Thanks for the help guys. Basically it seems that handguns are legal on the trail (at least in PA) because they are now legal to CCW in a state park. I believe long guns are still regulated by hunting seasons but please correct me if I'm wrong. Essentially it would be illegal for me to carry an uncased shotgun in the summer unless it coincided with crow season. Unfortunately, I'm probably going to scrap this hike until I'm 21. I really don't want to hike without a firearm, and I definitely don't want to be fined or have my hunting license taken for violating some gun law.
appalachian trail options
- Thread starter rifleman8
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Having hiked various sections of this trail for many years, I can say that I've never come across another hiker carrying a long gun.
It's always a good idea to hike with another person for obvious reasons. Even when starting out alone, you'll almost always come across other hikers who will be pleased to have you join them.
W-M
It's always a good idea to hike with another person for obvious reasons. Even when starting out alone, you'll almost always come across other hikers who will be pleased to have you join them.
W-M
From my experiences wandering around in Shenandoah National Park, the G.W. National Forest, and on the Applachian Trail north of the Park to beyond I66, I've never seen anyone who looked the least bit scary, suspicious, or particularly well rested, for that matter. I've seen young women hiking alone, groups of up to about twenty, old men and women, young men along or in pairs and even younger couples. I've seen relatively few children. I have seen armed rangers, however. I have also been up there on the 4th of July and never passed anyone of the trail.
I have seen bears, many, many deer, but no other large animals, no possums, raccoons, snakes, groundhogs, foxes, coyotes or wolves, most of which I have seen, however, from the deck of my house.
I have seen bears, many, many deer, but no other large animals, no possums, raccoons, snakes, groundhogs, foxes, coyotes or wolves, most of which I have seen, however, from the deck of my house.
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Of the factors listed by the ATC folks, the only one I'd agree with would be the weight.
If the OP hasn't, he should read A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson, an entertaining book about an out-of-shape 44 year old (Bryson, at the time) who decides to hike the AT. It's funny and a good read, but he puts a lot of emphasis on minimizing weight, and the items he and his hiking buddy found they really didn't need. (Firearms were not mentioned.)
I certainly would not wish to lug a rifle or shotgun along on the AT.
If the OP hasn't, he should read A Walk in the Woods, by Bill Bryson, an entertaining book about an out-of-shape 44 year old (Bryson, at the time) who decides to hike the AT. It's funny and a good read, but he puts a lot of emphasis on minimizing weight, and the items he and his hiking buddy found they really didn't need. (Firearms were not mentioned.)
I certainly would not wish to lug a rifle or shotgun along on the AT.
triumph666
New member
anyone who goes into the deep woods hiking is a FOOL not to carry a firearm......
my buddy did a hike from maine to georgia i think..... it was on appalachian trail.....
he got robbed....not cool when your 1500 miles from your home an now YOU REALLY have to rely on your ability to gather food an make it till you can contact your family to send you cash....
me i would be more worried about 2 legged predators.....but i have had my run ins wth 4 legged predators an i tell you what i'd rather face fists an feet than a ball of muscle with fangs n fur!!!!!
I DO NOT go into woods without a gun at all.... even an irate deer could mess u up if your not careful
my buddy did a hike from maine to georgia i think..... it was on appalachian trail.....
he got robbed....not cool when your 1500 miles from your home an now YOU REALLY have to rely on your ability to gather food an make it till you can contact your family to send you cash....
me i would be more worried about 2 legged predators.....but i have had my run ins wth 4 legged predators an i tell you what i'd rather face fists an feet than a ball of muscle with fangs n fur!!!!!
I DO NOT go into woods without a gun at all.... even an irate deer could mess u up if your not careful
I have lived in a log house in West Virginia. Now I live in the suburbs. Guess which place has the most wild animals? I've seen everything but lions and bears and as far as bears go, I figure it's only a matter of time. Haven't seen any possums, coyotes or wolves. I have seen beaver but not from the deck.
Wilderness is a state of mind, mostly.
I'm scared of it all, Got's truth! so I am;
It's too big and brutal for me.
My nerve's on the raw and I don't give a damn
For all the "hoorah" that I see.
I'm pinned between subway and overhead train,
Where automobillies swoop down:
Oh, I want to go back to the timber again--
I'm scared of the terrible town.
I'm scared of it all: Oh, afar I can hear
The voice of my solitudes call!
We're nothing but brute with a little veneer,
And nature is best after all.
There's tumult and terror abroad in the street;
There's menace and doom in the air;
I've got to get back to my thousand-mile bea;
The trail where the cougar and silver-tip meet;
The snows and the camp-fire, with wolves at my feet;
Good-bye, for it's safer up there.
Wilderness is a state of mind, mostly.
I'm scared of it all, Got's truth! so I am;
It's too big and brutal for me.
My nerve's on the raw and I don't give a damn
For all the "hoorah" that I see.
I'm pinned between subway and overhead train,
Where automobillies swoop down:
Oh, I want to go back to the timber again--
I'm scared of the terrible town.
I'm scared of it all: Oh, afar I can hear
The voice of my solitudes call!
We're nothing but brute with a little veneer,
And nature is best after all.
There's tumult and terror abroad in the street;
There's menace and doom in the air;
I've got to get back to my thousand-mile bea;
The trail where the cougar and silver-tip meet;
The snows and the camp-fire, with wolves at my feet;
Good-bye, for it's safer up there.
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