Are Logging Roads Considered Public Roads?

October 16, 2008

Question: You’ve said before that it is against the law to shoot across public roads or to hunt from a public road. In many years of hunting in the Sierra it is very common to walk the logging roads to hunt. Do these constitute “public roads??” (Tom R.)

Answer: According to game warden Todd Tognazzini, public roads could be logging roads if vehicles are allowed to travel back and forth, but many logging roads allow only foot traffic. Section 374(c) of the California Penal Code states, “Every person who shoots any firearm from or upon a public road or highway is guilty of a misdemeanor.” Road and roadway are each defined in the Vehicle Code under sections 527 and 530. Generally, a road means an existing vehicle route ordinarily used for vehicular travel and a roadway means a portion of a highway designed for ordinary vehicular travel.