[b]On TV there was a segment on riding HM and a number of the machines had scabbards and I assume rifles. Does anyone know what the restrictions are? Does it have to be squirrel season, etc? Probably would need a out-of-state small game license in that case.

Or maybe all firearms are banned on the marked trails?? Presumably any rifle/shotgun would have to be cased and unloaded. What about passing through a town where ATV's are allowed to ride? A KOLPIN scabbard sticks out about 4" and I'm wondering too if that is a nuisance on narrow, tree lined trails?

Concealed carry would be the best but my stupid state (WI) just lost a veto contest with the Governor and it will be another year until it comes up again.[B/]

 

i seriously doubt they let you hunt from the trails on a 4-wheeler. there are just too many people on those trails. i did hear that parts of them close down for hunting season though. im not sure if you can ride them on your 4-wheeler or if you have to hoof it.

 

Turbo, What is HM?
As for the Koplin mount it is not an issue of sticking out to far in fact I bent mine to place the front of the boot(barrel) right over the right headlight and the rear of it sticks out another couple of inches. This way it is easier to slide the gun out and not have to worry about my knee and thigh riding agaisnt it. Also keeps the boot from grabbing small trees as the brush now slides off the boot and outward rather then letting it get between the quad and inside of the boot.
I see your concealed law did not pass, is it legal to carry openingly? Alaska had the same law but now we can carry concealed. It is no big thing to be able to carry concealed while hunting as you would want your gun out in the open rather then trying to get out from under your coat. Can you get a concealed permit? If you can do it, look for the classes where they teach the laws rather then the guy who takes you money and then you just shoot to qualify. The classes that teach you the laws are very informative. You would be supprised how few actual self defense situations there are. The lawyers realy lay it on about what could happen to you after you shoot somebody. I do not even carry my weapon unless I am riding or hunting, because if I get mugged and I stop the crook I could get sued by his family and even though I might win the case I would lose my house defending myself in court(lawyer fees).Just a thought.AlaskaBoy.

 

Alaska, HM is Hatfield-McCoy trail system in the old coal mining counties in Kentucky.

KOLPIN, scabbard: I find it's WAY too long for a 16" barrel. Lots of guys stuff the nose full of rags so the barrel can be a depth "stop" instead of the objective lens of a scope. I'm going to saw off the nose, and then cut off an additional 8", and then glue the nose up into the shorter scabbard. The inner liner can be cut off at the bottom end and glued closed with fabric glue like "Goop". I'm hoping to mount it crosswise across the rear rack.

The Traxter has a step through seat so mounting it your way would interfere with getting on.

What you said about CCW classes is what I had feared. Most of the 22 hours (really!) is spent scaring people half to death if they ever chose to defend themselves. Anybody that works for a living and has a house is dead meat in the courts today. Especially in Wisconsin. We had a shop keeper that was held up a half dozen times so he openly carried a handgun in his store. He chased away a crook by flashing his gun and the Cops arrested him. Eventually the charges were dropped after WI Supreme Court said he had a State constitutional right to carry and the restrictions have to be changed. But our crack Democrat Governor still vetoed the bill after both houses passed it, but couldn't over-ride his veto by ONE vote. That one vote was cast by a Democratic co-sponsor of the original CCW bill. Go figure.

Sure wish we lived in Alaska...

 

There is NO HUNTING on H/M leased land. I have spent a lot of time on these trails, and rarely see hunters riding on the H/M trails.. You might see a guy crossing the trails, to get to his hunting area.
SEE: www.trailsheaven.com this is the official H/M website. You should find your answers there. Enjoy H/M, the place is AWESOME!!!!!!

 

We are turning into the lower 48 everyday and it will not be long before we have the same restrictions as the other states. If the greenies had there way we would not be allowed to step outside of houses. I grew up in Michigan and I could not beleive what my friends told me about where we used to ride is all off limits. Progress they say, I know where they stick some of that progress! I am glad Gore did not get elected as this would of have been happening as I type.
Back to my second question, can you carry in the open, not clear on your answer?

I see your point of the short barrel not fitting the boot. I have heard of the scope issue but have never had it happen to me, maybe the tip of my barrel rests on the bottom of the boot?

We had a pastor shoot and kill two guys who broke into his church last year and he was arrested and charged. He had shot them in the back with a 44 as they charged him in a narrow stairwell, they were high and one had brought a gun but had left it down stairs. The jurors found him not guilty even though he shot them in the back on the grounds as somebody needed to stop them from robbing houses and churches and they got what they deserve and the people of Big Lake had had enough. It was said to me that his lawyer represented him for free and the family of the guys he had shot at first said that they were scum but come the day of the trial they were little angels just looking for some food at the church. I am waiting for the civil suit now. AlaskaBoy.

 

Alaska.....technically we should be able to carry in the open (if not in a city or township or some place with rules against it) but if anyone did they would be charged with a "disorderly conduct" offense. I don't know if thats a misdemeanor or a felony. Probably a mis.....(spelling?) because I know the fine is about $150 and you have to go to court. Before I retired last year two of my mechanics got into a fight, one called the cops, and they were charged with a miss... and I had to go to court as a witness. Charges were dismissed and no fine. 6 months probation.

Don't really know why I even bought the scabbard. In WI you can't leave posted trails on your vehicle or hunt from an ATV. A rifle/shotgun/handgun carried in any kind of a vehicle/boat must be cased and unloaded. And not reachable by the driver or occupant while moving (????).

Might be different on private property. At least no wardens would see you.

 

BTW-- Ohio will have a CCW law in place April 1. 12 hrs. of class time, I believe.

 

Only 8 hours class time in Texas. YeeeHaaaw! The scabbards you saw were probrably empty, just a permanent part of the quad. Would put one on mine if it would hold an AR. With the scope and magazine in, it's just too tall.

 

Scooter... My first plan was to cut a "U" shaped section out of both the "lid" and the main scabbard so the AR-15 pistol grip can stick out when the two sections are together. It would work. The magazine is no problem because the rifle would have to be unloaded anyway. A couple of surplus canvas 30rd magazine pouches could be fastened almost anywhere.

The rifle I was planning to adapt the Kolpin scabbard for was my Carbon 15 97S Bushmaster. That's why the scabbard was WAY too long for a 16" barrel and a short butt stock. Just a thought...

In WI there's no place where I could carry it since all the trails are on posted private land that charges an ATV "fee", or State/Federal forests with "No firearms allowed"..