Hunting near Ski area in national forest?

[Rotnguns]

Just make sure of your target and beyond.
Are we talking in bounds or back country skiing?

Mostly close in, not back country. No issue with background, farthest shot I've taken over the years is about ten yards. When you track the hares, they will usually go to shelter in deadfalls and brambles, and they also keep an eye on you, so I look for black marbles and ear tips. They will let you walk right up to them; they think they are hidden, so you can always position yourself for a safe and easy shot.

 

[Rotnguns]

We have a singer 1911 from the otehr side grandpa and his SE Asia time. This M1c is a post war version, so I've thought about throwing a different stock on it, but haven't gotten too far into the actual doing so part.

That singer 1911 is quite the valuable pistol!

 

[Rotnguns]

They can restrict/prohibit access during their winter window of mountain operations.
I don't think he was asking about hunting on the ski resort lease, rather near it where there is other recreational activity.

Yep, exactly right. The ski area here has also expanded operations to include summer activities so shooting near there would not be a good idea, pretty much year round.

 

[Rotnguns]

I had this same thought after posting my reply above. I’m curious how that works too. E.g. if the NF/ski area lease agreement allows them to regulate some access (for example the rule say I can’t snowshoes uphill on a ski run even if it is ‘public land’), how do those agreements extend to state controlled hunting regs. I know I can’t legally discharge a firearm in my urban neighborhood, but I’ve never checked to see whether I’m explicitly prevented from hunting there, or if it’s just assumed that my rifle elk tag doesn’t grant me permission to violate any other set of city, county, state, or federal laws.

Idaho has a regulation against hunting or shooting in "recreational areas," which I think is how the ski area is designated.

 

[sndmn11]

That singer 1911 is quite the valuable pistol!

That's why we still have it! It gets shot regularly too.

 

[Rotnguns]

Be neighborly. Say hello if you see people, don’t act weird. Obviously know the layout of the trails/ski runs and practice safe firearms handling.

Common courtesy is to not walk on groomed trails with boots or snowshoes. Even if it’s public land it would be the equivalent of the skier intentional routing themselves to go through your game to harass them off.

I haven’t encountered anyone hunting while cross country skiing, but while out running trails I can say often my best encounters are with people hunting or on horseback carrying a sidearm. We chat. Wish each other happy pursuits. It’s often other endurance sport people that will run me off the trail with their mountain bikes or plug in headphones with music so loud they can’t hear to step aside when I approach that irk me. My wife, a non hunter, has similar feelings.

That said, I would take it very differently if I saw someone pointing a rifle in my direction, so more than anything, keep it safe whether it’s skiers or too many other hunters out there in the woods with you.

Good input! When I'm out snowshoeing, I take great care not to step on the grooves - there are warning signs about that. But I never hunt from groomed x-country ski trails. I agree that being polite and cordial is the best policy. I'm probably overthinking the whole thing.

 

[HydeParkHunter]

Regarding any concerns about where you can or cannot hunt on Forest Service lands immediate to the ski area, I would strongly suggest calling the local District Ranger office and asking to speak to either their Recreation Specialist, or their Special Use Permit Specialist (most likely works directly with the Ski resort if its on Forest System lands). Reach out with your questions and they should be able to provide some clarity.

 

[bojangles808]

The first wolves I saw in Idaho were while riding the lift up Silver mountain.

there's cougars too

 

[Rotnguns]

Regarding any concerns about where you can or cannot hunt on Forest Service lands immediate to the ski area, I would strongly suggest calling the local District Ranger office and asking to speak to either their Recreation Specialist, or their Special Use Permit Specialist (most likely works directly with the Ski resort if its on Forest System lands). Reach out with your questions and they should be able to provide some clarity.

Good advice! Are you in the North End, if I may ask? My wife loves that part of Boise - we go on frequent walks there.

 

[def90]

Should be perfectly fine to hunt outside of the marked ski area boundaries as long as you follow all of the regular forest service rules on discharging a firearm within X distance of trails and structures.. Who cares if someone sees you with a rifle.