Angler Safety During Hunting Season
September 18, 2018
Fall brings many great things…chilly evenings, cooler days, changing leaves, football, beautiful browns and hunting season. For many anglers, this time of year means putting away the fly rods and boats and brining out the rifles and bows, however that’s not the case for everyone. Many anglers long for fall time fishing and they can’t wait for the cool bite of the morning air to hit their faces and guides. While anglers and hunters all have a passion for the outdoors and typically are pretty friendly toward each other, a rifle or bow can do a lot more damage to a human than a Sex Dungeon can, whether it’s on purpose or not. North Park Anglers’ parent company, Buffalo Creek Ranch, guides hunters throughout most of archery and rifle seasons, with many of the guides being the friendly faces you see in the fly shop throughout the summer. That being said, not only can our guides point you in the right direction for fall time fishing, they can also help anglers and hunters work together and stay safe during these fall months that we love. Here are a few tips that our professional guides recommend for anglers to stay safe and have fun during hunting season:
1.) Wear Orange
We recommend that you wear some visible article of blaze orange during rifle and bow season, especially if you are going into the high/back country. An orange vest or cap is best, both of which we sell in the shop. If you fish with your dog, we highly recommend placing an orange bandana around their neck and keeping them close by. Just because you’re on a more centralized river doesn’t necessarily mean you shouldn’t wear orange either. Whitetail deer typically live along river bottoms, so it’s still important to visually let hunters know you’re there.
NPA guide Rob Stout practicing good angler safety during a recent trip to the high country
2.) Be Courteous to Hunters and Their Whereabouts
If you come across a hunter on a back/high country trail, don’t be afraid to briefly stop and talk to them. Ask them where they plan to go and tell them where you plan to go. Don’t barge in front of them and ruin their hunt, especially if they are in pursuit of an animal.
3.) Stick to the Rivers
It’s best to stay out of the back/high country all together during hunting seasons if at all possible. Stick to more centralized rivers or lakes where there is going to be less of a chance for hunters. Hunters usually don’t have much business along rivers and will respect your space. However, like we said before, do be aware of Whitetail deer hunters and be sure to wear your orange!
By following these few simple tips, hunters and anglers can easily work together to enjoy their sports and stay safe in the outdoors.
Written by: Taylor Martin
