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carrying a rifle in the north cascades national park

thewise1

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2007
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383
Location
Moscow, ID
I know this isn't technically an OC question, but I've always been able to find good information here, so thought I'd ask.

I know that we can now have firearms in national parks as long as they are legally carried, but I unfortunately don't have a handgun; all I have is an AR15 and a .22 rifle. I'm going camping with my son next weekend, and while I'm not looking for a fight, I wouldn't want to happen upon a bear in our camp without an argument at hand. :lol:

Any reason I can't pack it in my backpack, legally? I'm not even 100% sure it will fit with our other gear, but I wanted to figure out the legality first.
 

golddigger14s

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Apr 27, 2010
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Lawton, OK USA
I've done a lot of outdoor activities, and never felt a need for a gun for four legged creatures. I only care about the sketchy two legged types.
 

sirpuma

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Nov 1, 2007
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905
Location
Deer Park, Washington, USA
First beware of the "don't mention long guns" crowd. Second, nothing illegal about carrying your long gun out in the woods. I know you can carry how you want when out on state/county land. I'm fairly certain that the laws concerning carry in National Parks were just firearm related and not handgun/long gun specific so it shouldn't be a problem there either. However I'm not an expert on laws for that. Do be aware that even if it's perfectly legal, don't be surprised to get a visit from the rangers if some lefty visiting the park feels threatened by your evil black rifle that randomly jumps out and kills people with a million rounds per second rate of fire shooting heat seeking, high explosive, bunker buster rounds. ;)
 

thewise1

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Oct 19, 2007
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Location
Moscow, ID
I've done a lot of outdoor activities, and never felt a need for a gun for four legged creatures. I only care about the sketchy two legged types.

Definitely a fair point. I'm not expecting to need it, but it would be nice to have around is all. In fact I'm certain that just like most of life, if I go without one, I'm almost certainly not going to regret it, but I'd like to, ya know? Besides, it'd be nice to teach the son about exercising our rights (assuming this is among them, hence the question :))
 

thewise1

Regular Member
Joined
Oct 19, 2007
Messages
383
Location
Moscow, ID
First beware of the "don't mention long guns" crowd. Second, nothing illegal about carrying your long gun out in the woods. I know you can carry how you want when out on state/county land. I'm fairly certain that the laws concerning carry in National Parks were just firearm related and not handgun/long gun specific so it shouldn't be a problem there either. However I'm not an expert on laws for that. Do be aware that even if it's perfectly legal, don't be surprised to get a visit from the rangers if some lefty visiting the park feels threatened by your evil black rifle that randomly jumps out and kills people with a million rounds per second rate of fire shooting heat seeking, high explosive, bunker buster rounds. ;)

:lol: :lol:

Yeah, not planning on advertising it or anything, it'd just be nice to have near at hand is all.
 

skiingislife725

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Joined
Jul 26, 2009
Messages
400
Location
Lake Stevens, WA
Definitely a fair point. I'm not expecting to need it, but it would be nice to have around is all. In fact I'm certain that just like most of life, if I go without one, I'm almost certainly not going to regret it, but I'd like to, ya know? Besides, it'd be nice to teach the son about exercising our rights (assuming this is among them, hence the question :))
I'd have to agree with golddigger on the part about not really worrying about the four-legged critters. If anything, according to the recent studies on bear attacks, you have a higher chance of survival with bear spray than you do with a gun. The logic/reasoning makes sense too. So, I carry spray for bears and my handgun for the "hikers" near Granite Falls.Anyhow, I noticed that the federal buildings issue hasn't been brought up, so I should point that out. Don't go strolling into the visitor center with the EBR (evil black rifle). lol Have fun!
 

thewise1

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Oct 19, 2007
Messages
383
Location
Moscow, ID
I would actually be more worried about the game warden accusing you of poaching than anything else.

Dang. I didn't think of that angle. Definitely not out there for that...just doing an overnight backpacking trip with my son, who's 6, and pretty much more excited about this than he's ever been about anything.
 

ManInBlack

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Jul 2, 2006
Messages
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Location
SW Idaho
I would actually be more worried about the game warden accusing you of poaching than anything else.

Merely possessing a long gun is not prima facie evidence of poaching; however, getting caught sticking the barrel out of the window of a vehicle, "checking out" wildlife with a scope, or having meat in camp will definitely lead to problems...
 

