Open Carry In Yellowstone

[Wireman134]

Any thoughts or advice on open carrying in Yellowstone this summer? Partly for bear protection and partly cause it is allowed and legal. Plan to carry enough gun on the trails, my Super Blackhawk 45 Colt loaded with 310gr bullets @ 1300 fps. Around towns my SA 1911A1 "Loaded" with 260gr bullets @ 900 fps.

 

[DonD]

Personally, I don't know if the Natl park rules allow open carry or just allow you to have one on your person.

I'm happy they allow this and I think you're prudent to carry. I think bear spray will only dissuade a bear that is just curious. If a grizzly WANTS you, it'll take the spray and kill you in spite of it.

I'd guess someone will advise you of the rules. Good luck. Don

 

[trouble]

Honestly the biggest threat is any wilderness area is NOT the wildlife, it's your fellow man. Use common sense and critters will leave you alone, people will look for you.

 

[larry237]

Open carry is legal in Yellowstone Park (and most of the national parks) and you are legally required to comply with state laws in whichever state that part of the park is located. Yellowstone is in Wyoming, Montana, and Idaho, which all allow open carry and concealed carry (with a permit recognized by that state). NPS prohibits guns in their offices and ranger stations, along with some stores and businesses, which are posted. I open carry when hiking in Yellowstone, but I also keep bear spray close at hand. Lots of foreign and American tourists aren't used to seeing guns, so you might get a few questions or strange looks. I haven't had any problems, since it became legal in 2010 (?).
Yellowstone gun rules are posted on their NPS website.

 

[Wireman134]

Yes, you are correct.
http://www.nps.gov/yell/parkmgmt/lawsandpolicies.htm

 

[Hugh]

To reiterate what Wireman134 posted, in part.

... Hunting and discharge of firearms remain prohibited in Yellowstone National Park.

Firearms should not be considered a wildlife protection strategy. Bear spray and other safety precautions are the proven methods for preventing bear and other wildlife interactions.

You can be sure that if you use your firearm in "defense" against a wild animal, there will be a lot of explaining for you to do. You will probably lose the use of that firearm for a time, and perhaps for good.

 

[RalphS]

If I recall correctly, grizzlies are still on the federal endangered species list as "protected" in the lower 48. That means that if you shoot one, even in self defense, you will have to deal with the feds.

 

[RalphS]

If the situation arose, I would just have to deal with Feds...better them than a bear.

As far as I know, there is no provision in the endangered species act for self-defense. If you shoot a griz in the lower 48, you will be prosecuted. So, how much does it cost to hire a lawyer to defend yourself against the feds? How much prison time are we talking about? How much of a fine will you have to pay? Even if the feds drop the case, there usually is a fine of a few thousand dollars, right?

It would be interesting to hear from someone who has been through this, instead of the obvious statements that they would just deal with it.

 

[Otony]

Well gee, Ralph, the legal troubles are large and burdensome, but it is a whole lot better than you or a loved one being grizzly scat, doncha think? :wink:

 

[22-rimfire]

Yeah, it's legal as others have mentioned based on state laws. I would open carry on the trails and tuck the gun out of sight when around the tourists. As far as shooting a grizzly defending yourself, bear spray is a better choice especially in the National Parks. It may be legal to carry handguns in the parks, but it is not legal to discharge the firearm.

 

[DonD]

bear spray is a better choice especially in the National Parks. .

I've seen videos of humans not on drugs taking industrial strength spray and brushing it off, you think a pissed off 800# bear won't do the same if he/she really wants your tail? Hard kill is the only solution if you're in deep, deal with the legal troubles later.

Indeed, being aware when afield can prevent some encounters but some can't be helped, then a good gun and a good aim are your salvation. Don

 

[Cholo]

It may be legal to carry handguns in the parks, but it is not legal to discharge the firearm.

May I be so bold as to suggest carrying a bouquet of daisies instead? If the bear doesn't get you, your chances of getting a date, of either sex, are greatly improved.

:wink:

 

[schloss]

bear spray is a better choice especially in the National Parks. .

