safe hiking during hunting season?

[madison]

I'll be moving into a cabin on 1st lake near Old Forge this weekend. I'd like to do some hiking and maybe an overnight or two before old man winter really gets going. Of course, this is hunting season, and, with all due respect to the hunters out there, I'd like to try to fing some places to hike that are either off- limits to hunting or at least not frequented by hunters. Some places that I'm curious about- Moss Lake, Pigeon Lake Wilderness (specifically Queer Lake and Cascade Lake), Ha-De-Ron-Dah Wilderness, Rocky and Black Bear Mountains, Blue Mt, Tirrell pond, and the Cascade-stephens pond loop. Are any of these areas heavily hunted?

Now, I know that anti-hunting sentiment is not tolerated on this forum, so please understand that I am neither anti-hunting nor anti-hunter. I've hunted a bit myself in the past. I'm just trying to minimize the chances for freak accidents and hike as safely as possible.

Also, I know the when hunting season ends down here where I'm from (Fingerlakes region). Is it the same throughout the state, or do the dates vary for northern NY?

[Pumpkin QAAD]

Northern zone hunting ends Dec. 2nd wich is different than the southern zone wich ends the following week (12/9).

There will be hunters in the state land areas. There's some private spots but the places you mention are mostly state land. I definately wouldn't say there's heavy pressure because I've hunted in areas where in comparison I could say where you are going there is not much pressure at all.

Its really nice there this time of year especially for hiking. There may be some snow in the forecast but I'm sure you know that

[alombard]

To the best of my knowledge, all those areas are open to hunting. I'm sure if you stick to the trails you will be OK. No worries! Enjoy.

AL