Help prevent LH closure!

[rockhead]

I just got a message from FCPA letting me know they've been hearing reports of cyclists at LH dismounting and approaching hunters to harrass them. Of course, non of our members would ever behave this way, but if you happen to see anyone engaged in such lawless activity, feel free to gently suggest that they back off.

If the harrassments continue, the county will close the park until the hunt is over, as they did at Colvin Run SVP. It's in our interest to help prevent that.

Thanks.

[punga]

I just got a message from FCPA letting me know they've been hearing reports of cyclists at LH dismounting and approaching hunters to harrass them. Of course, non of our members would ever behave this way, but if you happen to see anyone engaged in such lawless activity, feel free to gently suggest that they back off.

If the harrassments continue, the county will close the park until the hunt is over, as they did at Colvin Run SVP. It's in our interest to help prevent that.

Thanks.

Are you telling me that armed hunters are being harassed by unarmed cyclists? If that's true, then I want to ride with those psychopaths sometime. :thumbsup:

[rockhead]

Are you telling me that armed hunters are being harassed by unarmed cyclists? If that's true, then I want to ride with those psychopaths sometime. :thumbsup:

I've met some of these folks - you'd fit right in. :cool:

But before we derail this thread and distract from the message, let's help keep it cool out there or we won't be riding LH until February.

[CRAIG2]

Whoa, my sarcasm meter just went off the charts!

Seriously, though, I don't think being armed has anything to do with it. Some people (including cyclists!) are just pricks.

[sturner]

I can't believe they allow hunting at LH. I would be surprised to find hunters out there...seems too urban for hunting. What are they hunting and what kind of weapons are they using?

[rockhead]

Deer hunting with bows. Check the news post (http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=17284). Sorry I didn't mention it up front. Much less intimidating than a big ol' shotgun.

[crack monkey]

I can't believe they allow hunting at LH. I would be surprised to find hunters out there...seems too urban for hunting. What are they hunting and what kind of weapons are they using?

I thought managed hunts, bow or otherwise, were fairly common in the 'burbs?

[punga]

I've met some of these folks - you'd fit right in. :cool:

But before we derail this thread and distract from the message, let's help keep it cool out there or we won't be riding LH until February.

Sorry, agreed, I don't want to derail.

[ChrisJ]

The number of deer around here is amazing. Take some out and donate to hunters for the hungry. I don't see an issue. Food chain and all.:thumbsup:

[CRAIG2]

The number of deer around here is amazing. Take some out and donate to hunters for the hungry. I don't see an issue. Food chain and all.:thumbsup:

No kidding! And I'd much rather they'd be seen in front of a rifle than the front of my car. :thumbsup:

[tsunayoshi]

I just got a message from FCPA letting me know they've been hearing reports of cyclists at LH dismounting and approaching hunters to harrass them.
Based on the type of people I have ran into when riding at LH, I am not surprised in the least.

I was going to go out there on Sunday. Hope will be open, it is the closest trail to my house, and the place almost guaranteed to be ok to ride when nowhere else it.

[Dr Phil mmkay]

That sucks to hear about such douchey behavior. I'll keep an eye out for that when I come back to NOVA for winter break.

These idiots are doing us all a great disservice by harassing hunters, especially as bikers and hunters kind of have an uneasy relationship (especially in MD).

[toonces]

The number of deer around here is amazing.:

Yep. These four interlopers were carousing my yard last Saturday morning. This is just inside the Beltway and Gallows Rd.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1034/dscf0787b.jpg

[chaostactics]

Are you telling me that armed hunters are being harassed by unarmed cyclists? If that's true, then I want to ride with those psychopaths sometime. :thumbsup:
I was thinking the same thing, what constitutes harassing?

[ChrisJ]

what constitutes harassing

They feel that the deer are "cute and cudley" and should never be hurt. Wait until there 1k$ garden gets taken out by those same animals. There tune will probally change.

They need to open bow hunting up in the Fairfax Watershed. I know of a few people that would love that.

Deer sausage and jerky is tastey stuff. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

[MyOtherBrotherL]

Thanks for the Post Frank - I came across a bow hunter dressed all in camo right on the trail on Saturday and was wondering if a managed hunt was going on.

I smiled and said "Hi". He gave me the one eyed look like; "Dude - Your crazy. I got a bow and your dressed in Bright Red, Yellow and Black (TBL Colors).

Of course it was better than him pulling back on the string, squaring me up and saying "DP says "Hi"!" TWANG

:D :D

[eloach]

I looked at the VA state hunting seasons, and it seems that we have so many deer in FFX that it goes on almost all the way to the Bakers Dozen race date or something insane like that (March something).

I don't think hunting with firearms is a very good idea in a suburban setting. It's just asking for trouble. Bow hunting is a little less hazardous. I guess the counties are feeling overrun by deer? Maybe they are getting in the way of folks trying to do 20 over the speed limit.

