Carrying in State Parks

[Wayfaerer320]

What are the laws regarding carrying in State Parks here in PA?

I ask because I typically go to Ricketts Glenn State Park a few times a year to hike. Summer of 2010 I went with my girlfriend and along the trail we encountered a black bear. It really wasn't a big deal - the bear saw us and ran off like a bolt of lightning. The girlfriend was of course traumatized for a couple hours afterwards, but it got me thinking...

Are we allowed to carry firearms in State Parks? Specifically, has anyone been to Ricketts Glenn and carried?

Ricketts Glenn is pretty large and I wouldn't want to get caught between a momma bear and her cubs, say they happen to be near the trails or camp grounds?

[F16vipers]

You can legally carry in State Parks in PA.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...worldsend.aspx

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

At one point I believe you had to CC your firearm but to my knowledge that requirement is no longer in effect and OC is also legal for State Parks.

[Curmudgeon]

You can legally carry in State Parks in PA.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/statepar...worldsend.aspx



At one point I believe you had to CC your firearm but to my knowledge that requirement is no longer in effect and OC is also legal for State Parks.

No, the information contained in your quoted material is correct. You may only carry as a LEO, or, "any licensee", and it must be concealed.

[F16vipers]

No, the information contained in your quoted material is correct. You may only carry as a LEO, or, "any licensee", and it must be concealed.

My mistake. I was thinking of the rule they changed for hunting season that now allows OC.

[JoeyBones]

Last time I was there (I have been going w/ family once a year around the middle of May for the past few years), I most certainly carried (concealed).

As of May 2010, their signage (incorrectly) indicated that firearms were prohibited, and their verbal questions asked upon check in to the campground included "Do you have any weapons or explosives?"

Since I have an LTCF, and my father was the one who was answering the questions in the park office, there were no problems. He didn't have any guns or explosives, and I was concealing the whole time w/ a valid license.

So as long as you have your LTCF and conceal adequately, you should not have any issues. I do not know if they have changed their signs and check-in protocols to align with the law, though...

Regards,

Bones

[soberbyker]

Last time I was there (I have been going w/ family once a year around the middle of May for the past few years), I most certainly carried (concealed).

As of May 2010, their signage (incorrectly) indicated that firearms were prohibited, and their verbal questions asked upon check in to the campground included "Do you have any weapons or explosives?"

Since I have an LTCF, and my father was the one who was answering the questions in the park office, there were no problems. He didn't have any guns or explosives, and I was concealing the whole time w/ a valid license.

So as long as you have your LTCF and conceal adequately, you should not have any issues. I do not know if they have changed their signs and check-in protocols to align with the law, though...

Regards,

Bones

Don't know about signs at the park but the website quotes the state law.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/rickettsglen.aspx

Hunting and Firearms: About 10,144 acres are open to hunting, trapping and the training of dogs during established seasons. Common game species are deer, turkey, grouse, bear, coyote, pheasant and squirrel. Common furbearers are raccoon, mink, muskrat, beaver, coyote and bobcat. About 83,000 acres of state game lands lie to the west and north of the park.

Hunting woodchucks, also known as groundhogs, is prohibited. Dog training is only permitted from the day following Labor Day through March 31 in designated hunting areas. The Department of Conservation and Natural Resources and the Pennsylvania Game Commission rules and regulations apply. Contact the park office for ADA accessible hunting information.

Use extreme caution with firearms at all times. Other visitors use the park during hunting seasons. Firearms and archery equipment used for hunting may be uncased and ready for use only in authorized hunting areas during hunting seasons. In areas not open to hunting or during non-hunting seasons, firearms and archery equipment shall be kept in the owner's car, trailer or leased campsite. The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

[Swarner793]

My mistake. I was thinking of the rule they changed for hunting season that now allows OC.

Huh?

Be safe (and curious).

Scott

[JoeyBones]

Don't know about signs at the park but the website quotes the state law.

http://www.dcnr.state.pa.us/stateparks/parks/rickettsglen.aspx

Good to know! I'll be there again this May, and I'm checking out their website now...

Thanks for the link; I tried to rep you but I need to spread it around...

Regards,

Bones

[rady8um]

The only exception is that law enforcement officers and individuals with a valid Pennsylvania License to Carry Firearms may carry said firearm concealed on their person while they are within the park.

Only a PA LTCF is valid? Seems odd.

[Wayfaerer320]

So, as long as you have a license to carry, and so long as it's concealed, it's perfectly legal?