Fall Hiking - Staying Safe

On a 90F August day, it's a bit hard to wrap my head around the concept of autumn and fall. But the calendar and back-to-school sales alert me that, yes, September is just around the corner.

I am a huge fan of fall hiking. The cooler temps and frost slow and then stop most gnats and mosquitos on the trail (aah, bliiss). That same coolness makes strenuous hikes more comfortable. 

The colorful leaf party that the trees get together and throw for us is a welcome farewell to summer's green lushness. 

Late November hiking in IA's
Yellow River Forest

The dying back of brush in trails makes hiking easier as well. And as the leaves fall, geological formations, interesting rocks and caves are easily seen. 

The views at overlooks towards bluffs and rivers also are less obstructed and more expansive. I save my most challenging, steep hikes to tops of hikes with great rocks and views especially for these cooler months in late Sept through November.

But fall is also the time when hunting seasons open up in MN, WI and IA, the main areas I use. 

There are some easy precautions to take when you are out on the trails to stay safe:

Wear blaze orange or pink - hats, light vests and jackets in this color help hunters spot you. Neon yellow and neon green vests/shirts can also be helpful in small game and game bird seasons.

Pick destinations where hunting isn't allowed - make sure the park, conservancy land, state forest, SNA or area you are hiking in isn't posted as a hunting area. 

Be aware of private lands bordering your hiking area - while the park or area you are in may be posted "no hunting," bordering private lands might support hunters. Many public lands close trails nearby to protect you.

If you do decide to hike in an area where there is small game hunting, then...
...Stay on trails - during hunting seasons, many hunters who are off-trail in the woods are aware of where trails are. This isn't the time to go bushwhacking.

MN DNR

Know your state's hunting seasons - be aware of what seasons are open as well as where areas are that support different game animals and birds that are hunted near you.

• MN hunting seasons
• WI hunting seasons
• IA hunting seasons

Don't hike during firearm deer seasons - the pressure from "weekend warrior" hunters in those weeks is intense. Some of these hunters use extremely high powered rifles whose bullets can travel quite far. I take my safety seriously and let the deer hunters have the woods for their very short firearm seasons. 

Since my tri-state area has very few overlapping deer gun season weeks, one strategy I use is to head to a neighboring state when my state's deer gun season is on. It has worked well and lets me explore trails outside my state. While this might not work for everyone, for those along their state's borders, it's a great option.

With care, you can stay safe on your fall hikes by doing a bit of preparation. Those fall woods are worth the effort!

Scrambling on the rocks
in a Winona County blufftop

All images, unless noted - Marge Loch-Wouters