Me and a few freinds are planning to spend a weekend in the wilderness in a couple of weeks-

I would like to know if:
A: Is it legal to carry a rifle with you while camping/hiking (For protection mostly[bears])?
B: Is it legal to do some plinking while in the woods? (IE: on a hill-side, for safety reasons)?

Many thanks to any informed replies.

It depends where.  On New York State land (e.g., Catskill forest preserve), firearms are  typically banned.

EDIT: What lands allow one to bring in a firearm? Any help?

This is one place you can contact for additional information.

[url=http://www.dec.state.ny.us/]NYS DEC[/url]

Your best bet is either private land or going to Pennsylvania (not New Jersey).  Good luck.

Edited to add:  Bears are not a threat anywhere in NYS.  Your odds of seeing one are near zero.  Just take sensible precauations with your food.  People are your greatest threat as all sorts of undesirables tend to congregate in our state forests.  I once ran across some unpleasant marijuana growers who were armed (and I wasn't).

I called the DEC Divison Headquarters, some areas have special regulations, you can call the DEC regional office in the area you want to hike/camp to make sure. DEC campgrounds are a different matter (no firearms except during hunting season), but for state forest property if you have a valid NYS pistol permit you can carry a handgun.