I must handover an ID to a cop. But what about in a National Forest?
CGofMP
Member
This is NOT legal advice it is simply my understanding and reccolection of things. Get real legal advice from a reputable source not online
Having disclaimed myself...
We go camping every year in California.
Every year we select a NATIONAL FOREST precisely because it is our understanding that open carry is legal in a national forest. My wife and I both carry, we usually have at least one rifle in camp, and the kids have airguns which get a LOT of use
When we go hiking, all the weapons go with us, loaded, and on our hip or shouldler.
We have stopped at ranger stations when going in, and there may be restrictions on shooting because of fire danger, but they even have handouts that explain about firearms in the National Forest in question. Do stop, do ask, do get the paperwork.
I will not go camping, be tens of miles from anything, and be unprotected.
We do not do National Parks, State Parks, or any other place that does not allow us to take care of our own safety and security.
How many people would enter Yosemite if they had signs up that said "No civilian may bring a first aid kit when in the park unless it is empty and not accessible".
It's a half azzed measure, but we carry BIG cans of bearspray on our daytrips to Yosemite because you never know what kinds of animals you will meet on the trail.
Having disclaimed myself...
We go camping every year in California.
Every year we select a NATIONAL FOREST precisely because it is our understanding that open carry is legal in a national forest. My wife and I both carry, we usually have at least one rifle in camp, and the kids have airguns which get a LOT of use
When we go hiking, all the weapons go with us, loaded, and on our hip or shouldler.
We have stopped at ranger stations when going in, and there may be restrictions on shooting because of fire danger, but they even have handouts that explain about firearms in the National Forest in question. Do stop, do ask, do get the paperwork.
I will not go camping, be tens of miles from anything, and be unprotected.
We do not do National Parks, State Parks, or any other place that does not allow us to take care of our own safety and security.
How many people would enter Yosemite if they had signs up that said "No civilian may bring a first aid kit when in the park unless it is empty and not accessible".
It's a half azzed measure, but we carry BIG cans of bearspray on our daytrips to Yosemite because you never know what kinds of animals you will meet on the trail.
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