5 Hiking Tips During Hunting Season
Hiking is a nice form of bonding with your loved ones, but hiking during a
hunting season means sharing the place with hunters. Well let’s talk
about hunting season first it’s a season where a certain animal in the
state can be hunted, given you have the license to do so. If you want to
hunt for deer, some say Ohio is one of the best hunting state there is for
these things. So bring your hunting backpack with you and start going on
a hunt. But if you’re not into hunting and more on hiking like what I am
about to write, then go on reading because I will be tackling some tips
for you to enjoy hiking during the hunting season.
Before going on a hiking trip, make sure you have already decided where
to hike. Once you have decided where to go, call your state agency and
ask for the details on when the hunting dates are. Just be reminded that
hunting season is wide, is it a Big game? Deer, fowl, Elk? Is it Bow
hunting, rifle or muzzle? If you want to hike and go for a hunt, then pick
the dates when hunting is allowed. And be sure to bring the right things
if you would hunt since there are different seasons for hunting using
firearms or a bow and arrow. Some states do not allow hunting on
Sundays, which is a great date if you want to get away from hunters.
Next one is wearing bright or neon colored clothes, neon orange or blaze
orange are advisable to wear. Wearing earth toned colors such as brown
or black is a big no. Hunter’s would have a hard time identifying you with
these said colors. Not to mention the time of the day they would see you.
They might have a mistake identifying you around dusk or dawn if you
are wearing brown. Since it’s hunting season, you might end up hiking
with hunters everywhere. Wearing the neon colors would automatically
let them see you from afar, you don’t want to end up being mistaken as
a grizzly bear and get shot.
Bringing your dog with you is good but you better keep it on a leash and
strap him up with those neon colored stuff. Making your dog run free on
a hike without wearing anything special for your pet to be recognized by
hunters would probably end up your dog’s life. If a hunter isn’t into the
basics of hunting, like be sure of the target before shooting it, your
lovable dog playing in a bush would be mistaken for a game and might
end up being shot by a hunter. That isn’t a fun hike isn’t it?
Going for a quiet walk is lovely, much even more if its in the woods. But
when its hunting season and you would go on a hike, quiet is a big no.
Making noises like whistling or talking to your companions would be
good while on a hike during this season. If ever you hear shots being
fired somewhere near you, Shouting out “hikers on trail” would be a big
help. This would let hunters know that there are hikers near which
would make them more careful with their hunting. If you don’t want to
end up being shot, I’m pretty sure hunters do not want that either. So
making your presence known is an important thing you must do.
And lastly, you may want to hike on a National Park instead or a city park.
Most of these parks are the safest option if you do not want hunters
around while you are on a hike, since most of them do not allow hunting,
you would be safe hiking in those places. But if you still want a hike in
the woods, just avoid hiking around dusk or dawn since hunters would
be having a hard time recognizing shapes and colors around these times.
And choose trails that are well used since hunters stay away from them
because of the fact that a lot of people might use the trail which would
probably cause problems on their hunting.
There you have it. Keep this things in mind and you would have a great
time hiking, not just great but safe as well. And if ever you would have
the urge of hunting while on a hike, just pack your hunting backpack just
to be prepared.