Hike safely during hunting season

HOLDERNESS — Deer firearms season in New Hampshire began Nov. 7, which means outdoor enthusiasts need to be aware of hunters' presence to safely share the outdoors. The Squam Lakes Association offers the following tips to stay safe and have fun during hunting season:

Stay on the trails

Don't leave the marked trail when recreating outdoors. Hunters tend to stay away from heavily used trails for safety and because noise from recreators scare away game species. Sticking to the trail keeps you safer and doesn't disturb a hunter.

Pick the right time

Wildlife and hunters are more active at dawn and dusk, so limit your hiking time to the middle of the day when the sun is high. This is good for hikers because sunlight is optimal midday.

Make yourself easily seen

Wear bright colors, such as blaze orange, when out in the woods. This is a universal sign to hunters that this moving object is a person. Making yourself clearly visible keeps you safer and helps hunters identify what they are looking at. Don't forget to keep your dogs safe as well using bright orange dog accessories.

Make some noise

Talk, sing or whistle to make your presence known in the woods. Chances are good that anyone in your vicinity has already heard you, and the singing will make you more noticeable. This is great advice for any time of year, and placing a bell on your dog’s collar is another excellent way to make continuous noise during a hike.

Hike safely

Be sure to follow the hiker responsibility code by being knowledgeable about where you are going and what the local weather and terrain conditions are, leaving your plans with someone, staying together, turning back in inclement weather or if you are running out of daylight and planning and preparing for emergencies are also important. Visit hikesafe.com for more information.

For more information on dates and details of New Hampshire’s hunting seasons, visit huntnh.com/hunting.

To watch a video that demonstrates the effectiveness of blaze orange, visit player.vimeo.com/video/47113670.

For more information on hiking safety and preparedness, visit wildnh.com/outdoor-recreation/hiking-safety.html.