Alternative Hiking Trails for Hunting Season & Winter Arrives

More Hiking Trails for Hunting Season & Winter Arrives View this email in your browser

REGULAR BIG GAME HUNTING SEASON IS HERE

Beginning November 16th and lasting through December 8th, the popular regular deer and bear hunting season means that everyone who goes into the woods in the Catskills needs to be aware, be alert and ALWAYS BE DRESSED IN ORANGE (dogs included). Whether you are on forest preserve, state forest or NYCDEP lands, the three week period during which hunters are permitted to use rifles is a time for added care.
Alternatives where hunting is not permitted do exist. Most are not within the Catskills proper, but all are close enough to make a day trip practical. It is advisable to wear orange even when hiking on these trails. The added precaution affords peace of mind.
Listed below are 16 great places to get outdoors where hunting is not permitted. We suggest that you consider exploring new territory or revisiting your favorites. Happy Trails!

Andes Rail Trail/Bullet Hole Spur (in Andes)
 Bear Mountain State Park (near West Point)
Black Creek Preserve (near Esopus)
 Delhi Trails (in Delhi)
 Ferncliff Forest & Fire Tower (Rhinebeck)
Harriman State Park (near Harriman)
 High Banks Preserve (near Ulster Park)
Highland Lakes State Park (near Middletown)
Mills-Norrie State Park (near Staatsburg)
Minnewaska State Park Preserve* (near New Paltz)
Riddell State Park (near Laurens/Oneonta) 
Thacher State Park** (near Voorheesville)
 The Willows at Brandow’s Point (Athens)
 Wallkill Valley Rail Trail (Kingston to Gardiner)
 Walkway Over the Hudson &  Franny Reese State Park (can be combined) (Poughkeepsie/Highland)

The North-South Lake Intensive Use Area is one place in the Catskill Park where hunting is not permitted. Be aware that the area does not include Kaaterskill Falls or the Escarpment Trail to the south of the intensive use area. It does extend on all trails north to Badman Cave.

*No bear season. For deer seasons, no hunting in the vicinity of hiking trails – check map here: https://parks.ny.gov/parks/attachments/Minnewaska2017HuntingMapMinnewaska.pdf

WINTER HAS ARRIVED
The Catskills region has experienced historic frigid temperatures during this past week and there will be more for the next week or so. Although we have seen little snow so far, parts of the Catskills have dipped as low as 10ºF. Be sure to check area weather reports for road conditions as we will probably see some precipitation next week.
For outdoor enthusiasts, Catskills ski areas are making snow and will be opening soon. Hunter Mountain is open as of November 15th. Hikers need to come prepared for some snow and ice on the trails, especially at higher elevations. Be sure to bring traction gear (microspikes, etc.), excellent hiking boots that resist slipping and water, hiking poles and snowshoes. Remember, postholing is not good hiking manners as it makes finding a good place to step harder for those who follow. It's not fun either. Happy hiking!

UPCOMING HIKES

November 23 Hike the Delhi Trails

November 24 Windham, Blackhead, Black Dome & Thomas Cole Hike |

November 27 Fir, Big Indian, Eagle & Balsam Hike/Snowshoe

November 30 Kaaterskill High Peak Hike

December 8 Riddell State Park

January 1 Ashokan High Point

For more info and updates check the CMC Events Calendar.

Visit our website at catskillmountainclub.org to see our upcoming events and learn more about the Club. Follow us on Facebook or get in touch with us by emailing info@catskillmountainclub.org.

If you aren't a dues paying member or if you haven't renewed your CMC membership for 2019, you are a few simple keystrokes away! What better time than now to support our work!

The CMC relies on memberships to fund the trail building, trail maintenance, stewardship and all the other work we do. Learn more here: http://catskillmountainclub.org/events/become-a-member/

Click the button below to join or renew.

The Catskill Mountain Club is a not for profit, 501(c)3 corporation. All memberships and donations are tax deductible to the full extent allowed by law.

Click to Become A Member or Renew Your Membership

You can also support the CMC by using Amazon Smile.
Read more about how it works here. To access the Amazon Smile site go to http://smile.amazon.com .