Tips & Tricks | Hiking During Hunting Season
Fall is my favorite time of year to get outside. The weather is cooler, but not cold. Plus fall foliage is obviously lovely! But fall also brings hunting season and, on some public lands in Texas, this means that hikers and hunters can be sharing space. Here are five tips for you to stay safe while hiking during hunting season!
1.Know the specifics about where you are hiking.
Just about all Texas State Parks will close down when they have public hunts going on, but other locations (Sam Houston National Forest, for example) are accessible to hunters and hikers simultaneously. In addition to knowing when hunting season is, be sure you research the rules and regulations for both hunters AND hikers for your location of choice so you know what to expect in regards to public hunting.
2. Wear bright colors (orange is usually recommended).
The easiest way to avoid an incident is to be seen. During hunting season, wear brightly colored clothing or vests while hiking so that it is clear that you are a human and not a game animal. This goes for your four legged friends, too - put a colorful vest on your pooches and please keep them on leash!
3. Make noise.
Just like wearing brightly colored clothing, making noise on the trail makes it clear to hunters that you’re not an animal (and it tends to also scare game animals away from you). This is super easy to do with kids, since they tend to be naturally noisy, especially when they’re on an exciting hike with so much to see!
4. Stay on the trails.
When hunting on public lands, hunters are required to stay a certain distance from the trails. As a hiker, staying on the trails ensures that you’re in an area that hunters shouldn’t be discharging weapons in/towards.
5. Pay attention to signs.
As always, make sure you read any public notices or informational signs that indicate the rules and regulations or other important information about the location and follow the rules that are set out.
When everyone follows the rules, is informed, and stays aware of their surroundings, hunters and hikers can safely share the few public lands that we have in state of Texas throughout hunting season!