Hunting and mt biking

Hey all,
Where do you folks ride during hunting season? We have a problem here because ALL of the public lands in the county that are open to bikes are open for hunting. You would think that in a suburban setting they might designate a few spots for specific recreation types. They're even allowed to hunt at night here for certain types of critters.
This has always been an issue but after getting my back wheel shot out from under me last night I'm pissed. I never even knew it was coming and the pr*ck disappeared into the woods after taking the shot. Two hours later, cold and wet, I made it back to the car. My light had burned out long before that so I had to leave my bike in the woods and go back for it this morning, I just couldn't keep carrying it in the dark.
What would y'all do?

So, what you're say is that some hunter shot at you (while on your bike?).

The authorities need to know about this, if only to inform them that thy've got hunters creating big problems. That kind of behavior will reflect poorly on all hunters in the area. Glad to hear that the fucker didn't hit you.

Damn man, where were you riding? I was always a little scared off all the shotgun shells that seemed to be lining the trails in the Poughkeepsie area...

Same problem back here in MN, now that bow season has opened up, I'm scared for my life. Hopefully everyone abides by the no hunting 10am-2pm posters that are pasted all over...

Tele, the sheriff said to tell the county parks dept. and the parks dept said to tell the sheriff. Duh, what else is new right. I hate shit like that. If he hit what he was trying to that was an amazing shot! How he missed my feet is beyond me. I wasn't going fast at all, it was muddy and rocky so I was picking my way through but damn...

Crash, yeah shells everywhere. Unfortunately there aren't any off times. I looked it up on the NYS DEC website and you can hunt furbearing creatures at night here.

Three years ago we had a guy get a butt full of buckshot about a mile from where this happened.

I (don't) LOVE NY

At least in CT there's no hunting on Sundays.

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Originally Posted by gravitylover

Tele, the sheriff said to tell the county parks dept. and the parks dept said to tell the sheriff. Duh, what else is new right. I hate shit like that.

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Tell the local press and any local bike clubs.... They love shit like this. And, it'll draw anyone else who's had a similar experience out. Then, you'll get a reaction from the Sheriff and the Parks dept. If I remember my schooling correctly that could be considered "Assault with a deadly weapon" and the local authorities are blowing it off.

jeez, I guess a road bike might be on the wish list after that little shot.

Wear orange.

There's nothing more disconcerting than riding up on a guy w/ a rifle perched in his lap, especially when you don't see him til your passing him.

We've got the same problem here. You always hear the stories...a friend of a friend's second cousin twice removed got shot, but you never want to believe it. Sucks to hear about someone actually getting shot at, and hit. That's bullshit man. I'm with Nater on this one, go to the media...and start wearing bright colors.

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Originally Posted by char

Wear orange.

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I had two layers of orange on the roads today.

What good does orange do at night? This was at almost 8pm. I ride at night at this time of year mostly because my store is open during the day and I have no time to ride then but also because I thought there was less chance of this happening after dark.

I have a reporter from the local paper coming to my shop tomorrow afternoon to meet with me and a representative from the county parks dept. Unfortunately I am afraid that the county may decide to close the area to riding during hunting season if I push the issue too far.

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Originally Posted by gravitylover

Unfortunately I am afraid that the county may decide to close the area to riding during hunting season if I push the issue too far.

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Unfortunately, you're probably right. Doubtful they'll do anything about the hunters. Shitty situation in general.

How are these guys hunting at night, and how in the hell are they mistaking a bike with a light for any sort of animal? Almost sounds like someone took a potshot to spook you and keep you away while they're hunting. Not saying that's what happened, but sounds sorta fishy from my end.

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Originally Posted by bagtagley

sounds sorta fishy from my end.

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Yeah I am pretty sure there are no animals that shine bright lights in the front of them.

:mad: Can you say poaching? We busted a group of guys that were in another spot close to that a few years ago. We came out and they had brought their Jeep past the parking lot and were loading deer into the back. We boogied out to the car to grab a phone and call it in. 20 minutes later the troopers had them spread eagle on the hood of the car a few miles away.

Actually it is legal to hunt bobcat, coyote and several other species at night in New York, and for a few species it's even legal to hunt with spotlights. That season doesn't open for a few weeks though. I think you're right about it probably being a potshot meant to wake me up. :eek:

The meeting with the two guys this morning went better than I expected. The reporter won't publish a story until we work something out with the county so we can show what we're doing and not just close it to bikes. It may come down to creating a volunteer patrol and have somebody in there as many hours as we can muster up. It worked last year when we sat by the trails with cameras getting the registration numbers off the quads as they went into the state land at night. The DEC cops arrested 35 riders one night and confiscated their machines and fined the property owner that cut the trail in from his property.

Ahh, fun in the 'burbs.

I had that happen last year. A buddy and I were halfway through our ride when suddenly we heard gunshots and saw a group of guys in orange walking through the woods.

The trail was on private property and hunting was very strictly prohibited by the owners, so we called the cops and reported it, hung out for half an hour or so, and finished our ride as quickly as possible, talking loudly and yelling the whole way.

It scared the hell out of me, though...I'd never realized how much like a deer a mt. biker wearing browns and greens must look. I wear a lot more orange, red, and yellow now. :cool:

We haven't had to worry about the hunters where we ride and hike. :cool:

But we do have to watch out for these guys!! :eek:

http://www.tetongravity.com/usergall...201%20copy.JPG

Usually they run away from us, but now during the rut, the bull was standing his ground. They were just a few feet off of the trail. Very cool to see them. :D

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Originally Posted by gravitylover

:mad: Can you say poaching? We busted a group of guys that were in another spot close to that a few years ago. We came out and they had brought their Jeep past the parking lot and were loading deer into the back. We boogied out to the car to grab a phone and call it in. 20 minutes later the troopers had them spread eagle on the hood of the car a few miles away.

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Loading a deer after dark does not equal poaching (well, depending on your local laws it might). Here it is perfectly legal to shoot a deer during the legal hours and remove it after dark.

you know you've been in montana too long when you expected this was going to be a thread about the best way to carry a rifle on your bike or how to pack an elk out on a mt bike.

as for being shot at, do it montana style, go armed and shoot back.

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Originally Posted by fez

you know you've been in montana too long when you expected this was going to be a thread about the best way to carry a rifle on your bike or how to pack an elk out on a mt bike.

as for being shot at, do it montana style, go armed and shoot back.

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When it comes to packing out elk/deer those little tow behind kiddy carriers work well for "closed" USFS roads.

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Originally Posted by fez

you know you've been in montana too long when you expected this was going to be a thread about the best way to carry a rifle on your bike or how to pack an elk out on a mt bike.

as for being shot at, do it montana style, go armed and shoot back.

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heh, thats exactly what i was thinking. But then again no Montanan would think about strapping their gun to an unmotorized vehicle.

I always thought a long barrel 44 mag. would make a great moutain bike gun.