Bears and Hunters the Approach Trail Dec 10-11, 2005

[twinkles]

Two Questions regarding the Approach trail to Springer

1. Are bears an issue in that neck of the woods this time of year?

2. Are hunters an issue--do I need to wear blaze orange?

[Dances with Mice]

Two Questions regarding the Approach trail to Springer

1. Are bears an issue in that neck of the woods this time of year?

2. Are hunters an issue--do I need to wear blaze orange?

I wouldn't call bears and hunters "issues", but they both should be considerations. There may be bears around the Approach, just like any other part of the Trail. Wearing orange isn't a bad idea in any forest this time of year.

[max patch]

I doubt that you'll see any bears while hiking, however, there is a bear that sometimes comes around Springer looking for food. Use the bear cables to hang your food if you are spending the night.

All of my hiking shirts are orange; one less thing to think about/remember.

[RWBlue]

As a hunter I can say this. Not all hunters should be in the woods. Some actually scare me. I don’t hunt public land for this reason. They shoot at movement not knowing what the target is.

I know it is not your responsibility to wear hunter orange, but would recommend for your own safety to wear hunter orange during hunting season if you are close to someplace where it may be legal for people to be hunting.

[Footslogger]

[quote=Dances with Mice]I wouldn't call bears and hunters "issues", but they both should be considerations.
=================================
Guess that's a matter of perspective. Memory serves that a couple years ago a high school student hiking as part of a school group was accidentally shot by a hunter along the AT in Georgia. To me that's more than a "consideration".

Hunters need to know where they're hunting and hikers need to know where they are hiking.

Responsible hunters/hikers know who they are ...

'Slogger

[Youngblood]

As a hunter I can say this. Not all hunters should be in the woods. Some actually scare me. I don’t hunt public land for this reason. They shoot at movement not knowing what the target is. ...

That is a little troubling. So should hikers use some type of zig-zag style like the ships did in WWII to make it more difficult for the submarines in the N. Atlantic?

All kidding aside, hikers tend to forget about the hunters when they are off trail on nature breaks. Often this is made worse by being in low light situations, particularly first light. It is further worsened by people squating down, hiding behind bushes and flashing white toilet paper. Don't forget! Wear orange hats even if you use orange pack covers and throw a bright colored jacket or something of that nature on the bush you are hiding behind or one nearby. And those that like to setup camp off trail and out of sight should consider just how steathy they want to be... especially hammocks since they are off the ground and can be in locations where one wouldn't expect a campsite to be.