Firearms and National Forest

[cleaner72]

Quick question, me and the family are headed up to Grand Lake and area this Thursday and I am wondering about my Ruger 9 mm. I know that you can carry a gun on National Forest land, but you cant fire one wihtin 150 yards of a campground....well what is the law if you are in need of protecting yourself from a bear or mountain lion? I know that being attacked or in danger of one of these animals is pretty slim but it can happen. thanks in advacne for any info you might give.

[PsyKo]

given the choice id take a ticket over the bear. self defense is self defense, not legal to discharge weapon in city limits unless your life depends on it, i am sure the rangers/police would feel the same way if you had to shoot an animal.

probably not a good idea to shoot a good size bear with a 9mm though, may piss him off.

ETA: in that area i would worry more about moose than anything, i see them all over when i am up there camping.

[cleaner72]

hehe i hear ya on the bear and 9 mm but other then my ak 47 its only weapon I have at the moment, am in the process of building an ar15. I was just curious if anyone had an experience with having to defend them selves in a campground area and the response of the rangers/police. I definately would pull the trigger if it meant the safety of my family and Ill worry about the consequences later. But I like to be as prepared as possible for any outcome that would have. Thanks for the response though Psyko.

[KarlPMann]

You can defend yourself period! On the 9mm note, I shot a mountain lion in the head 3 times with 38+P once. I wont make that mistake ever again. [Wink] Karl.

[PsyKo]

You can defend yourself period! On the 9mm note, I shot a mountain lion in the head 3 times with 38+P once. I wont make that mistake ever again. [Wink] Karl.

45 is the best i have in a hand gun and im not too confident in it's stopping power vs a bear, usually when i go camping i take my 7mm mag, i feel a little better with it around. i am thinking about picking up a 44mag for a camp gun, as much as we go camping in the summer i think it would be a wise investment on my part (my excuse so the woman will tolerate me getting a new toy).

[PsyKo]

i never said instead of...

it would of course be accompanied by my usp tac, with atleast 3 reloads.
how does the saying go? two is one, one is none. i am extremely paranoid, more than likely the .44 would be a backup in my pack.

[cleaner72]

well ill bring my 9mm but think ill bring my 30-06 as well. Forgot about it since I havent shot it in a few years. As for 9mm loads what would be better hollow points or ball? Again I understand that 9mm is kinda ineffective against larger animals but if it would give the wife and kids a little time to make it to the truck then ill do what I must do.

Of course this is all a little paranoa on my part but better safe then sorry.
And thanks for all the replies. Nice to come to a forum of like minded people and not get alot of smart ass answers from people trying to feel big on the internet. Seems that happens more and more, but have yet to see that on these forums.

[PsyKo]

i have nothing to offer as far as the 9mm goes since i have never owned one, but i would like to say have fun and be careful.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

You can defend yourself period! On the 9mm note, I shot a mountain lion in the head 3 times with 38+P once. I wont make that mistake ever again. [Wink] Karl.

[Pistol Packing Preacher]

Sorry...

Did not work the first time...

Tell us more, please!

[See above.]

[Pet_Rock]

Here are the Forest Services views on guns in the woods:

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/shooting/shootingetiquette.shtml

http://www.fs.fed.us/r2/arnf/recreation/shooting/shootingregulations.shtml

However, some people will have and issue at designated campsites[Rant2]. But in the back woods there should not be a problem in fact display it on the hood of your car[LOL]!!! Be on the lookout though for angry mountain bikers/hikers that don't like guns.

When it comes to saftey though: use it or lose it!

[SigsRule]

Take your pistol, but get real. No hand gun other than one of the hand cannons (.500, 460, etc.) is going to stop a bear. Do the research. As far as lions, I've only seen one in 37 years of wandering the woods and only come across fresh tracks a few times. The real predators are two legged and the 9mm will work fine for them.

[pa_guns]

Hi

You may run into a ranger who does not know the rules. If you do, go along with his BS and then take it up with his boss. I'm always amazed by how little some of these guys know about the rules.

Bob

[BoulderLaw]

Going camping in the Grand Lake area in August. Are there any customary ranges in the National Forest nearby? Commercial ranges?

[Marlin]

If You go west on 40, through Hot Sulpher Springs There is one about 15-20 mins west of there on there Northside of the road.