Backpacking Etiquette During Hunting Season

[ttretta]

I hiked section 29 Happy Jack this past weekend, and unfortunately after I started my hike, found out it was hunting season. I had no idea of this when I planned my trip. There was lots of trucks and ATV's on the forest roads, which is a huge majority of the trail, as well as fake bugling and plenty of boys in camo around, and definitely a lot of shots going off in the distance.

In the middle of a single track portion of the Trail, I was lectured by two hunters that I should be wearing a bright orange cap. I was thinking that it was bad form on their part to be shooting that near the Trail. At one point I blew my whistle and waved my arms at a truckload of guys shooting about a quarter of a mile away to let them know I was there.

So please share - what is proper etiquette for backpackers/hikers and hunters to coexist on the same land?
Should I be more aware of hunting seasons and areas?
Should I invest in a breathable orange cap with a cape?

[RowdyandMe]

@ttretta
Just carry a bigger gun Also bright orange hat and vest is not a bad idea.

[ALMAL]

I wear an orange bandana in those situations and sing "it's a small world" while I hike along.
I'm surprised I haven't been shot!

[LindaAnn]

Personally, I think it's the responsibility of the hunter to be aware of how close they are shooting by a well traveled trail. That being said, I do tend to wear brighter colors if I'm hiking where I think hunting or shooting may be going on.

[rcorfman]

As you said, most of that section is on forest service roads and there should not be any issues there since a hunter should never be shooting across or down a road. I'd be more concerned about the places where the trail was not on the road. That being said, I agree with lindaagm. It is better to be safe than sorry.

[ssk44]

I'm a hunter. Any hunter that cant tell the difference between what he/she is hunting and a random hiker is a moron and has no business carrying a gun. Regretfully moron hunters exist.. Count on dealing with them. Hikers have as much right to be out in the forest during hunting season as hunters. If a hunter ever complains about you being out there, kindly tell him/her to go f%#@ themselves. Hmm, well.. Having a large handgun on your hip while saying that might help. On second thought scratch that recommendation. You can be thinking it. Just smile (while thinking it) and walk away. As a general rule, I personally avoid hiking for personal interests on big hunt weekends so as to not mess up someone's hunt. That's just me. Depending on the hunt, individuals will wait up to ten years just to get drawn. It's serious. Elk season is the biggest. I hike off-trail so this scenario can and does happen. I've been on the receiving end of this scenario. I was not happy about it. You're really only going to piss off a hunter if you walk up on there spot at first or last light. If you walk up on a hunter just be polite, don't make any more noise then necessary and keep walking. Don't go up and talk to them. Trust me.. They DO not want to talk to you. Mid-day isn't as much of a big deal. Most hunters are hiking around during the day also. Wearing some form of orange is a good idea just for your own safety (see moron hunter comment above). The good news is that the percentage of moron hunters is smaller then it may appear. Its just like anything else.. Those that behave poorly are far more visible then those that do it right. The few morons out there ruin it for everyone. Such is life.


Eric

[RowdyandMe]

I ran into a bow hunter one day out the Dutchman Trail. Now you can see for a long ways out here so it was safe but there really was nothing that would let anyone know it was hunting season.
And if I would have know that it was hunting season I would have hike some other trail.

[CannondaleKid]

So why aren't all the hunters wearing orange? The majority of hunters I've encountered are in full camo.

Even where orange is mandatory there continue to be accidental shootings, which seems to back up the theory that most hunting accidents are a result of a poor/inexperienced/stupid hunter shooting at sudden movement and have little to do with what color the victim was wearing.

I realize I may be at a slightly higher risk, but I whether hiking on or off-trail in active areas during hunting season I still don't wear orange.

If by a truckload of guys shooting you mean there was almost continuous shooting I wouldn't doubt they were shooting at inanimate objects (like empty Bud Light cans) rather than live game.
:whistle:

[nonot]

@ttretta
Go backpacking, pray you don't get shot by a hick that shoots first and tries to figure out what he is shooting at later.

A bunch of these hunters have over-inflated egos, and think their hunting permits gives them control of what goes on across their entire zone. I've been yelled at for ruining their hunt by just being in the area. Since they have guns, it is not wise to smash them in the face at those remarks, but wait until you get a little distance and can duck behind trees before yelling loudly enough to "scare" off all the deer they are after.

More often, I exchange nods with the hunter, and just continue on my way.

[The_Eagle]

@ttretta
No matter what your beliefs or thoughts on the subject, it's just smart to wear bright colors, and stay away from browns and whites, this time of the year.

and sing "it's a small world" while I hike along.
I'm surprised I haven't been shot!

I think I'd shoot, just for singing THAT song and to put you out of your misery.

[Mick]

If I am hiking up north this time of year I do check on the different units. 5A/5B had cow elk this weekend. I have an orange mesh vest with reflectors on it that I use for night biking that I will wear if concerned -lightweight too..

[Dave1]

A hunter killed an endangered condor near Grand Canyon last Thursday:

http://www.azcentral.com/story/news/loc ... /73692162/

[rcorfman]

A hunter killed an endangered condor near Grand Canyon last Thursday:

What does that have to do with this thread?

[Dave1]

Well if a hunter can't tell the difference between a condor and whatever they had a tag for (elk, deer, whatever), what chance does a backpacker have?

[BJhunt]

As a Brit coming over next spring, I had not thought about getting mistaken for a turkey and shot, would be ironic though as had been planning to walk the atlas mountains in North Africa but they are having a few issues over there at the moment. Will have to add an orange thing to my kit list, or maybe just dye my hair orange to save weight!

[Dave1]

@BJhunt
Having orange on your head may not be enough:

[chumley]

As a Brit coming over next spring

This is not something you should put 1 minute into worrying about except possibly for a couple of weeks in autumn if you are hiking in some very limited and specific areas of the state.

[ttretta]

Looks like I'll be shopping for some orange this weekend. I'll look up hunting seasons/areas ahead of time just to be sure as well. They actually engaged conversation with me, not the opposite (one was actually quite creepy, a bit reminiscent of the hunter encounter in the movie Wild). Apparently there was a woman reported lost on the trail and the hunters were told that ahead of time. They were checking to see if I knew my way, and to remind me to consider adding orange to my hiking wardrobe palette. There were 4 other hikers on the trails that I ran into, none of whom were wearing orange. Wondering if they were getting the same advice?

Yep, the truckload was shooting at targets I believe, but I was across a meadow from them, and wanted to be sure the targets weren't in the direction I was trekking. So the whistle and the waving of my reflective trekking umbrella tactics were deployed.

Thanks for all the info.

[JasonCleghorn]

There were hunters on the KACHINA TRAIL two weekends ago. In the Wilderness. Hunting is allowed in a federally designated wilderness?

I was like, I see some hikers up ahead, oh wait they're wearing camouflage, who hikes in camouflage. Oh they have guns. My brain wasn't computing...

[big_load]

Hunting is allowed in a federally designated wilderness?

Yes. I've met quite a few hunters in designated wilderness areas, and never felt endangered. Most of the people I worry about don't get too far from the road.