Paging Montanans

[TwoNiner]

I'm planning a trip to Montana and Wyoming this summer for some hiking and mountain biking. I'll be going deep into the Beaverhead national forest in MT. This of course means bear country. In fact, the trail guidebook I am reading (Montana singletrack) lists almost all of the trails I plan to visit as bear country, including the undeveloped site we're camping at.

Would you feel comfortable on the trail with an SP101 snubby with Federal JSP 158g ammo? I've got two 357s, the SP101 and a Ruger 357 6in, the later being too heavy to carry. I would like a .44 but don't have the $800-$900 for a new redhawk (guns are expensive where I live especially with the governor's 9% share).

What would you feel comfortable with at your base camp? Obviously weight is not an issue here.

Also, as an out of state resident, can you open carry, and/or conceal carry in your backpack? Or, do you have to be a resident to do so? I don't want to break any MT laws.

 

[Bush Pilot]

I'd worry more about 2 legged critters than bear (take the usual precautions regarding food/noise) You should contact Helena regarding concealed carry, it may vary by jurisdiction.

 

[41magsnub]

Our CC laws are easy. If you are outside of a town or mining camp there is no law. CC or open carry to your hearts content. In town you need a CC permit but open carry is fine as long as you don't go into a pretty standard list of prohibited places with it (schools, post offices, gov buildings, etc).

Personally, I pack a 4" security six with 180 gr hard casts in that forest which is where my cabin is. The only bears I have ever seen have been the butt end of black bears running away from me or in a live trap to be relocated. Standard precautions apply but I wouldn't over think the risk.

 

[ArmedBear]

Bear country? It's ALL bear country!

This Missoula teacher t-boned a bear while riding his bicycle to work at -- get this -- Target Range Middle School.

http://www.bestweekever.tv/2008-09-...he-history-of-newskind-man-hits-bear-on-bike/


Not sure where you're from, but you're bound to have a good time, and a pleasant change of scenery, in those places! Study up on camping in bear country, load up with the heavy hardcasts as 41magsnub says, and have a hell of a great time!

 

[zfk55]

This is from our kitchen window. The little building is the winter ShootShed just a couple of days before it was finished.



Black Bear abound here and you'll mostly see their hind ends, unless..... its spring and there are cubs.Then it won't be a hind end you're seeing. I carry a .41 snubnosed when I'm out on the place. Mountain cats are becoming a real problem for us here, at least in our area. We have two designated government licensed hunters for our locale.

I've lived in this house for 36 years now and I'm not going to be anywhere on our place or in the mountains that surround us with a .357 magnum. You do what you feel is right and safe for you, but I'd rather not hear another story about a visitor here that met with a bad situation and came out on the wrong side of it. You don't hear of all the bear and cat confrontations in the national news unless its a big one or a celebrity, but the Sheriff's department deputys and fish and game field officers can tell you other storys, unless you're a visitor to the F&G office. All that gets you is the standard tourist bs.

Carry big and... stay low.

zfk55

 

[ArmedBear]

BTW Montana CCW law is a bit odd.

See http://www.handgunlaw.us/documents/USRVCarCarry.pdf

You have to be VERY careful about OC without a permit in the city limits, because "concealed" legally means "any portion covered by clothing." If you're obviously OC'ing, but your jacket covers the end of the grip, you could be violating the law, though only within city limits. A lot of Montana is outside city limits.

OTOH a backpack isn't "clothing." There appears to be no law that prohibits permitless carry in a backpack or purse, in the city, as long as the backpack or purse isn't covered by clothing, apparently...

Definitely look up Montana law. It's less restrictive than Idaho in some respects, but it's, well, different.

 

[zfk55]

Backpack, purse, glove compartment, its all considered "domicle" here.

zfk55

 

[batmann]

zfk, where in Montana do you live? I have a friend who lives in Hamilton. Just wondering how close you are to him.

 

[zfk55]

Up in the northwest corner, in the mountains 42 miles west of Kalispell beyond Marion. Hamilton is about 185 miles to the south of us.

zfk55

 

[TwoNiner]

Thank you for all of your informative responses. I read the handgun law PDF and it looks pretty straight forward for MT. I can tell I am going to love MT already.

What I'd like to do is keep a loaded gun at my campsite and in my truck (domicile) when I am traveling the in Beaverhead national forest and Tobacco Root mountain range (just south of Cardwell), then carry in my backpack while biking, and open carry while hiking. I don't care about carrying in towns and plan to unload and lock the guns when we break camp.

I'm going to try to save up for a .44 but in the mean while I did find some 200g Corbon hard cast loads online. If anyone knows of any better ammo let me know.

BTW zfk55 you have a beautiful view there. My dream is to someday own some acreage in a spot like that!