View Full Version : Hunting and the A.T.
Click ATC page (http://www.appalachiantrail.org/site/c.jkLXJ8MQKtH/b.795531/k.AE1B/Hunting_and_the_AT.htm) for general information. Post questions not answered by ATC's page here. If you live in an A.T. state, post open seasons for your area, links to them where possible and requirements for blaze orange clothing as dates approach.
Go here (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/showthread.php?t=27686) for a recent WhiteBlaze thread on blaze orange.
ChimneySpring
10-02-2007, 09:08
Virginia -
http://www.dgif.state.va.us/hunting/regulations/deer.asp
Note that small game seasons are already in place, and extend beyond the deer season. On the Rollercoaster, archers will be in the woods from this weekend until 11/16. Some form of firearm (muzzleloader or otherwise) will be in season from 11/3 - 1/5/2008.
Hunting isn't permitted on the AT corridor lands along the Rollercoaster, but I can tell you that a large number of adjacent landowners do hunt... myself included. There are several very large parcels on the western side of the trail that are leased by hunt clubs. Topography through a lot of that area, combined with lot lines, eliminates a lot of the chance for "bullet trespass". Can't be too safe though. If you happen to come across someone encroaching on the AT corridor who clearly ISN'T tracking a downed animal, please report them!
GR Thompson, which borders Sky Meadows Park between Markham and Route 50, is crawling with hunters each year.
I like seeing signs such as this along the trail, this particular one is a few miles north of I70 in Maryland.
Well, attachment was too large:
http://www.pwrpark.com/no-hunting.jpg
shelterbuilder
10-02-2007, 18:01
I like seeing signs such as this along the trail, this particular one is a few miles north of I70 in Maryland.
Well, attachment was too large:
http://www.pwrpark.com/no-hunting.jpg
Yes, we have signs like that in Pa. I've often thought that posting a safety zone around the shelters would be a good thing, but others have told me that I don't know what I'm talking about. (Come to think of it, they say that to me a lot.):o
Moose hunt (http://www.boston.com/news/local/maine/articles/2007/09/24/moose_hunting_season_gets_under_way_in_maine/)is underway in Maine and partridge season is here also. The Moose hunt doesn't usually clash with hiking because they, the hunters, generally ride around in a vehicle on back roads till a Moose steps out in a conveinent spot very near the road .
One thing a hiker should be concerned with in Moose country certain times of the year(August/September) is Bull Moose in the Rut (http://www.soundventure.com/web/wildbynature/episode13.html). They have been known to act aggressively toward people and your best course of action if you found yourself in this situation is to climb a tree or at least get behind a good size tree and manuver yourself to stay on the opposite side of the tree from the moose.
It's good to see the topic of hiker safety during hunting season being discussed here.
While millions of people have hiked the A.T. without incident during hunting season, two hikers have been shot on the A.T. by hunters during deer firearm season. Both hikers sustained life-altering, chronic injuries and probably would not have survived the accidents were it not for fairly prompt medical assistance and lengthy hospital stays. One victim was a novice hiker on one of her first backpacks in Georgia; the other was a former thru-hiker on a day hike in central Virginia (both incidents were on National Forest lands). To the best of our knowledge, neither hiker was wearing blaze orange or was aware that hunting season was underway.
As Chimney Spring points out above, hunting is illegal on A.T. corridor lands, but hunters have (infrequently) been caught hunting illegally on A.T. lands. In some cases it's possible they did not know they were on A.T. lands. You can help protect hikers (and trail lands) by becoming a corridor monitor--making sure boundaries are monitored for illegal activities such as hunting and various encroachments and keeping them clearly marked to help deter those activities. Visit ATC's website at http://www.appalachiantrail.org/corridormonitoring or contact your local A.T. maintaining club (if they have A.T. corridor lands to maintain) for more info.
Laurie Potteiger
ATC
ChimneySpring
10-03-2007, 19:20
the hunters, generally ride around in a vehicle on back roads till a Moose steps out in a conveinent spot very near the road .
You may be from Maine, and while I don't doubt that from your personal experience (vast or limited as it may be) you believe this to be true, I know dozens of people who have and continue to hunt moose in your state (natives and out of towners) and wouldn't dream of "road hunting". You're making a sweeping, generalizing statement here.
