Bank head Forrest

I buddy if my has ask me to bow hunt hogs with him on bank head Forrest , he said he did it several years ago with good success. He said he had to hike in a good ways. I have never hunted hogs or bank head Forrest. He said that part of it is state and the other is federal land. He believes your allowed to carry a pistol for protection. I am just curious if anyone knows more info on this . I wouldn’t mind trying it but want to be sure I am in the guide lines.

Call the local warden in that area. You should be able to get his number through the district office. Just tell them where you want to hunt.

I tried to get that answer a few years ago and was told both ways,so I would just go by what the guy who will be checking you says.

You can carry a concealed weapon with a concealed weapon permit. If you don’t have a permit you must only possess weapons legal for game species for whatever is in season.

Is that like Bankhead Forest?

Do you have to carry concealed,or is it still OK if you are operating within the law in Alabama with open carry?

"If the National Forest general forest area is also a State wildlife Management Area (WMA), state regulation generally prohibits all firearms unless a scheduled hunt is in progress, and even then, there are limitations on the types of firearms that may be carried. The State Department of Natural Resources should be contacted for specific regulations pertaining to firearm possession in WMAs."

"(k) For any person to possess or to carry in or on a vehicle, any of the following: any firearms [including pistols/handguns, except as described in (r) and (ii)] with ammunition in the magazine, breech or clip attached to firearms, or black powder weapons with primer, cap or flash powder in place, or cocked crossbows. See (r) and (ii) for limited exception for certain lawfully authorized handguns possessed for personal protection.

(r) For any person to possess any firearm while hunting with bow and arrow or crossbow, except on days of either sex gun deer hunts. This prohibition shall not apply to the possession of handguns by lawfully authorized persons for their personal protection, provided the handguns are not used to hunt or take or to attempt to take wildlife except as otherwise provided by this regulation.

(ii) Nothing in this regulation prohibits or requires a wildlife management area permit for the possession of handguns by lawfully authorized persons for personal protection, provided the handguns are not used to hunt or take or to attempt to take wildlife except as otherwise provided by this regulation."

WMA Rules and Regs my guy

Seems clear that if its for protection and legal, then yes you can. Concealed or Open.

So you can take it,but will be fined if you use it to get a hog off you.

Getting a hog off of you would clearly be protection. I think you'd get fined if you were putting one out of its misery with your side arm.

I wouldn't mind knowing this either. My lease borders the forest so I'm pretty close often. Wouldn't mind trying to get a hog or nice eating deer. If anyone has any pointers I would appreciate it.

Watch out for the game warden wearing make up and a dress, lol !

What mbrock said. Some places you gotta walk and some ya don't! Hunt it a lot and you will eventually learn a trick on where they live. What to look for, when to go and when not to go. I have killed a bunch there but aint been much in the last year. I could definitely tell that the wardens put a huge hurtin on them the last 5 years. Not like it use to be.

Hes retired now I believe....

Matt's not on Bankhead anymore

Exactly

I almost fell out of my chair!!! Last time I saw him he was wearing a neck brace....... I seriously wanted to say something but I was able to keep from it. Not Matt..... Ive met him a few times out there he was never in a dress though

Wow....you did not just say that!

Matt clearly must have heard you coming and changed