Where should I move?

[Southmountain]

We are looking to move - looking at somewhere in the eastern US.

I would like to be within a short driving distance of somewhere where I could walk the woods or backcountry / hills with a long gun throughout the year, not just during hunting season.

Of course I don’t want to run afoul of any regulations, but also don’t want to receive stares from people. Here in Maryland, long guns or guns in general are not allowed on state lands.

Any suggestions that come to mind? Bonus if close to central / western Maryland

 

[InTheSwamp]

WV? Never been there, but it doesn't get much more country than that.

 

[nettlle]

The most beautiful place I have ever had the privilege to have hunt is the Dolly Sods Wilderness Area in West Virginia. A close second is Daniel Boone National Forest in Kentucky. Dolly Sods is truly amazing.

 

[Laphroaig]

West Virginia would be a great place to do what you are talking about. Central PA has a long standing hunting tradition and more public land than most. It's an open carry state (other than Philadelphia County) so you'd not run afoul of the law if you didn't shoot anything out of season. The downside with both of those is the hills are pretty steep.

 

[jmr40]

I've traveled all over the USA. Other than Alaska and Hawaii I've only missed 4 states so far. Look at a map and draw an oval around the TN and NC border within 50-75 miles of the state line. Extend that to include the northern 1/3 of GA and the NE corner of AL and you are in a good spot.

I live in NW GA and am more familiar with the specifics here. You can carry a handgun almost anywhere outdoors. There is a lot of National Forest land and much of that is managed by F&G as WMA's. Long guns are OK on NF any time. If it is part of a WMA then a long gun is only OK if something is open to hunt.

BUT.... Squirrel season opens Aug 15 and turkey season ends in mid-May. There is something in season between those dates. The only 2 months you can't hunt something is June and July. You probably don't want to be roaming around in the woods then anyway.

There are places where you can walk 20-30 miles and never come out of the woods.

 

[Armored farmer]

I've traveled all over the USA. Other than Alaska and Hawaii I've only missed 4 states so far. Look at a map and draw an oval around the TN and NC border within 50-75 miles of the state line. Extend that to include the northern 1/3 of GA and the NE corner of AL and you are in a good spot.

I live in NW GA and am more familiar with the specifics here. You can carry a handgun almost anywhere outdoors. There is a lot of National Forest land and much of that is managed by F&G as WMA's. Long guns are OK on NF any time. If it is part of a WMA then a long gun is only OK if something is open to hunt.

BUT.... Squirrel season opens Aug 15 and turkey season ends in mid-May. There is something in season between those dates. The only 2 months you can't hunt something is June and July. You probably don't want to be roaming around in the woods then anyway.

There are places where you can walk 20-30 miles and never come out of the woods.

You're right. This is probably my answer also. Beautiful country in the north Georgia area.
Good hunting.
Good fishing.
Good hiking includes the southern end of the AT.
Only a few hours drive to the GSMNP, the Atlantic coast, the gulf coast.
Good climate.
National parks and state parks galore.

 

[rayatphonix]

I've traveled all over the USA. Other than Alaska and Hawaii I've only missed 4 states so far. Look at a map and draw an oval around the TN and NC border within 50-75 miles of the state line. Extend that to include the northern 1/3 of GA and the NE corner of AL and you are in a good spot.

I’ve lived in the NC part of this area for 30+ years. It’s beautiful and great to hike, but hunting in the National Forests isn’t very good. Logging has been severely restricted and habitat for game, especially deer, is poor. Several years ago there were only about 1,100 deer harvested in the 1 million acres of National Forests in WNC. Numbers have improved over the last couple of years, but there’s still room for improvement. Most deer in this area are killed on private land.

 

[red rick]

I am selling my house King & Queen Co Va . It sits on 60 acres , with another 58 available , surrounded by the state forest on 2 sides . The house is 4 years old . The reason for selling , moving back closer to help my mom .

 

[red rick]

Shed , whole house generator . House is just over 1500 sq ft . The garage is 30x50 . It’s not listed yet .

 

[red rick]

All taken here .

 

[Savage30L]

Of course I don’t want to run afoul of any regulations, but also don’t want to receive stares from people. Here in Maryland, long guns or guns in general are not allowed on state lands.

Are you sure about that? I lived in Maryland for 10 years, spent a lot of time hunting and traipsing through the woods (basically walked through the woods for a living), and I'm not aware of such a regulation. On MNCPPC lands, maybe, but there are plenty of state lands where you can carry a gun.

As for the DBNF--(I live not far from it, and have hiked in it since the 1960s)...it has innumerable great places to hike, and if you get off-trail you are unlikely to encounter anyone else....if you stay on Federal land. But you ought to go to the DBNF official web site and download some of the detailed maps of the various forest tracts. The forest is a crazy patchwork of federal and private land, and some of the owners of the private tracts don't take kindly to armed strangers trespassing on their properties. Nearly all of the federal properties, however, are open to recreational shooting year-round. And it sure is beautiful this time of year.....

Edited to add: deer populations in the DBNF are generally very low, although if you scout a lot you can find pockets of good hunting. Other forest game animals, such as turkey, squirrel, grouse, and raccoon, are relatively abundant.

 

[courtgreene]

I've traveled all over the USA. Other than Alaska and Hawaii I've only missed 4 states so far. Look at a map and draw an oval around the TN and NC border within 50-75 miles of the state line. Extend that to include the northern 1/3 of GA and the NE corner of AL and you are in a good spot.

I live in NW GA and am more familiar with the specifics here. You can carry a handgun almost anywhere outdoors. There is a lot of National Forest land and much of that is managed by F&G as WMA's. Long guns are OK on NF any time. If it is part of a WMA then a long gun is only OK if something is open to hunt.

BUT.... Squirrel season opens Aug 15 and turkey season ends in mid-May. There is something in season between those dates. The only 2 months you can't hunt something is June and July. You probably don't want to be roaming around in the woods then anyway.

There are places where you can walk 20-30 miles and never come out of the woods.

I live in that circle. I hope to live in the circle until I die. Pretty great.

 

[usaral63]

West, by God. Good gun laws, reasonable taxes, a plethora of game and generous seasons...........................grew up there, & if if could talk my Chicago born wife I would without doubt be back home!

 

[Southmountain]

Many people recommend West Virginia and I love the state, but according to the WV Attorney General, rifles must be carried in a case in all state parks and forests and WMA’s when not hunting (self defense):

https://ago.wv.gov/gunreciprocity/Documents/On The Mark.pdf page 8

That means must live near National first lands like Dolly Sods Wilderness, Daniel Boone, or have money to buy large property.

Re: Maryland, I’m pretty sure all state lands prohibit open carry of long guns. Virginia too. At least from online comments.

Pennsylvania might permit on state forests but not state parks? Might be the best bet near Maryland.