Got shot at

[limewave]

DH and I went out for a xc ride yesterday afternoon. About 6 miles into our ride we hear pow pow pow! That is not the first time I've heard rifles when out on a bike ride, but this was different in that the shots seemed to be fired from much closer range. It gave me the heebie-jeebies. And then immediately I heard another round pow pow pow but this time it was followed by a thud as one of the bullets crashed into a tree right near my head. I nearly emptied my bladder!

What does one do when they are being shot at? I took off at unhuman speeds on my mountain bike. DH took the smarter route and started yelling. We heard no more pows after DH let loose on these guys.

Both of us were wearing high-vis cycling clothing. We also saw at least a half dozen other bikers out on the trail before and after us, not sure if we were the only ones that got shot at though.

I ended up having one of my best rides ever. The adrenaline rush pushed me to ride hard and fast. I even gapped DH a few times, a first for me.

[tulip]

Oh my goodness! did you call the police? I was in the line of hunter fire when riding my road bike in college. I was riding on a road and the hunters were shooting at doves that were on the electric wires above me. I rode straight to the police and they said that hunters could not shoot at roads. Whatever. They did!

There's no way I would mountain bike during hunting season around here. Hunters are everywhere outside the state parks. Find out when various season are and don't go out on the trails. It's not worth the risk. If you must, wear hunters orange, NOT hi-viz yellow. Hunters are looking for orange, and yellow does not compute in their minds. I've read that hi-viz yellow is appropriate for urban settings, but that orange is better in rural and woods settings. Definitely during hunting season, orange us the way to go.

Jeeze, that really shocking that they came so close! Be careful!

[badgercat]

Holy moly! :eek: That's about all I have to say.

[Biciclista]

I'm glad you were not hit. Someone in our neighborhood just was, there's a pellet in his leg so deep it would be serious surgery to get it out.

Congrats on the high speeds. but at what a cost!

[sarahkonamojo]

Hunting season can put a damper on one of the nicest seasons of the year. I have been shot at and it wasn't even hunting season, near Canyonlands in Utah. I enjoy seeing the early season bow hunters in CO. They need to be really quiet, patient, and close to their prey. When rifle season starts, the worst of the hunting contingent comes out to play.

[OakLeaf]

Holy sh*t. Glad everyone's okay.

Do you have any idea what the deal was ... were they really shooting at you (as has been known to happen)? Is hunting legal where you were riding (while people around here tend to go batsh*t during deer gun season, something is in season year round, even if it's only squirrels or groundhogs)? Or is there private land adjacent where someone might've been carelessly hunting or plinking?

IAE I would definitely make a sheriff's report to have it on record, although I'm not sure there's much they can/will do. We had bullets bouncing off our roof for most of two summers ... just thank goodness none of them hit us our or dogs (the property has since been sold to someone who doesn't shoot).

[Desert Tortoise]

Limewave, glad you and your dh are ok, hope the other riders too. Tulip has a good point about knowing the hunting seasons. My dh and I have to do that for hiking in certain areas. And if hunting is not allowed there, definitely worth a sheriff's report.

[Owlie]

Yikes! I'm glad you're okay.

+1 on telling the police.

[Roadtrip]

I'd defiantly report, even tho they'll likely not find out who it was as, betting they found 'better' hunting ground when they realized they were shooting at / near people.

The positive is you likely saved someone else from getting shot. It's being a responsible with a gun to NEVER shoot at what you cannot see and take into account what is BEYOND what your shooting at. I stay FAR away from potential hunting locations (tho in the city-- don't have to worry about) come November / December and Whitetail Deer season.

I do ride a trail that is close to a gun-range and first time I rode through there, I about peed my pants as it was REAL close. Nothing like hearing that POW POW POW when your just cruising along enjoying yourself.

Glad you're safe!!
Shannon

[Owlie]

I'd defiantly report, even tho they'll likely not find out who it was as, betting they found 'better' hunting ground when they realized they were shooting at / near people.

