Deer Hunters in Patapsco/Avalon?

[jon_baler]

Got this report from a riding buddy. If you see illegal hunters out there, please call the DNR police.

"First, the DNR (department of natural resources) are the people that immediately respond to illegal poaching etc... and will actually go into the woods to investigate and shoot the downed animal. The 24 hr hotline is 1 800 635 6124. The agent I dealt with came out immediately after I called them the next morning to search for the weapons and the deer. I should have called them first since the cops couldn't arrest the guys because he didn't go into the woods to find any evidence including the dying deer that 2 other bikers were sitting with.

As far as location, the first gun shots were in the the middle of the renegade bike trail... I had just passed through the field before it and heard a distant shot, but when I was in the middle of the renegade trail a shot went off in very close range. I just screamed like hell so they new I was around but I never saw the shooters.

The other shot that lamed the deer was on the morning choice section of trail immediately across from Woolton off of Landing road. About 200 yards east of the dirt road "Norris Lane".

A couple of weeks ago there were gunshots occurring on the North side in the Catonsville area. Not sure of what trails but we were about 5-10 minutes North/Northwest of the "tire playground".

[2big2ride]

It's hard to believe, but true, that guys will go into the woods illegally to hunt. I am a hunter and it makes me upset to think that there are few that can give a bad name or leave a wrong impression on folks who do not hunt. Patapsco is a tricky area due to so much private property adjoining the park lands maybe they had gotten turned around? There are shots all around this time of year, at least up until January third. I keep DNR's number in my phone because I have come upon a few deer that have been shot on private property (I hope) and have fallen onto state property. I called DNR and have had great response.

Sorry for your friends experiences.....

-Trevor

[atldc9]

I was out last week and after climbing buzzards rock from the dam, we came across a bunch of hunters right by the powerline. The guys I was riding with and I joked that maybe we should wear some hunter orange for the next few weeks. I don't know where they were hunting, but as was said before, there is so much private property that the trails run next to or through, it makes you think when you here shots.

[RubberSideDown]

But Renegade and Not Your Mama's Trail are all on private property, right? Just asking. If that's the case, maybe we should try to stay off those particular trails and stay on park property.

[2big2ride]

...the trails are on private property and we have no idea if folks have legal rights to hunt there. That's where it gets fuzzy.

If the guys are hunting legally they should have orange on and should stick out like a sore thumb. I know someone who knows the land owners and I will find out if there are people who legally hunt there.

-Trevor

[RubberSideDown]

...the trails are on private property and we have no idea if folks have legal rights to hunt there. That's where it gets fuzzy.

If the guys are hunting legally they should have orange on and should stick out like a sore thumb. I know someone who knows the land owners and I will find out if there are people who legally hunt there.

-Trevor

Agreed on the Orange. That's supposed to be the hunters... thing. Like riding with a helmet.

Yeah, if they get permission to hunt there from the land owners, nothing can be done except avoid those trails. Let us know what you can find out. Thanks!

[urbaindk]

I was out last week and after climbing buzzards rock from the dam, we came across a bunch of hunters right by the powerline. .

I talked with some hunters at Buzzards Rock recently and asked where they hunt. They hunt in the area between Hilltop and Thistle Rd and should not be a concern unless you are trying to take the thru trail in that direction. They aren't allowed to hunt on the Buzzard's Rock side of Hilltop.

[RubberSideDown]

I found this on the DNR website regarding wearing orange...

The following persons are exempt from the requirement of wearing fluorescent orange (but are still encouraged to wear it when hunting):

Property owners who hunt any wildlife on their own property with or without a hunting license

So I am wondering if the people hunting on private property think they fall on under this exemption. This doesn't make it right, I'm just speculating...

Not everyone thinks safety first.