Mt. Whitney Portal Store & Hostel Forums General Mt. Whitney Portal Store Message Board Hunting in Back Country...

I posted a few questions last year about hikers and hunters crossing paths. We are getting ready to submit paperwork for hunting in Sept. 07' and was wondering if anyone was getting more information from the Forest Service about hunters being in the area..? Last year when we went to the Lone Pine Ranger Station to pickup out back country permits, and i mentioned to the backpackers that it was hunting season, the Rangers got pissed that i was telling them..? I think it is fair that Backpackers are informed that during part of the month, that many hunters are carrying high-powered rifles and are out in force. What has everyones experience been in the high country..?

Thanks

slightly exaggerated


no issue changes since last years postings - a search of previous postings should answer any questions

Hi I did see a large number of hunters driving up and down Whitney portal Road and had to assist a small deer off the edge of the road that had been wounded. Another was a report of a person walking along the road shooting into the "canyon at something" this may indicate that walking a ways up the trail would increase your safety. Thanks Doug

Tidbit..I commented last year to your post regarding this. I do not feel comfortable hiking in areas where you hunters are with your high powered rifles..which BTW is quite disturbing to me. I don't want to be mistaken for a poor deer..& I do not want to ever hear the sounds of a gun shot again. I will avoid those areas where hunting is going on.

I don't think hunting should be allowed in designated wilderness areas..this is just my opinion and how I feel about it. I do think the Forest service should post signs at each TH & on all backcountry permits during this time. I really think a lot of hikers and backpackers are not aware of the hunting season.

Hi,

I agree. The Forest service does NOTHING to inform people about the upcoming season. At the trailhead we were camped, most of the campers stopped by and talked to us. They wished us luck, and most of them had never seen rifles like ours in person. The Europeans were teh most interested, since they had NEVER seen hunters in the countries they are from. I was very pleased that we were so well received by the backpackers. I had heard stories from other hunters who had run in's with people in the high country.

Thanks..

Thanks for your post as I, too, am a hunter (and a hiker) and have asked a few ppl around the area about hunting related stuff.

Run-in's? Wow! As a hiker, I am generally quite polite to people with hunting rifles. It just seems like a sensible practice. :-)

Those Europeans need to get around more. In Switzerland, for example, I've encountered bands of heavily-armed young guys in the woods. They were doing military service. I am *really* polite to guys with assault rifles.

On the other hand, if I ever encounter a woman in the woods riding a snowboard, with a python around her neck and a rifle in her hands, I'll know from a distance that it's ok.

I don't know why the Forest Service wants to restrict information of interest.

Not just in Switzerland can one find the Swiss doing their military service. They like invading Liechtenstein as well Maybe someday they'll get lost and end up in the Sierras, which might feel closer to home for them.

Maybe you should ask the state to post hunting seasons (and fishing too) as they are the government level that sets the regulations including dates, zones, quotas and limits. They also have a small force of enforcement officers.

The regulations are available for download on the net for hunting and fishing.

The feds may prohibit hunting as in national parks. There may be places where they prohibit fishing, but where the feds don't prohibit, they defer to the states for setting regulations.

Dale B. Dalrymple
http://dbdimages.com