The positive is you likely saved someone else from getting shot. It's being a responsible with a gun to NEVER shoot at what you cannot see and take into account what is BEYOND what your shooting at. I stay FAR away from potential hunting locations (tho in the city-- don't have to worry about) come November / December and Whitetail Deer season.

I do ride a trail that is close to a gun-range and first time I rode through there, I about peed my pants as it was REAL close. Nothing like hearing that POW POW POW when your just cruising along enjoying yourself.

Glad you're safe!!
Shannon
We used to live in upstate NY--I'm not entirely sure the "you can't shoot deer in the city" rule was taken seriously. On the other hand, my dad tells me that there was a big buck who spent hunting season in people's yards...
Just so I know, which one is it?

[goldfinch]

Oh my!

Another vote for calling the police!

[limewave]

It never even crossed my mind to call the police. I'll do that. I knew it was bow-hunting and small game season. I've always ridden during this time and have never had a problem. This incident was very disturbing. We were hoping to do a longish ride of 35 miles, but we ended up doing just 24 because I couldn't shake my jitters.

[Sky King]

Riding during hunting season - be LOUD can you attach bells to your bike - much like hiking in bear country, how is your singing voice :) maybe a recording that says Don't shoot, seriously I think all this advice is good and very glad you are both okay!

[zoom-zoom]

You do need to contact the police. There should be bullet casings and other evidence in the area. The casings will have tool-marks that allow the rounds to be connected with a particular weapon. That way, if it happens again, they'll know it's the same weapon that was fired.

Seriously. Report it. They won't mind that you waited. (Not much, anyway).

+1. And where was this? I want to know so that we don't go wherever this happened. :eek:

[ridebikeme]

YIKES!! I'm glad that everyone is ok!

I wanted to add that in addition to reporting it to the police, you should also contact your local game warden. It seems they have a better handle on those types of incidents than perhaps the police.

I ride during hunting season here in Maine and always have, but I will say that I wear hunter orange AND put bear bells on my handlebars... more than likely I scare everything away. Although I'm sure I'm not a favorite of hunters, cyclists still have the same option to be in the woods as hunters. During hunting season, I try to ride trails where there isn't alot of traffic and where hunters will actually have to walk rather than driving or riding a 4 wheeler. The bear bells are something I have for backpacking and simply tie onto your boots or in this case your handlebars or hydration system. There are also orange helmet covers that you could add for some added protection.

At any rate, I'm glad that you are ok and hope your rides in the future will have no other incidents!:D

http://chasecyclery.blogspot.com

[Catrin]

Glad things turned out ok! Sheesh! Good idea to contact the game wardens & police.

In Indiana the bow season starts October 1, but thankfully hunting isn't allowed in the state park where I normally ride. Gun season doesn't start until November...

[zoom-zoom]

Regardless of the color you wear, WTF are they doing shooting at something that isn't brown and furry? I don't recall ever seeing any sort of wild game with hi-viz coloration. This sounds to me to be intentional shooting at cyclists, not simply shooting at anything that moves (which they shouldn't be doing, either).

A-holes with guns really freak me out.

[channlluv]

Holy moly! I'm so glad you're both okay. I would have been screaming out of there, too. I've never even heard of bear bells.

Just out of curiosity, what did your DH yell at them?

Roxy

[redrhodie]

I really hope this was an awful accident, and not intentional. I'm so glad you're okay.

[tulip]

I don't recall ever seeing any sort of wild game with hi-viz coloration.

If it's a sunny day in the woods, hi-viz yellow could conceivably look like a bright patch of sunshine, and if it's moving, hunters think they can shoot it. Hunters are trained to recognize orange, though, and it's less likely for them to mistake something orange for something they can shoot.

Great idea to call the game warden. It's black bear hunting season in Michigan right now...among other things. The size of a person on a bike could be seen as a bear to an on-edge, in-the-zone hunter.

Hunting season dates in Michigan:
http://www.approvalpowersports.com/custompage2.asp?pg=2011-2012-michigan-hunting-seasons-dates

Be careful!

[pll]

Wow. I am glad you are both OK.

