bear alert

[rickb]

In the southern states one can't help but run into bear hunters out with their hounds along the AT.

Has anyone on this list encountered this on the AT north of PA, and in particular in NH or Maine?

I know such hunting exists (indeed I posted a link showing the numbers of bear taken this way), just wondering if one has seen it along the trail. I have not.

I always thought that Yankee sportsmen were much more inclined to harvest their bear crop over a pile of stale donuts.

[Lone Wolf]

talk about profiling... yankee this, southern that....

[Sierra Echo]

I've never ran across Bear Hunters who came equipped with their hounds.

[Skidsteer]

In the southern states one can't help but run into bear hunters out with their hounds along the AT.

Not in GA. Illegal.

NC bear season is in the Late Fall/Winter when most hikers are snug inside.

[Sierra Echo]

Not in GA. Illegal.

NC bear season is in the Late Fall/Winter when most hikers are snug inside.

I didn't know it was illegal. To be honest, Ive just never given bear hunting any thought.

[Skidsteer]

I didn't know it was illegal. To be honest, Ive just never given bear hunting any thought.

Bear hunting has a season, but you can't hunt them with dogs or hunt over bait.

[rickb]

Not in GA. Illegal.

NC bear season is in the Late Fall/Winter when most hikers are snug inside.

I didn't know that about GA. Good to hear.

SOBOs should come across plenty of bear hunters and their dogs in the other southern states. On the AT the bears are the ones at risk.

[Hoop Time]

Illegal to hunt bears with dogs in Pa. Also illegal to use bait here.

[berkshirebirder]

Bears. Some love 'em. Some hate 'em. End of discussion.

[Kelleelynn]

Bears. Some love 'em. Some hate 'em. End of discussion.

Couldn't have said it better myself!!!

[txag]

NH bear breaks into home to eat fruit, drink from the aquarium and take stuffed bear:

http://news.yahoo.com/s/ap/20100728/...ear_in_kitchen

Bear breaks into car and goes on joy ride:

http://www.thedenverchannel.com/news...13/detail.html

They can be so cute, too......

[Tuckahoe]

Google is your friend...

Here is a link to the Virginia hunting regulations regarding bear hunting -- http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting...tions/bear.asp

Hunting with dogs is illegal in Virginia during bow and muzzleloader season. It is legal during firearms season, except:

Dogs May Be Used to Hunt Bear Except:

• During the firearms deer season in the counties west of the Blue Ridge and in the counties of Amherst (west of Rt. 29), Bedford, and Nelson (west of Rt. 151).
• During the first 12 hunting days of the firearms deer season in Madison and Greene counties.
• In the counties of Campbell (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Carroll (east of the New River), Fairfax, Floyd, Franklin, Grayson (east of the New River), Henry, Loudoun, Montgomery (south of I-81), Patrick, Pittsylvania (west of Norfolk Southern Railroad), Pulaski (south of I-81) Roanoke (south of I-81) and Wythe (southeast of the New River or that part bounded by Rt. 21 on the west, I-81 on the north, the county line on the east, the New River on the southeast and Cripple Creek on the south), and in the city of Lynchburg.
• On the Amelia, Cavalier, Chester F. Phelps, Featherfin, G. Richard Thompson and Pettigrew Wildlife Management Areas.
• When hunting during the archery or muzzleloading bear seasons.
• On Cavalier WMA dogs may only be used during the Bear Hound Training Season from August 14 through 31.

It will also be noted that there is a bear hound training and chase season as well.
Edited to add -- Just for fun I looked up each of the state regulations.

North Carolina -- in checking their regulations for bear hunting, its says nothing about using dogs except that its illegal to use dogs in bear sanctuaries. http://www.ncwildlife.org/Regs/2009_...10_Seasons.pdf

Tennessee -- Dogs not permitted during bow season.

West Virginia -- it is illegal to "pursue a bear, after the chase has begun, with dogs not in use at the beginning of the hunt."

Pennsylvania -- it is illegal to hunt bear with dogs. http://www.portal.state.pa.us/portal...=726681&mode=2

Maryland -- Dogs are not permitted except to recover a dead or wounded bear. http://pub.jfgriffin.com/doc/jfgriffin/10MDHD

New Jersey -- It appears that NJ does not currently permitt bear hunting

New York -- I could not find anything regarding regulations of bear hunting with dogs.

Connecticut -- From what I gather, there is no bear hunting.

Vermont -- Hunting bear with dogs with a permit. http://www.vtfishandwildlife.com/lib...no%20maps).pdf

New Hampshire -- Permit required to hunt bear with dogs. Interestingly baiting of bears is also permitted (baiting is illegal in all other listed states). http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunt...rules.htm#bear

Maine -- Dogs are permitted for bear hunting with some regulation as well as baiting.

[Graywolf]

To the OP, Thanks. Its good to have these notices. Thanks for sharing and the advice.

As for teh others, would any of you camped at Blood Mountain during the closure?? If I remember corrctely, their were more then a few of you who said you did have your food taken. So what is your "professional" advice for not having food takin, after it has already done it?? Curious of the advice..This should go in to the humour thread after this..

[Tin Man]

Fear of Bears always amazes me. Especially when it is more dangerous to go to work (hundreds are killed annually at work). Latest example...

http://www.cnn.com/2010/CRIME/08/03/...ex.html?hpt=T2


Let's start a fear of going to work thread. At least that is an activity where your fears are justified.