Sounds like a recreation buffer. If I were you I would accept the fact I knew it was closed to hunting and would not hunt it. Driving to a ramp 6 miles away by river to avoid the no hunting signs isn’t going to work as a defense.
Sorry I can't be more clear in my writing. I am describing multiple situations here. I am not traveling 6 miles to get away or avoid no hunting signs. If you would go re-read my original post maybe it would show that.Sounds like a recreation buffer. If I were you I would accept the fact I knew it was closed to hunting and would not hunt it. Driving to a ramp 6 miles away by river to avoid the no hunting signs isn’t going to work as a defense.
Deleted my post, I read your first post as accusatory. When I went back and read my original post, it does read as if I was seeking justification for hunting places where it is prohibited and that really wasn't my intent. Thanks for the input and sorry I read to much into it.Jesus man, if you’re that damn sensitive then maybe you should just stop seeking help.
I’m simply trying to help you. Well, was simply trying to help you. Again, good luck.
If you work or have worked with the USFS then are you aware of other scenarios besides recreation buffer zones that would be marked as prohibiting hunting? Thanks.I am
Thanks for the additional info.It’s all good.
Absolutely. There’s a myriad of reason why an area may be buffered including, but not limited to, endangered species (plant or animal), hazards (abandoned wells, for one), archaeological, etc.
Passing this information on to those who would be accessing these areas can be difficult if the areas are large and accessible by multiple paths. In my state the USFS land is WMA and is published, patrolled and administered by DNR who publishes maps showing what you can and can not hunt. They get the Shapefiles used to delineate the lands from the FS and DNR here usually does NOT do the extra needed to delineate safety zones. They instead rely on signage.
LE *usually understands the difficulty of conveying all this to the public in a way that makes it obvious to everyone so you will simply get asked to leave the safety zone if they find you hunting in it if there’s any gray area. Now if you’re parked next to a sign….different story, lol.
NF land is open to all so we’re not going to try and keep other user groups off the land while the hunting user group is on it and this is the reason for the safety zones in areas where non hunting users are being concentrated.
I don’t really know of any FS maps specifically relating to safety zones existing so the best recourse is to find the LE responsible for game law enforcement (DNR or it’s equivalent or USFS) and asking them. Just know that the USFS wants you using the property and your state DNR does as well so they will both be helpful.
No need to call anyone if the land is posted and I know it’s posted. That’s pretty cut and dry.So have you called the local enforcement and asked him about the issue yet? Are we planning on hunting it or just making a case study?
I'll throw this in there. All sins may be equal in the eyes of God but my experience is that's not the case with LEOs. Kinda in line with what dalton said, the state/feds want the public to utilize the land. But they want people to do so safely and in a way that doesn't diminish the value of the land. If you're littering, baiting target practicing, hunting too close to a campground, or parking so that you block access, you will in all likelihood not enjoy your encounter with The Man. But there are enough silly rules on the books that 99% of hunters technically deserve tickets. Orange hat with green trim under the bill? Technically illegal. Gun in a case in the back seat while you're driving the wma but you just dropped the mag out without removing the rounds from it? Technically illegal. Walking out of the woods at night with a light? Technically illegal. Walking through the woods and crossing a dirt road while carrying a loaded gun? Technically illegal.
But if when you get stopped you can promptly provide the correct licenses, you're wearing your orange, you have your safety harness, you're polite, and you're not doing something blatantly illegal, you will in all likelihood at most get a friendly, "Just for your information in the future...have a nice day and be safe" talk.
If I was in your shoes and thought it was taxpayer-funded land that had deer, I'd make some phone calls. If the answer was anything more than an absolute "Yes" or "No" I'd wait a week and email so I had a written response that proved I had tried to get the answer and been given an ambiguous response. Then I'd hunt it making sure I was minding my Ps and Qs in all other regards and if stopped and asked what exactly I thought I was doing, I'd have that email on my phone to show The Man and at worst take the ticket.
That may sound "lame." But I've only had 1 ticket in 14 years of being an "adult" hunter responsible for my own actions. What you're doing sounds less injurious to society than a busted tail light or doing 55 in a 50 or not buckling up to drive to the corner gas station. It's not worth thinking too hard about it.
I will say that every interaction that I have had with USFS, AL DCNR, and USFWS has given me no reason to believe that they want anyone to use “their” land
I wasn't lumping you in with that! I just meant folks I've ran into in person. I am always respectful, yes sir, no sir, yes mam, no mam, I just seem to have a way of catching people on a bad day I suppose. I am not as big of a bser or sweet talker as @Nutterbuster I guess.Including the multiple PMs we shared this afternoon?
There’s a common denominator in “every interaction” you mention.
The Feds here in Alabama for sure like hikers better than hunters. But anybody who can write you a game ticket is probably state.No need to call anyone if the land is posted and I know it’s posted. That’s pretty cut and dry.
If I decide to hunt near a recreational area I will call and get permission or verify the area of interest isnt posted.
I will say that every interaction that I have had with USFS, AL DCNR, and USFWS has given me no reason to believe that they want anyone to use “their” land. I haven’t gotten any tickets or done anything illegal warranting them but I have met some of the rudest public land officers,workers, volunteers you name it. If anything I would say they made it seem as if they would prefer if you just didn’t bother stepping on “their” land. I try to avoid all of the aforementioned parties as much as possible.