Planning a camping trip: Guns permitted?

[DontBurnMyFlag]

I know, its a horrible to thing to have to ask in America. "Are my guns allowed here?" I shouldnt have to ask that question, but its what Im reduced to.

So Im planning a camping trip with some friends of mine to Pennsylvania. As Im right across the border, I frequent that state. We have some .22 rifles a few pistols of various calibers and of course some shotguns that want to take this journey with us. We figure it would be 4 people, 2 guys and 2 girls just camping in the woods.

The main question here is; Where can we go? Where can we go in PA that will allow us to plink around our campsite. We are not looking for an actual campground with other campers nearby. And Im also pretty sure that State Parks do not allow firearms. So what options do we have? We arent going to be hunting either just FYI.

Any suggestions or help would be appreciated. Thanks everyone.

 

[LkWinnipesaukee]

Not to hijack this thread, but if anyone has knowledge of a similar campground in NH, please post it

The main question here is; Where can we go? Where can we go in PA that will allow us to plink around our campsite. We are not looking for an actual campground with other campers nearby. And Im also pretty sure that State Parks do not allow firearms. So what options do we have? We arent going to be hunting either just FYI.

 

[James T Thomas]

outdoor adventure

LkWinniepesaukee:

Down here near the Monongehela, there is a saying.
"Don't leave home without it!"

Please for your own safety, do a search here on THR about camping, campground incidents, etc. It's not all rest and relaxation out there.
Should you then decide to protect your self "efficiently," then you can relax some and enjoy.

 

[loumarch]

You want to go to French Creek State Park in Elverson PA. You can camp there and on the back side of the Park is a State Game Lands Shooting Range with 100, 50 and 25 yard targets.

You may shoot at paper only and you can only load 3 rounds at a time. It is unsupervised and free. It is located of of route 23 and route 345.

 

[NineseveN]

Allegheny National Forest is your best bet. State Forests can be iffy as they generally succumb to the rules of the Game Commission. State Parks are a no-no (not law, just their rule) and no carry at national monuments or national parks as per the National Park Service unless legally hunting or fishing in accordance with the game commission laws.


AG National Forest.
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/


Pennsylvania Gun Laws:

To carry a concealed weapon, you must have a protection weapon permit from your county sheriff in PA. If you are from out-of state, you must have a protection permit in your state, and have a protection permit from Pennsylvania. Warren County sheriff will not issue Ohio residents a protection permit, but will issue a sportsmen’s permit that allows concealed weapons for hunting and fishing only. You may bring weapons that are not concealed (hunting rifles, shotguns, side arms). When transporting it is recommended to carry firearm and ammunition in separate areas – (i.e. Carry firearm in the trunk and ammunition in the car.) Target practice must comply with the PA. Game Commission regulations, i.e. no firing into live trees (see hunting license handbook). Target shooting is recommended at ranges set up for that purpose (sportsmen's clubs). We recommend on the ANF using stone pits with a high back wall. Contact the county sheriff for additional information.



http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/recreation/


http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/maps/location_map.php
http://www.fs.fed.us/r9/forests/allegheny/maps/location_maps/vicinitymap.pdf

I think I have other maps around here somewhere too, I'll look around.

 

[DontBurnMyFlag]

hey thanks guys. good info. ANF is a long drive, but it seems worth it.

 

[gunsmith]

ANF only worth it if

You like Golden eagles, magnificent trees, prehistoric fossils, clean water
and friendly people.

 

[Aguila Blanca]

Many of PA's state parks include VERY nice outdoor shooting ranges. A few of them are currently closed for renovations and upgrades (such as adding 200-yard rifle to the existing 100-yard rifle), but most are open. A friend of mine in PA found the list on some state web site -- probably under whatever department runs the parks (Dept of Environmental Resources maybe? Or something like that.)

UPDATE --

Poster above may be correct. I wasn't aware that PA makes a distinction between state parks and "game lands." My state doesn't make such a distinction. I thought the range he took me to was in a state park.