National Forest and CCW

[M1 Shooter]

I was hiking in the Flathead Nat Forest the other day and had a 12 gauge stoked with slugs and a S&W 45 colt revolver in a cross draw holster. The ranger I talked to didn't bat an eye. He did ask if I left any food in my car, there are bears out there.

That's Montana for you. They are very used to open carry there. I always open carry when I'm out hiking, camping, and fishing in Montana, which is at least once a year since I have family there (Southwest Montana, Bitterroot National Forest). I've run into several Forest Service Rangers, Fish & Game Officers, and County Sheriff's Deputys who never even gave my openly carried pistol a second look. I'll sometimes even have a shotgun strapped to my pack as well (nothing beats a 12ga with slugs for bear defense, IMO). Here in Washington State, even though open carry is technically legal, you shouldn't do it in many areas because it scares the "sheeple". It really depends on where you are in the state though, with the west side being worse than the east side, but north central Washington seems to be the best, IME. I just carry concealed here because I don't want the hassle.

 

[jeepmor]

Not to hijack the thread, but it's a relevant question to the original topic.

What are the rules for carry in Wilderness areas? I frequent Wilderness areas while backpacking.

They all border national forests in my neck of the woods, which is not an issue. I am fully aware that hunting in these areas is not allowed.

 

[bhk]

I believe hunting IS allowed in wilderness areas. The areas, though, are usually off limits to motorized vehicles, lumbering, mining, and a number of other activities that might alter the nature of the landscape itself. Rules should be the same as the surrounding national forest.

 

[AntiqueCollector]

Hunting is only off limits in wilderness areas if there's a good reason for it (for instance, heavy die offs, heavy damage from whatever, etc.) and it'll be pretty clear if it is the case on any webpage or paper material related to it. It's entirely a local decision by the officials in charge of that specific area, no national rules on it. Possession of firearms is usually okay, but again, if not, it'll be pretty clearly stated so just check. Wilderness Areas (at least here) are all parts of national forests so the same rules apply as NF's, except, no motor vehicles/etc. in them. So shooting is fine in Wilderness Areas here (and hunting is too), and with less people visiting these areas because it's more difficult to get to them, it's usually a good place to shoot and not be bothered by anyone...

 

[TallPine]

What are the rules for carry in Wilderness areas? I frequent Wilderness areas while backpacking.

If you can carry it, you can carry it

 

[Mainsail]

I’ll throw a flag on your flag throwing;

Flag on the play: False Dilemma Fallacy of Logic

I can generally draw from concealment as fast as I can draw from an open carry holster (many people open carry in the woods with cheaper nylon "thumb break" type holsters whereas many IWB holsters are open topped molded leather).

If I'm going to open carry, I'll pack a long gun instead thankyouverymuch.

I’d like to see that, really. Do you carry inside the waistband under your backpack? Yes, I would really like to see that. I don’t know what kind of hiking you do, but when I’m ten miles into the wilderness, I need more than just what I can stuff into my pockets. That means I’m wearing a backpack. I guess 'hiking’ means different things to different people, no?

On topic. Open carry is perfectly normal on the trails here in Washington, I seldom get more than an odd stare and then a smile. You are not going to be bothered by any forest rangers either, they know the law. Really, if I open carry in town when it’s too hot to conceal, why would I conceal when I’m sweating buckets climbing switchbacks up a mountainside?

 

[Hanzerik]

I for one have never ran into anyone (Other hikers) when out hiking in the hills west of Cheyenne. I don't frequent the popular areas though; I go for the more off beaten areas where folks don't tend to go.

I will say that during hunting season I do run into folks, but they are usually carrying bigger guns then I am

 

[KINGMAX]

NC State Parks = NO

In North Carolina the answer is NO to any State Park, or National Park, to include the Blue Ridge Parkway.

 

[deanf]

They all border national forests in my neck of the woods, which is not an issue. I am fully aware that hunting in these areas is not allowed.

Wilderness areas are National Forests. They just have a few more restrictions on activities, but not in the areas of firearms or hunting or fishing. Again, state rules/laws apply.

'round these parts, one or two National Forest Law Enforcement Rangers cover millions of acres. Little chance of running into them.

 

[MBane666]

The federal law is that you can shoot in national forest, which are administered by the U.S. Forest Service (under the jurisdiction of the Department of Agriculture) as long as you don't shoot from or over a road or trail or within 150 yards of an occupied area.

There is NO provision in federal statutes that prevents a person from shooting within 100 yards of a road — only firing from, or over — and any ranger who tells you that is either misinformed or a liar. Unfortunately, dependng on which area of the country you're in, many rangers are actively pursuing antigun private agendas. I just finished testifying before a special hearing of the Colorado Legislature on this subject and the ILLEGAL closing of ahooting areas for being within 150 yards of a road.

I have a "walk-through" tomorrow AM with USFS brass on one of the closed areas.

Wish me luck...we've been fighting this crap for two years!

Michael B

 

[MyRoad]

I just moved within state (Oregon), but to a different county, so when I updated my CHL I got the newest list of "where you can't carry" -- they make a reference to the list applying to "state and federal laws" but don't specify which is which. I've noted strange ones that are somewhat relevant to this thread:

Airport property
Post offices
Facil. owned or leased by the Feds
Protected National Wilderness Areas
Endangered species areas
Military reservations
Indian reservations
Indian gaming casinos
Courthouses
Posted private property

...so if you are hiking along legally carrying, and cross into an area that contains an endangered species... I guess you're supposed to turn around and go back.

 

[JesseL]

MyRoad:

In my experience endangered species areas are usually off limits to hiking as well, so I wouldn't think it would be much of a problem.