By Lora Goerlich
Smell the rich earthy scents, see the brilliant shades of yellow, orange, and red leaves drifting aimlessly in the crisp air, spot big bucks on the trail, and enjoy the absence of blood-sucking insects. The blessings of cool weather riding have finally arrived. There is no better time of the year to enjoy a trail ride. Traditionally, late September marks the beginning of hunting season in most states. Since many public equestrian trails share space with hunters, riders must be keenly aware of what species are hunted, what methods are permitted, and the measures to keep themselves and their horses safe while not interfering with hunters. Mindful recreational trail riders and ethical hunters can safely coexist.
What is in season?
Hunting categories include big game, small game, furbearers, waterfowl, wild turkey, and upland game birds. Each has a designated season which might overlap with another. There might be different legal harvest methods within each category and season.
Individual states establish rules regarding season length, permitted species, and how they can be taken. Daily bag limits and regulations might change based on the prior year’s harvest numbers and estimated wildlife populations. Unfortunately, there are no rules that apply uniformly from state to state. Additionally, autumn and winter are not the only seasons when hunting is permitted - many states allow harvesting certain animals all year round. These animals have most often been deemed “nuisance animals” and could include coyote, feral swine, and woodchuck (nuisance species will vary from state to state and regionally within each state).
What methods are permitted?
Harvest methods will depend on what is being hunted. Crossbows, snares, leg hold traps, body grip traps, and various firearms are standard among hunters. Firearms and traps near bridle trails can create concerns on public hunting land, especially where safety zones have not been established. Without safety zones, setting traps or discharging a firearm near trails or on trails is legal. Trapping safety zones in New York, for example, specify that traps cannot be set within one hundred feet of any trail. Montana has rigid laws regarding trap and snare placement, too. Several years ago, while researching an issue on Michigan trails, I realized that their laws permitted traps to be set on trails, which is a huge concern for trail riders, dog walkers, and hikers. What safety zone restrictions have been enacted in your state?
Be Safe – Be Visible
Blaze orange coordinates well with every horse color, from light-dappled grey to the deep red tones of a mahogany bay. More importantly, being visible from afar helps identify horse and rider amidst the early fall color spectrum and the late-season dreary browns that dominate the landscape. Coordinating hunter orange or hi-visibility yellow into riding attire and tack will drastically reduce the risk of being mistaken for big game while hacking about on public or private land during hunting season.
Be Seen, Not Heard
Sometimes, it is better to be seen and not heard, especially while riding through areas where quietness is essential for hunters to dial in on and attract prey. Rider’s voices during conversation project farther than foot traveler voices. This is because riders sit higher up and because there is more distance between the conversationalists. Group riders should do their best to keep conversation to a minimum, especially single-file riders talking to people behind them. Jingle bells are a popular audible accessory some trail riders use to notify hunters and wildlife of their presence. If I had to choose between highly visible gear and an audible jingle bell, I would choose high visibility as a mindful way of not interfering with hunter opportunities.
What Do Hunters Have to Say
Two long-time crossbow devotees have hunted deer and turkey on private and public land and where bridle trails exist. Both confirmed that horse riders at a leisurely walking pace typically do not disturb hunters as long as they keep moving and keep conversation to a minimum since voices travel far. Hunters prefer to be in the field or woods from sunrise to about an hour afterward, then later in the day from an hour before sunset – these are times when deer and other game are most active during designated hunting hours. Easy to remember, that is chore time for many horse owners.
Pay Attention to Your Horse
A horse may or may not detect a camouflaged hunter hunched closely to the ground or in a tree stand. If they do, it might not be a serene event if the ominous figure suddenly begins moving. If your horse begins hyper-focusing in a certain direction with fixed ears, investigatory nostril blowing, and snorting, a hunter or game might be nearby. For safety’s sake, it is best when hunters verbalize before and during moving in the presence of horses.
Safe Encounters
During harvest season, riders are responsible for researching before heading out to confirm what, where, when, and how it relates to hunting and if the bridle trails are open. Unfortunately, some bridle trails are closed during all or part of hunting season. To learn more about hunting policies at your intended destination, a web search is the quickest way to learn about current laws and guidelines. This should be done every year since rules often change. The best results will be found using the keywords “hunting regulations in _____” (add the state, park, or natural area).
Horseback riding in natural areas on designated trails offers one-of-a-kind, low-impact experiences. Horses are native to North America, and as prey animals, they blend well into natural ecosystems without disturbing flora and fauna - even while carrying a rider.
Additional information from non-affiliate links:
National Park Hunting Information: https://www.nps.gov/subjects/hunting/visit.htm
Bureau of Land Management Hunting Information: https://www.blm.gov/visit/hunting
United States Fish and Wildlife Hunting Information: https://www.fws.gov/initiative/hunting/hunting-us-fish-and-wildlife-service-lands-and-waters
U.S. Forest Service Hunting Information: https://www.fs.usda.gov/visit/know-before-you-go/hunting
State Hunting Information all in one place: https://www.letsgohunting.org/where-to-hunt
GPS applications for mobile devices (these are not free apps) www.huntinglocator.com
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