In the Fall, if you are hiking, mountain-biking, bird or wildlife watching, do it safely by wearing at least two items of Hunter Orange color on your body so that you can easily be seen. A hat and vest or jacket is good. Dog owners, who love walking their dogs in the woodlands, should absolutely consider purchasing and using a Hunter Orange doggie vest and collar. Smart bird hunters use them on their dogs, along with a bell, to help prevent an accident from happening.

I recall an incident that happened in Maine, many years ago, when my companion’s rabbit hound (a beagle) was shot accidentally by another hunter. My companion didn’t have any Hunter Orange on his dog. The dog was working through some very thick brush, some distance from us, when a hunter mistook it for a rabbit and fired at the dogs movement with his shotgun. The beagle sustained considerable injuries and did not live.

Granted, the hunter was wrong in shooting at a target that he merely caught partial glimpses of running through the thick brush. However, the fact still remains that had the dog been wearing a Hunter Orange vest and collar, that tragedy, most likely, wouldn’t have happened. Certainly this inexpensive bit of prevention is worthy of consideration to help protect your dog to the fullest, whether it hunts or not.

Several years ago, while pheasant hunting the Bear Brook State Park area, my friend and I encountered a bow hunter who related an incident that happened to him that morning in the field.  He said, "I was in the woods and heard a sound coming in my direction. Through the brush, I saw splotches of white and brown moving. I notched an arrow in anticipation, to be ready. However, it turned out to be a guy out hiking along the edges of the woods by the power lines. He was dressed in a white sweat-shirt, brown pants and was wearing a white cap on backwards."

My friend and I had seen this fellow earlier that morning in the area with several other people who also appeared to be hiking. Only one of them was wearing a green colored cap, but he had on a Hunter Orange colored jacket which made it quite easy to spot him at a distance. Wise woodsmen and women wear Hunter Orange and insist it be worn by their companions, especially by children who may accompany them afield. Folks who jog, hike, wildlife and bird watch or mountain bike through the woodlands and fields during hunting season can benefit from wearing outer clothing of Hunter Orange color.

Why then do some hunters and non-hunters refuse to protect themselves by simply wearing of Hunter Orange color when in the fields and woods during hunting season? Why do they seem so unconcerned about their own safety? Are they too cheap to spend a few bucks?
Or, are they to lazy to use common sense? Whatever their excuse, it’s not good enough. They are playing Russian Roulette with their lives.

I have come across a few people who absolutely refuse to wear anything of Hunter Orange color because they don’t support hunting. Give me a break! This has nothing to do with whether one supports or doesn’t support hunting. It has to do with your personal safety afield and in the woods. Be safe and enjoy your fall outdoor activities to the fullest.