How to make hikers comfortable while hunting?

[sellersrobe]

Hi all, I'll be archery hunting in the White Mountains this upcoming August. I'm from out of state and found that in the past, sometimes I end up scaring people (camo and sitting still). I always try to be quiet and let them pass me to not create an awkward situation, but this doesn't always work. From a hikers perspective, what's the best way to deal with this? Also cognizant that I have a weapon which can be disconcerting when in the woods alone with someone (hence trying to let them pass without noticing me). Should I call out with a "Good morning" or something?

Since I never hunt on trails (for obvious safety reasons) this is fairly uncommon, but people do come off blazed trails every now and then so I'd love to hear others' perspectives on this.

[xsproutx]

Not hunting specific, but I always appreciate people making a bunch of noise on trail (heavier footsteps, rustling leaves, that sort of thing) if they're coming up on me. I get more jump scared when I just hear a voice out of nowhere when I'm in the zone, honestly. If there's a hiker coming through, they're probably already making enough noise that you wouldn't be scaring any game away at that point. That area is also very popular for hunting and I think most people going off trail are pretty familiar with it (or at least should be).

Then again, I also wouldn't mind seeing people report on the creepy guy with a rifle staring at them through the pines. That's always fun, too!

[LindaAnn]

I don’t think it’s your responsibility to manage the comfort or discomfort of hikers you may encounter while hunting. If they notice you, or are about to run into you, wave or say some sort of greeting. If they don’t notice you, then just ignore them. Not once has encountering a hunter or someone responsibly carrying any sort of weapon ever bothered or startled me. Just do your thing.

[Pivo]

I'll be archery hunting in the White Mountains this upcoming August.

You can always say "Hi" and ask if it's Okay to put an apple on their head.

[nonot]

If I'm a hiker, and I come upon a hunter in camo with a rifle, crossbow, or archery kit, what's the best way to deal with this from a hunter's perspective? I usually just wave or head nod an acknowledgement of observing them, and don't make more noise, and vacate the area quickly, since I figure I've already disrupted their hunt by disturbing the local fauna.

On the OP's topic - generally exercising common sense and courtesy per @LindaAnn's comment seems to apply. Unlike her though, I've had uncomfortable situations. It make me really uncomfortable when a hunter takes aim at me with their weapon as I'm passing through. I figure in most cases this is bad eyesight on their part, but if you are scoping out a human, do it with a separate scope, or a detached scope from your weapon! I don't know if the shooter is mentally unstable and intends to shoot me or not when taking aim at me, I don't know if your safety is on or not. Isn't there a saying that goes something like "you only point your gun at another human if you intend to use it"?

[LindaAnn]

@nonot
Yeah, I don’t think a hunter keeping their weapon trained on a human beyond the initial look thru the scope to see if the source of the noise or movement is their intended prey counts as “responsibly carrying.” Once you know it’s not something you’re going to shoot, the weapon needs to be lowered.

[Nighthiker]

I have been using military surplus since I was a kid when a neighbor gave me his WW II pack. I also may wear camo or earth tone colors and at times may carry including a recurve bow but have not had any problems. If you are hunting elk in the area of Los Burros and you are successful, you are going to need a bigger freezer.

[sellersrobe]

Thank you all, appreciate the insights. I'll just call out to let them know I'm there so there isn't a jumpscare at any point - as some of said, the noise created by hiking has likely spooked any deer nearby for a bit so a quick exchange wouldn't cause any extra harm

[chumley]

As a bow hunter in Arizona you are more likely to be made to feel uncomfortable by yahoos out target shooting than anybody else is likely to be made uncomfortable by you. Though there’s less of that in the white mountains than in forests closer to our big metro areas.

By simply inquiring here in advance you seem to be the kind of hunter that nobody would have a bad encounter with. Good luck.