look out for angry hikers

[OsageBowyer]

I would like to share a short Arkansas hunting story with you... For the last three years my children and I and a small group of friends and their kids have been utilizing the woods of White Rock WMA on east Fly Gap about a hundred yards or so from the Ozark Highlands Trail head parking as base camp for what has become our annual special youth modern gun deer/bear camp(all us adults use self bows). Every year we have encountered a different group of not so polite day hikers who drive right into the center of our camp and unload several vehicles full of young children (the last time it was 2 x-cab trucks & 2 sedans 6 adults, approx 9 children) dressed in white T-shirts, kaki shorts and blue jeans, Even though the marked trail head parking area is just around the corner less than a few hundred yards away empty of vehicles. We try to point out to them the first weekend in Nov. is the state wide youth Hunting weekend, and during the youth hunt, the only people in the woods with guns are young children the oldest of which may be unattended, and have offered on each occasion to provide free Hunter Orange vests for their protection, to which they respond curtly “We are not hunters so we don’t need them, besides it is illegal to hunt on the Highlands trail.” Well we could all see these people would have none of our assistance and each time we do not engage them in debate on the that fact we were in fact in a WMA funded by the purchase of hunting and fishing licenses & AGFC fines and as valid license holders had right of way, rather each time we let them go on their way and prayed for them, But this last time my 12 year old daughter was standing next to me and asked “why are they always so rude.” and I told her “a lot of people don’t like us because we hunt.” And as we continued our conversation it struck us…Perhaps we can find some common ground between hunters and hikers and extend the hand of friendship and unity as outdoor enthusiasts...any one have any Ideas on a kind and christian way to deal with these people?

[pdk25]

Don't know the rules there.  In Pennsylvania on state game lands which are funded by hunters, hikers still can use the land during hunting season and no one has priority over the other.  People not hunting don't have to wear fluorescent orange, to the best of my knowledge.  Most people opt to not be there during the rifle season for their own safety.  I've always felt that hunters should have priority, but that is not the way that it is.  They also don't allow hunting on sundays.  Ridiculous.  If the non-hunters want a day so that they can feel safe in the woods that we hunters paid for, let them have it during the week. Most people that hunt also work during the week and that leave's only saturday to hunt.  As far as dealing with them in a polite way.  No suggestions.  Just do your best.  I would inform them that they are incorrect in their assumption that you are not allowed to hunt if that is the case.

[Clinglish]

Even if you could talk them around the effects are short lived. Close minded people are always the same. Maybe your parks wardens need to be on hand to protect these people from their own ignorance.

[bihunter]

I've told people like that that they might be right. We probably ought to just let the wildlife either out graze themselves so that they can starve to death slowly or because the population of deer especially is growing, maybe it would be better to let them get smushed by cars & trucks. Besides, who do we think we are doing something legal Anti hunters are uneducated & usually very arragent. Most of thesd people smoked too much dope back in the 60's

[Dartwick]

I live in PA and hunt a lot - I like the no hunting Sundays. There is nothing ridiculous about it.

But the main driving force behind keeping the law as is, is not anti-hunters - its rural landowners. Talk to a State Rep from western PA where we love to hunt so much that we cancel school on the first day of Buck Season. They will tell you the majority of constituents dont want hunting on Sundays.
The biggest group in favor of Sunday hunting seems to be guys who go hunting in camps on the week end - not local residents.

[Bill Tell]

Offer them some jerky for the trail.  Make sure it is venison.

Offer them understanding of their choice for use of the outdoors and wish them a good day.

Vote for the GOP with a VP that knows us and can help.  Just last night I herd Anderson Cooper refer to Moose Hunting as "cool".  I about fell out of my chair.

[pdk25]

No offense Dartwick, but I hunted for almost 30 years in Pennsylvania with alot of different people.  Almost all of them wished that they could hunt on sunday.  Local residents included.  Your local State Rep is less concerned with the hunters view than that of the general population in that regard and probably not looking to change a longstanding policy.  There is no sound biological principle at stake here.  On land that is paid for by hunters, they should be able to use it on what for most is one of only 2 days of the week off.

[PA stickbow boy]

I'm with Dartwick on the no hunting on sunday thing in PA... I like it. I've hunted here for 20 years and most of the people I hunt with would agree. There's a few here and there that want Sunday hunting. That's not what this post is about. I'm not sure how to share the woods. I guess it would be nice if both parties could be somewhat polite and reasonable about it. Probably a hard thing to do at times b/c I know my self I would be upset.

[pdk25]

Your right.  I'll continue with PM.