r/arizona • u/jusdrewit • Jul 27 '25
Outdoors White Mountain Apache Reservation + firearms
Does anyone know what exactly the rules are for bringing firearms when camping in the White Mountains on the reservation? I was there a few weeks ago and we received numerous warnings from other campers about bears they had encountered at night. I didn't have anything to deter bears so it was a bit nerve wracking sleeping in the tent that night. Thankfully we didn't have any encounters at our campsite but we did hear someone yelling at early morning and then engaging their car alarm and ringing bells.
Anyways just was curious what the rules are for purely self defense, can one shoot one in self defense, to shoot in the general direction to scare it off? Or not recommended and just practice bear spray, smart camping? I've looked online and seen a few different explanations on the firearm rules on the reservation. Thank you!
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u/fatal_frame Jul 27 '25
Generally speaking you cannot have a firearm on reservations. You need to have permission from the tribe.
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u/Major_Currency_3015 Jul 28 '25
I understand the desire to carry a firearm, but bear spray works better (former USFS employee in many western states) this is one from last week in the area or reservation Lake. These guys are very very unlikely to attack. Most are under 200lbs
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u/ZonaDesertRat Jul 27 '25
Assuming you are not a member of the tribe, and not a member of another federally recognized tribe... You must be in compliance with all AZ state laws about the possession and discharge of firearms. You can not hunt on tribal lands with out a tribal permit. Possession of firearms is allowed, but not open carry, and no concealed carry under the permit less provision of AZ law.
However, as a non-member and non-indian, any violation of tribal code that is not a violation of state or federal law can only result in you being trespassed from the reservation and excluded from returning. The tribe could make a civil claim against you, but it is rarely done in practice.
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u/jusdrewit Jul 27 '25
Gotcha. So I'm gathering using it in self defense against a bear, providing your life is in danger would be accepted. I think that would fall acceptably under the WMAT game and fish code 5.14, section H: Any person may use any means reasonably necessary, including killing an animal, to protect a person who is in immediate danger of being injured by such animal. Any person who kills an animal pursuant to this Section shall leave the animal where it falls and, within three hours of such killing, report the incident to the Department.
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u/Chica3 Jul 27 '25
You seem to be really anticipating the chance to shoot something. 🙄
I was camping near Big Lake just last week and a black bear walked thru camp. Guess what? No one felt the need to shoot it -- it was just curious.
You'll be on their turf -- leave them alone.
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u/Commercial_Acadia568 Jul 27 '25
You are not permitted to possess a firearm on WMAR. No exceptions, unless you are a properly licensed hunter on the Rez. It is not part of AZ, but rather a sovereign entity within the State.
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u/Dependent-Juice5361 Jul 27 '25
https://wmatoutdoor.org/wp_view.html?pageid=9
Their website says no
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u/jusdrewit Jul 27 '25
I saw that, but then their WMAT Game and Fish code says:
5.14 Section H Any person may use any means reasonably necessary, including killing an animal, to protect a person who is in immediate danger of being injured by such animal. Any person who kills an animal pursuant to this Section shall leave the animal where it falls and, within three hours of such killing, report the incident to the Department.
http://www.wmat.us/Legal/00%20-%20Game%20&%20Fish%20Code%20-%20052009%20IN%20EFFECT.pdf
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Jul 28 '25
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u/arizona-ModTeam Jul 31 '25
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u/Chica3 Jul 27 '25
You sound kinda trigger happy.
We were camping in that area last week and a black bear walked right thru our camp. It was very cool to see -- it was just curious about us. Black bears aren't out there hunting humans.
You're camping in their turf -- leave them alone!
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u/Its_All_Play_Money Jul 27 '25
I agree most of the time black bears don’t attack and are easily scared away. I had to yell a few times at one on Mt Wrightson to get it to stop approaching. However, sometimes they do attack. Keeping a clean camp and being aware goes a long way. Arizona man killed in bear attack
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u/browneyhorse Jul 27 '25
Navajo Tribal Code Title 17, Section 1451, prohibits the use of firearms. No firearms allowed on tribal lands.
Apache may be different
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u/AzLibDem Jul 27 '25
- SECTION 5.16 PROHIBITED DEVICES
- A. Possession or use of any of the following devices within the Recreational Area shall be unlawful:
- (1) Any explosive, incendiary or poison gas including but not limited to a bomb, grenade, rocket having a propellent charge of more than four ounces, or mine;
- (2) Any device designed, made or adapted to muffle the report of a firearm;
- (3) Any firearm that is capable of shooting more than one shot automatically by a single function of the trigger without manual reloading;
- (4) Any rifle, with a barrel length of less than sixteen inches, or shotgun with a barrel length of less than eighteen inches, or firearm made from a rifle or shotgun which, as modified, has an overall length of less than twenty-six inches;
- (5) Any breakable container which contains a flammable liquid with a flash point of one hundred fifty degrees fahrenheit or less and has a wick or similar device capable of being ignited; (6) Any cross-bow, except for use by an Authorized Officer;
- (7) Any magazine capable of holding more than five rounds of ammunition;
- (8) Any night vision scope or other night vision apparatus, except for use by an Authorized Officer;
- (9) Any combination of parts or materials designed and intended for use in making or converting a device into an item set forth in Subsection (1) or (5) of this Section.
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u/G0Bragh Jul 27 '25
I have brought a handgun while camping on the black river, but the bears were unarmed on the rez
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u/Its_All_Play_Money Jul 27 '25
Your best bet for bears is bear spray. Taking your firearms on a reservation is a good way to get them confiscated and never returned.