A few weeks back a reader of the Recorder, we’ll call her Joanne, sent me an email commenting on a recent On the Ridge column. In the content of the email, she asked, “would you include a hunting calendar in your columns? It will help all the walkers.” And it only took a moment for me to realize that Joanne was right! This is a fantastic time of the year to enjoy a hike in the woods to your favorite woodland areas and hiking trails. Also, families will soon be gathering for the fast-approaching holiday seasons, and nothing is more fun and relaxing than getting the clan together for a hike.

So yes, Joanne is right! It’s important that all of us know what’s going on in the outdoors around us, and that includes hikers, bikers, hunters, and everyone else. Because even now, as the leaves are giving us subtle hints of winter on the horizon, autumn is still the best time of year to go for a walk in the woods, even if it’s just a simple 20-minute jaunt. It’s all good, and you should be able to know that you can safely share the woods with others. At the end of this column I’ve listed the remaining hunting seasons that are going on right now through the end of the year, into 2025. And along with that, here are a few simple steps we can take to make sure everyone stays safe as we share the woods with each other during all the seasons of the year:

1. Be aware. Again, Joanne is right, we all need to know when hunting season starts and ends, and about the regulations that affect hunting. For instance, some states forbid hunting on Sundays (Massachusetts is one of them); some forbid discharging firearms for one hour after dawn and before dusk. Read up on federal, state, and local hunting regulations. And be aware of things like when bow hunting starts, which is almost six weeks prior to the firearms season – both here and in many other states. The MassWildlife website is loaded with information that addresses all of this. And a few minutes of reading could really help you a lot.

2. Be seen. A blaze-orange hat not only fights the chill as the thermometer starts to dip, but it also increases your visibility. Even an inexpensive blaze-orange vest can make your visibility better, especially since many hunters are out at dusk and dawn. And a vest that has reflective panels, so it can be seen in dim light, is always a helpful addition to this method of staying safe. Remember, whitetail deer cannot see color, but most people can. Make yourself visible, and keep everyone safe, including your pup, who should also be wearing an orange vest and a leash when sharing the woods with others.

3. And speaking of visibility at dawn and dusk, during the deer season, this is when deer are most active, so hunters obviously are usually around during these periods as well. By hiking during midday in the bright sunshine, you will minimize your chances of encountering a hunter. And daytime hikes always make for better sightseeing anyway! 

4. And finally, be smart. With everyone putting forth our best efforts, and that includes hunters, hikers, resource managers, bikers, and many others, sharing the woods during hunting season, or any season, should never be an activity to fear if we just use our common sense. Talk to local hiking and outdoor clubs to get a scoop on what’s happening in the woods around your activity. And if you hear hunters in the area when hiking, or hear shots, make some noise. A loud, “hikers on the trail,” shout out will clearly, but politely, make everyone keenly aware of your presence.

Whitetail deer

Archery - Oct. 7-Nov. 30

Shotgun - Dec. 2-14

2024 Primitive Firearms - Dec. 16-31

Black bear

Second season - Nov. 4-23

Shotgun season - Dec. 2-14

Upland game

Pheasant - Oct. 19-Dec. 31

Ruffed grouse - Oct. 19-Nov. 30

Wild turkey - fall: Oct. 7-Nov. 30 (Archery only)

Cottontail Rabbit Zones - Oct. 19-Feb. 28, 2025

Snowshoe Hare Zones - Oct. 19-Feb. 28, 2025

Gray Squirrel Zones - Sept. 3-Feb. 28, 2025

Furbearers

Bobcat Zones - Dec. 20-March 8, 2025

Coyote Zones - Oct. 19-March 8, 2025

Fox (red or gray) - Nov. 1-Feb. 28, 2025

Opossum Zones - Oct. 1-Jan. 31, 2025

Raccoon Zones 1-14 – Oct. 1-Jan. 31, 2025

Joe Judd is a lifelong hunter and sportsman. He is an outdoor writer, seminar speaker, member of the New England Outdoor Writers Association, and a 2019 inductee into the N.E. Turkey Hunting Hall of Fame. Joe is also on the Quaker Boy Game Calls and Bass Pro Shops/Cabela’s Pro-Staff. He can be reached at jjontheridge@comcast.net