Hiking with a firearm

[xfyrfiter]

Between the marijuana farmers, and drug mules, in most of the west, and southwest US, you had better be armed just for self protection. This is just my take on the current situation. Parts of our country have warning signs, that are posted by our government, that if we decide to enter the area we should be very cautious, and these areas are not patrolled due to the danger to LE.

 

[hermannr]

The only "bad" things that seem to happen in our part of the country, do not happen in the woods, they happen at the trainhead. Like stolen fancy wheels off you car when you get back to the trailhead, and stuff stolen out of the car. The thieves do not go into the woods, you can walk for days here without ever seeing anyone else.

I cannot understand why anyone would be concerned about anyone OC in a NF, NP or any other forest/mountain hike. Makes no sense to me. I do it all the time.

Most interesting encounter was a group of young German tourists. They thought the idea of being able to open carry on a hike in the woods was great and wished they could in Europe. That was in the Ross Lake National Recreational Area. You even see fewer people in the Pasayten.

 

[lizziedog1]

If I am hiking a trail at a state park in my neck of the woods and I observe someone with a rifle and especially a "black rifle", they get my undivided attention

"Black Rifle"?

What if the rifle is dark brown, would you be slightly less nervous?

Those of you worried about EBR's should consider moving to California. The government there has your back concerning EBR's.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

I know a guy who has a rifle with red and white stripes, and a blue butt with stars. Would that be extra-illegal in California?

 

[22-rimfire]

Lizziedog1, your response merits a response. Brown, black, pink, yellow... I don't care; it is a tool. But what is this tool appropriate for in a park setting? Frankly, in a TN state park if I saw any rifle it would raise a concern, and if it was a EBR, it would raise significant concern because it is totally inappropriate for the environment and most situations. A concealed handgun would be just as effective for self defense at defensable self-defense ranges. Choices have ramifications.... That choice regardless of legality is just plain stupid. Unless there were special circumstances (SHTF, killer identified in the area, or an actual bear attack), I would expect to see every ranger in the park converging on this "hiker" to question them and even in the most innocent of situations I expect they would be asked to put the rifle in the car or leave immediately. How does "disturbing the peace" sound to you? For 90% of the people in the park, it would be a "disturbance" to their peace.

 

[Nuclear]

A concealed handgun is never as effective for self defense as an openly carried rifle. We carry handguns because they are easy to conceal. Rifles are more appropriate to rural areas than urban areas, as there is less concern for what is behind your target (fewer buildings and people). The 223/5.56 caliber a lot of "EBR"s are chambered in is a good choice for self defense, survival situations and plinking (if legal in the park). If a choice is legal, I would expect the rangers in the park not to question the carrier, not ask the carrier to put the gun in a vehicle where it could be stolen while unattended, not ask the carrier to leave the park, but I would expect the rangers to explain to the unarmed hikers that what the carrier was doing was legal and maybe even prudent. Unless the carrier was sweeping others with the rifle's muzzle or acting belligerent, then merely legally carrying a rifle does not constitute disturbing the peace in a rural area.

 

[goon]

At one point in time I didn't own any handguns that would have been suitable for defense against the things I might need them for in the woods. I packed an NEF youth model 20 gauge single barrel with a pocket full of slugs and one bird shot in case I ran into a copperhead.

So I don't see why a long gun automatically would trigger the idea that someone was poaching to some. Trust me, I'm just as accurate with my GP-100 as I ever have been with that gun and slugs. If gun = poacher, guess you'd all better leave you handguns at home too.

 

[dmazur]

Washington State recently "fixed" the regulations concerning handguns and hunting so that it is now legal to carry a handgun for protection even when archery / muzzleloader hunting. (With suitable prohibitions against using the handgun for dispatching wounded game or for hunting...)

However, there is still the presumption of wrongdoing if you have a rifle in the woods during elk or deer modern firearm seasons and don't have the appropriate tag.

It is legal to hunt forest grouse with a rifle in Washington State. (Maybe not the wisest choice, but legal.)

So, hypothetically speaking, I could have a hunting license & deer tag and be out during elk season looking for grouse. Good practice for next year, using my deer rifle. However, this is a game violation unless I have an elk tag.

The presumption of guilt because you don't have the "correct" rifle isn't limited to worried tourists and EBR's, in other words.

In an ideal world, the mere possession of any weapon should not be a crime. If it is used in an illegal manner, proper penalties should exist, of course.

Since it isn't an ideal world, there is quite a bit of "possession = intent" thinking going on out there. Even though it is wrong, it is unlikely that that type of thinking will go away, IMO.

(By the way, I know of at least one game officer who now knows about Winchester 9410 shotguns as grouse guns. "Yes, I know it looks like a .30-30, but it's a shotgun. Honest officer, why would I make this up?")

 

[lizziedog1]

and if it was a EBR, it would raise significant concern

That is California thinking, plain and simple.

 

[1stmarine]

I read a lot of good opinions and a lot of nonsense here and everywhere.
Carrying a firearm give us comfort, security also a sense of power but it is not entitlement to be swinging them around like if they were nothing.
Bottom line this is a huge responsibility and the use of discretion is the best. Be a responsible citizen and be mature about it.
There are enough folks out there that want to shut down the firearms industry and some fundamental rights for good and some of us with our behavior we are giving them all ammunition and every little excuse they need.

Some wise words from a fellow patriot...
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=peIsu_oeslo
http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=D9aASJYOiyI

 

[22-rimfire]

That is California thinking, plain and simple.

It is practical thinking unless you are many miles from the beaten path and no such place exists in a TN State Park. The closest thing would be the Smokey Mt National Park, and the National Forests in East Tennessee (Blue Ridge area) which have all been dubbed "wildlife management areas". In a WMA, the presumption would be that the person carrying an EBR would be up to no good or poaching. Unfortunately, they aren't just like any other rifle, but they sure are fun to shoot.

So, hypothetically speaking, I could have a hunting license & deer tag and be out during elk season looking for grouse. Good practice for next year, using my deer rifle. However, this is a game violation unless I have an elk tag.

The presumption of guilt because you don't have the "correct" rifle isn't limited to worried tourists and EBR's, in other words.

Most places I have lived, you could hunt varmints with the "deer rifle" if you chose to. EBR's are legal for this purpose in most states as I understand it.

 

[EVIL]

The guys I see around the wildlife areas here in OH (in or out of hunting season) that are armed with either long or short arms are very polite on the hiking trails. They usually can't wait to tell another armed guy about thier hunt, fishing, scouting or whatever. I have never had a negative experience with an armed outdoorsman or wildlife officer. In general these type of guys are glad to be in the outdoors.

Even in OH which has mediocre gun laws, there is just much more general aceptance of the carry firearms than even 10 years ago ... or maybe I just don't care anymore if anyone gives me a dirty looks for exercising my rights. (which is almost non-existant outside in public wildlife areas.)

It would feel weird NOT carrying at minimum a compact auto on the trail ... Usually, I still CC, but I will OC if it is more comfortable with my other gear, pack, etc... or if I want to carry a duty-sized sidearm.