Non-hunting pressure in rifle seasons

[Mw01313]

I am starting planning for the 2025 season. I learned a couple things last fall that I had not considered prior to getting to the unit. I am trying to let them inform my tag strategy this year. My first question is this: Does non hunting pressure fall off during rifle seasons in units that are close to populated areas ( think October and later)? I am sure this is largely weather dependent, but I am wondering if, generally speaking, do MBers, hikers, and rec campers start to stay out of the woods going into October or is it the same as Archery and ML seasons?

 

[cnelk]

Once the Leaf Peepers are gone it’s pretty much over for non hunting activities

 

[Nickofthewoods]

Once the Leaf Peepers are gone it’s pretty much over for non hunting activities

This may have been true 20 years ago.

 

[cnelk]

This may have been true 20 years ago.

Okay.
I’m basing my observation on this past fall when I hunted Sept Oct and Nov.

 

[Nickofthewoods]

If the weather is still nice there will be people out recreating. Especially near large cities.

 

[BRTreedogs]

Yes No Maybe
Maybe yes or no

 

[LongWayAround]

I hardly see any non-hunters during rifle seasons.

If you're in an area with cool Instagram lakes and popular trails, there will probably be backpackers. Areas with lots of bike trails and no snow snow will probably have bikers.

 

[Mw01313]

Thanks for the responses. Look it depends. Hopefully I can dodge them.

 

[justinspicher]

We still have horse riders out, which always concerns me. Plenty of ATV riders as well.

 

[Hondo0925]

Seems In my area October is busy (still pretty nice weather) but November everyone but hunters are gone

 

[dusky]

If there's heavy snow in my area, yes. Otherwise,no. My hunt area is near high population areas with lots of outdoorsy people. Snow slows down the crowds but far from eliminates them. May depend on the culture of your targeted area.

 

[ElkArcher918]

Generally speaking, you may have less non-hunting pressure once Nov snows blow in but if you're near a significant population center with easy draw tags expect plenty orange clad kindred souls toting a boom stick. Plan accordingly. Sometimes rec and hunting pressure can work to your advantage if you scout alot, know the lay of the land, escape routes/sanctuary areas.

 

[Hnthrdr]

It depends, good (for rec activity) warmer, dry, sunny, weather you better believe you will see hikers, bikers, etc. cold, windy, snowy, better hunting weather it’s usually just hunters out. Sept is a zoo, October can be busy, mid Nov really starts to die down but I’ve seen more late fall and winter recreationalists in recent years than I can ever remember

 

[Weldor]

We still have our share and more of covid campers and mt bikers everywhere except summer. Sad part is I see more of them than hunters anymore, used to be the other way around.

 

[MountainMan83]

I have never seen any non-hunter activity during 2nd rifle in Colorado over the last 13 years. I hunt in the national forest and don’t hunt near trails. This may only be specific to my unit and where I hunt, so take it for what it’s worth

 

[Hnthrdr]

I have never seen any non-hunter activity during 2nd rifle in Colorado over the last 13 years. I hunt in the national forest and don’t hunt near trails. This may only be specific to my unit and where I hunt, so take it for what it’s worth

Are you under 2.5 hours from the front range?

 

[MountainMan83]

Are you under 2.5 hours from the front range?

Yes - plenty of orange around where I hunt, but I have never seen anyone doing anything else. I have seen non-hunters during September when I go bear hunting.

 

[Hnthrdr]

Yes - plenty of orange around where I hunt, but I have never seen anyone doing anything else. I have seen non-hunters during September when I go bear hunting.

Generally you get 3+ hours away and remote and non hunter activities drop off a bunch.

 

[MountainMan83]

That makes sense, but I less than a couple hours from the front range - I use All Trails to find summer time hiking/fishing spots, which could be a good tool to use to see if there will be hikers in your area. There are no trails anywhere near where I hunt which probably keeps the hikers/mountain bikers away. There are some forest roads that are used by dirt bike and ATV riders during summer/fall, but they are all gone by mid/late October.

 

[nebhunt]

Just look up the Run Rabbit Run race that happens every year mid September near Steamboat Springs Colorado. Turns a lot on the mountain into a zoo