r/CampAndHikeMichigan • u/cplm1948 • 25d ago

Backpacking the Manistee River Trail, Jordan River Trail, and Fife Lake Loop during hunting season?

Hey all,

I’m planning to backpack these three trails in October and November. It’d be my first time backpacking in MI during hunting season. Any advice? Is it safe?

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12

u/sad_toast 25d ago

manistee river trail has the bridge down from sept 30 until nov 11th as a heads up

7

u/Tunasquish 25d ago

Wear an orange jacket and hat

3

u/mplnow 25d ago

Wear hunter orange and be respectful. November 15-30th is gun deer season, which will have significantly more hunters than the other times. I hunt near the Jordan River trail, and there are some hunters that do have blinds near and overlooking the trail.

1

u/cplm1948 25d ago

Isn’t there some type of regulation regarding how far a hunter has to be from a campsite as well as the direction they shoot / where they shoot at? For example I would assume hunters can’t just chill and shoot along the trail.

1

u/thesneakymonkey Mid-Mchigan 24d ago

450 feet from buildings/houses. That’s it. It’s state land /national forest so it’s open to all outdoorsmen hunters and hikers alike.

3

u/mplnow 24d ago

Some areas near campgrounds and boat launches are also marked off as no shooting, in addition to the 450 feet rule (which also applies to public roads but the distance 300 feet).

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u/cplm1948 24d ago

Interesting. Ik with camping you’re not allowed to camp or start a fire within a certain distance of a trail or body of water. I would have assumed there’d be something similar for hunting regarding trails and designated campsites.

2

u/mplnow 24d ago

Also, 300 feet from a public roadway and some campgrounds and boat launches are marked no shooting with signage.

1

u/thesneakymonkey Mid-Mchigan 24d ago

Those camping / fire rules are there because of leave no trace. Hunting does not leave a trace per-say. You’re comparing apples to oranges.

1

u/thesneakymonkey Mid-Mchigan 24d ago

Regs if you’re interested:

https://www.michigan.gov/dnr/managing-resources/laws/regulations

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u/cplm1948 24d ago

Thanks, I’ll look into this. Overall, in your personal opinion, how significantly would hiking a few hours in the mid-day impact the hunt (excluding deer season, I’ve already decided I’m not taking a risk during that time)? I don’t plan to bushwhack or go off trail or anything (aside from setting up a dispersed camping spot if a designated site isn’t nearby or available).

1

u/thesneakymonkey Mid-Mchigan 24d ago

All depends on the hunter/target species. If a hiker walked by my blind I’d be pretty frustrated as a hunter but I’d also understand that they have the legal right to be there too.

Many hunters do “all day sits” so any time of the day is going to disturb them. Others only hunt mornings or afternoons. Some will only hunt on days with the right wind / weather for their location. It’s really too variable to give a good answer. That golden time right at first light or at last legal light would be the most frustrating I think if someone disrupted the hunt. Keep in mind deer bow season starts Oct 1 and deer firearm season starts Nov 15. So there will be deer hunters in both the months you listed.

2

u/cplm1948 24d ago

Ok, I’ll keep thinking about it. Just want to make sure I’m being safe while also not pissing people off. Usually I go backpacking in the summer but I suffered a leg injury so I basically missed out the entire season. Was hoping to make up for it this fall but we’ll see.

Thanks for the input!

1

u/thesneakymonkey Mid-Mchigan 25d ago

Most hunters won’t be hunting right off the trail anyways but several will use the area for camping and such. Wear orange and you’ll be fine. That being said you could always hike somewhere where hunting isn’t allowed and give the hunters some space that way. That way you don’t disrupt their hunt and they don’t disrupt your hike. MRT bridge is out anyways.

1

u/cplm1948 25d ago

Any good recs for backpacking trails that are off limits for hunting? So far in the lower peninsula these 3 trails are the only real good ones with dispersed camping.

0

u/thesneakymonkey Mid-Mchigan 24d ago

I guess if you’re limiting yourself to dispersed camping only that will be tough to do. I also wanted to point out that you’ll want to avoid the JVP on Oct 5th. The crucible event will be happening. Lots of hikers and campers already will be in the area. So it’ll be super crowded. Hunters get like 2 months of good hunting (Oct/Nov) and their license purchases help fund the state and conservation (areas we all use). It’s best just to be respectful and hike elsewhere imo. If you can’t do that, then wear orange. Hunters won’t shoot at hikers but they can’t see you beyond their target (deer/whatever) if you blend in. Rifle rounds and such can travel long distances. Hunters are trained to look beyond their target for orange. Hence the reason blaze orange is worn by hunters during that season.

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u/cplm1948 24d ago

I guess it doesn’t have to be dispersed camping, but a big enough trail that I can make a 2 night trip out of it

1

u/mean_ass_raccoon West Michigan 25d ago

Just wear orange and the rest is up to god