• We are now running on a new, and hopefully much-improved, server. In addition we are also on new forum software. Any move entails a lot of technical details and I suspect we will encounter a few issues as the new server goes live. Please be patient with us. It will be worth it! :) Please help by posting all issues here.
  • The forum will be down for about an hour this weekend for maintenance. I apologize for the inconvenience.
  • If you are having trouble seeing the forum then you may need to clear your browser's DNS cache. Click here for instructions on how to do that
  • Please review the Forum Rules frequently as we are constantly trying to improve the forum for our members and visitors.

Hiking in GW NF

hgreen

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
470
Location
Centreville, VA
I believe OC is prohibited unless it is hunting season and hunting is allowed in the national forest.

I don't know anything about hunting or hunting seasons, is it a hunting season right now and is hunting allowed in George Washington NF?

I'm going on a hike in the GW NF tomorrow and would really prefer to OC than CC while hiking 10 miles.

Thanks!
 

Marco

Regular Member
Joined
Jul 29, 2007
Messages
3,905
Location
Greene County
•For more information, contact the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Headquarters at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019,
540-265-5100.
 

Badger Johnson

Regular Member
Joined
Jan 12, 2011
Messages
1,213
Location
USA
# Because hunting on Sunday is prohibited, carrying a loaded gun on National Forest is not legal on Sunday even if it is the Sunday in the middle of the general firearms deer season.
# The second exception to this law allows people with a concealed weapon permit to carry a loaded, concealed, handgun either on their person or in their vehicle while on National Forest. This does not apply if the person is engaged in a primitive weapons season or chase only season.

Found this. I think you can OC, because the worst they can do is ask you to cover it up, especially if you have a permit. I understood from the VCDL that you can OC in all state parks, because I asked concerning Westmoreland State Park.

As to National Forests, you'll have to call to be sure and even then they might not be up on the current law.

Have a nice hike. Visit Saint Mary's gorge natural area if you get a chance - great hike and waterfalls.

HTH
 

hgreen

Regular Member
Joined
Jun 4, 2010
Messages
470
Location
Centreville, VA
•For more information, contact the George Washington and Jefferson National Forest Headquarters at 5162 Valleypointe Parkway, Roanoke, VA 24019,
540-265-5100.

Ended up CCing, have had very little luck with asking government officials from non legal agencies about legal questions and even if they said yes, it wouldn't help me in court if they ended up being wrong... To much risk in the situation for my comfort... Pretty screwed up law, should be up on the list of things to fix when we flip the Senate...

Which trail are you hiking?

Hiked the Signal Knob hike near Fort Valley and Strasburg, wonderful views of two different valleys.
 

Jonesy

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 18, 2009
Messages
416
Location
Alexandria, Virginia, USA
I oc in GWNF, no problem during hunting season which is ongoing. And what are the chances of seeing a ranger, I have never seen one in GWNF.

I have not done Signal knob yet, it is on my list. My favorite in GW is Strickler knob, I think the 360 views at top are best in Virginia. And the rock scramble is really great.
 

hermannr

Regular Member
Joined
Mar 24, 2011
Messages
2,327
Location
Okanogan Highland
Why would you not be able to OC in a NF? Is there a state law that bans such? or requires that it be hunting season? Does VA have some kind of law regulating OC?
 

peter nap

Accomplished Advocate
Joined
Oct 16, 2007
Messages
13,551
Location
Valhalla
Why would you not be able to OC in a NF? Is there a state law that bans such? or requires that it be hunting season? Does VA have some kind of law regulating OC?

NO!

It's part of a multistate hunting agreement between DGIF, The National Forest and several other states.

If we can force change through the General Assembly the National Forest Regulation is an easy fix.
 

johnfenter

Regular Member
Joined
Apr 28, 2008
Messages
209
Location
, ,
Relevant sections of VA Admin Code..

4VAC15-40-60. Hunting with dogs or possession of weapons in certain locations during closed season.

A. Department-owned lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and national forest lands statewide. It shall be unlawful to have in possession a bow, crossbow, or any firearm that is not unloaded and cased or dismantled on all national forest lands statewide and on department-owned lands and on other lands managed by the department under cooperative agreement located in counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains except during the period when it is lawful to take bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, or waterfowl on these lands.

F. It shall be unlawful to possess or transport any loaded firearm, or loaded crossbow in or on any vehicle at any time on national forest lands or department-owned lands.

G. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the possession, transport and use of loaded firearms by employees of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries while engaged in the performance of their authorized and official duties, nor shall it prohibit possession and transport of loaded concealed handguns where the individual possesses a concealed handgun permit as defined in § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia.
 

t33j

Regular Member
Joined
Dec 28, 2009
Messages
1,384
Location
King George, VA
4VAC15-40-60. Hunting with dogs or possession of weapons in certain locations during closed season.

A. Department-owned lands west of the Blue Ridge Mountains and national forest lands statewide. It shall be unlawful to have in possession a bow, crossbow, or any firearm that is not unloaded and cased or dismantled on all national forest lands statewide and on department-owned lands and on other lands managed by the department under cooperative agreement located in counties west of the Blue Ridge Mountains except during the period when it is lawful to take bear, deer, grouse, pheasant, quail, rabbit, raccoon, squirrel, turkey, or waterfowl on these lands.

F. It shall be unlawful to possess or transport any loaded firearm, or loaded crossbow in or on any vehicle at any time on national forest lands or department-owned lands.

G. The provisions of this section shall not prohibit the possession, transport and use of loaded firearms by employees of the Department of Game and Inland Fisheries while engaged in the performance of their authorized and official duties, nor shall it prohibit possession and transport of loaded concealed handguns where the individual possesses a concealed handgun permit as defined in § 18.2-308 of the Code of Virginia.

Yet their sign says otherwise.
317444_10150321141338292_539983291_8156890_1693327695_n (1).jpg
 
Top