Now that I have your attention. I am reminded that with cooler temps and the changing color of the leaves, deer hunting season will start this Saturday, October 29th. While moose and bear season have been underway for the past few weeks, many more hunters will take to the woods for the upcoming deer season.

http://www.maine.gov/ifw/laws_rules/hunting_trapping/hunt_traplaws.htm

Some cache owners will use the appropriate icon http://www.geocaching.com/images/attributes/hunting-yes.gif http://www.geocaching.com/images/attributes/hunting-no.gif for hunting and let you know that the area in which they placed the cache allows hunting. Be careful of hunting caches where the icon is not present as not everyone utilizes this function while designing their cache page.

Please be safe and remember to wear orange when out in the woods.

I was caching in a wildlife preserve that at the trail head there was a sign that said just because it's posted no hunting doesn't mean people don't still hunt, wear orange for safety....good idea, not everyone follows the laws

Some people don't know where they are.

The chances of a geocacher being shot are very slim. Very slim. Still, it behooves everyone to be safe out there. Wear orange, at least one piece if you're just in the woods. If you're carrying a firearm during the rifle and black powder seasons for deer, you must wear two pieces and one of them has to be a hat. The hat has to be solid orange but can have a logo on it. Be sensible, don't wear white or wave your white hankie around. You should be 100% safe because the law states the hunter has to be sure of his/her target but let's not tempt fate.

Would it be true, would it be true.

I was out in the woods yesterday (Wednesday, 10/26) and I came across a couple of hunters. They were only setting up their tree stands, so I was in no danger. Still, the blaze orange is a good thing to remember. Me, I think I'll stick with P&Gs and a lot of caching in Portland. Should keep me relatively safe.

I was out caching the other day walking along an old dirt road (yes I was decked out in orange) when three quick gun shots so close by it caused me to dive behind a rock wall. I peeked about and didn't see anyone then, but several minutes later came across the bird hunter field dressing his kill. I will be caching urban areas until hunting season comes to an end.

I'd almost bet more people are accidentally shot in urban areas than they are in the woods. Gotta be safe and aware no matter where you are. But wear your orange just in case. ;)

Okay, you got my attention with "Don't Shoot Me." So, I am tempted.

"Warden service investigates shooting of Sebago hunter
The Maine Warden Service on Sunday was investigating the fatal shooting of a hunter a day earlier.
Wardens said Peter Kolofsky, 46, of Sebago was wearing hunter orange when he was shot Saturday afternoon. He died at the scene.
Officials said Kolofsky was shot by William Briggs, 61, of Windham. Both men were deer hunting, but they were not hunting in the same party.
No summonses had been issued and no charges had been filed Sunday.
Saturday’s shooting came a day after two other hunting-related shootings in Maine. A New Hampshire man was in critical condition after being shot in the stomach in Casco. In Oxford, a hunter was shot in the lower leg by a friend.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said Kolofsky was the first hunting fatality in the Maine woods since 2008. Last year, there were seven shooting incidents, all of them involving bird and turkey hunters."

"Warden service investigates shooting of Sebago hunter
The Maine Warden Service on Sunday was investigating the fatal shooting of a hunter a day earlier.
Wardens said Peter Kolofsky, 46, of Sebago was wearing hunter orange when he was shot Saturday afternoon. He died at the scene.
Officials said Kolofsky was shot by William Briggs, 61, of Windham. Both men were deer hunting, but they were not hunting in the same party.
No summonses had been issued and no charges had been filed Sunday.
Saturday’s shooting came a day after two other hunting-related shootings in Maine. A New Hampshire man was in critical condition after being shot in the stomach in Casco. In Oxford, a hunter was shot in the lower leg by a friend.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said Kolofsky was the first hunting fatality in the Maine woods since 2008. Last year, there were seven shooting incidents, all of them involving bird and turkey hunters."

"Warden service investigates shooting of Sebago hunter
The Maine Warden Service on Sunday was investigating the fatal shooting of a hunter a day earlier.
Wardens said Peter Kolofsky, 46, of Sebago was wearing hunter orange when he was shot Saturday afternoon. He died at the scene.
Officials said Kolofsky was shot by William Briggs, 61, of Windham. Both men were deer hunting, but they were not hunting in the same party.
No summonses had been issued and no charges had been filed Sunday.
Saturday’s shooting came a day after two other hunting-related shootings in Maine. A New Hampshire man was in critical condition after being shot in the stomach in Casco. In Oxford, a hunter was shot in the lower leg by a friend.
The Department of Inland Fisheries and Wildlife said Kolofsky was the first hunting fatality in the Maine woods since 2008. Last year, there were seven shooting incidents, all of them involving bird and turkey hunters."

Very worrisome.

I understand someone making a mistake. With weapons it is deadly and I hope for all concerned that this trend stops quick.

Am I right in the belief that there are fewer hunters out in recent years?

Am I right in the belief that there are fewer hunters out in recent years?

I've seen more out there the couple days I've managed to make it out this year than in several of the last years. I see trucks parked all along the road I take to work most days as well. Food prices may be driving people out there and the herd is decreased in some areas so pickings are thin. Makes for anxious hunters. Anxious hunters make mistakes.

Just heard about another dog being shot. This one was with the owner and under their control. The dog even had a orange bandanna on. There is no excuse for this. This seems like another shooting just to kill something. The book should be thrown at them.

I can't speak to every other hunter . . . but I've found it much easier hunting at night . . . plus not as many hunters out there are apt to shoot me. ;) :) . . . and yes, I'm kidding.

That sounds like a good idea. The silencers and crossbows are good for that. The thermal imaging cameras are a big help too.