But perhaps we need a new adjective to describe the glory of autumn? It is hard to mention it – from the Animas headwaters to the meanderings of the San Juan west of Cortez – without resorting to clichés.
Safe to say that everyone wants to, and should, get out to experience it. Including hunters.
The season is underway for bowhunters. Muzzleloader aficionados are in the woods this week as well. But you may not notice them. Archers and black-powder hunters rely on stealth and close ranges. You will not find many loitering near popular trails.
The rifle hunters appear in October, when four seasons for elk, and then elk and deer open mid-month. They run, with short breaks, until Nov. 20.
Because of their numbers, these hunters (many from out of state) can be hard to miss, even in town, where pickups towing campers and flatbeds loaded with gear congregate in herds.
There is some resentment by local non-hunters of the annual “blaze-orange invasion,” and a small part of it is understandable. The most beautiful time of year should also be a welcome season for all. A few hunters do seem more interested in drinking beer and telling stories around a campfire than stalking game. Evidence attests that some do not do a good job of cleaning up after themselves. But that is a small, visible minority of those who hunt here and take the tradition seriously, those who pass the legacy on to their children and look with pity on anyone who has never savored the taste of perfectly-prepared elk.
As for the safety of all concerned during rifle seasons, apocryphal stories abound. However, since hunter-safety courses were mandated in 1970, injuries and fatalities during hunting season have decreased dramatically, and the trend continues.
Those who dislike hunting should be reminded that rifle season makes up 28 days in total. That leaves 48 weeks each year when your favorite trail will not include hunters. Why not explore some other nearby destinations wrapped in fall colors but not populated with elk and deer?
A local saying, a nod to the popularity of cycling in our small city, is “share the road.” Can we modify it to acknowledge hunters as well?
Let’s welcome them, and share the season.
