Hunting season in WNC is upon us and as hikers we need to be aware that
some quarter of a million hunters will share the National Forests and NC Game Lands with us until May.
All those purchasing new hunting licenses in NC are required to take a hunter eduction class. They are required to wear blaze orange hat or cap or wear blaze orange clothing that is visible from all directions while hunting.
This is good advice for hikers as well. NF rules suggest that pet dogs be leashed, have identification tags and wear colored vests, too. Dogs can easily be excited by animal smells and lost or injured if allowed to run free.
No hunting is allowed on National Park lands (including GSMNP) and NC State Parks.
NC prohibits hunting on Sundays, but Georgia and Tennessee do not.
Hunting may be done on private lands on Sundays in NC.
Know where you are while hiking and hike noisely ! Groups are always the best way to go, but especially during hunting season.
Here is the remaining hunting season dates:
Muzzleloader thru Nov 19
Gun for deer Nov. 21 – Dec !0
Western (counties) bear thru Nov 19, and Dec 12-Jan2
Turkey April 2, and April 9- May 7
other small game season runs through May ( rabbit, squirrel,grouse, pheasant
and quail.
Ref: www.appalachiantrail.org/hunting
The forest roads in the area are in good condition. The Forest Service closes select roads 12/31 each year. They generally reopen them 3/15 the following spring. These roads are FSRD #67 and #71 in the Standing Indian area and FSRD #69 to Wayah Bald. FSRD #71 has been open to Park Gap leaving approximately 3 miles to Deep Gap.
There is a problem with the events at the moment. The events do NOT end at 12:00 AM. Sorry for the confusion, but I am looking into this problem.
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