Walking The Hunting Area For Fishing

[WDinarte]

Ok, guys
Coming here for a little learning today, I have a question...
How to be safe on fishing streams and small creeks at the time of hunting, some of this creeks deep on the wood they have some hunters at the same time, I have one spot that have a little valley and a drop off and the creek, I was walking around the other day and I found one of those  " tent kind " of hunting shelters, I knew that people hunt that area and now I know that if I go fishing on spring or summer I probable will see some guys. probable one or two, I know two of them.
Here is the question... I can't  wear bright colors ( hat, t-shirt ) for fishing or some of this fish will know that I'm on the area from far away, probable not a good idea of be noise.
How to play safe walking the hunting area ?...

 

*** Please don't stone me, I have zero score in hunting.
I just want to play safe and not to be a trouble for the hunters.

[flyfisher]

If you are concerned about hunters the first thing i would do is check to see what is in season.  I am not a hunter but i imagine that tent shelter thing will be gone now that deer season is pretty much over i believe.  The second thing is if you are concerned then wear bright clothing.  Spooking a few fish is better than being shot

[Shane J]

Yeah, I am on the water at the same time as duck and goose hunters every year, and I just make sure to wear bright red. I doubt you'll notice catching any less fish, I know I don't.

[Fishing Rhino]

Regarding the colors, I agree with the second post.

 

Is every fishing spot in your area also a hunting spot?  If so, then you, and/or the hunters have a problem. 

 

You cannot move through an area without disturbing the game they are hunting.  Hunters wear camoflage, station themselves in tree stands or blinds to hide their presence.

 

Around here, the most common conflict is during waterfowl season, since most fishing is done on ponds that hunters also use.  Sometimes, what appears to be a flock of ducks or geese along a shore can also be an array of decoys.  As a matter of course, I avoid such areas, even though they may be prime fishing spots.

 

Just as fishermen have to share the water with each other, so too do we need to share the water with hunters.  Their season is fairly short, only a few weeks or days out of the year.  Reverse the situation.  If the fishing season was short, and the hunting season was long, we'd want some courtesy and respect from the hunters during the few weeks we had to fish.

[Bluebasser86]

Get a cheap orange hunting vest and wear it to where you're fishing at then take it off when you get there. You could get in contact with the guys and exchange phone numbers so you can call to check if they're going to be hunting when you want to go out there. I'd either do that or avoid the area during hunting season but I'm not getting shot over a few fish.

[WDinarte]

Yeah, I know...

Thanks guys, greta point " share the land "  and next I need one of the " orange hunting vest " to walk the woods, won't hurt.

For any bad luck I will stay away of the area on hunting season, I won't exchange a bullet for a bass.  

[jhoffman]

The "tent" is called a ground blind. An orange hat would probably be enough, orange stands out from a long distance. Not only that your odds of being shot are VERY LOW. Guys like me wear full camo while archery hunting and guys are running around shooting squirrels out of trees.

 

If you see someone the best thing you can do is STOP. Announce your presence... "Guy walking through fishing". This is taught in turkey hunting seminars becuase guys are wearing full camo shooting at birds on the ground while sitting on the ground. They teach you to never wave or make movement, you call out to people.

[WDinarte]

This is new to me and probable the "life saver"  " ... you never wave or make movement, you call out to people. ... "

 

Great tip for Me, one of the guys that I know he hunt the are for turkey. He does alot of archery hunting. 
Thanks, jhoffman.

[jhoffman]

Welcome

[NBR]

Check with your local Fish and Game (DNR) for what leagaly must be worn. Many states require or suggest a minimum amount of hunters orange. Sing or whistle or talk to a buddy. Hunters that know their quarry don't mind others in the woods or fields. Deer will often bed down during the day so anyone moving might move a deer past a hunter. There are those hunting that don't have a clue but I believe your biggest danger is your drive to the fishing spot.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

You could probably just get away with wearing a fluorescent orange hat while fishing.

 

Honestly, any time that there is a firearms hunting season in full swing and I'm not on private property, I would check to see what the minimum required amount of orange clothing is and wear that while walking at least.

 

In PA, it is 250 square inches while hunting.

[endless]

In Va when I took the hunting class this year they said the DGIF only requires the blaze orange hat but their debating on that. I wear a sweater that I cut the sleeves off from the Dollar General. I want to be seen.

 

This is from the DGIF website http://www.dgif.virginia.gov/hunting/regulations/general.asp

 

 

Blaze Orange Requirements

When hunting any species during the firearms deer season and youth deer day, every hunter (see exceptions below), or persons accompanying a hunter, shall wear a blaze orange hat or blaze orange upper body clothing that is visible from 360 degrees or display at least 100 square inches of solid blaze orange material at shoulder level within body reach and visible from 360 degrees. Hats may have a bill or brim color or design other than solid blaze orange. Hats shall not be in "camo" style, since the latter is designated to prevent visibility. A logo, which does not detract from visibility may be worn on a blaze orange hat.

Hunters using ground (pop-up, chair, box, etc.) or tree stand blinds that conceal them from view must display a minimum of 100 square inches of blaze orange, visible from 360 degrees, on the OUTSIDE of such blinds. This blaze orange is in addition to any worn on the hunter's person.

