Camping and Being Armed?

[Samuel Whittemore]

Can anyone tell me what the laws are surrounding camping and carrying a gun?

I know I can't have a concealed weapon ON my person... but when in N. Ca bear / mountain lion country is it legal to have a shotgun or handgun in the tent or truck?

Something tell me if I were camping and I was attacked by a bear / lion it would be illegal to shoot the effen thing even as wandered away with my arm.

[SILENT GUNMAN]

Not a lawyer but I believe you can carry in your camp site in most campgrounds. I usually camp on national forest land myself. I've seen and spoken with rangers out there and none have ever even given a second thought to the pistol on my hip.

[ElDub1950]

From the 2013 Firearms Laws Summary http://oag.ca.gov/sites/all/files/ag...f/cfl2013.pdf?:

"Unless otherwise unlawful, any person over the age of 18 who is not prohibited from possessing firearms may have a loaded or unloaded firearm at his or her place of residence, temporary residence, campsite or on private property owned or lawfully possessed by the person."

From there it depends on the individual park's regulations.

[Mitch]

Something tell me if I were camping and I was attacked by a bear / lion it would be illegal to shoot the effen thing even as wandered away with my arm.

People have been arrested, I believe, for shooting bears in California, based on the testimony of the shooter. Generally, black bears are very rarely aggressive and there is almost never a need to shoot them in self defense.

Grizzlies, on the other hand, are a whole 'nother story. But the last grizzly in California was killed over 100 years ago.

Personally, I won't camp where there are grizzlies. That simplifies things.

[GillaFunk]

Mudcamper posted on this exact topic a few weeks ago. He posted the laws.

Find his post. In short, you are allowed to carry IN your site, as it's considered your home. Once you step out and wonder to the pisser.....there you can get in trouble.

[Ocguy31]

I believe it is irresponsible to be camped out without a firearm. (Assuming you arent fake camping at a RV park surrouded by other campsites)

[Hot Holster]

People have been arrested, I believe, for shooting bears in California, based on the testimony of the shooter. Generally, black bears are very rarely aggressive and there is almost never a need to shoot them in self defense.

Grizzlies, on the other hand, are a whole 'nother story. But the last grizzly in California was killed over 100 years ago.

Personally, I won't camp where there are grizzlies. That simplifies things.

Here in Florida, we've had two black bear attacks in a matter of 5 months or so. Both victims were women, one walking her dog, one was taking garbage out to her garage, both had severe head injuries. The Fish Wildlife Conservation (FWC) people went out and euthanized I believe 5 bears in the first attack and 4 in the second.

We are allowed to open carry on the way to, during, and back from hunting, fishing, camping, or shooting/range events.

[Cactus_Tim]

Don't shoot the bears.
Store your food properly.
Use pepper spray or loud noise if necessary.

Mountain lions are a different story.
Though you should avoid shooting unless imminently threatened.
My only confrontation, a warning shot was sufficient.
(Yes, it's a cool story, bro. I'll tell you if you really want to hear it.)

[kayaker]

I've shared this story before; A friend of mine works for BLM, they spend more than half of their time outside, all over the country. My friend is outside, in the back country for several weeks at a time. In all of the years of BLM's existence there has only been one documented bear attack. It was in Alaska and it was a black bear. The woman lost both of her arms below the elbow. Black bears rarely attack, that doesn't mean they don't attack. A grizzly will likely maul you, a black b ear will try to eat you.

[CSACANNONEER]

If you do everything properly, the chances of being attacked by a bear or big kitty are worse that winning the lottery. I don't care how many guns I'm sleeping on or around, I would only use a gun on a bear to fight my way to the bear spray I never should have left. As far as cats go, the chances of seeing one and being able to spray it or shoot it before it attacks are worse than winning the lottery twice in a row.

[Manolito]

I think you have to look at the situation. Where I live cell phone coverage is spotty and up where people camp there is no cell coverage. The point I make is you are on your own for at least 40 minutes. During that time you should be prepared to take care of yourself and your family. This includes puncture wounds. Broken limbs, Animal bites, and human aggression.

How you choose to do this is up to the individual. Wild animals prefer not to bother people. People prefer to do everything they can to get bitten. They feed wild animals and enforce the man = easy food. Don't feed wild animals don't try to pet and hold wild animals etc. Do not believe you can expect black bears to be gentle and when you get between the Mom and cubs you can have trouble.

Just a personal note I put bear spray right with putting a rope around your bed and snakes won't crawl over it. If I have to get in arms reach of an animal to spray it with hot chili peppers my tactics have failed.

[Samuel Whittemore]

Much like a human --I would never shoot an animal unless it was coming at ,me with only what could be perceived to eat my arm.

Do tell the lion story!

Don't shoot the bears.
Store your food properly.
Use pepper spray or loud noise if necessary.

Mountain lions are a different story.
Though you should avoid shooting unless imminently threatened.
My only confrontation, a warning shot was sufficient.
(Yes, it's a cool story, bro. I'll tell you if you really want to hear it.)

[Samuel Whittemore]

No WAY... is that really true?

putting a rope around your bed and snakes won't crawl over it. If I have to get in arms reach of an animal to spray it with hot chili peppers my tactics have failed.

[Ocguy31]

I've shared this story before; A friend of mine works for BLM, they spend more than half of their time outside, all over the country. My friend is outside, in the back country for several weeks at a time. In all of the years of BLM's existence there has only been one documented bear attack. It was in Alaska and it was a black bear. The woman lost both of her arms below the elbow. Black bears rarely attack, that doesn't mean they don't attack. A grizzly will likely maul you, a black b ear will try to eat you.

Two BLM attacked simultaneously by a brown bear in 2013

[ElvenSoul]

Get a hunting lic

Something is allways in season

If tags are required have them

Know where you can hunt and can't