Do something to prevent future mistakes
Do nothing to preven future mistakes
Last time I checked, the AT starts in Georgia, not Florida.Originally Posted by eyahiker
"Most places I have hiked that have hunters are actually relatively safe. Most hunters I have met or know are very proud of how safety minded they are and are plesant to talk to."
Yes, but I have also met & talked to people who TRUELY believe that if the bullet doesn’t hit what they are aiming at it (Magically?) disappears. And if (honest, someone said this, and actually meant it) they “shoot a bullet into the air, It goes away” doing no harm I guess.
But then again, we give these same people 2,000 + Lb killing machines, and even give them licenses to drive them on the road, while drinking alcohol, and talking on their cell phones, and yelling at the kids, and, and, and, and.
I’m considering wearing my Kevlar vest when hiking during hunting season
Or at least hitting the ground everytime I hear a shot
Doctari.
Curse you Perry the Platypus!
[QUOTE=RavenJ223] If it is unlawful to camp close to the trail then how can it be lawful to discharge a firearm standing directly on it.
I live about 3 miles from the trail just south or Port Clinton, PA. The Appalacian Trail for at least 15 miles south of me, and 15 miles north or here is owned by the PA Game Commission. They own the land and allow the AT to pass through it. They don't like camping on their land and don't allow it. (That is why the nearest shelters: Eagles nest and William Penn , are off the trail. The ATC had to buy some land near the trail that was not owned by the PA Game commission. So, it is not easy to tell the landowner who can shoot on their land. If you don't trust hunters, you'll have to either abide by their rules and wear lots of orange during hunting season or restrict your hikes when it is not the season.
We did a southbound winter hike in 01 and passed through deer season from Maine to Tennessee. We met nothing buy friendly hunters although there was more trash on the trail at this time. Share the wilderness! I know it's not easy but i'd rather deal with quiet hunters than ATVers with pistols. AT least the rifles are more accurate and you are less likely to get shot without being aimed at. fh
I want nothing to do with this. it's absurd
Most of the hunters I meet on trails are polite, friendly, responsible, and interesting to talk to. They are in the woods for the same reason that you & I are. They enjoy the woods. Personally, I'd like to see deer hunting become more popular in some places. The deer herd in Harriman State Park in NY have just about destroyed the forest - and they are terribly unhealthy. Emaciated and everywhere.
Hunters have also been very very helpful in protecting places like Sterling Forest in New York. That is one of the earliest places that the trail was built. Second only behind Bear Mountain. The hunting community joined the environmentalists to form a coalition that resulted in the creation of Sterling Forest State Park - instead of the 14,000 houses and 6,000,000 square feet of comercial space that was planned in those 18,000 acres.
So, regardless of your personal opinion of hunting or some hunters, most of them are good folks. Remember, the hiking community has a few clunkers too.
'All my lies are always wishes" ~Jeff Tweedy~
most hunters are ok,most hikers are ok,i dont care for irresponsible hunters or hikers,so we all have to be responibleneo
No Kill I
If hunting is a "sport", why don't we equip the animals with weapons? Or, make the hunters wrestle and kill their prey with their bare hands, now that would be a sport!
I'd like to know how many hikers have been injured/killed by hunters?
Most hunters are responsible conservationist.
They keep lands open with their support. I buy a hunting/fishing combo tag every year even though I have stopped hunting. I'm also a ATC member.
What do you do to support these resources in your state?
In SC you must pass a safety course.
pete
The "crack and thump interval" started to get pretty short as I passed through southern Maine in 2003. Never actually saw a hunter but wouldn't have been too surprized to hear some shot go whizzing past my head at any moment. Got into Andover and bought a blaze orange watch cap and bandana. Figured if they were going to shoot at me I'd give them a bright target.
'Slogger
AT 2003
The more I learn ...the more I realize I don't know.
Hike and hunt with care
I am an avid backpacker and avid hunter so this thread is a tough one. I have a picture I took along the trail in 2000 in Pa. It is of a sign telling you that you are in a game management area open to hunting and on the same tree with the sign there is a white blaze. The ridge lines in North Carolina often mark an area open to bear hunting and the AT shares the same ridge line. My Dad, who just passed away at 92 years of age, and I for years went partridge hunting in the Bigelow Preserve in Maine and we frequently crossed the AT, There are no signs warning hunters they are within 300 feet of the AT so it is an easy mistake to make. I own a farm in central Maine and my land is open to any hunter that asks permission. Backpackers have no fear from 98% of all hunters. With todays hunter safety requirement to pass before they get a licence most hunters are educated in how to hunt safely and most do. There is the exception, usually some yahoo froom the city, more intrested in drink than hunting that we have to fear. Most hunters have invested a small fortune in their gun, their gear and their trip so they are careful and very serious about their hunt. Of course we also have loud, stupid, and drunken backpackers too so it is a two way street. The backpacker might be wise to wear an orange hat or vest, don't be afraid to make a little noise and if he or she uses caution should have no problem with the hunters. I remember when a backpacker broke his leg in Georgia it was a hunter that came to his rescue and got hin to medical help the quickest way. Hunters aren't going to go away so if you see one be nice, smile and say hi, If they find out they have wandered onto the AT they will appreciate being told because deer and turkeys aren't going to hang around noisy hikers. The hunter may just have an extra apple or a cold soda so be as nice to him as you can, Being nasty to a hunter will do no one any good even if the hunter is in the wrong and hunting in a closed area. We all can get along and we don't own the woods nor do they so lets share it and enjoy each other.
I agree with moxie, I live in a area with lots of hunters, the ones I know are very conservation minded. They love the outdoors as much as I do. Very good people.
"We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us."
Kahlil Gibran
"Hippy hikers" suck way worse than so-called "redneck hunters."
redneck hunters are cool,some of the nicest people i have met in the woods are hunters
Excuse me , but I think I resemble that remark. I used to be a hippy and may have hiked though I don't remember and in my younger years qualified as a redneck hunter. Now I'm just an old phart of a section hiker who chooses to hike during the fall. Some of my fondest memories have been the hunters we met . They have for the most part been friendly offering food , drinks , and helpful advice. There have been the occassional idiots such as the dudes using automatic weapons in southwest Virginia. Advice, wear lots of orange , make your presence known, and be nice . We want hunters to have positive , though not deadly , encounters with hikers.
Most of my friends are rednecks!... and tattoo artists!... and retired military!... and bikers!...oh my!
"We wanderers, ever seeking the lonelier way, begin no day where we have ended another day; and no sunrise finds us where sunset left us."
Kahlil Gibran
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