NC mountains during hunting season?
David Collins
Forests or Nat parks in the North Carolina mountains. It occured to me
that it may coincide with hunting season.
Last year's trip was to the Smokies where hunting is not allowed. What
about the Pisgah and Nantahala NFs. Is hunting allowed throughout these
areas or are the portions which are off limits?
Anyone know when the hunting season starts and ends in NC? Any advice on
hiking in areas where hunting is allowed during that time?
David Collins
--
*******************************************************************
David Collins
Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
Box 7911
North Carolina State University
Raleigh NC 27695
GT
Nantahala NF. This was in mid-October. I recall seeing some hunters at the
trailheads,but once we got on the trail and into the woods, we saw none over
a
four day period. At that time deer season had probably not yet started. That
place is so rugged that it is hard to imagine anyone wanting to hunt and
then haul out any game, as vehicles such as ATV's are not allowed in those
areas. As far as other locations to consider, you might try the Southern
Nantahala Wilderness (around Standing Indian Mountain) or the Shining Rock
Wilderness Area (Pisgah NF, near Waynesville) If you do go it would be a
good idea to wear some very bright(hunter orange) clothing or hat. Check
with NC conservation department for dates of hunting seasons.
Hope this helps,
Gene Thompson
David Collins <col...@eos.ncsu.edu> wrote in message
news:3826ED36...@eos.ncsu.edu...
Patrick D. Solomon
<< I am considering a thanksgiving backpacking trip in one of the Nat Forests
or Nat parks in the North Carolina mountains. It occured to me that it may
coincide with hunting season.
Last year's trip was to the Smokies where hunting is not allowed. What about
the Pisgah and Nantahala NFs. Is hunting allowed throughout these areas or are
the portions which are off limits?
Anyone know when the hunting season starts and ends in NC? Any advice on hiking
in areas where hunting is allowed during that time? >>
We did a trip to Smoky Mtn. Natl. Park last weekend (Nov. 5), and we went to
the park rather than one of the Natl Forests 'cause of the huntin' season.
Hunting is allowed in most wildernesses as far as I know, though as Gene
explained its not exactly easy to haul out game from areas where ATVs are not
permitted. I believe the deer (and bear?) hunting season is from mid. Oct-mid
Nov. this year, so you might have good timing. If not if you want to take the
risk its up to you. Originally we planned to go to Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock but
decided against it 'cause of the hunting season. Chances are we wouldn't run
into problems (i.e. get shot) but decided not to risk it. I originally wanted
to take my dog too but the risk was even greater with her being mistook for a
deer or even a bear by some not so smart folk, and legend has it some hunters
use pit bull packs to chase bear. Citico Creek Wilderness across the state
line in TN does not allow bear hunting, but I believe deer hunting is still
allowed.
So we ended up going to the Smokies where of course dogs are not permitted at
all, but of course we saw no wildlife, yet there were 2 stray hunting dogs
(with radio collars and all) on top of Gregory Bald. Who knows where they came
from, esp. since hunting is illegal in the Park...
For more info, get Hiking in Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock/Citico Creek Wildernesses
(not sure of the author), which is available at REI. It gives some info on how
hunting affects hiking.
Patrick
GT
"Hiking Trails Of Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock and Citico Creek Wilderness Areas"
by Tim Homan.
I have also encountered hunting dogs in the backcountry of the Smokies on
two different occasions both at the Upper Chasteen Creek campsite. One had
been skunked and was stinkin' to High Heaven! The other wore a radio collar.
Both dogs followed us back to the trailhead.
Gene Thompson
Patrick D. Solomon <solo...@aol.comnospam> wrote in message
news:19991109155202...@ng-ch1.aol.com...
Trek4Youth
>From: David Collins col...@eos.ncsu.edu
>Date: Mon, 08 November 1999 10:33 AM EST
>Message-id: <3826ED36...@eos.ncsu.edu>
>
>I am considering a thanksgiving backpacking trip in one of the Nat
>Forests or Nat parks in the North Carolina mountains. It occured to me
>that it may coincide with hunting season.
>
>Last year's trip was to the Smokies where hunting is not allowed. What
>about the Pisgah and Nantahala NFs. Is hunting allowed throughout these
>areas or are the portions which are off limits?
>
>Anyone know when the hunting season starts and ends in NC? Any advice on
>hiking in areas where hunting is allowed during that time?
