“Don’t shoot my dog” etc

[Poser]

I had a Colorado ewe tag once and hiked in on a trail well before daylight. Not having any luck, I hiked out with my rifle over my shoulder. I had no idea how popular the trail was. I had to have met 50 or more hikers on the way out. Some of them almost shit themselves when they saw me. I don't know how many times I was asked what I was hunting and then heard "You can hunt those?".

If I'd had blood to my elbows and a broken down ewe in my pack complete with a ewe head, some of them would have needed therapy.

I was polite to them all.

When I’m using popular trails for access, I have found that having a rifle cover such the the solo hunter or similar seems to effectively disguise a rifle to the majority. It’s interesting as they don’t seem to associate wearing a orange vest and hat (or optics) with hunting and they don’t seem to notice a rifle that is covered even if it clearly looks like a rifle. In fact, based on how many times folks have asked about the fishing, they assume it is a fishing Rod. Weird.

^not advising that anyone go out of their way to be “incognito”, but if you don’t feel like getting looks of suspicion or comments, it seems to work. What spurred this discussion for me is I was hiking on a unauthorized but maintained horse trail that is not on any maps while I was out bear hunting. It’s a great access point that allows me to bypass using a popular hiking trail so that I can effectively hunt the entire time I’m hiking. It also has lots of berries. Encountered a lady who said, “don’t shoot my dog!” I hiked out on the popular trail that evening with a rifle cover on, saw 20+ people and nobody said anything or stared at the rifle. So, my personal A/B test is that a rifle cover is largely effective.

 

[LongWayAround]

Lol. "Anti-hunter" is clearly an out west thing. Here in iowa nobody gives you a hard time for grocery shopping.

Nobody in Iowa wraps their Subaru in tree/mountain decals either. It gets weird out here some times.

 

[LongWayAround]

Despite my earlier reply to this thread, I usually pre-empt these type of encounters with an almost excessive greeting.

Good morning! Beautiful day, isn't it?!

The ones irritated by my presence pretend they didn't hear me and keep moving. Most others are either polite or genuinely curious about my purpose.

 

[Phaseolus]

We were archery hunting Grand Mesa a couple of days ago and had bear hunter pull his rifle up and aim it at my partner when he saw his movement. This was at about 25 yards. He dropped it immediately but it still sucked. Bottom line is we share the woods with a lot of people.

 

[Poser]

Nobody in Iowa wraps their Subaru in tree/mountain decals either. It gets weird out here some times.

Nobody in Iowa goes hiking, backpacking, climbing, Mtn biking etc either and there is very little public Land where users groups overlap significantly with hunters.

 

[Poser]

We were archery hunting Grand Mesa a couple of days ago and had bear hunter pull his rifle up and aim it at my partner when he saw his movement. This was at about 25 yards. He dropped it immediately but it still sucked. Bottom line is we share the woods with a lot of people.

That’s ridiculous, ass-whooping worthy IMO.

 

[LongWayAround]

Nobody in Iowa goes hiking, backpacking, climbing, Mtn biking etc either and there is very little public Land where users groups overlap significantly with hunters.

I know, I lived there for twenty-five years.

There's very little public land period.

I actually had a guy in a neon bike suit call the cops on me for bow fishing...

 

[EastHumboldt]

Elk hunting in Idaho and had some jamoke glass me with his scope. I shouted at him “Quit pointing your goddam rifle at me!” Don’t know how many, but Idiot hunters are out there. Same group of nimrods about an hour later spotted a buck and all four of them emptied their magazines In ten seconds Sounded like Omaha beach on D-Day. We decided to hunt on the other side of the creek.

 

[rooster440]

I find it irresponsible of hikers to not know when hunting season is! I know when it is. We have trouble with hikers stealing bear dogs, removing and discarding tracking collars, and sheltering the hounds. But as mentioned earlier just a smile and nod of the head drives them nuts.

They steal dogs?!


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Poser]

I know, I lived there for twenty-five years.

There's very little public land period.

I actually had a guy in a neon bike suit call the cops on me for bow fishing...

I just think that the comparison, “nobody in Iowa is anti hunting” is not fairly applied. It’s not even that most of the people you encounter on a popular trail in CO are “anti hunting”, they just aren’t expecting to be confronted with hunting and so they see a guy carrying a rifle on the trail and all of a sudden they think that you are “hunting” on the trail to Popular Lake on a Sunday afternoon. The idea that a person wearing blue and red Patagonia clothes is a anti hunter because they said “don’t shoot my dog!” is a bit ridiculous. An “anti hunter” takes decided action to prevent hunting. A person who isn’t necessarily comfortable around weapons or doesn’t want to see or be confronted with the thought or idea of killing animals is not by default a “anti hunter.”
In fact, some guys use this as an excuse for their failures in the field: “I was trying to kill an elk but there are too many anti hunters on the trail.” I can’t say that I’ve encountered an “anti hunter” in CO. That would be someone actively protesting your presence or trying to prevent you from hunting.

Let’s face it, some hunters are just just grouchy, crabby-ass people who complain about everything unless they can easily kill an animal. Many first time NR hunters have little concept of how popular outdoor recreation is in the rocky Mountain states and are shocked when confronted with steady streams of people hiking, backpacking, backcountry fishing, Mtn biking, climbing, etc who are on the same trails. I’ve even read comments by hunters complaining that all of these people are “anti hunters” purposefully out on the trails to discourage hunters.

 

[LongWayAround]

Agreed. I was just making a joke about the Subaru...

Most people I've encountered have been basically polite. The worst I've ever had was the "why do you have to hunt here " attitude.

 

[TheGDog]

Hey Gary, up close and personal. Remember no pit bulls or similar. GUNDOGLOVER.

Just so we're on record here with this... I was being my usual sarcastic comedic genius self... dogs love me, and I love dogs.

 

[TSAMP]

Agreed. I was just making a joke about the Subaru...

Most people I've encountered have been basically polite. The worst I've ever had was the "why do you have to hunt here " attitude.

X2 on the making a joke thing...

Nobody in Iowa goes hiking, backpacking, climbing, Mtn biking etc either and there is very little public Land where users groups overlap significantly with hunters.

Yes they do.

 

[S.Clancy]

Just grumble and scowl like Clint in "Gran Torino"

 

[Poser]

Yes they do.

Yes, Iowans backpack, Mtn bike, climb etc in significant numbers or yes, Iowans often interact with hunters while recreating on public land?

 

[TSAMP]

Yes, Iowans backpack, Mtn bike, climb etc in significant numbers or yes, Iowans often interact with hunters while recreating on public land?

My data says yes to both.

 

[Poser]

My data says yes to both.

But,


Report: Obesity At Historic High In Iowa

More than 35 percent of Iowans are obese, according to a new report. Iowa has one of the highest obesity rates in the country, according a new report by the non-profit Trust for America's Health. More than 35 percent of Iowans are considered obese, making it seventh in the nation.

 

[TSAMP]

But,


Report: Obesity At Historic High In Iowa

More than 35 percent of Iowans are obese, according to a new report. Iowa has one of the highest obesity rates in the country, according a new report by the non-profit Trust for America's Health. More than 35 percent of Iowans are considered obese, making it seventh in the nation.

I never said they made it very far.

 

[Poser]

I never said they made it very far.

 

[EastHumboldt]

Is it cuzza hot dish?

But,


Report: Obesity At Historic High In Iowa

More than 35 percent of Iowans are obese, according to a new report. Iowa has one of the highest obesity rates in the country, according a new report by the non-profit Trust for America's Health. More than 35 percent of Iowans are considered obese, making it seventh in the nation.