Shooting on vacation

[Thumbcocker]

Mrs. Thumbcocker and I are going on our first real vacation since 1995. We are doing a road trip truck camping trip to New Mexico and Utah and wherever else the urge takes us. We both want to see Santa Fe and Taos as well as just different country. I would like to take a few revolvers to shoot and pack around in the woolies. I have always wanted to do some Elmer style rock shooting with a .44 to see how far I can stretch the barrel. It just would not be a vacation without shooting. We have applied for Utah ccw permits but have no idea when they will arrive. Not really wanting to carry concealed just thought it might be a good option to have.

So my questions are 1. Other than basic safety what do I nee to do to not run afoul of the locals or leo types? 2. Do I need a license or other paperwork to open carry and rock shoot in the boonies on public land?

The last thing I want to do is fulfill the stereotype of the "idiot from back east" and cause problems for myself. Any suggestions are welcome.

[Sweetpea]

I can only give info about Utah...

Common sense will rule in the boonies, if you see a no shooting sign (rare) don't shoot.

You can open carry in Utah, and you can have it concealed or open inside your vehicle, as long as it is a handgun.

Long guns may not be carried in a vehicle loaded (chambered round).

Brandon

[starmac]

Too bad I can't get you the keys to the ranch, You could camp on private land close (but on the pretty side of the mountains) to Taos. Unless things have changed you can open carry and shoot on public land in NM. Like said above common sense will keep you out of trouble. I don't know what you want to see, but if it isn't yuppies and art, then there are way better places in Nm to go than taos or Sante Fe, but still close. If you are planning on camping anywhere around taos, I would either do Tres Ritas, or up around Red River or Angel Fire, both are way neater towns.

[chsparkman]

Too bad I can't get you the keys to the ranch, You could camp on private land close (but on the pretty side of the mountains) to Taos. Unless things have changed you can open carry and shoot on public land in NM. Like said above common sense will keep you out of trouble. I don't know what you want to see, but if it isn't yuppies and art, then there are way better places in Nm to go than taos or Sante Fe, but still close. If you are planning on camping anywhere around taos, I would either do Tres Ritas, or up around Red River or Angel Fire, both are way neater towns.

Tres Ritas is where my Grandpa taught me to fish for trout, 45 years ago. Went back there in '05 for nostalgia and was happy to find the fishing was still good.

[starmac]

Tres Ritas is where my Grandpa taught me to fish for trout, 45 years ago. Went back there in '05 for nostalgia and was happy to find the fishing was still good.

Part of the ranch property is probably less than ten miles from there, in a time long gone, I used to beat around that country a lot. We still have a family reunion camping there the week of labor day.

[chsparkman]

It sure is beautiful country. There's nothing like getting up in the aspens in the heat of summer to catch some nice browns on a fly.

[starmac]

I have put tracks on EVERY logging road and trail in that country, but that was years ago, and life got in the way. I still go to the reunion (occasionally if I can get off work) and keep up with a few friends around there.

[quilbilly]

In Utah and Nevada, no hunting license is required for coyotes, jackrabbits and ground squirrels. Nevada also includes badgers on that list while I believe Utah includes foxes (or used to anyway). Public hunting land is all over Nevada but a bit scarcer in certain large areas of Utah. You didn't say when your trip would be but Winnemucca, Nevada is a fine place to be on the weekend before Memorial Day (that is NCBS weekend). I recommend the Basque food in Winnemucca and Cleve Creek BLM Campground near Ely, NV if you decide to see Great Basin Nat. Park (Cleve Creek is not in the park so coyote calling and antler collecting is OK as is the trout fishing. I spent four days there once and the only other vehicle I saw was a UPS delivery truck on the pavement three miles away.). Cactus Pete's Casino in Jackpot, NV has one of best salad bars and dessert bars at its dinner buffet but, even if a camping trip, we stay across the street at Barton's 93 Casino where we especially like the rooms in the two story motel section in back of the casino (they are smoking but you would never know it plus you can park your rig right next to the door). I may live in the rainforest of the Olympic Peninsula but when I get serious about a good time outdoors, Eastern Nevada is the place we go since we out-grew Nevada's big cities decades ago.
BTW - Our favorite of the Nat. Parks/Monuments in Southern Utah is Cedar Breaks. It is small but a jewel.
Have a great trip!!!

[SciFiJim]

I just finished my CCW renewal class and the instructor recommended a book for travelers. So I ordered a copy. Good info and updated every year.

2014 United States Traveler's Guide to the Firearm Laws of the 50 States (http://www.amazon.com/United-States-Travelers-Firearm-Edition/dp/0972548955/ref=sr_1_1?ie=UTF8&qid=1398653986&sr=8-1&keywords=travelers+guide+to+the+firearm+laws+of+th e+fifty+states+2014)

[Sweetpea]

Foxes are considered furbearers in Utah, license is required.

Yes, cedar breaks is gorgeous, as is Zion.

If you get down this way, let me know...

[starmac]

If you happen to go outof NM and up through Moab (fun little town) stop and go through the hole in the wall, it is pretty interesting.

[Bad Water Bill]

Capitol Reef and Brice Canyon are 2 that should be on your bucket list as well.

One word of caution.

If you are not familiar with the area do not venture off the beaten path without notifying someone EXACTLY where you are going and when you will be back and do not very from that plan.

Believe it or not there is quick sand in the back country out of Hanksville Utah on the way to an antelope reservoir.

Also a lot of petrified wood sticking out of the bluffs on that road.

Do not touch it or the BLM will be all over you.

That is another story about the BLM I could tell.

[jmsj]

Not sure what parts of NM you will be traveling through but if you are looking for a place to shoot, there is the Whittington Center near Raton. They have lots of different types of ranges to play on.
There is also the Valle Vidal and Cimarron Canyon.
It's still a little cold up here for camping. The lows are in the 20's and it snowed a little today.
Can't speak for all the Law Enforcement in NM but around the N.E. corner, common sense and a respectful attitude work pretty well.
Good Luck jmsj