>
I camp extensively in the Shining Rock Wilderness area..just west of
Brevard....the area is heavily trafficked by "hunters" (quite a stretch of the
term) that like to park their trucks along the Black Balsam Knob Road , drink
beer and rifle hunt for deer....just get the hell away from that area..hike in
several miles towards Sunburst, or towards Cold Mountain....just stay away from
the Black Balsam Knob area and the road running towards Shining Rock....I
always wear bright colors......carrying a cell phone might not be a bad idea
either....
AIrons2431
No hunting is ever allowed in Wilderness Areas although they are a part of the
Natl. Forest. Even so, I'd take precautions if in one of those areas. Lots of
people around here (Cherokee NF) hunt with dogs which makes it a little easier
as you can usually hear the dogs running something from a pretty good distance.
Ann
AIrons2431
>use pit bull packs to chase bear.
My DH uses almost exclusively pitt bull/hound mixes to hunt. The pitt bulls
have gotten a very bad name because of all of the people that encourage them to
be overly aggressive. Yes, they are gutsy dogs and that's what makes them good
hunters. We have raised all of ours from pups and I have no problems with my
children being around them. They are the sweetest and most loyal dogs I have
ever seen. They have been used as hunting dogs for many many years and usually
only track a hot scent and don't get as far away from the owners as hounds do.
Ann
Doug Armknecht
>
>No hunting is ever allowed in Wilderness Areas although they are a part
>of the Natl. Forest.
Not true. Hunting is generally not allowed in National Park
wilderness, but it's allowed in many NF wilderness areas (and probably
some BLM and FWS wilderness).
--
Doug Armknecht, dha...@cis.ksu.edu
Got Maps? Topoweb does. http://www.cis.ksu.edu/~dha5446/topoweb
Patrick D. Solomon
<< My DH uses almost exclusively pitt bull/hound mixes to hunt. The pitt bulls
have gotten a very bad name because of all of the people that encourage them to
be overly aggressive. Yes, they are gutsy dogs and that's what makes them good
hunters. We have raised all of ours from pups and I have no problems with my
children being around them. They are the sweetest and most loyal dogs I have
ever seen. They have been used as hunting dogs for many many years and usually
only track a hot scent and don't get as far away from the owners as hounds do.
>>
I understand and respect everything you are saying. Pit bulls have indeed
gotten a bad rap from the media. However, if I am out hiking with my dog in
the Joyce Kilmer Wilderness during hunting season (hunting IS allowed in
National Forest Wildernesses by the way) and a pit bull pack comes along that
had been chasing a bear, what's to stop the dogs from lunging at my dog who
they might mistake for a small bear? (My dog is a rather large chocolate lab).
Its merely a risk that I choose not to take. Which is too bad for my dog,
because hunting eliminates the best time of year for me and my dog to do some
really nice weather hiking in the Southeast US, when its dry and cool. I
wouldn't have a problem taking my dog over to the National Park where hunting
is illegal, but so are dogs in the backcountry! For more info about hunting
and dogs in the backcountry and wilderness areas, see Tim Homan's Hiking in
Joyce Kilmer/Slickrock and Citico Creek Wildernesses.
Patrick
Eugene Miya
>wilderness, but it's allowed in many NF wilderness areas (and probably
>some BLM and FWS wilderness).
Yep. Local natives are allowed to hunt in certain Alaskan National Parks
using various traditional and non-traditional weapons, methods, and
conditions (not for resale).
Robert Branch
in the woods on Thanksgiving Day, Friday, and Saturday of that week. The
serious hunters will have already been out on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
Its the 'wannabees' who have usually had a six-pack for breakfast that you will
be dealing with from Thursday on. Also bear hunting season is also in that
week, so if you encounter many dogs with radio collars, don't do anything to
make them bark at you.
David Collins
> in the woods on Thanksgiving Day, Friday, and Saturday of that week. The
> serious hunters will have already been out on Monday, Tuesday, and Wednesday.
I have now contacted the NC Wildlife Resources Commission and they say
this year's hunting season in the western part of the state is from 22
Nov to 11 Dec. That's actually much shorter than I had imagined.
However, the impression conveyed by some of the correspondents here has
convinced me that it will be more pleasant to avoid Nat Forests at that
time. So I'll spend the time in one of the NPS parks instead.
