Autumn is a beautiful time to enjoy the backcountry. It’s cooler, there are fewer bugs, and of course, early-season foliage is gorgeous all over the North Country. But hikers are not the only recreators enjoying the backcountry this time of year. In the Northern Region, for about 6 weeks beginning toward the end of October, it’s regular deer hunting season. While there are other sporting seasons for hunters throughout the year, regular deer hunting season brings out the most hunters. That means there are some extra precautions you should take to ensure you stay safe while enjoying the outdoors.

1. High Vis: You’re probably aware that hunters wear high visibility blaze orange or dayglow pink hats and clothing on their upper bodies. That ensures hunters see each other for safety. If you’re in the woods during hunting season, you should also wear brightly-colored clothing that is easily distinguished from your surroundings and especially wildlife, to make sure you don’t become an accidental target. Bright pink, red, orange, or yellow items are recommended. This recommendation includes your canine companions.  

2. Avoid treed areas: Hiking in open areas, where you’re taller than grasses, bushes, and foliage, makes it much clearer that you are not what a hunter is looking for.  

3. Daylight: Hiking during daylight hours is always preferred, but also helps increase your chances of being seen and identifiable as a person, not an animal, during hunting seasons. Dusk and dawn are times when deer especially tend to venture out, so if you’re off the trail by dusk, that will reduce the chance of being mistaken for an animal as well. 

Stay on the trail 

Staying on the trail means you remain in areas where hunters should expect to encounter people, and not be looking for an animal. It’s especially important to make sure your dogs are leashed and remain on trail with you at all times as well.