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  1. #1

    Default Hiking the GA section of the AT in October

    What is the best place to check on bear activity around that time.

  2. #2
    Ickybod jburgasser's Avatar
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    Would you not go if you read somewhere that bears wander through those woods? Because bears wander through those woods. The shelter on Blood Mountain has been closed from time to time because of bear activity. But that part of the trail always remains open to hiking. So you just plan on not spending the night where closings like that occur (I've never known of other Georgia shelters to be closed due to bear activity). Hang your food, your toothpaste, bug spray, dish soad, sunblack, mint floss, candy, chocolates, gum, gatorade powder (or liquid), coffee, or anything other liquid in a bag in a tree 10 feet off the ground, 6 feet lower than the branch your rope is hanging from, and 6 feet away from the trunk and you'll be fine. If you stay in the shelters, then just use the bear cables. Georgia Appalchian Trail Club website would have information on any abnormal bear activity.

    JB

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    Quote Originally Posted by febm View Post
    What is the best place to check on bear activity around that time.
    Check with the Georgia AT Club. They are friendly, helpful, and informed as anyone.
    GATC

    RainMan

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  4. #4
    Registered User scope's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by febm View Post
    What is the best place to check on bear activity around that time.
    About an hour before dark, anywhere on the trail.
    "I wonder if anyone else has an ear so tuned and sharpened as I have, to detect the music, not of the spheres, but of earth, subtleties of major and minor chord that the wind strikes upon the tree branches. Have you ever heard the earth breathe... ?"
    - Kate Chopin

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    Registered User Skidsteer's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by scope View Post
    About an hour before dark, anywhere on the trail.
    Hahahahaha! Great answer.
    Skids

    Insanity: Asking about inseams over and over again and expecting different results.
    Albert Einstein, (attributed)

  6. #6
    Registered User ChinMusic's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by febm View Post
    What is the best place to check on bear activity around that time.
    Not sure what you mean by that.
    If you are asking about any recent troubling activity the GATC would be a good call.
    If you are asking if bears are active in October, the answer is "yes".
    Fear ridges that are depicted as flat lines on a profile map.

  7. #7
    Registered User FatMan's Avatar
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    Archery season begins Sept 10, primitive weapons begins on Oct 15, and the big season begins on the 22nd. I can assure you that if bear activity is reported that bear won't be around very long. I wouldn't worry to much about bears in October. Oh BTW, be sure to wear plenty of blaze orange.

  8. #8
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    Maybe I am being dumb...............the risks of living in Philly and driving on the highways is a lot more dangerous that what we face on the trail. Personal injury is by far the biggest risk, and most of that won't kill you.....................just sore for 3-6 months before your next hike.

    I was SO excited when I saw my 1st bear..........what an awesome outdoor experience.

    Agreed.............hang all food and smellies properly, sleep tight.

    Yell, scream, kick, fight, throw rocks (always keep one by my tent(, whistle ..........if/when a bear comes calling.

  9. #9
    Registered User Speer Carrier's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by febm View Post
    What is the best place to check on bear activity around that time.
    The bear exhibit in Helen. And, a cold one will be available right down the road.

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    You bear hunters should do some scouting on your own and not expect us hikers to help you find a good place to hunt for bears.

  11. #11
    El Sordo
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    Quote Originally Posted by moldy View Post
    You bear hunters should do some scouting on your own and not expect us hikers to help you find a good place to hunt for bears.
    why? seems a waste of time to ignore easily obtainable information, no matter how hysterical or inaccurate it might be.
    Dyslexics Untie!

  12. #12
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    I hiked the South end of the trail last fall in early October and saw NO bears (but I tried not to attract them).

  13. #13

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    You can assume there is bear activity in the GA Section. Follow the usual precautions with your food; try to keep a clean camp and hang you're food and eating/cooking gear somewhere well away from your camp. The Georgia Shelters have excellent bear cables. In my experience bears are not a big problem, you probably won't even see one, but they are definitely out there. As mentioned, the Georgia AT Club is a good resource.
    virgil

  14. #14
    Registered User birdygal's Avatar
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    so what are the dates in georgia for hunting anything, I would like to avoid any the forest at that time

  15. #15

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    Quote Originally Posted by birdygal View Post
    so what are the dates in georgia for hunting anything, I would like to avoid any the forest at that time
    archery starts soon for deer and bear. then primitive weapons (muzzleloaders) in the middle of october, followed by firearms a week later. that goes until the first of the new year.

  16. #16
    Registered User FatMan's Avatar
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    Quote Originally Posted by birdygal View Post
    so what are the dates in georgia for hunting anything, I would like to avoid any the forest at that time
    I posted the dates earlier in this thread. See post #7.

  17. #17
    Registered User Spogatz's Avatar
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    Wear Orange!!!!!!

    Bears can't see orange and you will be invisible....

    Well......maybe not........
    ---Where ever you go
    There you are---

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