> Its the 'wannabees' who have usually had a six-pack for breakfast that you will
> be dealing with from Thursday on. Also bear hunting season is also in that
> week, so if you encounter many dogs with radio collars, don't do anything to
> make them bark at you.
In the Linville gorge I once ran into a radio collared dog which looked
very lost. It was howling it's head off even with nobody around. I can't
imagine how I could have prevented that one from barking.
Many thanks to all for the replies.
point...@my-deja.com
col...@eos.ncsu.edu wrote:
> I am considering a thanksgiving backpacking trip in one of the Nat
> Forests or Nat parks in the North Carolina mountains. It occured to me
> that it may coincide with hunting season.
>
> Last year's trip was to the Smokies where hunting is not allowed. What
> about the Pisgah and Nantahala NFs. Is hunting allowed throughout
these
> areas or are the portions which are off limits?
>
> Anyone know when the hunting season starts and ends in NC? Any advice
on
> hiking in areas where hunting is allowed during that time?
>
> David Collins
>
> It really pisses me off, that everyone is so greedy. The NF's
belong to everyone. I haven't heard of a mass number of bodies showing
up from all these drunken hunters. Maybe one should show them some
respect at their sport, which supports the wildlife far more than any
other outdoor sport. The season for them to enjoy their sport is limited
and so are the "Public" areas where they can. The western season in NC
for bear, deer and hog is not even a month, is that too much to share?
Furthermore most of the hunters are locals, we are the guests.
If you outlaw hunting, then the ones who continue to hunt will be
outlaws hunting without any respect for wildlife or human life.
The forest will be much more dangerous if hunting is banned.
Regardless of where you hike or play in the wilderness this time of year
be safe wear Hunter Blaze Orange, hat,cap and vest. Safety works best
if all undertake it. pointer
at their sport
> *******************************************************************
>
> David Collins
> Department of Electrical and Computer Engineering
> Box 7911
> North Carolina State University
> Raleigh NC 27695
>
> (919) 515-5248
> http://www4.ncsu.edu/~collins
>
Sent via Deja.com http://www.deja.com/
Before you buy.
David Collins
I realize that this is a newsgroup but I have to say that I find the
tone of your message in relation to mine objectionable. I did not
suggest or intend to suggest that hunting should be limited in these
areas or that certain sections of the public should not be allowed to
carry out their favorite activities. My personal preference is to avoid
areas where hunting is taking place. For example, I just don't feel
comfortable lying in my tent when I can hear shooting. So all I really
wanted to find out was when the season was and to what extent it
affected hiking experiences in these areas. In fact in the past I have
been on public lands during hunting season but in Colorado and New
Mexico where the amount of public land per capita is considerably larger
than in North Carolina. In the former you can easily avoid everyone
else; I have found that public lands are much more crowded in NC. So the
advice that I have obtained seems to indicate that I'll enjoy my hiking
much more if I stick to National Park lands where hunting is prohibited.
And I am quite content to do this and have now made alternative plans
involving NPS lands. I'll be happy to wait until the hunting season's
end to visit a Nat Forest in NC.
> It really pisses me off, that everyone is so greedy. The NF's
> belong to everyone. I haven't heard of a mass number of bodies showing
> up from all these drunken hunters. Maybe one should show them some
> respect at their sport, which supports the wildlife far more than any
> other outdoor sport. The season for them to enjoy their sport is limited
> and so are the "Public" areas where they can. The western season in NC
> for bear, deer and hog is not even a month, is that too much to share?
As I said I don't mind that hunting can take place and if you look at
another of my follow up messages you'll see that I was quite surprised
to find out how short it is.
> Furthermore most of the hunters are locals, we are the guests.
These are public lands owned by the Federal govt. Surely neither locals
nor non-locals have any greater ownership rights.
> If you outlaw hunting, then the ones who continue to hunt will be
> outlaws hunting without any respect for wildlife or human life.
> The forest will be much more dangerous if hunting is banned.
Hunting is banned, with a few odd exceptions, on lands administered by
the National Park Service. By your statement, the forest in the Great
Smoky Mountains NP should be much more dangerous than the surrounding
Nantahala Nat Forest. I have a hard time believing this but perhaps you
can explain the additional factors that MUCH increase the danger.
David
David C. Kennedy
dates remember that it is different for each area and or county good luck
http://www.state.nc.us/Wildlife/
David Collins <col...@eos.ncsu.edu> wrote in message
news:383183B0...@eos.ncsu.edu...