My grouse hunting 'territory' takes me right up to the edge of a big town where a popular lake trail has been opened up to hunting in recent years, I believe in a (successful) attempt to reduce the overpopulation of deer and coyotes that had become a huge problem. The trail, being popular, is only so-so for hunting, but it IS a nice restful walk, a walk with no brambles, blackberry canes, thorns, branches to duck, logs to step over, etc. The thing is, even during weekday working hours I regularly encounter people out for a stroll, usually dog walking, but sometimes out just by themselves, and they are NEVER wearing the bright safety colours we're used to and therefore somewhat dependant on here in the East. So, I'm standing there with my double barrel broken open, waiting for them to pass, almost always exchanging friendly greetings, and am constantly tempted to say something to these folks, a mild statement to the effect they're in a heavy hunting area and might want to dress as the hunters do, I mean a hat or a scarf, but I'm afraid that suggestion will be taken or later stated as being some sort of a threat or an indication that the situation is so dangerous that they should fight to get the hunting removed as it was for many years. Any suggestions as to the best course of action? Should I just shut up and mind my own business or what?
Safe Hunting on nature trails.
- Thread starter Big Bad
- Start date
There aren't a lot of people, but there are people without blaze orange on, not something an Eastern hunter sees much. But the risk is slight I guess.
Runningfool
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
- Location
- SW Ontario
I suspect if they come across you all decked out in blaze orange, they might get the hint. Then again, people aren't always as bright as I assume 
Before I knew anything about hunting or hunting seasons, I was out dicking around on some crown land having a fire and fishing. I guess it was a day before gun season for deer and some guys came down the river in a boat on the way to their camp. They were really friendly and polite and simply suggested that in the future I wear a hat or jacket that is brightly coloured. They were not threatening at all, just suggested that although the majority of people are safe, it would be a good thing to be visible as the woods were getting busier with hunters.
I honestly had no clue because I had never given hunting 2 seconds of thought so I appreciated them telling me. Some people don't even fully understand why we wear orange.
Further to that, I remember reading a Simcoe county area newspaper that was reminding people that hunting season was around the corner and to wear something orange to be more visible. Seems there is always someone that gets shot every year so you'd think there wouldn't be a need to tell people every time.
I honestly had no clue because I had never given hunting 2 seconds of thought so I appreciated them telling me. Some people don't even fully understand why we wear orange.
Further to that, I remember reading a Simcoe county area newspaper that was reminding people that hunting season was around the corner and to wear something orange to be more visible. Seems there is always someone that gets shot every year so you'd think there wouldn't be a need to tell people every time.
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Regardless of regulations, any area that is frequented by public (specially big city public who are usually unfamiliar with hunting culture) is better to be avoided.
Some hunters take exception to this and see it as a right and insist on exercising this right at any cost. As rightful as they may be, people are what they are and we need their goodwill. A little common sense goes a long way.
Take your gun and drive a little. Canada is blessed with Millions upon Millions acres of good hunting land.
Some hunters take exception to this and see it as a right and insist on exercising this right at any cost. As rightful as they may be, people are what they are and we need their goodwill. A little common sense goes a long way.
Take your gun and drive a little. Canada is blessed with Millions upon Millions acres of good hunting land.
Unfortunately no matter where you go in Ontario south of Sudbury at least, you are going to encounter people that don't understand hunting. If the township doesn't make it clear with signs, I don't see the harm in dropping a little knowledge on someone who may not have given any thought to being visible.
GeoShooter
CGN frequent flyer
- Location
- Cape Breton
Maybe make up a couple signs to post at the trailheads. I'm sure most aren't aware of the orange, or aware of when the game seasons begin
...was just reminded of 20 years ago...training retrievers as a group on the east coast...public area to which we were given a key...20 - 30 dogs ran there 1x/2wks...locals caught wind of it and wound up walking into the middle of the training sessions...we talked, reasoned, and asked what we could do...but a bunch just didn't like dogs being trained ('forcing them to do these things')...we used no force and anyone who would have bothered to just show up and watch could see how much the dogs enjoyed their work...in the end we found another field (we had dozens actually)...there was no reasoning to be done whatsoever...best of luck...i moved way out here for a reason...
jlovie
CGN Ultra frequent flyer
Then again, people aren't always as bright as I assume
Exactly
Went out in the area in question today, had good luck (as posted elsewhere) and near the road met a woman walking two pugs and a Rottweiler. Immediately broke my double barrel open, the way my daddy taught me. The Rottie came at me like a crazy thing, running up within a couple of feet and barking between snapping lunges while I stood still, holding it off with the barrel of the still open DB, mostly waiting for the owner to call it off. But she just sauntered by and said the dog wouldn't bite me as she passed (I think that's what she said over the roar of the dam dog). Once she was far enough away, the dog followed her, so I closed the gun and started walking again, but the stupid mutt ran back and came after me a second time with the same act. I did NOT open the barrel this time, but yelled at the woman to call her forking dog off for pete's sake. She yelled back "You're in no danger, you have a gun!" and I yelled back "Yes, and I do and I don't want to kill your dog!" whereupon she yelled back "You aren't allowed to hunt here!" and I yelled "Yes I bloody am you stupid woman!" -by which time she was far enough away that the dog lost interest. Maybe it's because I'm naïve, but in this sort of situation I always expect people to call their dog off, but noooo, they always stare at me as if I'm the one who's doing something wrong and must be an evil person. So, the woman was right, I was in no personal danger because I held the ultimate, twin barreled, solution but I didn't want to kill the stupid mutt even if it did have those enormous bone crushing jaws within a couple feet of my legs. And besides, it would be bad for hunters in general if I had.
As a final note, when I got to the trailhead, I saw that the woman was driving a rusted out wreck of a van, tape all over the body.... and, who am I to talk, but I do find that almost everyone who drives a nothing-to-lose vehicle like that is totally lacking in what I might call "the social graces." (Here endeth the rant. )
As a final note, when I got to the trailhead, I saw that the woman was driving a rusted out wreck of a van, tape all over the body.... and, who am I to talk, but I do find that almost everyone who drives a nothing-to-lose vehicle like that is totally lacking in what I might call "the social graces." (Here endeth the rant. )
Definitely an ignorant woman. What city is this in? If you don't mind me asking. Sounds a lot like what I would expect where I am.
I don't think this is a geographical issue. The more dogs have to be tied up everywhere, the more clueless their owners become. The dogs too, but that's not their fault.
Just meant there is a lot of public land within 20 mins of Kitchener that most people don't know is huntable. Running into people like this lady who have no clue happens every other time. Plus being so close to an urban environment dogs don't always have a decent recall off leash.
Oh. I think she knew there's hunting permitted there. It was a big deal when they opened it up for that. She was just saying something stupid to put her in the right somehow, or maybe just to have something to say.
