Annual Hunter Orange Reminder (house, safety, island)

[tcrackly]

I like hiking this time of year as well. I hate to think that my hunting activities scare anyone out of the woods. The DH and I are VERY serious about where we place ourselves and how we would take a shot...even when we positively identify our targets! Many of those bullets are still moving after they make their mark. We never take horizon shots or shots pointing at trails. I just tell myself that most hunters out there are just as conscientious.

[FNolan]

The wife and I were at Wal-Mart today and stopped in sporting goods to get a couple of blaze orange hats. She doesn't like hats but hates vests even more

[Bydand]

Originally Posted by FNolan

The wife and I were at Wal-Mart today and stopped in sporting goods to get a couple of blaze orange hats. She doesn't like hats but hates vests even more

Vests are much safer though. I would rather look like a total dork, than have a nitwit take a pot shot my direction. Doesn't happen very often, but it only takes once.

[arctichomesteader]

Originally Posted by Bydand

Vests are much safer though. I would rather look like a total dork, than have a nitwit take a pot shot my direction. Doesn't happen very often, but it only takes once.

Yep, I'll second that. I don't care if I look silly with an orange vest on, cause it's better than being dead (I figure). I came close to being shot once whle turkey hunting (all camo, no orange, trying to call in the turkeys...another hunter thought I was a turkey and followed my calls...). That was more than close enough for me...

[Maineah]

Originally Posted by Elcarim

I didn't realize hunting season starts so early in Maine, and when we were just about to start hiking again now that the bugs are waning! Darn!! Considering the fact that we take our kids and our doggie into the woods frequently, is the orange vest really enough to protect our family? I'll have to read this entire thread again. Didn't someone mention orange duds for dogs?

I'm not sure which scares me more, the bears or the bullets!

This thread wasn't meant to spread panic to new arrivals and potential new Mainers. It is just a reminder there ARE hunters all over the state this time of year so it's a good idea to wear some florescent orange. I agree with those who say a vest is better than a hat. If you have white hair (like I do) the hat becomes very necessary. The proximity to frequently used hunting grounds will dictate your need for orange clothing. If you're taking the kids for a walk to feed the ducks at Deering Oaks in Portland you're not going to encounter any bear hunters. If you're going rock hounding in West Paris you may very well run into a bear hunter this month. If you see plastic bags dripping foul smelling liquid from them or a pile of smelly garbage or sweet breads under a tree you have found a bear bait set up and should hike somewhere else. There WILL be hunters in that area or worse ....bears! (never shoot a bear over someone else's bait by the way). October is archery for deer and bird hunting month. A hat is a good idea. Archers' range is considerably shorther than a rifle's range so they must always wait for a positive clear shot which means a close shot and a better look at their target. This makes it much less likely an archer will shoot an arrow your way should you forget the orange. Mistakes do happen in archery and, as another poster mentioned, bird hunting. November is the month to BE SURE to have on the orange! There are alot of deer hunters around and almost every town in Maine allows hunting at least by shotgun. If you still feel like a November hike by all means do so. Just wear orange! If you're still worried hike on Sunday. (no hunting allowed on Sunday). Maine does not become Baghdad in November though a little caution is advised. No one wants to be a victim of poor judgement. Not the hunter or the hiker. There are many vest options for dogs.

[reloop]

Originally Posted by Maineah

This thread wasn't meant to spread panic to new arrivals and potential new Mainers. It is just a reminder there ARE hunters all over the state this time of year so it's a good idea to wear some florescent orange. I agree with those who say a vest is better than a hat. If you have white hair (like I do) the hat becomes very necessary. The proximity to frequently used hunting grounds will dictate your need for orange clothing. If you're taking the kids for a walk to feed the ducks at Deering Oaks in Portland you're not going to encounter any bear hunters. If you're going rock hounding in West Paris you may very well run into a bear hunter this month. If you see plastic bags dripping foul smelling liquid from them or a pile of smelly garbage or sweet breads under a tree you have found a bear bait set up and should hike somewhere else. There WILL be hunters in that area or worse ....bears! (never shoot a bear over someone else's bait by the way). October is archery for deer and bird hunting month. A hat is a good idea. Archers' range is considerably shorther than a rifle's range so they must always wait for a positive clear shot which means a close shot and a better look at their target. This makes it much less likely an archer will shoot an arrow your way should you forget the orange. Mistakes do happen in archery and, as another poster mentioned, bird hunting. November is the month to BE SURE to have on the orange! There are alot of deer hunters around and almost every town in Maine allows hunting at least by shotgun. If you still feel like a November hike by all means do so. Just wear orange! If you're still worried hike on Sunday. (no hunting allowed on Sunday). Maine does not become Baghdad in November though a little caution is advised. No one wants to be a victim of poor judgement. Not the hunter or the hiker. There are many vest options for dogs.

Thank you Maineah, for the common sense explanation. It's not necessary to panic, just take precautions. I grew up in the woods. I always wore orange. It's a given. There are ding dongs in every stretch of woods, but they are few and far between. Unfortunately, when something tragic happens, it becomes "news" to be run and rerun and even to be hashed out again on the 10th, 20th, etc...anniversary.

The VAST majority of hunters in the woods during hunting season are safe and responsible hunters who only take shots at what is clearly the game they are after.

[Maineah]

I wanted to remind everyone new to Maine that the open season for deer hunting with firearms opens in about two weeks. Don't forget your orange hat and or vest when taking to the woods to walk the dog or take a hike from Halloween until the second week in December when black powder season closes excluding Sundays.
I'm not sure of the reason, whether the poor economy has brought more hunters to the woods, or people are just more careless this year but there have already been four people shot this season with birdshot. This is VERY uncommon! The injuries have for the most part been minor but nobody likes the idea of being shot ! Birdshot hurts. Rifles are far less forgiving. So lets all try to be smart and safe in the woods this fall.

[mollysmiles]

Good reminder Maineah.

[FLtoMaine]

Ready to go for a hike!

[elston]

FltoMaine
What a beautiful dog!