With acres of open space, Saratoga County is home to miles of hiking trails and public land that on any given day might have recreationists seeking wild animals and experiences of all sorts.
But during certain parts of the year, the great outdoors can crowd with people seeking their natural experience in different ways. Hikers and bird watchers oftentimes use the same trails on property owned by the county or New York state, both of which allow hunting on those lands.
Sometimes, the two groups encounter one another, and it does not always end well. Deb Hall, from Gansevoort, learned this the hard way recently when her dog was caught in a trap that was set not more than four feet off a trail in the Wilton Preserve, where hunting is allowed.
“What made me angriest is that there are signs at the beginning of the trail warning of hunters, but no signs warning of trappers,” said Hall. “During hunting season I am looking out for hunters, but I never thought for an instant that I had to look out for traps.”
The incident happened right before Thanksgiving. Hall was hiking with her two Jack Russell terriers, Nugget and Nacho. She admitted her dogs were not leashed, but said it’s because they usually stay by her side. She had just turned onto another trail and her dogs were slightly ahead of her when she heard a cry of pain.
“I walked around a tree and there was Nugget with his foot caught in a trap,” said Hall. “Nugget was scared and in a great deal of pain. I couldn’t figure out how to get him out.”
Hall said she called her husband and tried to tell him where she was on the trail. In the meantime, she was calling for help and Nacho was running up the trail.
“Just like Lassie,” said Hall.
A young couple heard her cries and the girl was able to free Nugget. Hall said she didn’t get their names, but will always be grateful for their help.
The accident resulted in a $400 vet bill, but not a broken leg for Nugget. Hall wants the public to be aware of the presence of traps and hopes signs will be put up warning hikers of their presence.
Margo Olson, the executive director of the Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park, which is a partial owner of the Wilton Preserve, said a meeting was held by the preserve’s Board of Directors to address the issue. The result of the meeting was a resolution suggesting a 100-foot trap buffer around trails.
“Our board felt it was necessary to make that statement,” she said.
Olson also said a DEC officer spoke to the trapper responsible for the trap that injured Nugget.
“It was a new trapper,” said Olson. “The DEC officer educated the trapper on being more careful with placement.”
Olson said this incident was the first she had seen, and agreed signs should be posted to warn of the danger of traps off of the trails.
“We’ve never had an incident like this before. I think it was just due to inexperience on the trapper’s part,” she said.
What is a more common issue is confusion caused by changing regulations, Olson continued. The Wilton Wildlife Preserve and Park is part owner of several trails in the area including Wilton Preserve and Camp Saratoga, and the rules can change for different areas. Camp Saratoga was at one time a Boy Scout Camp and hunting wasn’t allowed. When it was sold to the Nature Conservancy, they also didn’t allow hunting. It was only when it was sold to the state and became part of the Wildlife Management Area that hunting was allowed.
“Sometimes people say, ‘wait, why is this allowed here?’ because it doesn’t have the tradition of hunting,” said Olson. “People are concerned that when an area that allows hiking and also allows hunting, something will happen.
Jeff Wheeler, who owns Jeff’s Taxidermy in Schaghticoke and is a lifelong hunter along with his wife Robin, wants people to know that generally hunters are very careful.
He has hunted on Tongue Mountain in Lake George and occasionally runs into hikers. He said he makes it a point to be courteous to hikers and they are always friendly.
“If hunters and hikers dress properly, wear the right colors, there shouldn’t be a problem,” said Wheeler. “Always know what your target is and always shoot in a safe direction. Be careful in the woods.”
One of Olson’s interns, Sarah Cartwright, filed a police report with the Saratoga County Sheriff’s Office right before Thanksgiving after encountering a hunter who had parked in a parking lot designated for hikers only. Cartwright had a group of four kids and their parents with her for a nature walk.
“I told him there was no parking for hunting there and he was not nice,” said Cartwright. “In fact he became belligerent and the parents were very shaken up over the incident.”
In this instance, confusion over where hunting is and is not allowed likely did no help towards assuaging feelings.
“I was surprised to see a hunter with a gun in the parking lot,” said Cartwright. “The town doesn’t allow firearms on trails owned by Wilton.”
Olson said shared use issues will continue to happen, if not increase as the state continues to buy more land.
“On a positive note, it is good that the state is taking an active role,” said Olson. “But people need to be aware that recreational activities on these new state lands are not just for hikers. Hunting will now be included.”