Share The Woods And Be Safe
By Gary Moore
This is a great time to be in the woods hiking and generally enjoying fall. It is also hunting season in both Vermont and New Hampshire.
New Hampshire Fish and Game offers some tips to help you stay safe and share the woods with hunters that are worth remembering.
Pick the right trail. During the fall, stick to established hiking trails. Hunters generally avoid heavily used hiking paths because activity in the woods usually frightens game species. As a result, hunters will be situated deeper in the woods.
Pick the right time. Wildlife and hunters are most active at dawn and dusk. Legal hunting times for most game run from a half hour before sunrise to a half hour after sunset. Wildlife, and consequently hunters, are most active at dawn and dusk. Midday hikes when light conditions are optimal are best for the fall. You are also much less likely to run into a hunter during mid-week hikes because the majority of hunting takes place on weekends.
Wear orange. An orange hat, handkerchief, vest, or shirt is a must for this time of year. This will make you more visible to anyone in the woods. Don’t forget to also put some orange on the dog and consider putting them on a leash at all times for their safety.
Placing a bell on your dog’s collar is an excellent way to make continuous noise during a hike and let people know you are there.