[HairOfTheDog]

I feel like I should clarify, just because there's so much misinformation about the regulations surrounding weapons in National Parks versus Forests...

While it might be legal to go target shooting in a National Forest, the regulations do not allow for accessible loaded rifles in moving vehicles. This is to prevent the act of hunting from a vehicle, which is prohibited. That does not mean I must unload my carry pistol when entering the forest in a vehicle, as long as I make no appearance I am ~hunting~ with it. Once out hiking or riding, I can and do carry my handgun for defense while riding in Forest land, but should make no appearance to be hunting (unless it's hunting season and legal for me to do so). Not sure I could pack a loaded rifle on my saddle for defense in the same way. There seems to be some wiggle room for misunderstanding from the friendly game warden and it would behoove us all to be a little more clear.

[Groganeer]

Understood, so I will ammend my previous statment to some degree.

I never go into the woods (if there is a good chance I will encounter bears and or cougars) without a weapon unless common sense and my god given rights have been suspended, in which case I don't go in the woods.

As to carrying a weapon, at least in Idaho certain species of animals are open to hunting year round. Coyotes are a good example, so as long as you have a valid hunting license you would be 100% legal packing a rifle.

I have run into rangers and wardens on several occasions while horse packing elk camp into our hunting area months ahead of the start of the season and have never had them even begin to question rifles on our person or strapped to my critter.

[mad_as_he$$]

Here in Nevada it is against regs to have a gun in or on the vehicle with a round in chamber. It gets fuzzy regarding handguns. You can have a loaded handgun in your vehicle ALL the time and you can strap one on in the open almost anywhere in the State. Reno tied to make it illegal in city limits but lost. Most states I have hunted in have similar rules regarding "loaded" weapons. FWIW I always have a valid hunting license in my possession. There are places to hunt on my way home from work. Coyote and mountain lion are always in season.