I've done this (sort of) by bike, with a few other guys. No agenda, no destination, just a bunch of guys with bikes loaded up with gear up in the hills of Vermont, New Hampshire and Maine. We learned, quickly, to seek out and introduce ourselves to local law enforcement or fire services. "Hi! We're a bunch of guys doing a bike tour of the northeast - do you know of a place that will let us camp out for free tonight? Oh, and we could really use some water for our water bottles." The truth is ALWAYS the best approach. In every case, we were treated like guests of the town, asked about where we were and where we were going, and why we were doing it. One time, we were directed to a park, another to a church basement. One time, we ended up in a hayloft. All was fun.

Thanks guys, sounds like some pretty good advice- I'd imagine authorities would be slightly more resentful to me, being how I'll be on foot and alone, than on bikes with a group... But the courtesy applies the same- Can't hurt to be honest, can only help...

If you come to Santa Monica, you'll attract about as much attention as a moth on a light bulb down at the corner pub.

"...come to Santa Monica..."

Or just about anywhere else in CA between sea level and 2000 (or so) feet...

???? Could you guys elaborate on this please? What's the deal with Santa Monica? Are you guys saying this is a good idea, or a bad one?

The question that I would like to have an answer to from our LEO types concerns the carrying of a Flare Pistol (12ga) while camping/hiking in the woods.

Please keep in mind that I don't think there is any question of carrying such a signaling device in a drought stricken area, but what about the areas that are not drought stricken or under a "burn ban"?????

Every jurisdiction has different laws, so the best course is to check with local authorities first. Having said that, I'll talk about my area. A Flare Pistol can be considered a firearm in Missouri, so all the firearm laws apply.
If I came across one in the course of my duties, I would look at the total situtation. Does the person appear to be what he says he is, i.e. someone enjoying the outdoors with other outdoor gear or does he appear to be a thug. If he only had the pistol and flares I would lean towards it being used for its manufactured purpose. My thoughts would go along the lines of: Does it appear to be a signaling device(blaze orange color, made of plastic, etc.)or does it appear to be a "sawed off" shotgun? Does the person also have normal shotshells that could be used in the pistol? If he does and has no other shotgun I would view the item as either a "sawed off" shotgun or a smooth bore pistol, both illegal weapons.
I belive in the individual's right to lawfully have and use firearms(NRA member), so I try to give the benifit of the doubt to the person.
Hope this helps.

Thanks Trooper for that info. I carry 3 expired flare rounds and 3 new flare rounds. I intend to take it with me when I go canoeing/camping but I think it would cause serious legal issues to carry it backpacking/camping.

I have a Navy Mk V Flare Pistol which originally was issued as a 10ga but I have reduced it's bore to a 12ga to make use of commercially available flare rounds. No, It is not orange colored but an aluminum barrel with a plastic handle/receiver.

What are your thoughts??

If space and weight are not a problem, carry all your "expired" flares.

I'm not gonna take the time to look up pressures, etc, but I suspect that anyone who touched off a round of real 12ga shotgun ammo in an aluminum barrelled, plastic handled/receivered flaregun would be in for a nasty surprise...