The fall brings great hiking weather and hunting.  Some people fear stepping foot in the woods during hunting season.  You have nothing to fear but it doesn’t hurt to take some extra steps to keep safe.

First I want to say, I have yet to meet a hunter that has the “shoot at anything that moves” mentality.  Most all hunters are the “don’t shoot till I am 110% sure that I want to kill what I am shooting at” kind.  If you still are feeling uneasy about heading out in to the woods try some of these safety tips…

• Wear hunter/blaze orange clothing like a hat or vest – Hunter orange is the official don’t shoot I’m not a wild animal color
• Sing, whistle, or attach a bell to your pack – When was the last time you heard a deer singing living la vida loca
• Don’t wear white – A quick flash of white in the woods can be mistaken for the white in a deers tail
• Stay on the trail – Hunters usually know the hiking trails in the areas the hunt and choose to hunt away from them

Now is the time to hike, the bugs are gone, the air is crisp, and the views are as beautiful as ever. If you are hiking with a dog remember to dress him in some orange too.  Don’t let hunters scare you off the trail you and the hunter have every right to use the land, you both just have to be safe about it…

check when hunting is open in your state

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