I like seeing signs such as this along the trail, this particular one is a few miles north of I70 in Maryland.
Well, attachment was too large:
http://www.pwrpark.com/no-hunting.jpg
Wow, a whole $100 bucks fine for shooting at humans. That'll stop 'em! There's a higher fine for littering!
Rain Man
10-04-2007, 10:23
Wow, a whole $100 bucks fine for shooting at humans. That'll stop 'em! There's a higher fine for littering!
I agree! It'd be a much more potent scare tactic if the punishment were forfeiture of their hunting license, weapons, pick-em-up truck, ATV, and beer!
Rain:sunMan
.
SGT Rock
10-04-2007, 10:30
All hunting signs in the south look like that - it is a cultural joke.
dessertrat
10-04-2007, 11:16
Why would I shoot a moose anywhere far away from the road? Do you know how hard they are to carry out of the woods?
Wow, a whole $100 bucks fine for shooting at humans. That'll stop 'em! There's a higher fine for littering! http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/wb_style/buttons/quote.gif (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/newreply.php?do=newreply&p=419147)
Don't forget civil court. Anyone discharging a firearm has absolute liability for whatever they hit. At least money collected goes to the victim, and not the State. Of course the lawyer gets most of it. Anyway civil court can be a pretty big deterrent.
Gray Blazer
10-04-2007, 11:45
Saw this sign somewhere.
woodsy, I feel a certain sense of responsibliity for this thread I started. It seems to be going to hell in a handbasket fast.
Most people from away have never hunted moose, but they can relate to what's involved with hunting deer. Could you clarify to hunters and hikers from away how dispatching a mammal 4 or more times the weight of a whitetail deer might be a different exploit?
ChimneySpring
10-04-2007, 15:36
Wow, a whole $100 bucks fine for shooting at humans. That'll stop 'em! There's a higher fine for littering!
You do realize that the sign refers to shooting at wildlife within a specific distance/proximity to camps occupied by humans, and not shooting at humans.. right?
ChimneySpring
10-04-2007, 15:44
Could you clarify to hunters and hikers from away how dispatching a mammal 4 or more times the weight of a whitetail deer might be a different exploit?
It's easy (to explain.. not to do). You quarter it, cape it out, de-bone the meat to lighten the load, and haul your take out of the woods in game bags. Draggin' a whitetail out by it's hind legs or antlers it ain't, but then again there aren't many solo moose hunters. It's hard work, and there are plenty (indeed a vast majority) of hunters who understand that the work is part of the overall quest - whereas there is a slovenly, ignorant, small section of the hunting community who drives around in trucks and shoots animals when they cross the road. Woodsy would have you believe the opposite is true, while I believe (and suspect that Maine game officials would concur) otherwise.
It's easy (to explain.. not to do). You quarter it, cape it out, de-bone the meat to lighten the load, and haul your take out of the woods in game bags. Draggin' a whitetail out by it's hind legs or antlers it ain't, but then again there aren't many solo moose hunters. It's hard work, and there are plenty (indeed a vast majority) of hunters who understand that the work is part of the overall quest - whereas there is a slovenly, ignorant, small section of the hunting community who drives around in trucks and shoots animals when they cross the road. Woodsy would have you believe the opposite is true, while I believe (and suspect that Maine game officials would concur) otherwise.
You really shouldn't be so hard on woodsy. I believe he may have been just reporting his perception of the way things are.
In many places road hunting is frowned upon by sportsmen if not illegal. Now, what might pass as legal where Maine moose hunting is concerned may be another matter.;)
When hunting elk in the west, aren't horses often used to pack out the hind quarters and loins? I wouldn't be surprised to learn trucks, trailers and ATVs are used more often than not to transport back to the hunting camp what remains of the moose.
I wouldn't be surprised to learn ATV's and trucks are used more often than not to transport back to the hunting camp what remains of the moose.Bingo!
Best thing when you can is back the truck up to the moose and drop him so he falls into the truck bed. ATV's are used when this isn't possible, LOL. And then, some do whatever it takes.