[zoom-zoom]

Great idea to call the game warden. It's black bear hunting season in Michigan right now...among other things. The size of a person on a bike could be seen as a bear to an on-edge, in-the-zone hunter.

Anyone hunting for black bears where Lime and I live is really in the wrong place with a gun, then. There have been very rare sightings of black bear in our neck of the woods...like 1 every 5 years, or so. We're in western lower MI, not the upper peninsula. I'm not giving hunters shooting at cyclists ANY benefit of the doubt in this scenario.

[tulip]

I've never been to Michigan, so I have no idea. But my mother has bears in her backyard every year and she lives in a city. In my neck of the woods black bears are pretty common and so I figured they are just about everywhere. The game warden will know.

[withm]

Iosco County (NE Michigan) has lots of black bears. The local newspaper has several photos each week of hunters with their trophies. It may be less populated than the SW quadrant, but bears might find more sources of food where people abound.

There are many places I do not kayak at this time of the year so as to stay out of the range of over-anxious (or even bored) hunters. Any forays into the woods during any hunting season are worthy of some extra consideration.

[Dulcineigha]

I would also advise wearing orange and making a lot of noise. There are intelligent hunters, but they won't be anywhere near a well-traveled bike path, especially on a weekend. So, you can probably count on running into the idiots. Put it this way: you can buy gasoline, beer, and ammo in one location (at least where I've lived). Not exactly ingredients for a MENSA meeting! Serious hunters will come down hard on these guys because it gives all hunters a bad rep, so I'd put out the word in the hunting community (gunshops will know) as well as the biking community. Share the woods.

[zoom-zoom]

Iosco County (NE Michigan) has lots of black bears. The local newspaper has several photos each week of hunters with their trophies. It may be less populated than the SW quadrant, but bears might find more sources of food where people abound.

There are many places I do not kayak at this time of the year so as to stay out of the range of over-anxious (or even bored) hunters. Any forays into the woods during any hunting season are worthy of some extra consideration.

We're in the rare to occasional sightings area. I have a hard time believing that anyone hunting black bear would waste their time around here:
http://michigannature.files.wordpress.com/2010/10/black_bear_distribution_mi.gif

The only things in season that anyone would be potentially hunting for in this neck of the woods are wild turkey. I've met Lime...I don't see how anyone could possibly mistake her for a wild turkey. ;)

[Jolt]

Holy crap--glad everyone is OK!! That reminds me, I really should get a blaze orange hat or something, for times I run or hike where people may be hunting. My usual running trails are on a farm so that's not an issue there, but there are other places where there could be.

[limewave]

I have noticed that the high-vis I've seen on roadies can blend right into the fall foliage this time of year. I do think I'm going to invest in some "hunter orange" for either my helmet or camelbak. I also like the idea of bear bells. DH would not ride with me if I had something like that, but I would be glad for them when riding alone.

[Nick]

Oh my, how scary! Glad you're ok.

[MojoGrrl]

WTF! Sometimes dealing with a-hole drivers I fantasize about carrying a pistol in my jersey pocket...perhaps a few shots would've helped your husband make his point ;) Seriously though, good thing you're safe!

[limewave]

Strangely enough this takes place awful close to where we were biking.
http://www.wzzm13.com/news/article/181297/14/Wyoming-hunter-dies-after-fall-from-tree-stand

[shootingstar]

Glad nothing hit you limewave.

I've never read of incidents involving pellet guns....very, very rare. Even in Vancouver where there are bears wandering off the mountain (North Vancouver), one never reads about people using pellet guns. Hunting is forbidden all across the mountains around Vancouver.

Or having a gun to protect themselves.

One would have to be obsessed ....actually to own a gun living in an urban area.

[SheFly]

One would have to be obsessed ....actually to own a gun living in an urban area.

Not obsessed. Target shooting and biathalon are also sports using guns, and there are people in urban areas who participate in these sports as well.

I am not a hunter, so take what I say with a grain of salt. Hunting seasons are typically short - riding season is all year (for some). My MO is to let the hunters have their time in the woods, and to venture in when hunting is no longer allowed (and in our state, there is no hunting on Sunday, so MTB trips are saved for that day of the weekend).

