Do you ride during hunting season?

[seenvic]

Please wear orange.

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www.msnbc.msn.com/id/26171830/?GT1=43001

[nitro]

I guess it makes sense to wear orange on any trail during hunting season -- but on what trails are hunters allowed to hunt? I know FATS, but any others?

[oddcouple]

If you read the article the hiker thought that bright color clothing was good enough, it is not.Hunters look for BLAZE ORANGE.So if you think that bright colored Jersey is good enough think again.

Please wear BLAZE ORANGE for you and the hunter!

[seenvic]

Aug 13, 2008 17:01:16 GMT -5 nitro said:

I guess it makes sense to wear orange on any trail during hunting season -- but on what trails are hunters allowed to hunt? I know FATS, but any others?

The trails NOT in hunting areas:

Canal
Hickory Knob
Baker Creek

Every other trail we ride is in an area that can be hunted.

In addition to your personal safely, wearing orange is like speaking the native language in the forest. It is what people in the woods have worn for decades. If mtbers want to be in the family of woods users, we need to follow the rules of common sense.

Wear BLAZE ORANGE. Not a bright colored jersey. BLAZE ORANGE.

And if you wear white, you are an idiot.

[2wheeledwarrior]

As a hunter and a rider, I know that it is extremely important to respect the wishes of both groups. WEAR BLAZE ORANGE! It's the safest option. Yes, you can wear an odd colored shirt, but it won't be as good as blaze orange and, well, second best isn't smart when you are going rolling through the woods full of hunters aimed at killing something.

Second, please, please, please observe prime hunting hours! Ride around noon time, folks. Otherwise, you vastly increase the risk of ruining a successfull hunt by scaring off wildlife.

Third, be quiet. While hunting, there should be no reason to scream out "I just ate my one millionth spider web!" to our buddies.

As mountain bikers, the new kids on the block when it comes to forest use and access, we have to be twice as respectful as other users. Thanks!

[seenvic]

Nitro,
For trails in SC on USFS managed lands in which it is also WMA managed by DNR:

Technically, the answer to the question "but on what trails are hunters allowed to hunt?" is none of the trails.

Hunters are allowed to use the trail to access the woods. The law states when on the trail, weapons must be unloaded. The law states that it is illegal to hunt from, across or into a legal trail on USFS property. But I have seen these rules/laws broken.

At FATS there will be a full 2 week closure for hunting. This will be Oct 11-24, I think.

I won't argue with 2WW, but wouldn't it just as likely a rider could scare wildlife TO a hunter as opposed to AWAY from the hunter? I love all your other points. And I see nothing wrong with your point about riding around noon time. I just question that game would always be scared away instead of to a hunter. If I were a hunter, I would set up in a way that trail users would likely HELP my hunt. This is what I hear from my friends who hunt. I've heard them say "trail users are great, they keep the game moving".

[dgaddis1]

I'd just like to point that UnderArmor makes some of their shirts in Blaze orange...that way you don't have to wear a vest. You can pick them up at any sporting goods store (Sports Authority, Dicks, etc) and they're way cheaper than most cycling jerseys.

[Angela]

I might have missed this point hidden in the thread above but another good point is that in Georgia the hunters can hunt on Sunday on public lands so when riding at the Lake Trail, Keg Creek and Mistletoe during hunting season be sure and wear that orange 7 days a week however
on Sundays on public land in South Carolina, hunting is not allowed!


The pic above is so cool looking because it "appears" as though you are riding incredibly deep in the leaves!

[brianW]

Even though the Canal, Baker Creek and Hickory knob hunting is not allowed. I would suggest wearing blaze orange there also. It only takes one hunter to make a very big and deadly mistake.

As for Ted's new riding suit does it come in orange fur? If so I think it will do.

[2wheeledwarrior]

Aug 15, 2008 7:20:34 GMT -5 ted said:

Yeah, I'm gonna disagree with you there. Hunters have been known to shoot "Blaze Orange" and I've been "warned" by hunters while wearing "Blaze" orange to stay out of the woods. So I'm gonna keep my mouth open.

So, when you are warned about being in the woods in general, blaze shirt or not, you are going to advertise yourself being in the woods?!?!
While you think that is being "safe," what you are truly doing is pissing off every hunter in the entire area. That's a great way to get an area closed off to mountain bikes.
Go back and read my post again...it wasn't only about safety, but about respect and sharing the land. If you can't respect the hunters rights, why should they respect yours?

And, yes, trail users get the deer moving...and at a dead run, too, which means the guys that are willing to shoot at said deer are willing to miss and send lead in the direction of said trail user.

I've used the "push" method of hunting. It's one thing to do that while slowly walking in a specific direction toward a known point with a hunter, with whom you are working with, is waiting. It's another zip through the woods at high speed, hitting switchbacks, trails zig zag and such, pretty much just rolling all throughout an area, usually in a loop, somewhere in the general area of one or more hunters that probably don't have a clue you are out there.
The two are incomparable. Think about it.

[bgredjeep]

When was the last time you saw a talking, bright color (lets say blaze orange) wearing deer riding a bike through the woods? Me being safe is doing everything in my power to let anyone with a gun know I'm there, and I'm not a deer. The deer will see and or hear me if I'm talking or not. I'm not worried about them knowing I'm there. They don't have guns.

[dparrott]

I don't believe hunting is allowed around the ORA Trail or in Mistletoe SP

[2wheeledwarrior]

Aug 18, 2008 7:44:39 GMT -5 ted said:

So if I tell you to stay out of the woods even though it's legal to ride, will you still ride? Of course you will.

You've got it wrong. Seriously, go back and read my posts, you are missing key ingredients.

In the end, we agree...except the part of being quiet...again, it's about RESPECT. If you don't respect the hunters, they won't respect you.

[brianW]

Picked up an orange poly-pro shirt at Walmart for $6 last night. Just wanted to inform any cheap riders (like me!) of the deal. However I do not know yet how it will hold up.

[bgredjeep]

Good, now they know people ride their bikes there.. No good for hunting in that spot.

[johnboy]

Please be carefull during hunting season ! I have nothing against hunters , my best friend is a hunter but they are just human . Days of the week , Dates , time of day , property lines , safety switches , stray bullits and rustleing in the bushes can easily be misconstrued ? A high school class mate of mine was killed on opening day hunting season in Burke County . He was in his car heading to Savannah and a stray bullit came out of the woods and struck him in the head .

[brianW]

"Stray bullets" the reason why states in the north have banned rifles during deer season. Can use bow, black powder and shot gun only for deer.

note: I am not a hunter but I am a pro-hunter supporter.

[bikerides4u]

Without deer hunters , the chance of hitting a deer in your car on the way to the trails skyrockets !

[pedalpusher]

Find a safe haven at ORA , Hikory Knob State Park and Mistletoe State Park during hunting season . Unfortunatly there is talk of closing several state parks to cut costs and sadly Mistletoe is rumored to be considered for inclusion on the list .