[pct-l] Hunting

[Swope Christopher]

Let me preface what I say with, I'm an incorrigible bird hunter. The  
last 5 years, I've saved 100% of my PTO from work so that I can follow  
my dog through the woods or fields. I've told all friends and family  
that they aren't allowed to get married, have a baby, die, graduate or  
have any significant event that I'm obligated to attend in the Fall.

My advice (after doing a lot of research) is to not do it.

Many people here will give you reasons not to do it because of the  
weight of the gun. I don't think that's valid, personally. If you can  
carry it and feel fine about it. The weight doesn't matter.

What does matter is hunting seasons. Hunting is no longer hunting when  
you have to break the law to do it. It's poaching. Poaching is  
stealing from everybody else and unless you're starving, it's  
unethical (and even then there's better alternatives).

Another thing to consider, even if there is some creature that is  
legal to hunt in the spring/summer/early fall along the trail, is how  
it will effect others. I think that the "Leave No Trace" concept  
should be considered here. Consider what the PCT would be like if  
everyone who walked it shot 1 critter while they were on it hiking.  
There would be many fewer critters. I don't want to deny the person  
behind me the chance to see the rabbit or whatever is that I might  
shoot. This trail wasn't created for us hunters. It's created for  
hikers and riders. It appears to me that the vast majority of hikers  
don't want to share the trail with hunters. I can respect that. Not  
every wild place needs to be a playground for hunters.

The way I see it, not hunting while on the PCT is motivation for me to  
finish on time. That way I'll have most of the bird season back in MN  
with my dog.



Swope


On Mar 10, 2010, at 5:03 PM, Adam Mason wrote:

> Has anyone hunted on the PCT? I have a 2.5 lbs .22 rifle its small and
> compact. Probably 3 lbs with ammo. Does anyone think it's worth it?
>
>
> _______________________________________________
> Pct-l mailing list
> Pct-l at backcountry.net
> To unsubcribe, or change options visit:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/mailman/listinfo/pct-l
>
> List Archives:
> http://mailman.backcountry.net/pipermail/pct-l/