SheFly

[beccaB]

I truly hope you contacted the police! I'm very ready to leave the state of Michigan personally, I've about had it with some of the attitude where I live, in one of the worst counties in the state. Maybe someone wanted you away from their illegal crop Limewave?

[zoom-zoom]

Hunting seasons are typically short

Individual seasons, yes...but around here we have different seasons for different critters (rabbits, turkeys, squirrels, deer, bear, etc.) and separate seasons for different weapons...bow, muzzle-loader, rifle, handgun (yes, handgun...my best friend actually does that), et al. We have hunting seasons pretty much year-round in MI.

[zoom-zoom]

Maybe someone wanted you away from their illegal crop Limewave?

Agriculture is still one of MI's goldmine industries...hmmm... That would be like meta-agriculture! :p Wouldn't be the first time something like that has happened.

[limewave]

Or having a gun to protect themselves.

One would have to be obsessed ....actually to own a gun living in an urban area.

Dh really wants to have a gun for "protection." He is not a hunter at all, can't stand the idea of hurting an animal. There's been a lot of shootings in a neighboring city. I've pointed out that a lot of those seem to be gang/drug-related. But there has also been a lot of home break-ins--at night, when the families are home. I think that some good "motion-sensor" lights and dead bolts would be a better investment. I'm adamantly against guns. But, I also had a close childhood friend killed in a gun incident (http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/19/us/no-headline-969692.html) by a dumb*ss with a rifle. I hate guns.

[OakLeaf]

Heavily guarded illegal crops are going to be in more remote areas, not right next to public trails.

I've never even heard of any of the big plantations in the mid-east being guarded at all. They've raided several in our area over the last couple of years, and every one has been a camp of poor, expendable laborers, recruited and directed by someone who didn't get caught. All of the guarded farms I've ever heard of have been out west.



Intentional or not, drunk or not, this was just some a-hole (the kind that IMO will persist until guns are demystified in our culture and everyone learns at a young age how to use them responsibly).

Falling out of tree stands is actually the most common hunting injury there is, I've read, way more than anything weapons-related. But did anyone else think it was kind of a sick sense of humor for the paper to illustrate that story with a stock photo of a buck? :p

[jessmarimba]

Eek!!

There was someone shooting near the Colorado Trail last weekend while I was riding, too, but none of the bullets came anywhere near me. I probably would've instinctively screamed if I heard one hit the tree beside me!! Glad you're both ok. And let us know if anything comes of this!

[zoom-zoom]

Ahh...another example of ill behavior (http://www.mlive.com/news/grand-rapids/index.ssf/2011/10/bow_and_arrow_used_as_road_rag.html?utm_source=feedburner&utm_medium=feed&utm_campaign=Feed%3A+MuskegonNews+%28Muskegon+Chronicle+News+-+MLive.com%29&utm_content=Google+Reader) by the weapon-toting set... My BFF lives in that area. Kinda scary that she could have been on the receiving end of that.

[limewave]

The world is full of crazies!

[ny biker]

I have noticed that the high-vis I've seen on roadies can blend right into the fall foliage this time of year. I do think I'm going to invest in some "hunter orange" for either my helmet or camelbak. I also like the idea of bear bells. DH would not ride with me if I had something like that, but I would be glad for them when riding alone.

Helmets and camelbaks are small, and the camelbak is only visible from the rear. You should have an orange jersey/jacket.

[tulip]

What did the police/game warden/sheriff say?

You can get an inexpensive orange safety vest to wear over your regular clothes.

