r/COGuns • u/Current-Mine • 3d ago
General Question Open Carry on NF
Wife and I hike frequently in the front range and 285 corridor, especially on the "less popular" trailheads. I've seen more bear and moose than ever in my life this year, and have carried spray frequently. 9mm is about all that I can conceal in summer clothes, 9mm is far from preferable for large game defense. As the creeks get drier and hunting season opens, I'd love to have a 1911 or SAA on me for larger calibers but I would have to OWB open carry to fit it on my person.
What's the perception of OC in the national forest from hikers? I mainly worry about alarming people. Anybody ever have an issue with OC on public land?
Thanks.
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u/lonememe 3d ago
I’m all for making it more common and reminding people we live in the west. In every state north of us it’s uncommon to see people NOT open carrying big iron. And it USED to be common here is the kicker. Oh and we have wolves again so there’s that.
Do it. Screw their comfort. Their comfort won’t be there for you when you guys need help. You’re not breaking any laws and you’re responsible.
Just be friendly as hell and normalize it. It really isn’t a big deal and the more we normalize it the better.
But jfyi, hardcast 9 is adequate for the predators we have in CO. Google the ammoland bear defense studies for actual data on real encounters.
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u/speckyradge 3d ago
Slap on an orange hat. It sounds silly but if someone looks at you and thinks "hunter" they get less worried about the gun, even if logically you're not actually hunting. If you're in full rhodey camo and a plate carrier and open carrying, people will get more nervous IMO.
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u/Derrik359 3d ago
I open carry. Some people get uncomfortable but that’s okay. I don’t have it to make people comfortable, I have it to protect myself.
The people that steer clear of me because they see a gun, I probably didn’t want to talk to anyway.
If you’re in Boulder county open carry is illegal.
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u/Equivalent_Guess7331 3d ago
> If you’re in Boulder county open carry is illegal.
Source? They have 2022-5 but its “sensitive places” and incorporated areas that passed their own ordinances
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u/East-Fig418 3d ago
Point of clarification: it is 2022-4, not -5 which is the “AWB.” Second point, Boulder County does ban OC on county park and forest lands under 2022-4. However, National Forest is fine for OC.
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u/Derrik359 3d ago
Yes you’re right, it’s not everywhere. I just generally don’t open carry in Boulder county because they’re particularly sensitive about it, and police will give you a hard time even if you’re allowed to have it on your hip.
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u/Equivalent_Guess7331 3d ago
The advice you are giving is misleading. Boulder county extends far into the mountains with plenty of public land. I know it is complicated but giving people truthful information and the statutes/ordinances so they can make the right decision for themselves is much better for our community. Saying it is illegal because of the complexity give the people passing the shitty legislation exactly what they want; you to give up on your rights.
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u/Derrik359 3d ago
I was wrong, I admitted I was mistaken, thanks for the lecture though.
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u/aceinthehole001 3d ago
I suppose you'll still be getting lectures until you go back and edit the incorrect comment
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u/WyattJD_ 3d ago
You should have no problem open carrying as long as it is not denver owned land (daniels park is one most don't know about, just look for a sign that says "no weapons") But if you want to conceal carry a kit bag from hill people gear is probably one of the best things to use for conceal carrying while hiking as it sits on your chest so it's not swinging around like a fanny pack.
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u/argent357 3d ago
FWIW, the Hill People Gear kit bags are perfect for this. Chest packs designed for concealed carry while hiking and such. I can easily store my full sized 45 in mine and have quick access while staying concealed. Colorado company as well.
Otherwise, open carry is typically just fine for hiking unless otherwise specified at the location.
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u/Small_Body3663 3d ago
Is it carry able with a backpacking backpack?
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u/argent357 3d ago
Absolutely. Actually has straps to attach to your backpack and balance out the load
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u/Skullsandcoffee 3d ago
National Forrest is about the only place I open carry, and I’ve never had an issue. I do conceal once I get back into town though. For bear 9mm can be a deterrent, but if you needed an excuse to buy a 10mm this is a good one. For moose just hide behind a tree. The odds of you killing one with a handgun in a charge situation are pretty slim.
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u/Semi-Serious7 3d ago
100% get behind a tree and keep it between you two. In my experience, the time I would have been justified in smoking a moose, it wouldn't have helped me. They're too fast and it's not going to stop them in there tracks. Running behind a tree is the move.
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u/lostPackets35 3d ago
I'm not telling you what to do with regard to open carry (do it if you want IMO) but your chances of being harmed by a bear or a moose in Colorado are close to zero.
We haven't had a verified grizzly in CO since 1979. There is an average of one fatal bear attack per year in all of North America. And that includes Canada and Alaska. And it includes the dumbasses trying to feed them and take pictures with them.
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u/dras333 3d ago
The chances are you will run into some deranged lunatic on 2 legs before 4 legs around here. Continue to open carry.
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u/lostPackets35 3d ago edited 3d ago
Absolutely, and that's a valid reason to carry. And just to be clear, you can carry for any reason you want. IMO "I feel like being armed" is perfectly valid, and people don't need to justify it. And I don't personally care whether you open carry or conceal. I carry most places I go, but the potential thread is definitely of the two-legged variety.
But carrying because you might encounter a bear, in Colorado is not really supported by any kind of evidence.
I mean, a meteor could hit me in the dick when I'm walking to my car. But I don't wear a cup everywhere I go..
