My brother and I are going camping over the memorial day weekend and always being one of the "Better to have and not need" types I was planning on taking one of my guns or another. Can somebody enlighten as to the laws regarding camping and guns?

Just follow state laws...there are no camping specific laws.

If you do not have a valid hunting license, but have loaded rifles or shotguns in camp along with a light capable of "spotting" wildlife, a wildlife commissioner may ask you some questions, though nothing may come of it.  

Rationale 1: Potential poaching situation for big game (out of season, out of hunting hours (artificial light), no license) pg 17 of this document http://cpw.state.co.us/Documents/RulesRegs/Brochure/BigGame/biggame.pdf
Rationale 2: Potential poaching situation for coyotes/fox, etc (No license, no permit from local wildlife manager (unless you are on private ground)) pg 8 of this document


As I said, nothing may come of it, but a wildlife officer may ask you questions.  My understanding of the game laws in PA were that if you were spotting wildlife and had a loaded rifle in the vehicle, it was enough to potentially lose everything in possession that day, loss of hunting privileges, and more.  Based on that background, I don't take chances.  At a minimum, if the above is true, I would not work on your nighttime engagement skills unless you are on private property.

My family and I went camping in Arapahoe National Forest last summer and I took my rifles. Didn't think at all about asking anyone anything. I kept them in the car during the day (except when we were shooting them, obviously) and one in the tent with us at night. I have my Hunter safety card but not my license as I have not gone yet. I wasn't, in the least, concerned about being accused of poaching just because I had my rifles and flashlights while camping. I guess it could happen though.

If you have a loaded longgun in your car in Colorado (loaded in chamber) you will be cited for that.

Dan,
99% of the time there wouldn't be a problem;  it is just a remote chance.  However, sometimes people shoot after hours and that will attract attention, especially on Memorial Day weekend.  It doesn't even have to be you doing the shooting, the commissioner may just end up in your camp accidentally responding to the report.  I was posting the information from a precautionary standpoint.  You are perfectly legal to do as you did.  

I just never even thought of that. And isn't shooting at night, on public land, illegal? I remember I wanted to do that last year but read that it was illegal.

I would say that it is illegal to recreationally shoot at night on public land.  That is why you would likely get a visit from a commissioner or a sherriff's deputy.  However, you can legally shoot at night if you are lawfully pursuing furbearers (written permission from district wildlife manager) or if you are protecting yourself.

Why would you say that it is illegal to recreationally shoot at night on public land? I've never seen anything against it. If there's some info that I've overlooked, I'd like to be educated.

Why would you say that it is illegal to recreationally shoot at night on public land? I've never seen anything against it. If there's some info that I've overlooked, I'd like to be educated.

Last I checked you can shoot on public land anytime you want

Really!? Nice. Last year, on our camping trip,  my boys....and I.....wanted to see the fire an AR will throw at night.....but I thought I was told, or read somewhere, that discharging a firearm in the national forest at night was a no no. I guess things will be different this year!

I ALWAYS have a sidearm with me while camping.

Here are a few regulations. Check which forest you will be in as there might be additional ones. Have fun and stay safe.

Federal Rules
According to the Code of Federal Regulations (title 36), recreational shooting can take place on the National Forests and Grasslands under these conditions:
You are at least 150 yards from a residence, building, campsite, developed recreation area or occupied area.
You are not shooting across or on a National Forest System Road or an adjacent body of water.
You are not shooting into or within a cave.
You are not shooting in any manner or place where any person, property or resource is exposed to injury or damage as a result of such discharge.
You are not firing any tracer bullet or incendiary ammunition.

Targets and Alcohol
On the Arapaho and Roosevelt National Forests and Pawnee National Grassland :
You may only shoot targets that are:
cardboard,
paper,
self-healing,
manufactured metallic  (metal targets specifically designed for firearms),
or manufactured thrown-type clay (clay pigeons)
Wooden backing on targets is not allowed
You may not possess an open container of an alcoholic beverage while discharging a firearm. (Order 10-00-2011-01)
You may not use an explosive, including exploding targets. (Regional Order R02-2013-01)


ETA: One of our rules (sayings) is "Suns out, Guns out". We put 'em up at night.

Does the 150 yards mean from your campsite? Thats 1.5 football fields and highly unlikely for anyone to follow

From where you shoot to any other campsite etc...

Actually, it probably isn't illegal.  However, I'd put the firing of guns at night, on public land, for recreation within the realm of the rules of safely handling of any firearm.  I do not feel that you can know without any doubt that the area behind your target is clear/safe.  The same could be said for hunting furbearers at night.  However, when I am hunting, I am generally in areas that most people don't go, which  wouldn't include being anywhere near a pull up camp site.

Here is the sort of  "stuff" that propagates when rights are exercised irresponsibly.  Makes fighting for our rights and recovering them even more difficult.

Wish I had some good footage of our night shoots, Usually a parachute flare lights up the impact area.
Bookcliffs make an excellent backstop.

You in Junction?

Yes,  great places to shoot out here.