Hunters aren't supposed to hunt on the AT, but I've seen them doing it in many areas.
That is a popular misconception among hikers, however it is perfectly legal to hunt on just over half of the A.T.
From the ATC Website:
Hunting is permitted along approximately 1,250 miles of the A.T. through national forest lands, national recreation areas, and on state forests and game lands.
Hunting is prohibited along approximately 900 miles of the Trail through national parks (like Shenandoah and the Great Smoky Mountains), most state parks, and on lands acquired by the National Park Service exclusively for the Trail and still under National Park Service administration, including the outside edges by A.T. corridor boundary signs.
http://www.appalachiantrail.org/home...safety/hunting