I believe that everyone has the right to own and carry firearms anywhere,  for any legal purpose and that the Constitutions of the United States and of Virginia protect that right. While I can understand the concern the state may have for poaching and disruption of natural habitat in protected areas, the mere possession of a firearm does not portend the intent to use it for illegal activity. Conversely, should a person stumble across a criminal enterprise or be victimized by some predatory person, he may well be far from help and have an immediate need to defend himself. Surely the criminal, intent on such enterprise or attack, will be armed without regard for regulations to the contrary. Moreover, Virginia is home to bears and increasingly to wolves and mountain lion. While these creatures are generally shy of human beings and avoid them, there are circumstances where they could become a life threatening challenge. Finally, it is not at all uncommon, even in suburban areas, for rabid foxes and racoons to attack humans. For all of the afforementioned reasons, I think that only a blithering idiot would go unarmed into the deep woods. Therefore, I would urge the state, at the very least, to allow the concealed carry of handguns, in state forests, by those licensed to do so.