With hunting seasons and fall hiking underway, DEC encourages outdoor enthusiasts to follow safety precautions while recreating this fall and winter. Whether you are a hiker, nature photographer, leaf peeper, mountain biker, hunter, or trapper, following a few simple safety measures can make your experience as safe as possible this season.
Tips for both hikers and hunters afield this fall:
• Tell someone where you’re going and when you’re planning to return. If your plans change, notify them.
• Dress for the weather; account for both location and elevation changes.
• Become familiar with the trail you plan to hike or the area you plan on hunting.
• Wear bright clothing; blaze orange or blaze pink. Bright colors allow others to see you more easily and from farther away.
• Make sure you pack your bag with the 10 Essentials, especially a light source, map, and first aid kit.
• Watch the ‘How to Share the Woods’ video www.youtube.com/watch?v=jEndeX0p1KU
Hikers should be aware that they may meet hunters bearing firearms or archery equipment while hiking on trails. Hunters are fellow outdoor recreationists and hunting occurs on most DEC lands. Though hunters use firearms and bows, hunting is exceptionally safe and accidents are extremely rare. This is a testament to DEC’s robust hunter safety program and hunters’ conscientiousness and care.
If you decide to adventure with your pet, make sure to keep them on a leash. Loose pets can cause problems with other recreators and can get into trouble with wild animals. Also, to make pets more identifiable in the woods, give them a brightly colored collar, leash, or other covering.
DEC maintains hiking trails and permits hunting in many areas of forest preserve lands in the Adirondack and Catskill Parks, as well as in state forests, Wildlife Management Areas, and unique areas. Find a place near you by visiting our website, checking out DECinfo Locator or downloading the NY Fishing, Hunting & Wildlife App
Many trails are also accessible to people with disabilities.
