I have no idea what the smartest or most efficient way to start this thread is... but here goes.
Im going to take a sort of 'National Forest Tour' when Spring breaks in full. I plan to leave from Detroit, MI, in early April. I am an avid and experienced outdoorsman, but Ive never taken a road trip...
I want to start in Wayne NF in s. Ohio, and from there meander through some of the southern and Appalachian NFs before booking it westward.
I have so many questions, however, and I have no one in my life whose ever done this sort of thing, so I only have you sc/out/s to rely on ;^)
So I'll be roadtripping quite a bit kind of all across the US.
But some pretty major questions have remained unanswered, and I havent been able to find what I need with google.
>Where will I be able to get water? I have purification tablets and a filter for innawoods and such, but what about general water? Should I stock up on store bought gallons? Do I fill up at public park drinking fountains or something?
>What about electricity? I can charge my phone in car, but what about my laptop? Should I even bring my laptop? I am a writer and digital painter so thats where most my work is done
>What about eating on the road? Im obviously not going to be fast fooding it most the time, where can I wash my dishes?
>Can I really do dispersed camping in any national forest? This is what I was told previously and what I did for years in Michigan
I am sincerely relying on you shitposters for some guidance or advice. Even sites with the answered to these questions would help.
Thanks, sc/out/s
>>707139
>Where to get water
I typically only go into forrest where there are water sources. Google Earth is your friend. I also keep water inside my vehicle in case I need it.
>charging
Those little battery banks might be an option or even a solar charger. Also your developed camp sites will have power hook ups but you will have to pay to stay there.
>wash dishes
Extra water in your car/water sources. I also like meals where I don't need to do dishes or using paper bowls then just burn when I'm done.
>dispersed camping
I really don't know what you mean here.
>water
yes to all. and almost all urban water (barring flukes like flint) is potable, so once you buy a bottle you can refill it in any mcdonalds or walmart bathroom
>laptop
ummm, charge it in your car also?
>washing dishes
wipe em out real well. hobo wash them in sinks. bigger problem is going to be washing you, desu.
>dispersed camping
pretty much totally legal in national forests and on blm land. but you usually need a permit to camp in national wilderness or national parks.
>>707144
>>707157
I know thanks are kinda pointless on an anonymous Colombian stained glass chatroom, but thank you for the advice.
On another note, is there a place to reference state laws (mostly pertaining to what firearms I can carry, travel with, use) where the language isn't so thick in legal-ese?
I dont want to get arrested in Arkansas for misinterpreting adverbs on some legal website
>>707221
I'm from arkansas and the pic I posted is from ouachita nf. What particular questions do you have about firearms?
>>707245
None of them are specifically centered on AR, but there is a long list of general questions I wanted to ask about each state I'll be visiting.
>What firearms am I allowed to transport in your state?
>What type of firearms am I able to carry in the national forests?
>Do i need a permit or anything similar for any specific type of firearm? Do I need anything like trigger locks?
You know, the how-do-I-avoid-getting-arrested-becasue-some-cop-is-having-a-bad-day type questions
btw How is Arkansas for /out/ activities? looks nice tbqh
>>707281
Arkansas
>What firearms allowed to transport
As of right now everything is legal within a vehicle.
>firearms able to carry within national forest
You can have long guns but I wouldn't carry that unless your hunting. Handguns are also accepted. You can open carry with no permit, concealed you need a permit is my understanding. We have this thing called constitutional carry that allows us to have concealed handguns if we are on a "journey" but it seems to only apply to vehicles and not people on foot. I thought about not renewing by permit and testing this but since you are out of state I wouldn't recommend. If you go to actual campgrounds they typically have firearm free zones around them.
>trigger locks
No
>avoid bad day pigs
Just keep the firearms out of sight.
You also mentioned what firearms can you use. I can't speak for everywhere but in the ONF you can't shoot unless it's for hunting. They have dedicated ranges for just shooting
Overall arkansas is pretty good for /out/, although the people are pretty shitty IMO.
>>707281
As someone thats spent weeks on the ONF I would just carry the smallest/lightest centerfire handgun you own. Just my opinion.
>>707221
>I know thanks are kinda pointless on an anonymous Colombian stained glass chatroom, but thank you for the advice.
i still appreciate you acknowledging this thread exists. few things on this site drive me more crazy than when op asks a question, then is never heard from again.
>>707290
>>707303
I've never had to deal with potentially dangerous wildlife before, and thats why I planned to carry.It would be nice to have a way to hunt if I do get lost or something, but mostly it was for wildlife.
That's another thing I'm unsure of.
How wary do I really have to be of wildlife?
Bears are usually pussies, yotes are no threat, and I figured if I have to square down a wolf or two I'm probably toast. And cougars are ambush hunters.
Do I really need to worry about defending myself from wildlife?
what about [spoiler]skinwalkers?[/spoiler]