Hiking in California

[RookTheHiker]

I live in Arizona, but plan on doing some hiking in Southern California. I want to carry my Springfield XDS 45acp while hiking. How can I be sure to be legal while backpacking? I know it must be open carried, but I am not sure about carrying while hiking trails in National Forest.
Any help would be appreciated.

[SBsasquatch]

Calgun's search button is your friend.... Get aquinted

[Supertac916]

Here's a link to the thread that should answer all of your questions.

http://www.calguns.net/calgunforum/showthread.php?t=186457

[RookTheHiker]

Thank you

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[j15w]

I recently did Desolation Wilderness (El Dorado NF) and spoke with a couple rangers. Open carry is allowed and from what I understand you may target shoot as well, following the basic rules (i.e. away from structures backstop, no shooting across water, etc). However, if you're on a trail you can expect to see other people and I chose not to discharge so as to not freak other hikers out and allow everyone an enjoyable experience. I know when I backpack I want peace and quiet. In fact, bringing the gun just added weight and I won't bring one next time. The rangers were cool and it appeared they spent most of their days burying the poop of hikers.

[CAL.BAR]

A VERY complicated matter. It depends on whether its NATIONAL vs STATE park. And/or if it's specifically banned in that area etc. In almost every case, if you are on a marked trail with other hikers, you will have less hassle NOT carrying. People in CA are VERY gun shy and will call 911 at the very SIGHT of a gun without a uniform.

[PaIadin]

The gun must be openly carried and unloaded.

[RookTheHiker]

A VERY complicated matter. It depends on whether its NATIONAL vs STATE park. And/or if it's specifically banned in that area etc. In almost every case, if you are on a marked trail with other hikers, you will have less hassle NOT carrying. People in CA are VERY gun shy and will call 911 at the very SIGHT of a gun without a uniform.

That's what I thought. It's party of the reason I moved away from California.

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[j15w]

The gun must be openly carried and unloaded.

From what I have read, both UOC and LOC are permitted in NF. I was LOC when hiking Desolation and the multiple rangers I encountered couldn't care less about it. Hope I was in the right...

[j15w]

A VERY complicated matter. It depends on whether its NATIONAL vs STATE park. And/or if it's specifically banned in that area etc. In almost every case, if you are on a marked trail with other hikers, you will have less hassle NOT carrying. People in CA are VERY gun shy and will call 911 at the very SIGHT of a gun without a uniform.

Also OP, make sure to differentiate between National Forest and Parks, as the Parks are waaaay more restrictive.

[MrSam]

Just call the local sheriffs department and ask. As you know, CA gun laws are among the strictest in the nation.

[PoorRichRichard]

Do you have a CA hunting license? If you do, you can conceal carry in many places including most National Forest (not National Parks) areas. If they ask you what animals are in season- coyotes are open year round, and found in almost every southern CA habitat.

[Southwest Chuck]

The gun must be openly carried and unloaded.

You might want to read up on Mudcamper's Thread. If it's legal to discharge a firearm, it's legal to open loaded carry in a NF and any other unincorporated area where discharge is not otherwise prohibited. If it's legal to hunt and you have a license, it's legal to LOC, too

[Ford8N]

A VERY complicated matter. It depends on whether its NATIONAL vs STATE park. And/or if it's specifically banned in that area etc. In almost every case, if you are on a marked trail with other hikers, you will have less hassle NOT carrying. People in CA are VERY gun shy and will call 911 at the very SIGHT of a gun without a uniform.

This X1000

Californians as a whole are brainwashed that gun=criminal,,,call 911

[TheSierraDrifter]

Do you have a CA hunting license? If you do, you can conceal carry in many places including most National Forest (not National Parks) areas. If they ask you what animals are in season- coyotes are open year round, and found in almost every southern CA habitat.

I believe the same goes for a valid fishing license - (if you are fishing for coyotes, I suggest at least 50 pound line)



PC 25640 covers the hunting/fishing issue, and PC 25610 covers some of the transportation issues in CA.