A couple weeks ago, I went out for a mtn bike ride from our place in the western NC mountains. There's a trailhead for the Appalachian Trail 3.7 miles from my house. Before I got to the gravel road turnoff heading up to the trailhead, I encountered the bear hunters with their dogs with their radio collars . It's not just the guns and being accidently shot that's a concern, but also being run over by a 1/2 dozen pickup trucks when the dogs tree a bear and the hunters try to get as close as possible to where the dogs (and Bear) are before hiking cross country to make the kill.
I quickly abandoned that route and just rode pavement that day.
I know the hunters have a right to be out there and most of the time, are helping to manage excessive wildlife population.
I intend to stay out of their way while they do their thing.
RB