I've been gathering links to code that relates to the Pennsylvania A.T. and studying it for some weeks in an effort to make what sense of it I can and make what should be known to hikers more accessible and understandable.
Today, I stumbled upon a PGC page (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/browse.asp?a=479&bc=0&c=69912) that may well have been on PGC's website all along. I think all of the state agencies managing A.T. lands have now linked the applicable code from their sites. Someone also provided me with the U.S. code.
Sometime soon I'll gather these links and post them together where they can be easily found by those who are interested.
Moose season (http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/hunting_dates_and_seasons.htm) starts Oct 20 in NH, other game seasons listed also.
Map of Moose hunt (http://www.wildlife.state.nh.us/Hunting/Moose_hunt/moose_hunt_map.htm) area at this link.
The Maine Moose season ends Oct 14
saimyoji
10-08-2007, 08:25
Walking north into Wind Gap yesterday sounded like a shooting range was nearby, on both sides of the trail. I could hear the ATVs, a few seconds later shots, then more ATVs. Man was I glad I had my super cool blaze orange knit cap on in the 85* sunshine ($0.98 at Wally world). :(
Talked to one hunter and got a good recipe for squirrel stew, though. Now if I can just run over enough in my car.....:-?
We are hunting for water here in Virginia. Stopped in the Hostel at Troutdale to get rehydrated. There is some water out there but not much.
We are hunting for water here in Virginia. Stopped in the Hostel at Troutdale to get rehydrated. There is some water out there but not much.
I think there's always an open water season in Virginia, but you should check with Virginia authorities to be sure. Although sometimes it migrates downhill and toward the ocean, you can bag as much as you are able for personal consumption.;)
gold bond
10-09-2007, 09:16
While on the AT last week we shared a shelter with some hunters out "tracking" and preparing for the season to open I think he said this week in NC. They were tracking for Bear, Hog and Deer. They stated that they had been staying in the shelter there at Carter Gap for about three days getting ready. We heard dogs the wholr trip down thru the NOC.
the goat
10-09-2007, 09:22
i've seen hunters hunting right on the AT.
i pretend not to see them & then take a big dump right near their spot.
i then move along like i never saw them.
Massachusetts is a bit tricky as we have a mix of NPS land (where hunting is not permitted) and state (DCR) land where it is. While there are hunting seasons for something almost all year long, the most active time (and potentially most dangerous time for hiking) is shotgun season for deer. This year it is from November 26th through December 8th, except on Sunday December 2nd (there is no hunting permitted on Sundays in Mass).
We don't recommend that anyone go hiking during shotgun season, especially near sunrise and sunset. I generally wear orange in during the black powder, archery, and handicapped deer seasons that preceed and follow the shotgun season, though these seasons feature many fewer hunters. Click on the hunting seasons link on this web page (http://www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/recreation/hunting/hunting_home.htm) for complete info.
One antlerless deer season or another opened Saturday, October 13 and will remain open through Saturday, October 20. Hikers can expect to encounter hunters seeking doe with high-powered rifles, shotguns or muzzleloaders at this time.
A number of small game seasons are now open. Rabbits will open Saturday, October 20. Squirrels have been open since October 6 to at least junior hunters. Ruffed grouse (partridge) opened last Saturday, October 13.
Blaze orange is not required when hiking on SGLs until November 15. With many kinds of game being sought at this time and the number of hunters afield increasing, it would be a good idea to wear blaze orange anyway.
Hunting is prohibited on Sundays in Pennsylvania. Since the weather weather outlook is good, a day-hike then might be a better idea than Saturday.
More information is available at PGC's site (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=460&q=161003).
Pedaling Fool
10-18-2007, 18:57
You'll be safe in the south with signs (http://www.whiteblaze.net/forum/vbg/showimage.php?i=17939&original=1&c=member&imageuser=6936) like this.
Opening salvo today for Maine residents hunting Whitetail Deer. Starting Monday non -residents will join in, season runs 4 weeks.