[CRAIG2]

Deer sausage and jerky is tastey stuff. Just thought I'd throw that out there.

I've never had a meaty piece of that creature that wasn't tasty! Bacon-wrapped backstrap is always a treat, and I've some really great venison kielbasa (sp?)!

I wouldn't have any problem with shotguns in that kind of area, either - not really the effective range of a centerfire rifle, and with a treestand, a missed shot isn't going to go far given the ground as a backstop. Those guys with bows are pretty amazing, though - sounds like the ones over at LH know what they're doing, from what that article implied.

Oh, did someone mention those are really tasty critters?

[CRAIG2]

Yep. These four interlopers were carousing my yard last Saturday morning. This is just inside the Beltway and Gallows Rd.

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/1034/dscf0787b.jpg

I believe it! I've seen 2 or 3 doe grazing on the strip of land between Van Dorn and 395 - can't be any more than 20 yards or so wide, but I think it runs down into a preserve (the name escapes me), but it's amazing to see them up this far. And they seem oblivious to the traffic.

[Dirt]

I know that I'm not supposed to criticize Fairfax County. Maybe it is because I'm off my medication... but here it goes anyways.

It appears to me that their reaction is kind of knee jerk and whiny. A few people harass some hunters and they're going to close down the whole park to mountain bikes?

At a time when many communities (Arlington, DC, Alexandria, MoCo, Silver Spring, College Park, etc.) are working hard to become more bike friendly (including Fairfax when it comes to roadies and commuters) it just rubs me the wrong way that the Park Authority pulls out the bike banning stick at the first sign of trouble.

Time for me to crawl back under my rock.

Hugs and kisses,

Pete

[chaostactics]

not a bad point

[jabberwocky]

I don't think hunting with firearms is a very good idea in a suburban setting. It's just asking for trouble. Bow hunting is a little less hazardous. I guess the counties are feeling overrun by deer? Maybe they are getting in the way of folks trying to do 20 over the speed limit.Bowhunting is considerably less dangerous than hunting with centerfire rifles. Whereas a rifle has an effective range of at least a few hundred yards, a bowhunter is unlikely to take shot at anything over 30 yards (even that is pushing it). In addition, they are firing from a treestand, so any shot that misses is going straight into the ground. A rifle is generally firing a projectile that moves in the 2500-4000+ feet per second range. A bow is firing an arrow that moves (at most) a few hundred feet per second, and the arrow loses speed much faster due to its larger size and worse aerodynamics.

Put it this way: If I were to put on camo clothes and deer antlers, drive there, prance around the woods for a few hours and then drive home, the most dangerous part of my day was probably still the drive there and back. :)

It appears to me that their reaction is kind of knee jerk and whiny. A few people harass some hunters and they're going to close down the whole park to mountain bikes?My reading is that they are only considering closing it down during those weekends when the managed hunt is going on. I guess the thinking is that this is something that needs to be done (probably true, given deers ability to adapt and reproduce) and if mountainbikers are unable to coexist with hunters, they'll take the path of least resistance and just keep them out of the park when the hunters are doing their business.

It does seem a bit silly, but then again, so does harassing hunters. :confused2:

[CRAIG2]

It does seem a bit silly, but then again, so does harassing hunters. :confused2:

No kidding! Pro tip: Don't harass people with sharp pointy objects. I think that's in Chapter 1 of "Survival for Dummies". (Preface was not to EVAR piss off Chuck Norris).

Now, everyone go out and join the Coalition for Keeping Wildlife Off Your Grill :thumbsup:

[ChrisJ]

Wildlife Off Your Grill


http://3.bp.blogspot.com/_iVAwSpgsi14/Sdqil50jrEI/AAAAAAAAAPA/puyolX3x6nk/s400/DSC06032.JPG

:confused2:

:p

[CRAIG2]

Not that grill. :)

Cook it with fire. That's a rule. :D

[chaostactics]

I'll trade mtb parts for deer jerky

[rockhead]

When they decided to close the Colvin Run area, it wasn't just to bikes, but to everyone and the closure covers weekdays, as well. That closing was in response to the emotional opposition to the hunt. Similarly, if it gets that bad at LH, I wouldn't expect it would be isolated to bikes or to weekends.

I'll keep my dialog with them open to make sure we have a heads up for any potential issues.

[mabagal]

Please let the hunters do their job, I would rather not run into a deer while riding my bike. ................................... again. :o

[bcaverly]

I'll start with the fact that I am not a hunter with any type of weapon (unless you count my car :thumbsup:, 2 hits - no confirmed kills, "ammo reload", about $1000 ) - I've nothing against it as long as the hunter is hunting to eat (or feed others) and/or in the case of culling excess population. That said I can't speak authoritatively to the relative safety merits (for the non-hunter) of bow versus firearm.

