Hunting and the A.T.
Hunting regulations vary widely along the Appalachian Trail. Although the A.T. is a unit of the National Park system, it traverses many different types of public lands—including parks, forests, refuges, and game lands.
Hunting is PERMITTED along approximately 1,250 miles of the Appalachian Trail through national forest lands, national recreation areas, and on state forests and game lands. Unlike National Park Service (NPS) A.T. corridor boundaries, which are marked, there is no marked A.T. corridor where the Trail passes through U.S. Forest Service lands. About 75 miles of the boundary of Pennsylvania state game lands are marked with white paint, occasionally causing confusion with white A.T. blazes.
Hunting is PROHIBITED along approximately 900 miles of the Trail through national parks (like Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains), most state parks, and on lands acquired by the National Park Service exclusively for the Appalachian Trail—indicated by A.T. corridor boundary signs. Hikers should be aware that he protected corridor is often narrow, averaging about 1,000 feet wide.
Even in areas where hunting is prohibited, hunters on adjacent lands may not know that they are near the Trail. Hunters may inadvertently cross onto Trail lands or unknowingly fire toward the Trail.
Hunting has been a traditional use of the land along many sections of the Trail, both on public and adjacent private lands. Hunting and fishing groups are among the biggest supporters of the protection of public lands. Because of this shared usage, both hikers and hunters have a responsibility to take precautions to minimize conflict, and to cooperate with and educate each other regarding this valuable natural resource. By doing so, we can all continue to enjoy our traditions and adventures for generations to come.
Hikers: Take precautions to ensure your safety
Hunters: Take precautions to ensure the safety of others and yourselves
Hikers: Take precautions to ensure your safety
 Hikers: Know local hunting seasons—Specific dates for hunting seasons vary year to year and also by type of game hunted and weapon used. Small-game seasons (turkey, rabbit) stretch from fall through the end of May; large-game seasons (deer, bear, moose) generally occur October through January. Learn the regulations and hunting seasons for the areas where you will be hiking before you go. Hunting on Sundays is prohibited in some states. See our 2008-2009 Hunting Season Guide by State
Hikers: Wear blaze orange—Wear a blaze orange hat and vest (and pack cover if backpacking), or hooded outerwear when hiking in fall, winter and spring. All fourteen states that the A.T. traverses require hunter education classes prior to issuance of licenses, which has led to a significant decrease in hunting-related accidents. Even though these safeguards have been put in place, both hikers and hunters need to do their part to prevent accidents. In late 2002 and early 2003, two A.T. hikers were shot and seriously injured in separate incidents by hunters who mistook them for deer. Neither hiker was wearing blaze orange, and neither hunter properly identified his target.
If you hike with a dog, it should also wear blaze orange visible from all sides. ATC recommends that pets be leashed at all times while hiking.
On state game lands in Pennsylvania, all hunters and non-hunters are required to wear at least 250 square inches of fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined, or a fluorescent orange hat, from Nov. 15–Dec.15 (except on Sundays). The orange material must be visible from all angles (360 degrees).
The online Ultimate A.T. Store stocks several items in blaze orange for hikers.
Hikers: Other Clothing Tips— Avoid wearing colors that could be mistaken for game animals—white or brown during deer seasons; red or blue during turkey seasons.
Hikers: Use extra caution near roads and in valleys—Be especially cautious within 1/2-mile of road crossings (both approaching and leaving) and in valley areas.
Hikers: Be heard—Make sure you are heard before you are seen by whistling, singing, talking, etc., while you hike.
Hikers: Avoid hunter interference—Hikers should be aware that interference or harassment of hunters in the lawful pursuit of game is a violation of law in all fourteen A.T. states. This includes interference or tampering with dogs used in the pursuit of game where allowed by law. Sportsmen are our partners in conservation—encounters between hunters and hikers are opportunities to raise the awareness of both groups.
Hikers: Avoid deer firearm season—Avoid areas where hunting is legal during deer firearm season, which varies by state, but typically occurs during parts of the months of October, November, December, and January. During those months, you may want to hike in one of the five national parks crossed by the A.T. (note that hunting is allowed in Delaware Gap National Recreation Area, another NPS unit):
Hunters: Take precautions to ensure the safety of others and yourselves
Hunters: Follow all hunting regulations—See our 2008-2009 Hunting Season Guide by state. Hunting, possession of firearms, bows, and hunting knives are prohibited on National Park Service (NPS) lands acquired for the protection of the Appalachian National Scenic Trail. The use of off-road vehicles, including ATVs, is prohibited along the entire length of the Appalachian Trail.
Hunters: Be sure of your target—On National Forest lands in 2002 and 2003, two Appalachian Trail hikers were shot by hunters who thought they were shooting at deer. Both hikers suffered serious injuries; both hunters were prosecuted.
Hunters: Know where the Trail is—Appalachian Trail maps can be purchased from ATC and at local outfitters. Contact the nearest ATC office for more information. Those hunting in Pennsylvania, where land ownership boundaries can be especially confusing, are encouraged to contact the mid-Atlantic office for assistance in determining where hunting is permitted. The Trail is often located on the height of the land.
Hunting is prohibited on lands acquired by the National Park Service for the Trail—those exterior corridor boundaries are marked by yellow blazes and US Boundary signs. Do not shoot toward the Trail or the Trail corridor. Be aware that, although the protected NPS Trail corridor is marked with yellow blazes and U.S. Boundary signs, corridor-boundary monitors cannot post (and maintain) signs every year along all of the more than 1,200 miles of boundary where hunters might cross onto A.T. lands.
The Trail itself is marked with the familiar 2” x 6” vertical white rectangles painted on trees. Less familiar are the boundary blazes and signs on NPS corridor lands. Here, white 3” x 12” US Boundary signs are placed facing out from the boundary with A.T. lands behind them. Boundary line trees are blazed on each side of the tree with irregular yellow paint marks in the direction of the line. Trees within 1 foot of the line are marked the same, but with a third blaze facing the line. Trees within 3 feet of the line have a single yellow blaze facing the boundary line. About 75 miles of the boundary of Pennsylvania State Game lands are marked with white paint, occasionally causing confusion with white A.T. blazes.
Hunters: Be alert for hikers and make your presence known to them—Many hikers are from urban or suburban areas and are unfamiliar with hunting. Hikers may not be aware of hunting seasons, or that they are in or near areas open to hunting. Hikers may not be wearing blaze orange. Please use appropriate caution.
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