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12darrenk t1_j482rf5 wrote

Reply to comment by exotube in Hunter won’t face charges for killing dog in Berks County by narkj

It's also staggering how many hunting areas are used for recreational (non hunting) activities. With how some people are, it's kind of surprising that there aren't more issues. State game lands are bought and maintained by money from hunting only. But they get used for lots of different things. Oftentimes non hunters have no clue that hunting is happening. It's amazing with how many people hike on game lands in brown and black clothing that people don't get shot at by irresponsible hunters. If you are on game lands check the hunting seasons and wear orange or other bright colored clothing.

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[deleted] t1_j486qu9 wrote

It’s a legal requirement for non hunters to wear orange on gamelands between specific dates.

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12darrenk t1_j48a8l9 wrote

But most don't know that. It's really not public knowledge. It's a very short statement in the hunting and trapping digest. And if they aren't hunters, how would they see that? It should be on the signs at game lands, but does anyone actually read the rules? And if they do read it, are they going to leave because they don't have orange with them? I doubt it. Plus that rule is only for Nov 15th to Dec 15th. The are lots of firearms seasons outside of those dates. I know the idea for a user fee for game lands got rejected, but there needs to be some way to communicate what should be expected of people on game lands who are non hunters. Maybe a big qr code at trail heads with reminders to wear orange, or a message that there may be people hunting with guns on that particular day? Something needs changed because people aren't getting any smarter and it's just a matter of time before bad things happen.

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[deleted] t1_j48adet wrote

Every game land parking lot I’ve ever been so has that information posted.

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twohoundtown t1_j496h14 wrote

I did not know this, my bf and his friend go mushroom hunting on game lands, they park on the side of the road.

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[deleted] t1_j496vte wrote

It’s important to know and understand the rules and regulations of public land before you use it. The responsibility to be informed falls on the user.

State Game Lands, State forests and state parks all have separate regulations regarding foraging on the lands.

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Illustrious_Air_1438 t1_j48reqn wrote

Between what dates should one wear orange on state game lands? I've always been confused about this since it seems that there is at least some hunting season year round.

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12darrenk t1_j48wew8 wrote

I would say at least for when deer season is open. Most of the season is archery, but during this time there are various other seasons open that are firearms seasons. That's when you are the most likely to encounter hunters. It usually starts on the 1st Saturday of October, but sometimes it is the last Saturday of September depending how the calendar falls. It runs through the middle of January, usually ending on MLK Jr day. Some areas like Berks, Chester, and down to Philly, as well as Allegheny county, go from mid September to the end of January. The other time would be from mid April through May. That is spring turkey season. Turkey hunting is done mostly by calling, so if you hear a turkey, there is a decent chance that it is a hunter, or there is a hunter nearby. Staying away from that area is a good idea if you can.

In my opinion it is never a bad thing to be seen, regardless of if hunting is going on. And most of the time, other than when required, what you wear doesn't have to be orange. Bright and non-natural colors are great. You really want to avoid brown, black, and other dark or earthy shades. And if you can avoid it, don't walk right into an area that you know people are hunting. As seen in the article, it can end badly.

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Special-Ingenuity615 t1_j48wf2r wrote

As a hunter I'm on the fence with that idea. The biggest is bear season and deer season, more specifically the gun seasons. Technically coyote season is open all year round I don't think it's exactly right for non-hunters to be having to wear orange, or put their dog in an orange vest in the middle of July because in the one-off chance there may be a coyote hunter hunting the same track of property. I personally stay off state game lands as much as I can during deer and bear season solely because I cannot stand the attitudes of some other hunters

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