HazardousMijo

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May 3, 2012
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Location
Tacoma, Wa
Merely possessing a long gun is not prima facie evidence of poaching; however, getting caught sticking the barrel out of the window of a vehicle, "checking out" wildlife with a scope, or having meat in camp will definitely lead to problems...

wow never thought of it like that.
 

OlGutshotWilly

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Grapeshot

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Valhalla
The current NPS rule is that one can carry firearms in National Parks in accordance with the laws of the state in which the park is located - know the laws of your state. Excepted/restricted is carrying in any facility (building) where NPS employees regularly work - note must have clear signage to this effect. Private vendors, leased facilities may set their own rules.
http://www.nps.gov/mora/parkmgmt/upload/FirearmsPublicFAQs.pdf

Long gun carry is off topic for OCDO (see rule #14 Forum Rules). Insofar as NPS regulations are concerned, OC or or packed long guns are not restricted. It is most important to know your own state laws regarding carrying, transporting and possession of long guns as that will ultimately be the deciding factor.

This thread will be kept open if it does not stray from the narrow confines of legality and does not enter into "but it's my right" or otherwise expanding the discussion beyond the OP's original question(s). Expect the thread to be closed otherwise. Remember the theme/purpose of OCDO is to defend and promote the right to openly carry properly holstered handguns as we go about our normal, everyday business and that alone - period, exclamation point.
 

jt59

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Jul 19, 2010
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Location
Central South Sound
Dang. I didn't think of that angle. Definitely not out there for that...just doing an overnight backpacking trip with my son, who's 6, and pretty much more excited about this than he's ever been about anything.

Don't worry about this, what you are proposing is legal.

You may also consider taking your handgun, OC on your trip and teach your son some safety skills.

You indicated your trip was in a National Park. More specific info is here....

http://home.nps.gov/news/release.htm?id=962

...other standard considerations on backpacking trips and bears....keep all your food in a separate bag and hang it in an appropriate tree some distance from your campsite....no food in the tent, no worries.
 
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hermannr

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Mar 24, 2011
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2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
OP: Are you actually going into the NCNP? or are you going to be in one of the National recreational areas that are around the park?

Personally, I would not pack a long gun into the park proper. Bear spray, yes, ok...but bears have never been a problem for me in the 40+ years of wandering that park. A hand gun, always, but not for bears.

The NCNP is a wilderness park and actually driving into the park proper is highly restricted (Cascade Pass trailhead) If you are going into one of the recreational areas, I would make sure I had a hunting license and something (that the weapon was appropreate for) was open season. I would expect you to get hasseled if there was nothing open....The National Recreational areas are open to hunting, in season.

There is a reason I have never had any problems with game wardens and other officers, I am very careful what and when I do something with long guns when I am in the wilderness areas... I would discourage carry of a long gun...really. Just to keep the hassel to a minimum.
 

ManInBlack

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Jul 2, 2006
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1,551
Location
SW Idaho
The NCNP is a wilderness park and actually driving into the park proper is highly restricted (Cascade Pass trailhead) If you are going into one of the recreational areas, I would make sure I had a hunting license and something (that the weapon was appropreate for) was open season. I would expect you to get hasseled if there was nothing open....The National Recreational areas are open to hunting, in season.

There is a reason I have never had any problems with game wardens and other officers, I am very careful what and when I do something with long guns when I am in the wilderness areas... I would discourage carry of a long gun...really. Just to keep the hassel to a minimum.


I always carry long guns when I visit national forests, parks, etc. I have encountered many federal rangers and state conservation officers, both when no big game was in season, and when no game was open that my weapon(s) was appropriate for. It's simply not against the law, and, at least in the [relatively] free states, possessing a loaded long gun in the field is not prima facie evidence of poaching.
 
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xxx.jakk.xxx

Regular Member
Joined
Feb 16, 2010
Messages
467
OCing your rifle is fine. As long as the rifle does not enter the vehicle loaded then you're not breaking any laws. I wouldn't worry about being accused of being a poacher. I've carried handguns, shotguns and rifles while hiking through National Parks and DNR land. Just keep it slung and walk around like normal and you'll be fine. Also, you're not alone in worrying about the 4 legged buggers. I carry my guns in the woods just in case the bear or cougar decides it wants a snack.
 
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