Hunting Season Safety

We love spending every season exploring our trails — but hunting season calls for a little extra vigilance. With the right precautions, there’s no reason to skip your favorite trails during local hunting season. Here are our tips for staying safe.

(1) Wear Blaze Orange

Wear a fluorescent or “blaze” orange hat and vest (and pack cover if backpacking), or hooded outerwear, when hiking in fall, winter, or spring. Blaze orange helps distinguish you from wild game. If you’re hiking with a dog, it should also wear blaze orange visible from all sides — and we recommend keeping pets leashed at all times while hiking.

(2) Know Before You Go

Know when hunting seasons are. You can still hike — just learn about where and when hunting is taking place. Specific dates vary year to year and by type of game and weapon used. Hunting on Sundays is prohibited in Massachusetts.

(3) Stay Safe on the Trails

Use extra caution at dawn and dusk. Hunting activity may increase at dawn and dusk, when animals are feeding and visibility is poor. Wear reflective gear or use a headlamp or flashlight for extra visibility.

Stay on the trails. Hunters tend to stray away from heavily used trails. This isn’t the time for geocaching or bushwhacking — hunters will be watching for movement in more wooded areas.

Make noise. Whistle, sing, or carry on a conversation as you walk to alert hunters to your presence. Sound carries well, and hunters should be listening for signs of animal movement.

Make yourself known. If you hear shooting, raise your voice and let hunters know you’re in the vicinity.

Resources

• U.S. Forest Service: Tips for Hunters and Non-Hunters
• Massachusetts Guide to Hunting, Fishing, and Trapping Laws
• Appalachian Trail: Hiking Basics — Hunting Season

South Shore Trails covers hiking and paddling destinations across 20+ towns on Massachusetts’ South Shore. For trail conditions and details, browse our full trail directory.