Hunting season is killing me....

myright

myright

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Jan 31, 2008
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Everywhere I want to go has hunting areas set up.... My hiking options are very limited...

I'm not trying to get my arse shot, so my options are a bit limited to where I can go. :(

I guess I'll hit some smaller trails today in the rain just so I can get out of the house. I'm going nuts today, I need to get out. Cabin fever.
 
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Got any state parks in your area? I know you can't hunt those by me.
 
tonym said:
Got any state parks in your area? I know you can't hunt those by me.
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The state parks near me, DE, allow hunting in the remote areas of the park. Which, as it happens, is the only place where there are good trails. The only good part about today is that if I head out there won't be anyone out and about on the normally highly traveled trails since it's raining.

Even the local wildlife refuges around here allow hunting during hunting season. Doe season is over on Saturday and no hunting on Sundays so at least I have Sunday to look forward to.
 
tonym said:
Got any state parks in your area? I know you can't hunt those by me.
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I take that back, I see that they are allowing archery hunting in some areas now.

Very few parks here also allow bird hunting also.
 
I was hiking in a state park and in PA and a hunter I hadn't seen fired off two shots a few hundred feet from me. It scared the *$%^ out of me.

Moral of the story: I had to find a new spot to hike until the season was over. Although I was half tempted to ask to follow him on his hunt so I could learn a thing or two.
 
andrew7978 said:
I was hiking in a state park and in PA and a hunter I hadn't seen fired off two shots a few hundred feet from me. It scared the *$%^ out of me.

Moral of the story: I had to find a new spot to hike until the season was over. Although I was half tempted to ask to follow him on his hunt so I could learn a thing or two.
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This time of year I always make sure to wear a blaze orange hat so no over zealous hunter decides to shoot blindly.
 
In addition to that orange hat, I'd wear a bear bell as well. The hat can sometimes be obscured by thick tree trunks or other large natural camouflage; a bear bell appears to the ears as the orange is visible to the eyes. This would make things as safe as possible!

Also, during hunting season you might consider getting some tags and taking a hike to a tree stand or a blind! I think there's a reason so many find that particular hobby so enjoyable. :)

Even the Philmont Scout Ranch offers the sale of tags and the use of its land and such during its less-trafficked winter months.
 
As an archaeological surveyor I had the same problem in Arkansas. The solution, for most of the season we wore a lot of orange. But for the rifle season (when the most hunters are out) we simply stayed home. Not worth getting shot, and not worth messing up someone's hunt.

Even the Philmont Scout Ranch offers the sale of tags and the use of its land and such during its less-trafficked winter months.
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Many people may not realize this, that Philmont has many programs offered throughout the year. Hunting, fishing, fall adventures, winter travel trips, and springtime training classes.
 
steelscout30 said:
In addition to that orange hat, I'd wear a bear bell as well. The hat can sometimes be obscured by thick tree trunks or other large natural camouflage; a bear bell appears to the ears as the orange is visible to the eyes. This would make things as safe as possible!
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I'd recommend against a bell. I hate to say it and I wish it wasn't true but making noise like that can be taken the wrong way.

Here in Michigan some of the anti-hunters and PETA fans like to hit the woods during deer season and make as much noise as they can trying to disrupt the hunt. My friends son had a woman come through private property that bordered her land banging pots and pans together trying to get people to stop hunting near her property.

The DNR was called and the woman was fined. There are laws on the books here to keep sportsmen from being harassed by anti's and irresponsible people.

Wearing a bell might be taken the wrong way by a hunter and end up in a confrontation.

Wear an orange had and vest. Keep your eyes open and stick to the trails. At least that way you look like a fellow hunter moving to or from your hunting spot.
 
Confrontation is a big point against bells...

I was trying to provide an insight against the utmost in available safety. I don't think that just orange garments and panels would leave me feeling safe enough to walk amongst hunters with twelve-gauge slugs or .30-30s.

Probably the best bet WOULD be to stay out of the woods during this time.
 
I know there are exceptions (very few actually when compared to number of hunters in the woods) but for everyone else in the woods the orange clothing keeps them safe. In fact that's how hunters identify each other, you can just bet no one who is going out to hunt is going to be wearing a bear bell on their way to the stand.

Personally, I have spent my whole life in the woods at least every weekend (horseback, camping, hiking, hunting) in several states from California to Georgia and as far north as Ohio, whether it's hunting season or not and have never been shot. Come to think of it most people I know can say exactly the same thing and the only thing we do for identification is to wear proper ( orange) clothing.

However, if you're not in comfortable being in the woods when people are around with guns then don't be. I would never advise someone do something they are uncomfortable doing.

David
 
I wear orange to keep me alive and would not make a ton of noise since I have respect for someone elses hunt. I stay on the the trail since they are not supposed to shoot across the trails.

It started raining way too hard today to get out so I just finsihed up some Christmas shopping. I'll head on Sunday which is a no hunt day and shotgun season is over.

As far as I know there is no rifle season in Delaware since it's so small. Except muzzleloader.

I don't know too much about the seasons since I don't hunt. I call the parks before I go to make sure I'm not heading out at the wrong time. Luckily the parks clearly mark the hunting areas.

Thanks for the tips fellas.
 
It's killing me too. I can't get any work done because I'm out chasing deer. :D
Scott
 
Samr problem for me. I'm itching to get out for some cold weather camping and have to wait till the hunters are out of the woods. Not because most of them aren't careful, but I don't want to ruin anyone hunt either.

Oh well, patience is a virtue they say..I'm just not a very virtuous person.
 
wildmike said:
I'm itching to get out for some cold weather camping and have to wait till the hunters are out of the woods. Not because most of them aren't careful, but I don't want to ruin anyone hunt either.

.
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I felt the same way as you. Up untill I read Scott's post. I'm scared to get shot now that I know he's out there!:eek:

:D
 
steelscout30 said:
Confrontation is a big point against bells...

I was trying to provide an insight against the utmost in available safety. I don't think that just orange garments and panels would leave me feeling safe enough to walk amongst hunters with twelve-gauge slugs or .30-30s.

Probably the best bet WOULD be to stay out of the woods during this time.
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You are in WAY more danger while driving out to the woods than while walking in the woods during a hunting season. Especially if you wear some orange. Go for a walk, be pleasant to anyone you meet, enjoy the day.
 
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