[Trek-chick]

Here are the seasons for MI hunting

http://www.michigan.gov/images/dnr/Hunting_Seasons_and_Bag_Limits_table_361388_7.png

Opening day of bow season was Oct 1st so, I did not get any riding in this past weekend. We did hear a lot of gunshots from the duck hunters but, you can not gun hunt deer until nov. 15th in Michigan-----that is pretty scary having them that close. I would definitely call the local conservation officer (DNR agency near you, and report the incident)

I LOVE bow hunting but, would never gun hunt --just do not have it in me. But, I see nothing wrong with any type of hunting as long as you eat what you kill--that's just my hunting mantra :)

[7rider]

FWIW, when I lived in Massachusetts, hunting season had a closure day of Sundays (so even during season, no hunting on Sunday). So that's when everyone went mountain biking. If we felt we HAD to go Saturday - or some other day - we'd wear blaze orange and hang Christmas jingle bells from our bikes. We figured, no deer, turkey, or whatever else they'd be shooting, would sound like Santa rounding the bend. We were less concerned about "communing with nature" on those rides and more about "don't sound natural and don't get shot."

I guess it worked. I never got shot except while on a road ride. :rolleyes:

[Irulan]

I have noticed that the high-vis I've seen on roadies can blend right into the fall foliage this time of year. I do think I'm going to invest in some "hunter orange" for either my helmet or camelbak. I also like the idea of bear bells. DH would not ride with me if I had something like that, but I would be glad for them when riding alone.

Hunter orange usually isn't much of an investment. There is a lot of cheap stuff out there. You can also put streamers of orange surveyor tape on your helmet and pack.

[limewave]

I guess it worked. I never got shot except while on a road ride. :rolleyes:

Seriously. It totally wouldn't phase me to get shot at on a road ride, I expect that kind of crap. But on the trail . . . that's my sanctuary!

[Bike Writer]

Wow limewave, glad you didn't get hurt and that woulda scared the bejezus out of me. In the last couple weeks of dirt road riding I've heard shots in the distance but these were on large parcels of land (200+ acres) that were agricultural and wooded and something to be expected in those areas. People who hunt that private land are hunters in the know who don't shoot toward roads, rivers or streams.

From the sounds of your encounter you had yahoo hunters out there popping off willy nilly in any direction and that's beyond scary, it can be deadly. At Island Lake State Park it is posted in the trail head parking lot that trails cross through hunting land and I haven't been out on those paths or roads since small game season opened. Last year riding through that park I came across bow hunters in the woods and on the roads I saw hunters walking with .22's down the road back to their vehicle. I go to neighboring Kensington Metropark where there is no hunting allowed, I was there tonight and felt very safe.

Glad you and DH escaped with no injury.

[zoom-zoom]

Lime and I rode together today and no one shot at us--WIN! ;)

BTW, that was really fun. I'll be riding in that park lots more, methinks! :cool:

And I am finding bruises in places I didn't know I landed on...ow! :o

[limewave]

It was pretty awesome riding yesterday and not having to worry about being someone's target practice :D:D Zoom-Zoom, thanks for inviting me a long.

And, ahem, Zoom rode over her first log pile on only her second time out on the trail. I saw it, I'm a witness!

[zoom-zoom]

And, ahem, Zoom rode over her first log pile on only her second time out on the trail. I saw it, I'm a witness!

And I said whoohooo when I did it. But I'm not touching that big one, yet...that thing is scary! :eek:

[Reesha]

Dh really wants to have a gun for "protection." He is not a hunter at all, can't stand the idea of hurting an animal. There's been a lot of shootings in a neighboring city. I've pointed out that a lot of those seem to be gang/drug-related. But there has also been a lot of home break-ins--at night, when the families are home. I think that some good "motion-sensor" lights and dead bolts would be a better investment. I'm adamantly against guns. But, I also had a close childhood friend killed in a gun incident (http://www.nytimes.com/1992/11/19/us/no-headline-969692.html) by a dumb*ss with a rifle. I hate guns.

I absolutely concur about the gun issue... especially keep one at home. I live in the city of St. Louis and while our reputation precedes us as a city, it's never as violent as people imagine. Most of the crime is non-violent, and break ins usually happen when no one is home. Our local police captain advised us to invest in security measures-- motion sensing flood lights, high fences around yard, long steel plates for your door jambs (see below-- a lot of my neighbors have door security pro).

http://www.defenseshopper.com/images/DoorSecurityPro.jpg