Re: [at-l] Hunters & Hiking the AT, Damascus to va 603

["Charles W. Davidson" <wb4pan@mindspring.com>]

Yo,

	Since many hunters do choose to hunt directly on the AT. My hopes are
that someday our nations  longest "National Scenic Park" will at least
have a safety zone, 2,000+ miles without loaded weapons.  The AT is a
very small corridor thru vast hunting areas. There are plenty of places
to hunt safely. You cannot hunt legally while standing on a highway. But
its ok on a trail built for people only? I find it hard to believe that
it  is supported for the most part, by various hunting clubs in various
states. Perhaps its true but it's still hard to believe. In what manner
do hunting clubs give support? I expect most individuals that do trail
work with an AT club would never go out and shoot a gun toward, on or
across the trail. Hunting is a fine sport. I used to hunt on the AT,
heck its easy walking someone has kept the trail in great shape.  Later
when I began hiking a lot I decided the AT is no place for me to hunt.
The better I new an area the more I realized the danger of a shot fired
from the trail crossing the trail again at another point.

But that's just me.  

chase


Ern Grover wrote:
> 
> There is no law prohibiting hunters from using the AT or
> hunting on the AT.  It is a public walkway, supported in
> fact, for the most part, by various hunting clubs in various
> states.
> 
> Two pieces of blaze orange are required in many states, and
> to be without makes you subject to a fine by any warden who
> sees you.
> 
> A further note, the AT is not "our" trail, unless you are a
> direct supporter either financially or with your physical
> efforts maintaining the trail.  It is open to the
> public,...hikers, ridge runners, hunters and migrating moose
> and deer.
> 
> Sweeter-Rain
> 
> -----Original Message-----
> From: Linda Jagger <laj8190@garnet.acns.fsu.edu>
> To: <at-l-digest@backcountry.net>
> Date: Sunday, November 15, 1998 8:55 PM
> Subject: [at-l] Hunters & Hiking the AT, Damascus to va 603
> 
> >Two of us hope to hike 40 mi on AT Thanksgiving from
> Damascus Va to Va603
> >(Mt. Rogers Recreation Area).  I have just been told by the
> Va AT person
> >that 2 people were killed in that area last week, one near
> the AT, and was
> >advised to seriously reconsider.  Last year we hiked Hot
> Springs to
> >Davenport with no hunter difficulty over Thanksgiving.  Is
> this area
> >particularly overrun with hunters??   Is there any law that
> hunters are not
> >to shoot within "X" feet of a trail?  We will wear our
> orange vests, not
> >that that would necessarily help to be seen.  Has anybody
> had recent
> >experience hiking that area with hunters?  What do you all
> recommend?
> >Should people stay off the AT during hunting season (and
> give our trail over
> >to the hunters)??   If possible please respond directly to
> Linda at
> >laj8190@garnet.acns.fsu.edu as I do not read the at digest
> every day.  Thank
> >you.
> >
> >* From the Appalachian Trail Mailing List |
> http://www.backcountry.net  *
> >
> 
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-- 
Charles W. Davidson (WB4PAN)
Axton, Virginia
http://www.mindspring.com/~wb4pan
http://venus.beseen.com/chat/rooms/k/3711/    AT Web Chat
AOL Instant Messenger Name: wb4pan
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