Hiking safety during hunting season on the Buckeye Trail

Sharing the trail safely with Ohio’s hunters in fall and winter

It’s autumn again, and that means many of us have been out on the trails enjoying the changing foliage and the crisp October air. As the season gets further underway, however, and heads towards winter, it’s important to remember that we are not alone in our enjoyment of the outdoors this time of year. November is generally when Ohio’s whitetail deer population enters its mating season, colloquially known as “The Rut,” and it is when many of our deer hunters take to the woods looking for game.

Know Ohio’s hunting seasons

It’s a good idea to keep track of Ohio’s various hunting seasons as we enjoy the Buckeye Trail, so as to avoid accidents and misunderstandings; many sections pass through state and national forests, wildlife areas, and private property, all of which are potential places where hunters and hikers may meet. Regardless of your personal feelings about hunting, these folks have just as much right to the outdoors as we do, and a little knowledge can go a long way towards preventing mishaps. The Ohio Department of Natural Resources publishes specific hunting season dates and regulations each year, available through their website, but a brief orientation to Ohio’s various hunting seasons follows, as well as some advice on how to stay safe out there.

Beginning in late September and running all the way through February, it is open season for Deer Archery hunters in Ohio. This means that whitetails may be hunted with compound bows, recurve bows, longbows, and crossbows. Archery hunters rely a great deal on stealth, as the maximum hunting range of most bows is only about 45 yards. If you think you see deer standing still in a field, don’t investigate: deer hunters commonly use decoys to attract game to them, as well as deer calls and scent lures. Places like vegetation lines between farms, forest creek crossings, and oak stands (deer love acorns) are common archery hunting locations.

Also taking place during this time, generally early October through the end of November, is Fall Turkey season. Many turkey hunters use archery equipment, though a large number also use shotguns. Again, stealth is crucial to these hunters, as the maximum range they are hunting is about 45 yards. Turkey hunters, like deer hunters, often use decoys, so never try to sneak up on the turkeys you see across the field. It’s also advisable to refrain from investigating the sounds and calls of wild turkeys off the trail, as hunters make extensive use of various turkey calls to lure the birds close enough to hunt. It’s a good idea to avoid wearing red, white, black, or blue during turkey season, as these are the colors of a turkey’s head, which is where hunters will be aiming. This advice also goes for the Spring Turkey season in May. Powerline cuts, field edges, and forest roads are likely locations you may encounter turkey hunters.

Beginning the week after Thanksgiving, and lasting exactly one week—plus an extra weekend later in the month—is Deer Gun season. During this time, hunters will take to the deep woods, farms, prairies, and fields with firearms, so it is especially important to use caution when on the trail. The firearms hunters use in Ohio fall into several categories. The most commonly used are shotguns loaded with “slugs.” Slugs are lead projectiles that can weigh as much as an ounce, and often have a lethal range of up to 100 yards. Hunters also make use of rifles and handguns. In Ohio, only guns that are chambered for straight-walled cartridges such as .357 and .44 magnum, and .45-70 gov’t are legal for deer hunting. These firearms can often be lethal to 100 or 150 yards. Projectiles from all firearms can travel much farther than their “effective” range, so hunters take great care in choosing whether to pull the trigger, but nobody is perfect, and a hiker off the trail during Deer Gun season is creating a hazardous situation for everyone.

Be prepared with blaze orange

Humans and deer don’t look much alike, but they do sound similar when moving through undergrowth and dry leaves. No hunter should be shooting at something they can’t see, but it’s best not to take unnecessary risks: stick to the trail and avoid bushwacking until the season is over. And wear blaze orange. Blaze, or “hunter” orange, is a good idea during any hunting season, but all hunters are required to wear it during gun season as it’s visible from a long way off. So do as they do, and deck yourself in as much of it as you can.

Small game hunters

It’s very likely you may run into hunters pursuing small game, game birds and furbearers along the trail as well. Squirrels and cottontail rabbits come into season during autumn, as do game birds such as ruffed grouse and pheasant, and furbearing animals like raccoons, foxes, opossums, and skunks. You’re likely to come across these hunters with .22 rifles and shotguns in open areas such as meadows, prairies, and farms, as well as in the forest, so be aware of your surroundings regardless of where you happen to be hiking. If you must leave the trail (for instance, to go to the bathroom), it’s a good idea to announce your presence verbally: hunters would rather have you scare off game than put yourself in danger.

As a final reminder, always remember to be courteous while hiking the trail, and practice leave-no-trace camping. And if you come across a hunter out there, don’t be afraid to say hello.