I'm going hiking this Sunday, what should I do?

[Will3212]

Hey, so here's my situation. I live in rural Wayne county in the village of Beachlake. A good friend of mine (female friend) and I want to go hiking in State Game Land 316 Sunday. I printed out the game land map and there are some cool trails. I have a 12 gauge shotgun, and a pistol. I don't have a LTCF because I'm a part time PA resident and you must be a full time Wayne county resident to get a LTCF according to the sheriff website. The game land is not really walking distance from my house and there are no sidewalks on the road from my house to the game land. I know I can open carry my pistol and walk from my house to the hiking area but it's honestly pretty far. I can't drive and transport my pistol to the hiking area then open carry cause I have no LTCF. What about my shotgun (long gun) though? Would it be legal to transport my long gun in my car to the game land unloaded - load it with shells when I get there - then open carry it while hiking? What's your opinion on what I should do?

[Sandcut]

Wear a belt knife, carry pepper spray on your sternum strap and maybe carry a small axe or something like the Cold Steel Trail Hawk.

[Will3212]

I don't have a hunting license and will not be hunting. It's just my friend would feel safer if we had a firearm with us.

[Sgt.K]

Read your title, not your post:

Hydrate. Start now. It's still summer and water in your system is a lot lighter than water on your back.
Wear broken in, properly fitting shoes. Foot issues can ruin a nice hike.
Sunscreen. Use it.
Tell someone (besides us) where you're going, when you expect to be back, and when to panic if you're not back yet

Sgt.K
Former field soldier and Boy Scout leader

[Royinmontco]

I don't have a hunting license and will not be hunting. It's just my friend would feel safer if we had a firearm with us.

I believe you are not permitted on gamelands without a license. A fishing license is like 20 bucks at walmart, though.

[Ranger P229]

I believe you are not permitted on gamelands without a license. A fishing license is like 20 bucks at walmart, though.

Not the case. Non-hunters are welcome to use game lands in approved manners, though those activities are curtailed during the busy fall and winter hunting seasons.


Just carry some pepper spray and a knife. While being armed 24/7 is optimal, you can reasonably enjoy certain activities without a firearm. Hiking on trails away from heavy use is one of the times I would feel comfortable without a sidearm, our wilderness here in PA is pretty tame.

[scruff]

I wonder if you might get jammed up by a WCO if he finds you on SGL with a long gun and no license? Aside from that, carrying a long gun on a hike wouldn't be much fun. Like Ranger P229 said, the risk is low, bring something else for protection and enjoy yourselves.

[2DogsBarking]

A good friend of mine (female friend) and I want to go hiking in State Game Land 316 Sunday........What's your opinion on what I should do?

Carry protection to handle every situation

[R L Suehr]

I wonder if you might get jammed up by a WCO if he finds you on SGL with a long gun and no license? Aside from that, carrying a long gun on a hike wouldn't be much fun. Like Ranger P229 said, the risk is low, bring something else for protection and enjoy yourselves.

^^^ this^^^

I don't think carrying a shotgun on a hike would be a lot of fun. It is legal, but I think a can of bear spray and a good knife would be easier for hiking. Also while legal, it doesn't look great carrying around a shotgun on SGL. A WCO could jam you up and you might have to go to court to settle whether or not you were doing anything illegal. Seems like a big headache to me.

If you are a part time resident have you looked into getting a non-resident lctf. That would require you to have a permit from your home state, but might be something to look into.

[Daycrawler]

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