Hunting Season on FATS

[ehscott]

When deer hunting season starts, are there going to be hunters in the woods around FATS? I have seen them out in the fall at Lick Fork so I know they can hunt on Forest Service property.
Should we start shopping for orange jerseys or plan on staying home watching football in the fall?

[Angela]

The area around FATS is considered a favorite in the area with the hunters. However, hunting is not allowed on public land in South Carolina on Sundays so many of us prefer to ride the trails then..............it really helps avoid user conflicts .........

When riding trails other days of the week it is best to wear orange, avoiding those times of the day when hunting is at it's peak, avoiding the times of the hunting season when things can be most sensitive - the first few weeks of hunting season, etc.

Hunters are not allowed to hunt in the state parks at all so the trails at Hickory Knob State Park and Baker Creek State Park are also a good option.

Treating other users with respect so we can all enjoy these great natural resources goes a very long way to maintaining harmony in the forest!

[seenvic]

FATS will be closed to biking and hiking and open to hunting the first two weeks of October (except on Sundays). This is the first two weeks of deer season w/ rifles. No hunting on Sundays, so we can ride those days.

This was part of the original agreement between the USFS and DNR that allowed these trails to be built on some of the most popular hunting grounds around the area.

Look for an official announcment soon.

[seenvic]

FATS will be closed Oct 11-Oct 24 for rifle season. You can ride there on Sunday Oct 15 and Oct 22 as there is no hunting on Sundays.

The USFS has asked to minimize riding FATS in the mornings and evenings for the two weeks after Oct 24. Ride in the middle of the day when hunters are least likely to be out there.

WEAR ORANGE ON ALL THE USFS TRAILS DURING HUNTING SEASON.

Also, when hunting season comes around there will be hunters using the parking lot. If you can, say hello to them and be nice. Perhaps ask where they hunt and try to ride the trails not in that area.

The Forks Area is a very old and traditional hunting ground. We should share this resource with users that were there before us and treat them the way we want to be treated...with respect.

This whole plan came about during the planning process for the FATS. The trails were almost not built over the hunting issue. We agreed to the two week closure for deer rifle season and the trails proceeded.

It's a trial basis. But the trial is pretty much to see what impact we have on the hunters. If anything changes, I don't think it will be to leave the trails open more during hunting season. If anything, we would see them closed longer to us if we can't get along w/ the hunters.