...

[bubbagump]

I don't know if you all remember this incident in 2006 where a camper was killed in ANF:

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=44119

I was doing some off-trail hiking in 2004 and came across a marijuana grow. I marked it on my GPS and promptly got out of dodge. I reported it to the US Forest Service who then notified the LASD eradication team. I got a nasty case of poison oak as a reward.

You beat me to it...

I was hiking in the area near Shoemaker road about a week before that incident hit the news...

Scary stuff...

[bodyarmorguy27]

Thanks for the Outside article. I was looking for this quote from the article:

"It would be interesting if all the bodies could stand up at once, so we could acknowledge them and do a head count," Shamblin observes.

[Ishooter]

If you hike or go in there, I'd suggest having one or more person going with you. Unless you're in ice and snowing areas that marijuana can't be grown, then that's when you more likely have to deal with bears, mountain lions, and wolfs.

[bodyarmorguy27]

If you're looking at an alternative to the ANF. Try the Los Padres. There are plenty of campsites at Mount Pinos and Frazier Mountain. Plenty of altitude, too. All the times I've been, it's been quiet.

[Foriegn power]

The National Forest is a place for the good and the bad. It's a great place for the bad to hide their crimes and a good place for the good to getaway from the bad, it's an irony. Be safe.

[Ron-Solo]

Anything within 1/2 mile of any road, including ALL those USFS dirt roads, is a "Prohbited Shooting Area" per LA County ordinances, which means if you get caught carrying loaded, you are subject to arrest per 12031 PC.

I keep telling everyone to look beyond the penal code for your answers. If you call USFS for answers, you will get answers to Federal law questions, if you call Fish & Game, you get answers to the Fish & Game Code. These laws all overlap and it is very easy to get in trouble without intending to.

Hunting in the ANF is more limited than other forests because of the high volume of people who use the forest. Most of the areas along Hwy 39 are closed to hunting for this reason. Even when hunting is allowed, the county ordinances against prohibited shooting within 1/2 mile of a highway are still in effect.

I've done a lot of hiking in SoCal forests. I only carried once (I'm active LEO so the other issues were not relevant) and found it was not necessary, added too much weight to my load, and I switched to carrying pepper spray with me always. Much lighter and there are a LOT MORE situations where you are justified in spraying someone than shooting someone. Just make sure you are carrying a quality LE type spray, not the crud they sell at the 7/11 or car wash.

[lotar4life]

Geeez lots of responses.

Bearing in mind that the reasoning for carry is not hunting or target shooting but one of self defense...

What about good 'ol open carry? You know, loaded mags on one hip and the pistol on the other hip?

[MoPatriot]

If you're looking at an alternative to the ANF. Try the Los Padres. There are plenty of campsites at Mount Pinos and Frazier Mountain. Plenty of altitude, too. All the times I've been, it's been quiet.

As a kid, I used to go to Fraizer park all the time with my dad.. We lived in Reseda at the time. He used to carry his Blackhawk Single 6 with him along with a 12 guage. More then once, we were glad he did.. Never had to use it, but the racking of a shotgun has a nasty tendacy of scaring bikers going thru your camp in the middle of the night. I dont know if it is still like that, but just be careful anywhere you go these days. That is why I loved Az so much.. Strap on my 686 (OC) and go to the grocery store LOL Now you can conceal carry without a permit there too !!

[dmcag69]

I don't know if you all remember this incident in 2006 where a camper was killed in ANF:

http://www.amw.com/fugitives/case.cfm?id=44119

I was doing some off-trail hiking in 2004 and came across a marijuana grow. I marked it on my GPS and promptly got out of dodge. I reported it to the US Forest Service who then notified the LASD eradication team. I got a nasty case of poison oak as a reward.

I'm so glad you brought this up, this man was camping on Shoemaker Road , down the street from Burro Canyon, someone shot him three times with a shotgun and stole his AK47 type rifle and digital camera. Strange if it was area gang bangers, they left his credit cards, CASH and little HOnda hatchback. PERSONALLY I THINK IT WAS DRUG CARTELS UP THERE BECAUSE HE USE TO HIKE DEEP IN AND TAKE PICTURES< HE SEEN SOMETHING OR SOMEONE THOUGHT HE SEEN SOMETHING. I don't hike 39 anymore because on my CB radio I kept getting Spanish messages stating watch this man or policio.