Carrying Firearms Thru National or State Park to get to Hunting Area

[luvmystang67]

So, thinking about hiking through State/National parks to get to some back country hunting area.  Gun would be unloaded and on the backpack.  As long as I'm not actively hunting in the park, am I allowed to pack through it to get to my area (and pack an animal back out through the same route if I get one?)

Anybody have any experience with this?

[hillbillyhunting]

From what I have heard is that you are now allowed to hike through the park with your firearm to get to your hunting location, but you are not allowed to pack an animal back through the park.    

I will be interested to see what others know about this.  Good question!

[runamuk]

Not sure on the whole hauling game out but on the olympic penn I was near the national park and I checked into it you can pack your rifle through it must be stowed unloaded and separated from any ammunition ...

[7mag.]

I believe that you can transport your firearm through the park, but I don't think you can pack game back through.

[Knocker of rocks]

Firearms are completely legal subject to State law:
http://home.nps.gov/news/release.htm?id=962

There should be no law affecting what you're carrying (game), except in the rare and extreme cases of grizzly closures typically only in Yellowstone and Glacier.

[luvmystang67]

I'm sure they could hassle you about carrying game back, but if its properly tagged and was legally taken in a National Rec Area I feel like legally it shouldn't matter where you haul it out. 

I suppose worst case scenario you could take them to the gut pile.

Anyone else?  I'm pretty sure after reading on one site:

Am I allowed to have firearms in North Cascades National Park Service Complex?

"As of February 22, 2010, a new federal law allows people who can legally possess firearms under applicable federal, state, and local laws, to legally possess firearms in North Cascades National Park Complex which includes North Cascades National Park, Ross Lake National Recreation Area and Lake Chelan National Recreation Area.

It is the responsibility of visitors to understand and comply with all applicable state, local, and federal firearms laws before entering this park. As a starting point, please visit Washington State’s website.

Federal law also prohibits firearms in certain facilities in this park; those places are marked with signs at all public entrances and generally includes all NPS staffed offices open to the public."

[JimmyHoffa]

I haven't looked at state parks, but have looked at national parks (well Olympic).
http://www.nps.gov/olym/parkmgmt/upload/2012Compendium-2.pdf
36 CFR 2.2 Wildlife Protection (d) might help if ONP is the park you are concerned with. 
My understanding from this reg and from the rangers is that it is okay to pack firearms through (just firearms--other weapons aren't covered).  It is not okay to pack an animal through, except certain roads in a vehicle and you can't stop.

[luvmystang67]

Here's from the National governing document, looks like it is park specific...

http://ecfr.gpoaccess.gov/cgi/t/text/text-idx?c=ecfr&sid=f66fe9e32043573c7612d06f084ebc57&rgn=div8&view=text&node=36:1.0.1.1.2.0.1.2&idno=36

(d) The superintendent may establish conditions and procedures for transporting lawfully taken wildlife through the park area. Violation of these conditions and procedures is prohibited.

[luvmystang67]

Here is one excerpt from the North Cascades National Park Superintendent :

http://www.nps.gov/noca/parkmgmt/upload/COMPENDIUM-2012_signature.pdf

36 CFR 2.2 - Wildlife Protection
(d) The transporting of lawfully taken wildlife through the park is permitted under the following conditions and procedures:

     - In accordance with state law wildlife may be transported on State Highway 20.  For additional information consult Washington state hunting regulations.

So...I feel like this is not in the regs...  Unwritten usually makes it acceptable.

[JimmyHoffa]

Yeah, different parks different regs.  Grand Teton park actually allows elk hunting in the national park! 

[Humptulips]

There's a place that applies to this on the Quinault in ONP, Canoe Cr rd.
There is a FS Rd goes through the park and when it was drivable it was a great place for elk hunting, trapping also. They closed the road quite a few years ago and it has defacto been closed to hunting and trapping ever since. They will not let you transport leaglly taken game through the park. They would when you could drive  but not since you would have to pack.

[Knocker of rocks]

They will not let you transport leaglly taken game through the park. They would when you could drive  but not since you would have to pack.

I believe you, but I don't see how it's legal.  Another word for game is food.  So now the NPS has a right to tell you what food you can and can't carry?

[Smokey Bear]

They will not let you transport leaglly taken game through the park. They would when you could drive  but not since you would have to pack.

I believe you, but I don't see how it's legal.  Another word for game is food.  So now the NPS has a right to tell you what food you can and can't carry?

That's stretching it a bit.  IMHO game does not equal food.  Food would be processed game like jerky, sausage, cut and wrapped meat.  Game is the animal as a whole or in quarters.   Will I need a catch record card filled out with me to eat a tuna sandwich???

If you are questioned by fish and wildlife, the proof is usually the gut pile. 

[luvmystang67]

Okay, here's the scoop.

You can carry any firearm you want through any part of the park.  In my specific case I was considering walking through North Cascades Nat'l Park into Lake Chelan NRA (also managed by the park).  While you can have a gun anywhere in the park or rec area, you can only hunt in the rec area during the defined season.  If you were to shoot something in the rec area, you are not allowed to bring your meat back through the actual park. 

Doesn't make a ton of sense to me, but thats the law for now.  I think I'm going to e-mail my state rep to work on changing this.

[MatthewHunter98]

luvmystang has a good opinion, but the wardons will sure heck raddle your cage about it.