Hunting near Ski area in national forest?

[Rotnguns]

Long background to follow, but wondering if anyone has experience hunting in areas frequented by non-hunting winter recreationists? I used to hunt my favorite quarry, snowshoe hares, near a popular ski area. But as the area grew and trails were developed, it’s become far more popular, which caused me to hunt farther away. But recently, while working my brothers Brittany pup, we found that this area is highly populated with both grouse and snowshoe hare. Clearly doesn’t get much hunting pressure, if any – in fact, no one seems to go off trail at all. It’s tempting to get back up there and hunt again, like I did fifty years ago. But I want to use my M1 Carbine, because I always get a lion tag just in case I see one. The area is almost all NF; gets frequent fresh snow and is perfect for tracking hares. I’m concerned about possible confrontations with non-hunters, especially those who are new to Idaho and unfamiliar with hunting. Any advice?

 

[z987k]

Use a suppressor to be neighborly. Otherwise, sounds like a good time.

 

[Rotnguns]

Use a suppressor to be neighborly. Otherwise, sounds like a good time.

Thanks, but there will only be one shot and it takes 2-3 hours to track a hare, so not too worried about the sound. More concerned about the optics of carrying a rifle.

 

[KurtR]

If my guess is right where your talking about i elk hunted around there with no problem. I would just go hunting and if any one says any thing ignore them and keep doing your thing

 

[Wrench]

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

 

[Marshfly]

If you are hunting legally then anyone that objects to an inanimate object you are carrying to hunt with should get laughed at.

If you care (you shouldn't) get a rifle with a folding stock and put it in a pack.

 

[sndmn11]

Hunt it up!

Tell me more about the M1c? I have my grandfather's and it works. I'd like to find better ammunition then FMJ or straight lead.

 

[3Esski]

I use a popular hiking trail to access an area I hunt sometimes and I have a breakdown recurve bow I put in my backpack, or break my shotgun down until I get to where I start hunting. It's not needed, as it is public and open for hunting, but sometimes I don't care to deal with the looks.

 

[Dos Perros]

I think I would go and just prepare to have a nice conversation with anyone who wants to chit chat. I find people are generally more open minded than we give them credit for.

 

[Runwilderness]

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.

 

[RufusB.Marion]

I am curious: do you have to ask the ski area permission to hunt if they have a lease on the public in question?

 

[pods8 (Rugged Stitching)]

I think I would go and just prepare to have a nice conversation with anyone who wants to chit chat. I find people are generally more open minded than we give them credit for.

This is generally my experience outside of areas with known activist anti-hunters. MOST non-hunters aren't activist anti-hunters so you more often than not will have normal encounters unless you wander into one of the anti's.

 

[2ski]

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

 

[Runwilderness]

I am curious: do you have to ask the ski area permission to hunt if they have a lease on the public in question?

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.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Hunt it up!

Tell me more about the M1c? I have my grandfather's and it works. I'd like to find better ammunition then FMJ or straight lead.

I believe they make a hp for it. I use my grandpa’s to run around the ranch in AZ to shoot at coyotes it’s surprisingly accurate with irons, it was made by GM

 

[Poser]

I am curious: do you have to ask the ski area permission to hunt if they have a lease on the public in question?

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.