Autumn in New England is a great time to go hiking.  However, it is important to remember that the majority of the Dog friendly trails reviewed here by Living with a Golden also allow hunting.  By taking safety precautions, being aware of your surroundings, giving the hunters their space, and remembering your hiking etiquette, you and your humans can enjoy a great day on the trails and all that autumn in New England has to offer.  You just need to be prepared!

Be a Flashy Dresser: Dogs, when hiking wear a blaze-orange vest!  I know, it being so close to Halloween it feels like a costume, but trust me, it can save your life by letting hunters know you are in the area.  We highly recommend the blaze-orange vest for Dogs by LL Bean.  We’ve had our vests for years now, and despite being washed multiple times they still retain their bright color and haven’t faded.  Being a flashy dresser applies to humans too!  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.  Colors such as brown and white during deer and bear season is not a good idea.  During turkey season don’t wear red or blue.  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!  Never try to hike quietly during hunting season.  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, ringing 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 do it 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.  So in case you miss something, they can alert you if danger is near.  And always, COME when called!  If you’re not rock solid on this command, please stay on your 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 though.  Also if hiking on other days, avoid peak hunting times, usually at sunrise and sunset, when the deer are most active.

Stop, Hey, What’s that Sound: 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 is 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 bike may suddenly round a bend and not have time to react.  This also holds true for joggers.  I don’t want them to trip over me!  So on busy trails, keep yourself leashed 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 always best to yield and let others pass, especially those hiking without a Dog.

R-E-S-P-E-C-T: As much as I love making new friends, remember that the wildlife you encounter aren’t.  Think of it this way.  What if you were sitting in your living room and a Bear 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 protective because they are caring for their babies, 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, and don’t even think of barking or chasing them.  Also whatever you do, NEVER try to take a Dog selfie with them!

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.  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.  The impolite greeting of strangers is one of the top reasons Dogs get banned from places…well that and poop.

Leave No Trace: Now I know what you’re thinking, if the Deer 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 Deer 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!  Also be sure to take the poop with you!  Nothing upsets me more than seeing bags of poop lining a trail left by good intentioned hikers who thought they would get it on the way back.

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 New England has to offer.  If you’re looking for Dog Friendly Places to explore, please check out our Dog Trails recommendations.  Or if you’d like to avoid trails altogether during hunting season, we also have great recommendations for Scenic Dog Walks.  Happy Hiking!