Enjoying Autumn in Harmony

Hunters and Horseback Riders Can Cooperate

When taking a hike or walk through the Pennsylvania woods and meadows; the colorful leaves and the poignant aroma of blooming seasonal flowers remind us that soon the landscape will be barren of color with naked trees and brown horizons.  Hikers, bikers, horseback riders and many other nature enthusiasts pack as much time as possible enjoying the appealing autumn countryside, before the transformation occurs to a colder and bleaker wonderland.  One group, the hunters, anxiously anticipates the colder days in November and December as they kick off archery season, followed by small game, fall turkey, bear and whitetail deer season.  Another group, the horseback riders, squeeze as many days of horseback riding enjoyment as possible, before the footing and temperatures make riding difficult.  Over the years, a variety of people have learned to respect each others' right to enjoy the fall season; yet often thoughtless individuals “spoil” the rights of others by ignorance and inconsideration.  Whether horseback riding is conducted on private land or in shared forest lands, precautions must be taken by all groups of nature lovers to ensure that a day in the woods will have a happy ending and not turn into a deadly nightmare.

Precautions for Horse Owners

Horse owners look toward hunting season with a different perspective than the hunter may, for it is time for special precautions, to ensure that horses remain safe during a time when both the deer and horses become “excitable.”  Both the hunter and horse owner learn to balance the equation of the necessity and rights of the hunter to maintain the PA deer population and the rights of property owners to safely maintain their property that is the environment for their horses.

I do not hunt, but those around me look forward to this season with great anticipation.  I can understand the prospect of deer hunting season by relating it to my anticipation when taking my horse on a trail ride.  Therefore, I would like to suggest some suggestions that can contribute to an agreeing relationship between hunter and horse owners during the upcoming deer season.

If you own a horse that is not fond of gunshots it may become agitated, scared and behave abnormal.  Extra precaution should be taken when handling and working around the horse during hunting season. Many horses will be aggressive and curious when unfamiliar objects enter their pasture, such as hunters, and instead of running away from the object may go toward that object.  This can frustrate a hunter and can also put the horse in danger’s way of a bullet’s projectile.  The best solution for a horse owner would be to confine the horse in a smaller sacrifice area or in their stalls during the peak times of the hunting season.  Many horses have the same coat color as bear or deer and even though the hunter should be positive that they are shooting at the game in season, I would suggest not providing an opportunity for a mistaken identity to occur. 

Since, the deer are rapidly moving through the area, fences surrounding a pasture can become damaged.  Horse owners should take additional time to maintain fencing on their property during the hunting season.  Hunters wear bright red/orange apparel to assist in helping others know that they are not game.  Though, I do not urge anyone to leave a halter on a horse when in turn out, I would suggest that braiding some bright orange surveyor’s tape in the mane and tail would help  assist in distinguishing the horse from game if the horse cannot be confined. 

Horse owners could limit their trail riding to Sundays, the off-hunting day, to avoid placing themselves in danger and spoiling a hunter’s dream.  In retrospect, it baffles me why hunters spend the day before hunting season starts, sighting in their guns with repeated target shots.  I’ve often wondered if they realize that they are alerting the deer of the potential danger for the following day and moving the deer from their usual habitat.

Hunter Precautions

The hunter has responsibilities and should be familiar with the distance stated in the hunting regulations on hunting within a structure and/or in crop and pasture areas.

Utmost, the hunter should have permission to hunt on private property.  By asking the farmer or horse property owner’s permission, most hunters will fine that the owners also may be hunters and are agreeable to allow hunting on their property. 

This does not necessarily mean that the land owner wants to encourage hunters to develop a parking lot on their property!  Hunters should park vehicles in an area that does not obstruct access for others and where they have permission to do so.

The hunter should be respectful of removing all personal “trash” and respect the structures, fencing and any other objects within a property’s area.  The property owners when knowing about a drive or hunt will take precautions to safely secure their horse or other livestock away from potential danger.  If owners have their land posted or will not grant permission, then it is the obligation of the hunter to respect their wishes.

Conclusion