This hike started out with good intentions. Uneventful very early morning start. The problem stated after connecting with the trail as it leaves the state park and enters the national forest. I did not realize it is hunting season. Hunters seemed to be everywhere having come up to the trail from the connecting spur through the BLM property. I only got up about a mile beyond the link and then decided to return via the fifty mile trail. I'm not sure whether the hunters can be in national forest but the fact is that there is no one to enforce them not being there. I heard a couple of shots and suddenly felt very self conscious as a potentially big target. I headed back down the trail crossing the big wash and coming back via the fifty mile trail. I've done this spur several times in the last few weeks and never found any litter. today I had half a bag, aluminum cans, spark plug, and snack packages. Did my good deed for the ecology today.