I've seen videos of humans not on drugs taking industrial strength spray and brushing it off, you think a pissed off 800# bear won't do the same if he/she really wants your tail? Hard kill is the only solution if you're in deep, deal with the legal troubles later.

Indeed, being aware when afield can prevent some encounters but some can't be helped, then a good gun and a good aim are your salvation. Don

Up here, bear encounters are pretty routine. AFG recommends bear spray as a better deterrent than a firearm. They carry 12 gauges. You do the math.

 

[RRMan03]

I just started to post the above. They recommend you carry bear spray but they carry 12 ga. Tells me something.

 

[6gun]

Any thoughts or advice on open carrying in Yellowstone this summer? Partly for bear protection and partly cause it is allowed and legal. Plan to carry enough gun on the trails, my Super Blackhawk 45 Colt loaded with 310gr bullets @ 1300 fps. Around towns my SA 1911A1 "Loaded" with 260gr bullets @ 900 fps.

You'll be lucky to even see a bear in Yellowstone and sure don't need any bear protection, that part of the west is pretty tame now days :lol:

 

[powder smoke]

You may also be Unlucky and have a bear problem!

A Griz is something to respect attacks have happened especially with a sow and cubs.
Personally I would not stake my life on bear spray some HAVE lost that battle. ps

 

[5of7]

Ralphs...

As far as I know, there is no provision in the endangered species act for self-defense. If you shoot a griz in the lower 48, you will be prosecuted. So, how much does it cost to hire a lawyer to defend yourself against the feds? How much prison time are we talking about? How much of a fine will you have to pay? Even if the feds drop the case, there usually is a fine of a few thousand dollars, right?

As far as I know, it is illegal to shoot humans, but in a case of self defense it is OK.

I think that from the evidence after the fact, it would be possible to determine whether it was self defense. 8)

 

[luedersj]

I am curious about how many bears have been driven off or killed by handguns in the US. Just facts, please. No "I knew a fellow who..."

Here is a fact from West Virginia. A man on my property was chased up a tree by a black bear. Somehow he clambered up the tree with his rifle and killed the bear. His rifle was confiscated and he had to pay a thousand dollar fine.

 

[BearBio]

bear spray is a better choice especially in the National Parks. .

I've seen videos of humans not on drugs taking industrial strength spray and brushing it off, you think a pissed off 800# bear won't do the same if he/she really wants your tail? Hard kill is the only solution if you're in deep, deal with the legal troubles later.

Indeed, being aware when afield can prevent some encounters but some can't be helped, then a good gun and a good aim are your salvation. Don

Up here, bear encounters are pretty routine. AFG recommends bear spray as a better deterrent than a firearm. They carry 12 gauges. You do the math.

As a professional wildlife biologist, most of what is being said is just plain "bunk". Bear spray is 97% effective on all 3 species of bear found in North America-proven, scientific FACT! Handguns, at best, are in the 60-80% range, IF YOU HIT THE BEAR. You will have time for only ONE shot! I know-I've been charged. I did research for two years with bears almost daily, in the field==not behind a computer terminal.

That being said, I also carry a pistol when not on duty (I'm not authorized for firearm use). My gun is a Vaquero (OM) and my load is about the same as the OP's.

One thing: When I was last in Yellowstone, state laws varied between Montana and Wyoming=I could carry in one state but not the other.

BTW: we saw a least 3 grizzlies including this one on our last trip:



This one was in Denali:


And this guy was hunting elk calves in Yellowstone:



And, our federal staff use Brenneke slugs in a 12 gauge.

 

[BearBio]

I am curious about how many bears have been driven off or killed by handguns in the US. Just facts, please. No "I knew a fellow who..."

Here is a fact from West Virginia. A man on my property was chased up a tree by a black bear. Somehow he clambered up the tree with his rifle and killed the bear. His rifle was confiscated and he had to pay a thousand dollar fine.

Google Steve Herrero. His PhD dissertation was on bear attacks and was published in book form as "Bear Attacks: Their Causes and Avoidance".

He also published a paper on pepper spray versus handguns and has all the stats.