Exceptions

• Blaze orange is not required of waterfowl hunters, dove hunters, individuals participating in hunting dog field trials, and fox hunters on horseback without firearms.
• Hunters hunting with archery tackle during an open firearms deer season, in areas where the discharge of firearms is prohibited by state law or local ordinance, are exempt from the blaze orange requirement.
• Blaze orange is not required during the muzzleloading deer season(s).

[WDinarte]

I was reading a lot of inforamtion today on this, " a good flashlight " for before and after sun is good too.

 

You never know... this year hera at VA we have some crazy accident " A minor mistook 50-year-old man for a deer and shot him with a .50-caliber in Carroll County, Va. "

 

Thanks guys, all info. is good to be safe!!

[endless]

When coming to flashlights just get you one for around the head so you can keep your hands free!

[WDinarte]

Yeah, I know...

On salt water fishing that is what we use, head lights.

I have some good ones on two colors red-clear I use them to run my bike too, and do some of the fishing around my community. They are a great tool.

[james 14]

You really have little to worry about so don't feel like you HAVE to wear something if you don't want to. However, the advice you got about not using movement to announce your presence is very good. I usually whistle since it's less likely to disturb any game that may be nearby. Statistics on non-hunters getting shot by hunters who are legally hunting are EXTREMELY low. We did the research on this to combat anti-hunters trying to prevent additional lands from being opened in the area. If I remember correctly it's something crazy like ONE incident nationwide. It's been a while so the exact numbes evade me but my point is, as I started with, that you really have nothing to worry about. Go fishing without fear.

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Honestly man, I'd just go fishing. You'll have the woods and water to yourself for the most part for most of the year.

 

Stick with the hat idea, be mindful if you are getting whistled at and share the woods. Good policies.

[Dylcook91]

Funny to see this topic...

 

About a month ago I went fishing at a local pond out in a small wooded area. As i was just standing there "alone" on the shore casting thinking to myself how quite it was out there, a shotgun goes off about 5ft directly behind me.....needless to say I just about s**t my pants. I turned around and there was a dude standing there just off the trail in the bushes holding a gun. He then kinda just walked around in small circles without ever agknowledging me, and then just walked off. He must of had quite light feet as he was not there when I walked up, and I never heard him approach. Now when I got there I whistle as I walk down the trail and look around like a mad man to try and make sure I'm not walking into the line of fire hahaha

[Hyrule Bass]

i never enter the woods during deer hunting season without wearing an orange hat, its for my own safety afterall. wearing an orange hat is not going to scare away fish. other than the weather(like not wearing a dark shirt in the summer sun), i could care less what color clothing im wearing while fishing

[SirSnookalot]

When it doubt look for a safer area to fish.  Chances of an accident may be slim, but it only takes 1 accident to make you a sorry guy.

[WDinarte]

It is real, and accidents are all over in outdoors activities, in one way or another we will pay  the toll, we just hope not be the one who pay it.

Probable at the end here it is an 50 to 50, the hunter who knows to pull the trigger and the angler who knows that we share the land and water.

I love outdoors activities, as a family we do a lot of them : camping, hiking, biking, and the number one fishing. I learn each day  something different and I try to keep my family and friend on the safe path.

Lets have fun in each outdoor activity that we like and try to do our part to be safe and keep the other safe, see you around guys.

 Again thank you for the tips.

[tugsandpulls]

Regarding the colors, I agree with the second post.

 

Is every fishing spot in your area also a hunting spot?  If so, then you, and/or the hunters have a problem. 

 

You cannot move through an area without disturbing the game they are hunting.  Hunters wear camoflage, station themselves in tree stands or blinds to hide their presence.

 

Around here, the most common conflict is during waterfowl season, since most fishing is done on ponds that hunters also use.  Sometimes, what appears to be a flock of ducks or geese along a shore can also be an array of decoys.  As a matter of course, I avoid such areas, even though they may be prime fishing spots.

 

Just as fishermen have to share the water with each other, so too do we need to share the water with hunters.  Their season is fairly short, only a few weeks or days out of the year.  Reverse the situation.  If the fishing season was short, and the hunting season was long, we'd want some courtesy and respect from the hunters during the few weeks we had to fish.

x2

[tugsandpulls]

true rhino

[SPEEDBEAD.]

Well, good luck man.

 

Keep your head down. LOL

[WDinarte]

It is real, and accidents are all over in outdoors activities, in one way or another we will pay  the toll, we just hope not be the one who pay it.

Probable at the end here it is an 50 to 50, the hunter who knows to pull the trigger and the angler who knows that we share the land and water.

I love outdoors activities, as a family we do a lot of them : camping, hiking, biking, and the number one fishing. I learn each day  something different and I try to keep my family and friend on the safe path.

Lets have fun in each outdoor activity that we like and try to do our part to be safe and keep the other safe, see you around guys.

 Again thank you for the tips.

LOL...

I didn't say ( I didn't try to said ) that I will cross the fire line, I don't like guns and I don't like the sound of the shot... LOL...

But around here it is a LOT of hunting activities, " big and small game " I do share the land and respect other space.

" if is not safe for me to walk the woods I won't "