Sharing the trail with hikers?

[Mr.T]

In my other thread I shared that this last weekend was my first time actually bear hunting as opposed to hunting coyote or deer while holding a bear tag.  In my driving around I noticed a large number of vehicles at trail heads in areas I would like to scout. 

Have you run into problems with hikers? 
Any wisdom in protocol for sharing the trails with non hunters? 

So far, I haven't had to deal with this.  Thanks for the help 

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I try to be extra polite. Every negative interaction confirms a lot of pre dispositions they have towards Hunters. If they are still rude, I just move along. If they try and interfere with your hunt, that's against the law.

[Doc Sauce]

I make sure and use a set of binoculars to glass an area when I know there are hikers around.  The last thing I want is for a hiker to complain that a hunter was pointing a rifle at them. 

I have come across hikers a couple times.  I usuall greet them before I am near them to make sure they see me.  I don't want to spook them and have them freak out since I am walking by with a rifle.  I'll ask how they are doing and be cordial, but I almost never stop walking.  I figure the less time we spend together, the less chance there is for me or the hiker to get bent. 

I have been absolutely amazed at how many hikers and horseback riders encourage me when we pass.  And the little jokes like, "Y'all out for a hike... yup, i'm bear hunting... trust me, no bears back there..."  seem to go a long way. 

Only had 1 person give me attitude.  Woman walking a yap dog could not believe that I was carrying a rifle while hiking.  I let her know there were bears in the area and that I was looking for me.  She did not believe me,  but, like I said before, I don't stop walking so the conversation was really short. 

Definitely use a set of Binos to glass though.  Even if there are not hikers around, it's not a good idea to glass with your rifle scope.  Kind of breaks the weapons safety rules to point a muzzle at something you not fully intend to destroy. 

[Special T]

I don't hunt those areas but some comments from people who have would go something like this...
Leave the lifted 4X4 at home with all the hunting decals. Dress in more earth tones as opposed to cammo. If possible put the rifle out of site, until you start hunting off the trail.
While not fair, this leads to less flat tires, more information gathered  and less conflict. You Milage may vary. 

[oldschooltrucks]

I spent 3 days calling around to the sheriff, dnr, and game wardens to find out if 18 was closed to firearms.  Never heard anything and none of them could give me an answer.  I went anyways.  Glad I didnt see a bear bc it was firearm restricted.  Ran into a lot of hikers, all were friendly but none of them said anything to me about my rifle.  Needless to say I do a little more checking into the areas I want to hunt now. 

[CP]

Just treat them like you would another hunter or anyone else.   I don’t hide the fact that I’m hunting from them, most don’t seem to care and are friendly, but some have a tude.  It’s your right to be there as much as it is theirs.

[snowpack]

Most seem fine, many I run into are hunters or used to be.  But then there are the haters that lump all hunters together because of things like this--http://www.nwhikers.net/forums/viewtopic.php?t=8007408.  You can usually tell the friendly ones from a distance.

[SilkOnTheDrySide]

I just read that post. Wtf is wrong with people? Wanton death is disturbing.

[Hunter mike]

Get the cold shoulder occasionally, but mostly no problems.  As stated above, being friendly goes a long way.  I usually have my rifle attached to my pack so it doesn't appear threatening (I practice getting it off quickly, and it only takes about 2 seconds to have it shouldered).  I don't wear much camo either, but that's mostly for financial reasons (good "mountaineering brand" clothing is much cheaper than the high end camo and sometimes better).

I stay away from the really busy trailheads and try to find the lighter used ones.

[ghosthunter]

I simply do ot worry about it. I am friendly but any comments I don't like and I say have a nice day.
I have firearms with me all the time if hiking always a open carry handgun . All over night trips get the Handgun and my Circuit Judge Rifle.

It is your right to carry. Doesn't have to be hunting season.

[oldschooltrucks]

I simply do ot worry about it. I am friendly but any comments I don't like and I say have a nice day.
I have firearms with me all the time if hiking always a open carry handgun . All over night trips get the Handgun and my Circuit Judge Rifle.

It is your right to carry. Doesn't have to be hunting season.

 

[67 Halfcab]

Buy a Subaru wagon and plaster it with Obama stickers.  Trail head parking lot camo!

[justaguy]

I say "howdy" with an extra big smile and keep walking with a extra cheery "have a great hike!" on the way out; more time hunting and less time debating the morality of something I enjoy doing. A lot of times I'll carry a bag to clean up a little garbage off the trail and that's really gotten a lot of positive comments that hunters care about keeping the area clean. Respect begets respect.

  I agree, if you're seeing a lot of people, you might look for a place to hunt that's a little more off the beaten path.

[3nails]

 Don't just blow by them with a nod and smile. Pause for a moment to let them by. If they start a polite conversation take a minute and hear what they have to say. I've had some great experiences with people this way. Dozens actually. I can remember only one bad experience. I came around a switch-back and made eye contact with a woman who started yelling from 50 yds away, "THERE'S NO HUNTING HERE!"  She repeated the same phrase 5 more times before I passed her. I wanted to stop, pull the bearhide out of my pack and say something I shouldn't but I just kept going. I think she was confused with National Forrest versus National Park. 
 Probably 8 out of 10 will ask what you are hunting for and when you tell them they'll say "THERE'S BEARS HERE?!?!  "  It's priceless.

[Doc Sauce]

That's a good idea to pick up a little trash on the way out.  Hikers think hunters are the ones trashin up the wilderness.