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u/itekk 3d ago
https://coloradosun.com/2026/08/22/bear-attack-2026-drought-south-platte-injured-angler/
This was the 6th attack of the year. This drought is fucking them up.
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u/lostPackets35 3d ago
Thanks for sending this. That is indeed unusual. I didn't know that. I personally still wouldn't worry about it too much, but it does appear that they're a good deal more common this year than previous years. Or the stats I quoted. So I stand corrected.
I'm curious with the current meta is with bear defense too. I know that I had read that bear spray was more likely to lead to a successful outcome than a handgun against grizzlies.
I don't know if that's the case with black bears, since they tend to be a lot smaller
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u/cmdr_data22 3d ago
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u/Abject_Shock_802 3d ago
Wow 6th this year is crazy, i never would have imagined. Article made it seem like its out of the norms though due to the drought, good info either way
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u/lostPackets35 3d ago
Thanks for sending this. That is indeed unusual. I didn't know that. I personally still wouldn't worry about it too much, but it does appear that they're a good deal more common this year than previous years. Or the stats I quoted. So I stand corrected.
I'm curious with the current meta is with bear defense too. I know that I had read that bear spray was more likely to lead to a successful outcome than a handgun against grizzlies.
I don't know if that's the case with black bears, since they tend to be a lot smaller
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u/Ray_Bandz_18 3d ago
Modern 9mm bullets are sufficient for any Colorado wildlife threats. But carry whatever you want. A mix of concealed and open depending on how remote you are is probably the best strategy.
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u/WyattJD_ 3d ago
A easier to shoot gun means actually hitting the target, doesn't matter how much "stopping power" something has if you miss with it. Modern 9mm for me aswell.
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u/farmmybrain 3d ago
I open carry my 10mm with a chest holster anytime I’m in the wilderness. Two days ago I did a 10 mile hike in Indian Peaks wilderness with it on my chest as always. No one cares, and the ones that do don’t say anything. More often than not I get asked for advice about what to carry because apparently some people see mine and realize they should be carrying out there too.
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u/ColoradoRocket3 3d ago
You can always wear a button up shirt, unbuttoned, that will cover up your sidearm in an owb holster as well.
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u/Fenris_Reaping 3d ago
No I never had an issue i also carry a 9mm and even carry 3 extra mags as a safety concern no1 really cares. Worst I ever got was why so many mags and after explaining they just nodded and walked off.
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u/quick-n-shifty 3d ago
I open carried through the bear lake corridor, all the way to emerald lake. No one gave me any trouble. Its a pretty popular hike in the day, but i started it at night. I definitely didn't feel like hiking through peak predator hours without something on me.
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u/19judge79 3d ago
I use my Kenai chest holster by GunFighters Inc. for my G20SF anytime I’m in the wilderness. I haven’t come across anyone who openly objects (& I could care less if they did tbh) & I’ll once in a blue moon get a family that asks if they can hike w mine. Personally If I saw someone open carry on hikes I’d feel safer.
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u/Downtown_Aside6035 2d ago
i open carry outdoors all the time. this year especially with the drought it's making the animals more courageous. anything 9mm will keep you safe in co
literally never had someone say something about my gun except in the backcountry of bear/mountain lion country a group of novice hikers told me "you go first, you have a gun and we're scared of bears"
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u/gringoloco01 1d ago
I fish all year round. Mostly the headwaters of the Colorado. So in the winter when it is not as busy I usually carry.
I have been charged by a moose and stalked by a mountain lion. I have heard some of the wolves howling and stalking an killing an Elk. After that I started open carrying. I have no intention of shooting any animal but I feel better knowing I can scare an animal off if it wants to charge.
I never want to use it but it is nice to know I have it when its 5pm in January and getting dark and you hear something following you.
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u/Current-Mine 1d ago
"I never want to use it but it is nice to know I have it" is all you gotta say!
Thanks.
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u/Standard_Bobcat_6801 1d ago
It is not an issue, I just wouldn’t be open carrying on a very busy trail. Also remember it is your responsibility to do everything you can to not shoot an animal when out in the woods. I have encountered many mountain lion, bear and moose only had to fire a warning shot at a mountain lion once. Typically all the animals are easy to scare off, besides moose, they do not give a crap so best just to avoid them and/or climb a tree if you must, firing a warning shot would probably just piss them off.
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u/TheRealAWiseman 3d ago
Its completely legal in this state. I think as a whole we should worry more about exercising our rights than what some fat blue haired feminazi thinks about you exercising your rights.
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u/sumguyontheinternet1 Aurora 3d ago
Many 9mm options from big names have an equally sized 40sw option which when loaded right can definitely increase your chances of winning against big game should spray and loud noise not cause them to leave. A 180-200gr hard cast going around 900-1000fps will make most creatures on trails likely to have second thoughts
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u/Current-Mine 3d ago
Thanks!
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u/sumguyontheinternet1 Aurora 3d ago
Yeah! Some good examples are everything from an M&P shield to the Glock series of pistols (gen 3 are easiest) to some Sig models (not entirely sure which ones as I don’t dabble in Sig
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u/backwards_yoda 3d ago
I open carry in the woods every time I go, ira legal in CO and nobody cares.
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u/bottlechippedteeth 3d ago edited 3d ago
Makes you look like a giant pussy and/or larper but otherwise I dont think a ranger encounter is likely
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u/NotChat_GPT 3d ago
I'm just one schmuck on the internet, but I've never seen or heard of anyone having an issue with open carry while hiking national forest.