Your Annual Hunting Season Reminder: Wear Orange

by Alicia MacLeay
posted Friday, October 30, 2009 at 12:01 am

White-tailed deer, courtesy of Wikipedia.

It’s time for your annual hunting season reminder.

First, find your state’s hunting season dates, so you know the exact dates and locations for firearms, archery, and muzzleloader seasons for various game (for example, here are Maine’s dates).

Next, break out the fluorescent orange vests and hats every time you take to the trails, woods, or even camp roads.

Below are a few safety reminders for hiking, backpacking, mountain biking, trail running, or any activity that gets you out in or around the woods this time of year. (I post these every year, but they bear repeating.)

Be Very Visible: Ideally you should wear blaze (fluorescent) orange clothing that can be seen from all sides, like a hat and a vest or jacket. Bright reds and yellows are also good color options (though on overcast days they can appear black, so use carefully). Think bright, even garish. Now’s a great time to go retro with that old hot pink jacket from the ’80s. Make sure your backpack has some bright orange on it too, like a large orange bandanna. Avoid any brown, tan, and especially white. You don’t want to look like the flash of a deer’s tail. And don’t forget to outfit your dog with its own blaze orange vest and collar.

Make Yourself Heard: Usually I opt for quiet on a hike or trail run, but during hunting season I’m far more likely to keep up a steady conversation with a partner, or avoid certain locations altogether. If you’re alone you can whistle or sing to make yourself heard, or consider a bell on you or your dog. Now is not the time to practice your stealth hiking moves.

Be Aware: Hunters are active from early dawn to dusk and in between. While you’re more likely to find hunters closer to any roads or trailheads and in valleys, expect that you can meet them anywhere at any time. Also, while bushwhacking can be a lot of fun, during the weeks of hunting season I stick to marked and maintained trails.

Know the Rules: If possible hike on trails in areas where no hunting is allowed or on days of the week (like Sunday here in Maine) when there’s no hunting. While deer rifle season typically brings the most hunters out into the woods, a variety of hunting seasons can extend the activity year-round. Know the hunting season dates and rules for your state and local areas.

Above all use common sense and do your part to share the woods safely.

If you have suggestions for safe hiking or backpacking during hunting season, please share them below.

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Filed under: Environment

Comments

grit

New Member
Joined: 10/18/05
Posts: 3

October 30, 2009 at 11:52 a.m. (EDT)

If you want to get some dirty looks from hunters, try hiking on opening day of the elk season. I had no idea.

Dewey

Senior Member
Joined: 4/10/09
Posts: 106

October 30, 2009 at 1:45 p.m. (EDT)

I have hunted for 45 years and never had a problem with hikers, bikers, quad riders, or anybody else. I make a point of being very polite and stressing that this is my traditional lifestyle here in B.C. and I ONLY kill what we will eat and, I have found people very accepting and understanding, with no more than 2-3 jerks in all that time.

We "outdoor enthusiasts NEED each other to conserve what little "wilderness" we have left and treating each other with courtesy and respect is the way to build broad coalitions that CAN help restore North America to what it was, could still be and should be.

Alicia

Editor in Chief
Joined: 3/14/01
Posts: 1273

October 30, 2009 at 2:39 p.m. (EDT)

I also agree that outdoor enthusiasts need each other, particularly if we want there to be any wilderness to enjoy for our different pursuits.

Having been involved with my local land trust, I've realized it can be necessary to get different groups of land users together if you want to conserve areas for the future.

While I don't hunt, here in Maine it is a popular, traditional activity, so I make an effort to respect that and be a safe and responsible hiker. And for some Mainers, hunting is an important part of feeding their families.

I've only stumbled on a hunter while hiking once. I felt bad at first (and he was not happy), but since I was on a flagged trail I realized he was the irresponsible one. Not that that made me feel safer in hindsight.

That said, most people are responsible. As a Maine guide in my town told me once, if they're hunting responsibly, you'll never see or be aware of the hunters anyway.

It's important for everyone to be responsible and respectful.

trouthunter

Senior Member
Joined: 5/22/08
Posts: 1548

October 31, 2009 at 9:28 p.m. (EDT)

I agree totally, coalitions are necessary for us to be effective in conserving, protecting, & acquiring land.

I both hunt & fish, I eat what I harvest, and have found very few people who have a rational objection to me doing so. Most outdoors people are responsible, and courteous.

Some hunters get annoyed at hikers because the hunters have been suffering cabin fever for months, and finally it is their time (season) to go hunt. They don't understand why hikers can't take a break and let them (the hunters) have their time. -Hikers can go hike year round you know-

The hunting seasons are established as part of a wildlife management plan, it is not intended to give everyone equal time in the woods. Although we should try to be accommodating I think.

So we must share some areas, I personally do not go hiking in WMA's (wildlife management areas) during hunting seasons although it is allowed.

When hiking along streams you also need to watch out for back casts from fly fishermen too! Maybe wear a little bell to alert them of your presence.HaHa

Explorer Robby

Senior Member
Joined: 4/20/08
Posts: 101

November 1, 2009 at 7:57 p.m. (EST)

I have hunted in the past, and may again. I respect all outdoorsmen who respect the outdoors. It has been my experience that hunters are concerned with conservation of wildlife, and with maintaining places for that wildlife. It is also my experience that they dont have a problem with hikers, but are not always looking for us. Wearing orange is a simple way to alert them we are there, because unfortunately where I live the best time to hike is also the best time to hike.

I try to stay out of the WMAs during hunting season, but our National Forests allow hunting in many areas, so you cant avoid hunters altogether. So it is really our duty to protect ourselves in everyway we can, including wearing orange.

overmywaders

Senior Member
Joined: 6/15/05
Posts: 172

November 2, 2009 at 8:44 a.m. (EST)

Since hunters hunt different game in differing habitats in different parts of the US and Canada, the only universal seems to me to wear blaze orange, lots of blaze orange. If you are walking with a dog, the dog should be wearing blaze orange as well, IMO.

WA F&G suggests that you make noise as you hike during hunting season. I disagree, that recommendation clashes with the law about not harassing hunters. Just be as quiet as always and twice as alert. No music playing. Hunters on a stand may have been sitting by a game trail for hours before you come around a bend; they may be jumpy, or dozing, but they definitely don't want you shouting to them above the sound of music in your headphones. Most will acknowledge a wave with a slight nod, but they won't want to actually talk, usually, and thereby spoil their stand even worse than you have already. : )

Your Annual Hunting Season Reminder: Wear Orange

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