Open carry on state gamelands

**MT1** · November 16th, 2016, 10:55 AM

Originally Posted by heatheroo

Be advised non-hunters are required to wear blaze orange this time of year. Personal opinion: hunters paid for that land in order to enjoy it for hunting. If you are not hunting, why not hike somewhere else where you don't risk ruining someone's hunt?

Originally Posted by theshadow

Minor correction, the orange requirement only comes into play during rifle deer season. all other times, it is highly recommended and encouraged. I also encourage you to hike on Sunday or elsewhere as to not disturb the hunt. I had a "Hiker" trespassing on private property with out orange disrupt my hunt two weeks ago. If I wanted you hiking my property I wouldn't have spent money and time in putting up those big yellow signs.....

Originally Posted by inspecterbake

Saturday is the first day of BEAR season so ORANGE IS REQUIRED.

Can any of you provide the PGC code that states orange is required for hikers? I'm curious about this because the language on the PGC's site is all specific to hunters.

**spinhat** · November 16th, 2016, 10:56 AM

Thanks for all the tips, i don't hunt so this information is good. I think we will hike around elk mountain instead.

**theshadow** · November 16th, 2016, 11:30 AM

Originally Posted by MT1

Can any of you provide the PGC code that states orange is required for hikers? I'm curious about this because the language on the PGC's site is all specific to hunters.

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/05...5/s135.41.html

(21) Except on Sundays, be present on State game lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored material. The material shall be worn so it is visible in a 360° arc. Persons using shooting ranges are exempted from this requirement.

**MT1** · November 16th, 2016, 12:00 PM

Originally Posted by theshadow

http://www.pacode.com/secure/data/05...5/s135.41.html

(21) Except on Sundays, be present on State game lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored material. The material shall be worn so it is visible in a 360° arc. Persons using shooting ranges are exempted from this requirement.

Thank you. It isn't listed in the Hunter Trapping book that comes with our licenses. I guess PGC figures anyone with the book bought a license so hiking isn't their priority.

I'm glad it is a requirement. If nothing else it is common sense. Thanks again for the reference.

**ar15jules** · November 16th, 2016, 03:06 PM

I would advise you to stay out of a SGL heavily populated by black bears on the first day of rifle bear season in PA. For no other reason than courtesy for those out hunting. I know I wouldn't want to inadvertently walk into the middle of an organized bear drive.

**45acp** · November 23rd, 2016, 12:56 PM

Spinhat, in your initial post you never stated what kind of weapon you wanted to open carry. As others have stated hunting regulations come into play (sadly as we having given the game commission too much power). OC is legal in PA for handguns, rifles, shotguns, and NFA if I am not mistaken. However, semiauto rifles are not permitted for hunting. Thus while legal to carry per my understanding of hunting regs if you are carrying a semi rifle on public hunting lands you are presumed to be hunting (presumed guilty and you must prove innocence) if cited by a WCO. If you are carrying a manually operated rifle/shotgun and do not have a hunting license and following the hunting regs you are presumed to be hunting illegally (patching) and will be cited as such by the WCO. Since revolvers may also be used legally for hunting I would also disease you from OCing a revolver for the same reasons as above. this leaves semiauto pistols for OC as your best bet. I have OC'd on SGL while hiking but have never met a WCo during those times, so I can not personally comment on what they would do, but for personal protection I'd recommend the semiauto pistol. LTCF may help but is not required (aside from transport to the SGL)

**Yoder** · November 25th, 2016, 01:45 PM

What gun are you planning on carrying? If it's a .44 mag super red hawk with a 9 in barrel and a scope, you might get accused of hunting. If it's a Glock 17 in a paddle holster I don't think it would be an issue.