The Guilford woods have been reclassified by Public Safety as a hunting zone and anyone may now hunt there, day or night. 

Many diverse species of wildlife can be found inhabiting the woods. Bows, rifles, shotguns, pistols, blow darts, and BB guns are now allowed as firearms to hunt the animals down. If you have other weapons, then you need to check those items in with Public Safety.

The trees that line the lake mark the starting territory for any hunter, and the other parallel line is up to Aaron Fetrow’s house. However, all squirrels and geese on campus can be taken down with blow darts. 

“I cannot wait to get out in the woods and hunt,” said first-year Cynthia Hayes. “The Guilford woods seem to be a prime location for any animal, and I get to walk right out of my dorm and onto the hunting grounds.” 

Hayes is a regular hunter in her hometown of Seagrove, N.C. She generally likes to focus on deer and wild turkey.

“Hunting wild geese is my first priority,” Hayes said. “Those geese look at me as I walk to class, and they think they own the school by leaving their waste wherever they please.” 

Before your first hunting outing, you must thoroughly read the hunting handbook. The handbook is located at the Public Safety window in the basement of Bauman. The Public Safety officers are trained wildlife specialists. So, if in danger, make sure you have an S.O.S flare. 

When hunting on Guilford’s property, you must be dressed in the correct attire. All hunters must wear a bright orange shirt or jacket. You must also be equipped with the aforementioned S.O.S flair and a firing arm. 

Another addition to Guilford’s campus is the new taxidermy shop that will be located beside the bicycle shop in the basement of Shore Hall. If you are interested in taxidermy, the local taxidermist will be holding free stuffing lessons on April 6. The new taxidermy office will be managed by the hunting club.

The prices are posted in the shop and are based on the following criteria: weight, wing span, paw size, eye color, wounds, tail length, loss of a body part due to bullet blow, or smell. All money made through the taxidermist will go towards saving wildlife outside the Guilford bubble. 

“It’s nice to know that once my kill has been stuffed the money will go to a good cause,” said sophomore Katie Chapman.

 After you have taken your kill to the campus taxidermist you must use sticky tack to affix it to your wall as a precaution, due to Campus life’s outrageous charges for room damage. 

“I tried bolting my mountain lion, four foot long and sixty pounds, right next to my television but the bolts did not seem to work,” sophomore Autumn Yoder said. “Then I used the sticky tack that my RA suggested and that stuff is like concrete.” 

Use caution when going out into the Guilford woods. Community members may also use the woods as a hunting ground, so the woods will become a popular destination. Be aware of students, staff, and faculty who use the woods as a relaxing place to walk. Happy hunting and beyond.