Break out some orange if you haven't yet, some of those people walking around out there with high powered rifles have a twitchy finger, if you know what i mean. :rolleyes: No hunting on Sundays, Saturdays are probably the scariest. To put it into perspective, annual tally is in the range of 30,000 Deer.
having just finished PA, i've already seen several hunters, one was trying to do archery, he was in full camo (doesn't require orange), and i saw him as i started to come down a ridge, i yelled down to let him know i was behind him, once i caught up w/ him he asked me how i saw him and i told him 'you're the only thing moving, just glad you weren't a bear' he was really nice and he even gave me a hitch into town.
the next day i noticed several hunting trucks as was crossing a road, decided to add a little extra orange, dont' remember exactly where it was but the trail opened up to a field that contained a few large shrubery kinda tree things, well from behind on of those a hunter fired his gun, i nearly pissed in my pants, i yelled to let him know i was there, turns out it was muzzle loading week, he was just firing it to fire it, he said he looked around didn't see anyone coming, i advised him be be sure he is in full view of the trail before firing again.
a register entry from sometime last fall/winter claimed seeing 54 hunters in a day on the trail
right now i'm strapping an orange vest to my pack (damn plastic is too hot to wear), ripped off a couple strips from the vest and tied them to my leki's and then my orange bandana on my chest or head.
my question is do hunters hunt on rainy days, i haven't figured out how to put the vest on over my rain cover, its bright blue
Yes, some hunters are out on rainy days too.
There's no deer hunting at this time in Pennsylvania, but the main hunt is still to come.
Turkey hunting (gobblers and hens) begins today in WMUs (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/browse.asp?a=458&bc=0&c=69928) 3D, 4B and 4C and runs through November 12. It remains open an additonal 5 days in 3D and 4C. There's no open season in 5A.
Upland small game hunting is also going on at this time. While a blaze orange hat or vest is not required on SGLs at this time, it would be a good idea.
For more information, visit PGC's Hunting in Pennsylvania (http://www.pgc.state.pa.us/pgc/cwp/view.asp?a=460&q=161003) page.
thickredhair,
I see you will be hiking on the A.T. through the end of November.
Click on Virginia link (http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/index.asp#seasons) to find out what you can expect there.
SOG
ChimneySpring
10-29-2007, 12:54
I'll save the click for you TRH...
Muzzleloader season east of the BR starts this saturday. West of the BR it starts on the 10th. The 17th, general firearms season opens. Blaze orange is NOT required during Muzzleloader season, but is during general firearms. Small game is in now and continues until February.
You'll see most, if any, of your hunters in GRTWMA south of Ashby Gap. North of there the trail is surrounded by private lands, and the corridor is generally wide enough and the topography is such that you'll likely not see any hunters. (Possible exception being if you're on an overlook and can see through the leaves into a lower elevation off the trail corridor).
I hiked Manassas Gap here in Virginia yesterday. There is a "NO HUNTING" sign posted at the trail head in Manassas Gap, unfortunately, that message is being ignored. I ran in to a guy carrying tree stand about half-way between the shelter and the parking lot by I-66. He was well outside of the Thompson Wildlife Mgmnt. area.
People suck.
ChimneySpring
11-05-2007, 11:38
A couple things:
One, carrying a tree stand does not = hunting. It's transporting something used in hunting. Two, hunting is not allowed in VA on Sunday and it would be pretty unlikely that a poacher would both a.) hunt on Sunday and b.) do so on the AT. The trail is surrounded by private land throughout VA, and in some places the corridor is very narrow. It's entirely possible and reasonable that this person was removing a stand that had been used during archery season from a property that it's ok to hunt on and was using the easiest point of ingress/egress to do so.
What exactly did the "no hunting" sign say? Why didn't you contact the game warden?
To often, non-hunters jump to serious conclusions without really considering that what they see people doing is actually lawful. That said, if there's an ignoramus out there who's hunting out of season on protected lands, you should really report that kind of person right away.
ChimneySpring
11-05-2007, 12:32
Looks to me like the MG shelter is right smack dab in the middle of GRTWMA:
http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.93056&lon=-78.03305&datum=nad27&u=2&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50 (http://www.topozone.com/map.asp?lat=38.93056&lon=-78.03305&datum=nad27&u=2&layer=DRG&size=l&s=50)
I suspect the sign you saw related to the trailhead parking area, etc. Maybe that particular "people" doesn't "suck" afterall.
