I saw this sign while approaching a hiking trail.

[C6Flatfoot]

Please do not take this as a suggestion or advice on my part, and I'm not saying what my decision would be, but merely some thoughts to consider before entering any wildlife refuge / conservation area;

depending on where you are and how rustic an area may be there are alot of bad possibilities of encountering ...

snakes
bears
pigs..(check out pig hunts on you tube if you think they aren't a threat)
alligators
any rabid racoons, otters, dogs, etc, etc...the list goes on

You may be out of cellphone range!

Also let's not forget that...
Bad guys are not worrying about what a sign may read and they may be armed.
Good folks are sometimes attacked by these dangerous aholes for purposes of robbery, rape, or murder.

Also to consider...Law Enforcement,
If you do encounter a LEO, this is still America! If you have a CCP and your weapon is CONCEALED, he or she will not be searching you without lawful probable cause! God Bless America

Again, these are only a few considerations that must be thought about before venturing too far off the beaten path, sign or no sign.

So what do you do?
Leave your gun in the vehicle?
Carry your gun into the area?
Turn around and don't enter?

Your decision!

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by C6Flatfoot

Please do not take this as a suggestion or advice on my part, and I'm not saying what my decision would be, but merely some thoughts to consider before entering any wildlife refuge / conservation area;

depending on where you are and how rustic an area may be there are alot of bad possibilities of encountering ...

snakes
bears
pigs..(check out pig hunts on you tube if you think they aren't a threat)
alligators
any rabid racoons, otters, dogs, etc, etc...the list goes on

You may be out of cellphone range!

Also let's not forget that...
Bad guys are not worrying about what a sign may read and they may be armed.
Good folks are sometimes attacked by these dangerous aholes for purposes of robbery, rape, or murder.

Also to consider...Law Enforcement,
If you do encounter a LEO, this is still America! If you have a CCP and your weapon is CONCEALED, he or she will not be searching you without lawful probable cause! God Bless America

Again, these are only a few considerations that must be thought about before venturing too far off the beaten path, sign or no sign.

So what do you do?
Leave your gun in the vehicle?
Carry your gun into the area?
Turn around and don't enter?

Your decision!

I'm happy to see that there's at least one more of us on the board that feels this way

The wildllife issues (both 2 and 4 legged) are a real concern. If you've never hunted or been around wild boar (call 'em pigs if you wanna....porky was a pig! These mofo's will eat your arse alive!) you're in for an "interesting experience to say the least.

In "theory" you can't shoot a 'gator either.....right
Just don't do what some of these dumbarses have done in the past and keep "trophies!"

The 2 leged kind...well, again, he's right on target (no pun intended).
The Ocala National Forest is a prime example.
Over the years, they've had thier share of 2 legged troubles.

I'd still rather be tried by 12....blah blah blah.....

The only thing I might take exception to, is the search.

While you're absolutely correct on the "search", as a leo if/when I encountered anyone in a remote area (campers, hikers, etc), I would as a rule do a "pat down" for my safety.

If you're packing, they're probably going to find it (unless it's packed away in the middle of your duffel bag or something. Then, it's pretty worthless to you as a means of self defense.

Once it's found, the next step is totally on the officer.

I know what I have done, and depending on the circumstances, would do.
All I can say is, there would be no necessity for paperwork
Get the wrong one though and you might have an issue

[C6Flatfoot]

TOOOOOO many variables in this hypothetical encounter to argue about being patted down, and when an officer would do so, but we both know that any officer with some time on the job follows his or her training, legalities, and immediate circumstances, as well as his or her gut feelings about a pat down. I'm sure you didn't pat down anyone unless your hackles were raised and you felt a concern about your safety or contraband.

We could have a great chat and go on and on about it, but it was only meant as a consideration.

You may be correct because most LEOs who work in the wilderness or wildlife areas are usually on their own and far from a back up. This factor alone may make them more apt to pat down persons they encounter. I never worked in a position like that so I don't know how I would conduct myself. It would be interesting to get an opinion of a retired LEO that worked in this rural capacity.