Personally, however, I prefer the MD approach where managed hunts in parks are now relatively common place. On the days of the hunt the park is simply closed to all users except the hunters. Bottom line is - people are stupid (including MTBers and hunters) and mixing hunters in the park at the same time as ANY other users is a recipe for someone getting killed.

Personally, I'm all in favor of Darwinian selection thinning the human herd along with the deer herd - unfortunately the real social backlash is only going to be bigger trouble for everyone if nothing is done to protect the idiots from themselves.

my 2 cents...

[pete]

My reading is that they are only considering closing it down during those weekends when the managed hunt is going on. I guess the thinking is that this is something that needs to be done (probably true, given deers ability to adapt and reproduce) and if mountainbikers are unable to coexist with hunters, they'll take the path of least resistance and just keep them out of the park when the hunters are doing their business.

It does seem a bit silly, but then again, so does harassing hunters. :confused2:

Maybe I missed it in the thread somewhere but is there a link or schedule of which weekends they are hunting at LH? Was hoping to go this weekend.

Many thanks

[allencb]

Re: Harrassment

IIRC, Harrassment of a hunter is a defined activity. Also IIRC, it essentially means any purposeful activity that interferes with a lawful hunt. Riding your bike down a trail past a hunter is not harrassment, but riding back and forth while making lots of noise after learning the hunter is there does qualify. Therefore, the "harrassment" might not have been the bikers getting in the hunters' faces, but maybe milling around causing problems with the hunters' ability to safely continue the hunting activities.

Chris

[Jackson]

I believe it is ongoing. I saw nothing in the County news bulletin that indicated it is limited to weekends.

[pete]

Ongoing but one can still ride correct?

[CRAIG2]

Re: Harrassment

IIRC, Harrassment of a hunter is a defined activity. Also IIRC, it essentially means any purposeful activity that interferes with a lawful hunt. Riding your bike down a trail past a hunter is not harrassment, but riding back and forth while making lots of noise after learning the hunter is there does qualify. Therefore, the "harrassment" might not have been the bikers getting in the hunters' faces, but maybe milling around causing problems with the hunters' ability to safely continue the hunting activities.

Chris

Silver lining: maybe in the midst of a crazy mountain biker 'distraction', one them will 'accidentally' put an arrow through one of the f***ers that keeps breaking into cars. Bonus points if it's a flaming arrow. :D

[toonces]

Ongoing but one can still ride correct?

Yes, you can still ride there. Just be aware that hunters may be present.

Also, the hunting is not limited to weekends. I saw a hunter in a tree stand near the Powerstation loop midday on a weekday.

[soreback]

...one of the f***ers that keeps breaking into cars.


anyone know if there have been any more car break-ins since squirrel girl's?

[CRAIG2]

I thought there was a break-in reported by a frisbee golfer, but I don't know how long ago after SG's break-in. I imagine the perp's still lurking. I don't imagine I'll be frequenting LH anytime soon until something's done about it.

[toonces]

I imagine the perp's still lurking. I don't imagine I'll be frequenting LH anytime soon until something's done about it.

Taken on Dec 10 along the CCT at Laurel Hill near the barrel bridge.

And yes, I touched it. I couldn't resist. :o

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3631/dscf0762u.jpg

[Jackson]

Taken along the CCT at Laurel Hill near the barrel bridge.

And yes, I touched it. I couldn't resist. :o

http://img96.imageshack.us/img96/3631/dscf0762u.jpg

Those are from this incident:

http://www.more-mtb.org/forum/showthread.php?t=16908

[Squirrel Girl]

anyone know if there have been any more car break-ins since squirrel girl's?

Yes, I posted up to my thread that this past weekend (?) another disc golfer was broken into. Same MO. No sign of the breakin, just the credit cards taken. I put my detective in touch with that victim. I still hold out hope....

[tsunayoshi]

I've been parking at the Barret house, while less people are around to stop anything, it is kind of out of the way. I religously carry my valuables w/ me now though.

Once I get around to figuring out how to get to LH, I might start parking at Occoquan Regional Park to get some more miles in. Look easy from Gooogle Maps.

[toonces]

I've been parking at the Barret house, while less people are around to stop anything, it is kind of out of the way. I religously carry my valuables w/ me now though.

Once I get around to figuring out how to get to LH, I might start parking at Occoquan Regional Park to get some more miles in. Look easy from Gooogle Maps.

Piece of cake. Go up the hill out of the park and the CCT bears off to the right at the top. When you get to the Arts Center, it currently detours out to the path along 123, so just follow it past the Arts Center and go Right with it at Lorton Rd. Next thing you know you'll be at the entrance to the trail closest to Slaughterhouse.

I was possible over a year ago to go behind the Arts Center if feeling adventurous, but I haven;t done it since.