Today, November 1st, is opening day for deer hunting in Maine. With so many dogs taking their families outside to enjoy the many hiking trails Maine has to offer, it is important to remember that the majority of the Dog Friendly Trails reviewed here by Living with a Golden also allow hunting. Therefore, before heading out on an adventure let’s review the safety precautions and other hiking with dogs etiquette to ensure that we all have a safe and positive experience on the trails.
Be a Flashy Dresser: Dogs, when hiking wear a blaze-orange vest! I know with Halloween being yesterday it feels like a costume. But trust me, an orange vest can save your life by letting hunters know you are in the area. Also we strongly urge you to wear a vest as opposed to simply a blaze-orange bandana or collar. A vest will make you more visible to hunters through the dense underbrush. Being a flashy dresser applies to humans too! In addition to wearing bright orange, make sure your owners avoid wearing certain colors that could be mistaken for game. A flash of white may look like the white of a deer’s tail. Wearing brown during deer and bear season is not a good idea either. Instead follow hunting safety regulations and wear blaze-orange clothing that are visible from all directions.
Ring a Ding Ding: Although most dogs head to the woods for peace and quiet, make noise! By making noise, you will let the hunter know that you are in the area. We’re not talking just the rustling of leaves either, which can easily be mistaken by hunters for game. We mean NOISE! We attach a bell to our collars; and Dad tends to whistle, while Mom has been known to burst into song. Ok, so maybe singing isn’t the best option, especially if you sound like Mom. However, by chatting, jingling a bell, or similar noises, it certainly makes your presence known. Also if you hear hunters in the area, especially shots, speak up! A loud “Hikers on the Trail!” will make everyone aware of your presence as you exit the area, and give them their space.
Don’t be a Trail Blazer: Hunters generally know where hiking trails are located and try to avoid those areas, so please stick to established trails. Another reason to stay on the trail is to avoid traps hunters may have set in the underbrush. If you’re prone to blazing new paths, have your owners leash you up during fall hikes. Oh sure the rules may say dogs are allowed off-leash, but sometimes it is necessary to use a leash anyways for your safety. You can still enjoy your hike tethered to a human. Besides, it keeps them from wandering off too. Also if you are allowed off-leash, stay within eyesight of your owner. And always, COME when called! If you’re not rock solid on this command, please stay on your leash.
R-E-S-P-E-C-T: NEVER chase deer or other wildlife during hunting season! While running through the woods, you can get mistaken for game by hunters. In fact, NEVER chase the wildlife no matter what season you are hiking. Think of it this way. What if you were sitting in your living room and a deer suddenly came running through? You’d be pretty unnerved, right? Well that’s exactly how it is for the animals who live along these trails. One minute they are enjoying a quiet afternoon, and the next there’s some dog bursting in on their privacy. They may even be overly aggressive as they search for a new mate, or predatory as they fill their bellies for the long winter months ahead…and don’t forget paranoid because there are hunters out there trying to shoot them! Please show wildlife the respect they deserve by playing it cool. Again, for safety sake to avoid temptation, especially during hunting season, it may be best to be on-leash.
Sunday Fun Day: The day of the week you go hiking also matters. In Maine and Massachusetts, there is NO hunting on Sundays. But please be aware that hunting is ALLOWED on Sundays in New Hampshire! Despite it being illegal to hunt on Sundays in Maine and Massachusetts, still keep your guard up. Also if hiking on other days, avoid peak hunting times, usually at sunrise and sunset, when the deer are most active.
Hey, What’s that Over There: Always be aware of your surroundings. If you notice other vehicles in the parking lot, don’t assume they are on a leisurely hike. Another good indication that hunters are in the area are vehicles parked along the wooded road in random locations. While on the trail it is important to be aware of your surroundings not only for hunters, but for others out enjoying the day. You never know when a biker or jogger may suddenly round a bend and not have time to react. So on busy trails, keep yourself close to your human and be prepared to play red light / green light when you see people approaching. Traditionally people going uphill have the right of way, but when hiking with your human, it is best to yield and let others pass, especially those hiking without a dog.
It’s Not OK to be Friendly: Respect also applies to the humans and fellow dogs that you encounter on the trails. Oddly enough not all people on the trail are excited to meet you and want to be your new best friend, especially hunters. So when your human tells you to “come,” you COME! Nothing makes me cringe more than when I see a dog off-leash barreling towards me, and their human yells, “It’s OK he’s friendly!” Sure we’re all friendly. But that doesn’t mean I want a strange dog charging into my personal space on a narrow trail. The same is even more true for approaching people, who may be afraid of dogs, or just simply not interested in greeting us. Even cat people like to hike too, you know! So I repeat, yield to other hikers, and don’t approach unless they say it is ok.
Leave No Trace: Now I know what you’re thinking, if a bear can poop in the woods, why can’t I? Remember how I said you’re intruding in their space? Well just like you wouldn’t like it if a bear pooped in your yard, they don’t like you pooping in theirs. Besides, without realizing it you may be introducing a disease that the wildlife isn’t immune to that could make them sick. Also some animals are highly sensitive to dog waste, and if they smell it will leave the area and not return. In fact, I can think of a few humans who have had that same reaction to poop. So make sure your humans pick it up! Not picking up pet waste is the leading reason why dogs get banned from places. So let’s work together to keep these trails dog friendly!
By taking safety precautions, being aware of your surroundings, giving the hunters their space, and remembering this quick review of hiking etiquette, you and your humans can enjoy a great day on the trails and all that autumn in Maine has to offer. Happy Hiking!
