Shotgun in Great Smokey Mountain National Park

[Kernal1984]

Any one know if it would be legal to carry a shotgun while backpacking in the park?
Their website says refer to North Carolina and Tennessee law but I couldn't find anything about long guns just handguns.

So is it a go or no go?

 

[Trigger Time]

Take a big handgun. There's Barrs in them thar woods

 

[Captain Bligh]

I don't know the answer to your question about what is permitted in the park. However, I question what value there would be to a shotgun? Weight is a huge issue when backpacking. If it is legal, I would choose the lightest weight firearm of the most potent caliber you have. Black bear will be more interested in the food you carry than you. Use a bear canister or hang your food. No food in your tent & you should be fine.

 

[cobber]

Or take Bear OC. Black bears are rarely a threat to life in the GSMNP. In the Canadian back-country they have been known to attack and munch on humans. Here in the lower 48 they usually understand that humans are off-limits.

In Yellowstone or Alaska, on the other hand...

 

[Kernal1984]

Not planning on any serious backpacking but the wife thought spending one night would be cool until she thought about bears.

I'm not worried about bears I have done the backpacking thing several times and know to hang the food away from your tent and all that and the chances of a bear attack are pretty slim.

With that being said I wanna camp and I thinks its gonna take me having a cannon with us to make it happen.

 

[jaeisber]

Definitely take something with you...My wife and I just got back from a trip to Gatlinburg a couple of weeks ago. We went one 3 hikes (averaging about 5 miles roundtrip each) and encountered 6 bears. 5 of them were of no threat to us (seen far off in a field, up in a tree 50+ yards away, etc). However, the 6th bear was a potential threat to us. I never saw it, but while hiking to Grotto falls, we stopped to take pictures of the falls. While setting up, my wife spotted a bear below the trail down a hill running right towards us. We immediately grabbed our stuff and started to back down the trail while pulling my gun. The bear came out on the trail right where we were standing. It stopped and stared us down for a good while until we disappeared around a bend in the trail. We kept our eyes behind us the rest of the way out. We never had to use the gun, but it was reassuring knowing we had it with us in case the bear decided it wanted to attack.

As for carrying in the national park, I know you can with a handgun and license from a recognized state. I do not know about a shotgun, but as long as you and/or your wife have your LTCH you are safe to take your handgun. Just don't wander in to South Carolina as they do not honor our LTCH.

 

[AndersonIN]

Always remember that no matter where you are the bears always have the right and always OC bear arms and if you tick them off may just try and take your arms...........both of them!!!

Good luck and have fun! Beautiful area was there earlier this year!

 

[Kernal1984]

I think we are gonna pass on backpacking and staying overnight and just do some day hikes because as of February they have a bunch of stupid rules and you have to get a freaking permit and if you caught at a non designated spot or violating any of the rules its up to a $5000 fine and 6 months in jail.

I would be the guy that buried his turd just shy of the required 6 inches deep and got hit with the book and made an example of.

 

[jaeisber]

I think we are gonna pass on backpacking and staying overnight and just do some day hikes because as of February they have a bunch of stupid rules and you have to get a freaking permit and if you caught at a non designated spot or violating any of the rules its up to a $5000 fine and 6 months in jail.

I would be the guy that buried his turd just shy of the required 6 inches deep and got hit with the book and made an example of.

Is this just for shotguns?

 

[Kernal1984]

The rules mentioned are for camping on the trail system in the park.

http://www.nps.gov/grsm/planyourvisit/backcountry-regs.htm

I haven't found a clear answer on the long gun in the park question.

 

[jaeisber]

Laws & Policies - Great Smoky Mountains National Park

That might be of interest. Does mention shotgun and rifle regulations for NC and TN

 

[mrjarrell]

I wouldn't take a shotgun, personally. The chances of a ranger thinking you're hunting instead of using it for protection are too great. The rangers could make your trip miserable. Stick to a handgun.

 

[indiucky]

I wouldn't take a shotgun, personally. The chances of a ranger thinking you're hunting instead of using it for protection are too great. The rangers could make your trip miserable. Stick to a handgun.

^^^^^This. I was backpacking in the backcountry between Fontana Lake and Abrams Falls (I can't remember the trail) about 20 years ago and they were having serious bear poaching problems due to Chinese men wanting to have "erections lasting more than four hours" in the pre viagra days...Bear Gall Bladders were going for serious money and when I was getting my backcountry permit the Ranger warned me to be very careful as there was a very organized poaching ring going on....Ironically the weapons of choice were crossbows and compound bows but I believe Butters is right that when a ranger sees "long gun" his first thought will be "poacher".

 

[Kernal1984]

I'm gonna get some bear spray and pray that it works if I need it because my .38 will probably make the bear shake me more before he kills me.

 

[aaron580]

Get yourself a glock 20 and some buffalo bore or underwood ammo and you will be good.

 

[Kernal1984]

I sold my 29 in hopes of getting a gen4 20 but it hasn't happened yet

 

[Punkinhead]

Get yourself a glock 20 and some buffalo bore or underwood ammo and you will be good.

And be sure to file down the front sight.

 

[wildhair]

Several years ago the wife and I were on a backpacking trip in the smokies. That night in the designated camp site a guy with older kids (with machetes, for chopping live trees) showed up. The guy had big bottle of Jack. So I went over to see if he might offer me a swig, and he did. He also showed me his .44 and said if any Bears came around he'd blast them. We moved our tent behind a large fallen tree for cover. I know out on the AT south of Fontana I have run into hunters with guns and did not have one. No problems but it makes you feel your at big disadvantage. Some of the hunters don't seem all that friendly either.

 

[aaron580]

And be sure to file down the front sight.

Uhh.....what?

 

[Punkinhead]

Uhh.....what?

Hurts less when the bear shoves it up your ass.