Any outcome of the encounter would ultimately depend on the circumstances, and interactions of the LEO and the person(s) involved.

Good thread and food for thought.

[Rich Z]

Isn't a pat down a form of search that itself requires probable cause?

[als2052]

If you ignore what the sign says, good luck...Remember that you are on their property...

[Rich Z]

I guess I've just never fully understood this concept of "private" state property. After all, who provides the money for the purchase and maintenance of such properties? So the bigety wigeties in state government can use OUR money to buy these private playgrounds for their own private use and tell us unwashed masses to keep our grubby paws out? Or make stipulations about how WE can utilize the land but they are exempt from those same regulations? I can understand if it's some high security records storage facility of some sort, but raw undeveloped land?

I guess the people that make the rules can make whatever rules they pretty damn well want to.....

[Bob K]

Originally Posted by als2052

If you ignore what the sign says, good luck...Remember that you are on their property...

Who's property?

Unless I'm in a place that specifically prohibits carry, like a bar, I'm packen. If I'm patted down or searched that's when the attorney takes over.

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by als2052

If you ignore what the sign says, good luck...Remember that you are on their property...

Yep!

Originally Posted by Rich Z

I guess I've just never fully understood this concept of "private" state property. After all, who provides the money for the purchase and maintenance of such properties? So the bigety wigeties in state government can use OUR money to buy these private playgrounds for their own private use and tell us unwashed masses to keep our grubby paws out? Or make stipulations about how WE can utilize the land but they are exempt from those same regulations? I can understand if it's some high security records storage facility of some sort, but raw undeveloped land?

I guess the people that make the rules can make whatever rules they pretty damn well want to.....

You're over dramatizing it.
This is nothing new...

Originally Posted by Bob K

Who's property?

While it "may" be considered "public land", we've allowed our government to apppoint/elect a board to govern it.
As such, they make the rules for it's use.

As we've seen with Federal lands, the rules have changes for those licensed to carry
If the state can't see fit to follow suit, then I'll just avoid thier land.

Chances are very good that this will never be an issue for those of us here.

Unless I'm in a place that specifically prohibits carry, like a bar, I'm packen. If I'm patted down or searched that's when the attorney takes over.

And it's quite possible you may find yourself relieved of said license.
It just depends.

You can be patted down for just about any reason. Most of the time, we're going to say our safety and that of the citizen (so we know you're not going for a knife or other weapon later).
Probably BS, but it'll hold up in court

As for the attorney, there's still that whole, bookiing, mug shot, bail and bunking with bubba for the evening thing that you have to get past first.

I'll pass

[Shadow]

Originally Posted by C6Flatfoot

TOOOOOO many variables in this hypothetical encounter to argue about being patted down, and when an officer would do so, but we both know that any officer with some time on the job follows his or her training, legalities, and immediate circumstances, as well as his or her gut feelings about a pat down. I'm sure you didn't pat down anyone unless your hackles were raised and you felt a concern about your safety or contraband.

We could have a great chat and go on and on about it, but it was only meant as a consideration.

You may be correct because most LEOs who work in the wilderness or wildlife areas are usually on their own and far from a back up. This factor alone may make them more apt to pat down persons they encounter. I never worked in a position like that so I don't know how I would conduct myself. It would be interesting to get an opinion of a retired LEO that worked in this rural capacity.

Any outcome of the encounter would ultimately depend on the circumstances, and interactions of the LEO and the person(s) involved.

Good thread and food for thought.

Absolutely bro
Way too many variable.
Was meant as something else to consider, not an arguement.
If it came across that way, my apologies.

You're pretty much dead on on the pat downs. Usually suspected something.

When I started and up until I went to Street crimes, Special Operations and Motors, I worked a lot of remote area.

Far east side of our county, and the most remote reaches both north and south.
They didn't call it "Fort Lonesome" for nothing

As a Deputy Sheriff, our closest backup was sometimes 30 minutes or more away...if there was one at all.

YOu had to rely on your instincts and training, and a good does of BS and luck didn't hurt either

Take care and stay safe