I just can't believe that people get shot out in the woods at all, I know it has happened in the past but as far as i can tell a human looks very differents than a deer or any other animal out there for that matter. Who are these people that just shoot at anything that moves, I was always under the impression that the rule of uttmost importance while firing any weapon was NEVER FIRE AT AN UNSURE TARGET! If u dont know what it is then dont shoot at it! I always thought people who wore blaze orange were ridiculous and paranoid but im not so sure anymore i tend to forget how many people that hunt regularly are below the learning curve.
ChimneySpring
11-05-2007, 14:58
Wearing blaze orange isn't just about ensuring that you're not mistaken for an animal. It's also very much about providing "notice" of your proximity to an area. Bullet pass through, deflection, or an outright miss can still cause an accident - many of which are or can be avoided when the hunter is aware that someone is downrange of a confirmed target.
The level at which people who hunt regularly sit on the "learning curve" of which you speak is likely higher than that of the general population. Poor judgment that results in injury or death comes in many forms other than hunting accidents.
A couple things:
One, carrying a tree stand does not = hunting. It's transporting something used in hunting. Two, hunting is not allowed in VA on Sunday and it would be pretty unlikely that a poacher would both a.) hunt on Sunday and b.) do so on the AT. The trail is surrounded by private land throughout VA, and in some places the corridor is very narrow. It's entirely possible and reasonable that this person was removing a stand that had been used during archery season from a property that it's ok to hunt on and was using the easiest point of ingress/egress to do so.
What exactly did the "no hunting" sign say? Why didn't you contact the game warden?
To often, non-hunters jump to serious conclusions without really considering that what they see people doing is actually lawful. That said, if there's an ignoramus out there who's hunting out of season on protected lands, you should really report that kind of person right away.
The NO HUNTING sign has an AT symbol and says "NO HUNTING". I'm fully aware that carrying a tree stand does not equal hunting. However, it doesn't equal hunting like laying in bed nude with your lover and putting some Barry White on the stereo does not equal having sex. Something is about to happen to a deer that is the linguistic equivalent of what you're about to do to your significant other.
I was not IN the Thompson mgmnt area. I was passed the posted sign that indicates the section of trail has passed back to Park Service management. I was just north of the spot where there is a short blue blazed trail to a "scenic overlook".
I asked the fellow what he was doing, and he did in fact say that he had taken down the stand and was moving it "to a better spot".
That's all I know. He may have been legit. He may just have been tranisiting the AT corridor for convenience. Who knows?
Oh, as for calling a game warden? Anyone got a number? lol. I have no idea how to call a game warden, it's not something I would normally do.
P.S.
People still suck.
I just can't believe that people get shot out in the woods at all, I know it has happened in the past but as far as i can tell a human looks very differents than a deer or any other animal out there for that matter. Who are these people that just shoot at anything that moves, I was always under the impression that the rule of uttmost importance while firing any weapon was NEVER FIRE AT AN UNSURE TARGET! If u dont know what it is then dont shoot at it! I always thought people who wore blaze orange were ridiculous and paranoid but im not so sure anymore i tend to forget how many people that hunt regularly are below the learning curve.
Blaze orange mostly protects you against accidental shootings. You are right. People don't look much like deer. But it doesn't matter what people look like if you happen to be standing in the line of sight behind a deer that is being fired at by a hunter. You are more likely to be seen if you wear blaze orange, prompting responsible hunters to hold their fire.
Yeah, a few irresponsble hunters take "sound" shots, at rustling in the bushes that they think might be a deer. But the vast majority of hunters are responsible.
Either way wearing blaze orange during hunting season, helps hunters be responsible. REsponsible hikers will follow the recommendations and wear a bit of orange.
The woods are safe in all seasons, hunting season, or no. Accidents are rare. They would be even rarer if everyone in the woods dressed responsibly during big game hunting times.
Weary
My father was wearing blaze orange when he was shot through the arm by an arrow while deer hunting in New Jersey in the 50s. When the policeman arrived to take the police report, he repeatedly asked my father's name. My father Responded A Hunter - three times. The cop finally got agitated and asked him again. "I told you, A Hunter. The A stands for Alan."
True story. My Old Man - always the card.