Communing with the Wilderness

     It is one thing to hike in the woods, it is another to become comfortable as part of the wilderness.  The predators and prey of the wilderness have all kinds of rules and etiquettes that the average intruder may not be aware of.  The wilderness etiquette is a very delicate situation that can be altered by many seemingly harmless activities.  

     There are also varying degrees of wilderness, each with its own set of rules for interaction with the native residents.  

• Hiker's wilderness -- This is the wilderness of with few pack animals. One might call such a wilderness as an vegetarian's wilderness as the people that visit such areas don't hunt the animals of such wildernesses.  The animals in many of these areas will come to recognize people and adapt to the peculiarities of their seasonal appearance at various camps and trails.

• Deep wilderness -- This wilderness is typified by animals that don't readily recognize humans.  These areas are scarce but exist.  If you know of any such area, keep it a secret to the point that you only personally show people where it is.  In other words, don't tell others about where these areas are by pointing them out on a map, you take them there yourself with the understanding (and likelihood) that each successive party will develop the same respect for such unique areas.  

• Equestrian wilderness -- These areas can be quite wild except for the impact of stock animals upon the trails and camps.  Since pack animals may cover more miles in a day than the average hiker, outside of the localized impact of large pack camps, these areas can remain quite pristine, save for the trails.  

• Hunter's wilderness -- These areas are a curious mix of paranoia.  The animals grow to be paranoid of people because of the highly seasonal nature of hunting.  Some times people are just there to look, sometimes they are there to hunt.  The critters in the woods can't sort out the difference.  

  • While not a hunter, I have at times thought it would be fun to allow a form of catch and release hunting were one could 'hunt' year around using paint balls or rubber stamps to mark one's hits.  This would separate the hunters who go there for the 'hunt' but not so much for the kill from those there for the kill.  Those who hunt for the fun of getting away could do so most any time of the year.  Their activities would make it more challenging for the hunter since the prey may be quite acquainted with the concept that people are out after them.  

• Yachting Wilderness.  This are areas with alpine lakes that are close enough to the road for day hikes with alpine yachting.