Firearms in Forests and Parks

[Darklyte27]

Just wondering, would it be possible to make a flow chart for firearms in forests and parks?

[Vetack]

It might look more like a spiderweb!

[csufsportsfan]

Can my 12 year old carry a pistol?

Can my 12 year old carry a pistol when he is with me while hunting in the Sierra National Forest?

[CandG]

Just wondering, would it be possible to make a flow chart for firearms in forests and parks?

That's a really good idea, maybe I'll start putting one together

[CandG]

Can my 12 year old carry a pistol when he is with me while hunting in the Sierra National Forest?

If he is a licensed hunter, the same carry rules/laws apply to him as they would for you. So, if you can carry a pistol while hunting there, then so can he, as long as you "give him permission":

Minimum age for possession: California law prohibits minors from possessing a handgun. Exceptions to this prohibition include situations where a parent or legal guardian is present or has consented to the possession. In addition, minors may, with the consent of a parent or guardian, possess handguns when engaged in certain recreational sports, including, but not limited to, competitive shooting; agricultural, ranching, or hunting activities; and any motion picture, television, or video production, or entertainment or theatrical events, the nature of which involves the use of a firearm.

[Jason95357]

Can my 12 year old carry a pistol when he is with me while hunting in the Sierra National Forest?

With his hunting license, following all the same rules you have to follow, sure.

Note if he is not your legal son (I have step kids as well), carry written permission from his mom to have firearms and ammo while in your care. Same for any guest kids I take with me when their parent isn't going.

[csufsportsfan]

Thank you for your responses.

[Loopwell]

Plenty of great information im this thread. Although it angers me reading how complex and stupid everything is. No one can possibly understand all the laws and be expected to follow every thing, just in the subcategory of forest carry.

[Jimi Jah]

Print out a copy of the cal gun laws and always carry it in your gun bag. It's good reading at night too.

I believe having it will help prevent any mis-understandings with LEO's you encounter.

[hairtumor]

I am a long time gun owner and a long time camper/backpacker. I'm trying to understand the need for a firearm while in the wilderness other than to "just" have one. I have never in my 40 + years in the wilderness ever said to myself, I wish I had a gun. Just my 2 cents.

[Ninety]

I am a long time gun owner and a long time camper/backpacker. I'm trying to understand the need for a firearm while in the wilderness other than to "just" have one. I have never in my 40 + years in the wilderness ever said to myself, I wish I had a gun. Just my 2 cents.

And lets hope you never have to...

That's your choice.. some make different ones.

There have been a few deaths in the wilderness this year from bear attacks.

Lets also not forget about those who have gotten lost or injured and were able to survive by taking small game with a firearm.

[donovan]

Is the first post in this thread still updated? Going camping in the Stanislaus national forest and want to make sure I'm good.

[lwold]

MudCamper, thanks for all this work. i've been thinking i'd like to do some long distance hiking again (it's been decades), and while i'm in more of the planning stages, i did want to get some sort of clarification on these very questions. it seems, for now anyway, that having an LTC is the best option, and would allow carry in all areas covered by the PCT. again, thanks for this info and discussion.

[iliveonyouroof]

Bringing this back with a few specific questions.

1. Is it legal to have an unloaded handgun in a case (with separate loaded magazine) in your temporary camp site when shooting restrictions are in place in Los Padres?

2. Is it legal to UOC a rifle (no ammo in possession) in Los Padres NF when shooting restrictions are in place?

Thanks everyone.

[MudCamper]

Just wondering, would it be possible to make a flow chart for firearms in forests and parks?

Well I do have a printer-friendly version of the first two posts of this thread, linked in the first post. And here: First. Second.