Packing Heat in the Park

[Hooked_On_Fly_Fishing]

I just started fly fishing two years ago and I love to read everyone's posts. I read an older post regarding those who legally carry a handgun for protection while fishing and camping in the park and I am curious how many forum members elect to carry while fishing. I realize this may be an odd "first post" but i am just starting to fish the back country waters and I wanted to see what the prevailing thought is. Thanks in advance for your replies and for tolerating me as a new by.

[Don Kirk]

I would rather be tried by twelve than carried by six.

[narcodog]

I'll say I have been in violation of the Reg. in the past.

[BlueRaiderFan]

I think that if you have a state carry permit you can legally carry in the park but I'm not certain.

[2weightfavorite]

I carry everywhere...Fishing, church, grocery shopping... There are cazy people out there, and things are only getting worse. As far as I know, you must have a North Carolina or Tenn carry permit. I do not think reciprosity (not sure of that spelling) from other states is tolerated in the national park.

[narcodog]

If you have a carry permit from any State you can carry in the Park. You must abide by that particular states laws concerning the carry.

[lauxier]

i usually have bear spray---if you actually fired a large calibre handgun or shotgun in the park,not only would it deter a bear,but would also serve as a signal that would draw nearby park rangers,as well as, freak out all those classic city folks,who populate the "Quiet Walkways"in the park.

[Jim Casada]

Lauxier--I don't know about drawing "nearby park rangers," since in my experience they are mighty scarce on the ground in the backcountry. In fact, the Park presently has what I consider a singularly misguided proposal to start charging backcountry camping fees with the questionably justification being it will fund two rangers to cover the backcountry. Anyone who knows the backcountry intimately will instantly realize that two rangers cannot come anywhere close to patrolling the whole area, checking designated campsites, or the like.
I suspect most people who do much fishing away from the main travel corridors will have an experience similar to mine; I've been checked exactly twice in the last quarter century (and both times it was on lower Deep Creek, just inside the Park, by a N. C. Wildlife guy--they have authority in the Park).
Jim Casada

[kytroutman]

Strangely enough Mr. Casada, until last Fall, I had only been checked once in 34 years within the Park. Last Fall, I was checked twice in one week.

[Jim Casada]

Kytroutman--Good, because I would like more of this. However, I bet the odds are mighty good that you were somewhere in the frontcountry or close to a trailhead.
Jim Casada