Crisp air, quiet trails, trees turning red and gold: fall is one of the best times of year to get outdoors with your dog. It’s also hunting season, in the US as in Europe, with deer, turkey and bird seasons overlapping the busiest weekends on the trail. No need to stay home, but a few practical questions come up: where hunting is allowed, whether your dog should stay on a leash, how to make them visible, and what to do if they take off after a scent.
The short answer: put a blaze orange vest on your dog (and on yourself), keep them leashed wherever hunting is allowed, watch for traps, check season dates before you go, and use a GPS tracker so you can find them fast if they bolt.
When is hunting season? #
In the US, hunting season runs mostly from September through January, but every state sets its own dates by species and weapon. Archery deer seasons often open in September or October, and firearm deer seasons, the busiest weeks in the woods, usually fall in November. Your state fish and wildlife agency publishes the exact dates every year: check them before each trip.
You’ll share the trails with a lot of people: 14.4 million Americans aged 16 and older went hunting in 2022, according to the U.S. Fish and Wildlife Service national survey.
In the UK, the season that matters most for walkers is pheasant shooting, from 1 October to 1 February in England and Wales under the Game Act 1831. Across mainland Europe, hunting seasons also run through autumn and winter, with dates set nationally or regionally.
A low risk, as long as your dog stays close #
Walking or hiking with your dog during hunting season is safe as long as your dog stays close and visible. The risk comes from a dog that disappears into the brush, where it can:
- be mistaken for game;
- follow a scent for miles;
- panic at the first gunshot and lose its bearings.
It also helps to know where hunting is allowed. In the US, hunting is authorized in 76 of the more than 400 National Park Service units, while national forests, BLM land, state forests and wildlife management areas are generally open to it under state rules.
🍂 Other autumn dangers for your dog
Hunting isn't the only seasonal hazard. Before your next outing, go over the 5 dangers of autumn for your dog listed by our partner Emmène ton chien, the guide to traveling and going out with your dog. A Biotracker deal is waiting for you there too.
Blaze orange: the easiest way to stand out #
A blaze orange vest, harness or bandana is the simplest way to make your dog stand out from fall foliage. MassWildlife’s safety tips for non-hunters advise keeping pets leashed and visible and putting a blaze orange vest or bandana on them.
A few extras make a real difference:
- blaze orange for you too, rather than brown, tan or white clothing (a flash of white can look like a deer’s tail);
- a bell on your dog’s collar, so hunters hear a dog, not a deer;
- an LED light on the collar for dawn and dusk walks, when game and hunters are most active.
Do dogs need to be on a leash during hunting season? #
On any land open to hunting, a leash or a 15 to 30 ft (5 to 10 m) long line is the safest choice, even for a dog with great recall. Leash laws vary by state, county and land manager, so check the rules for the trail you’re on. Scent, running deer and other dogs can override training in seconds.
Traps and snares: what US hikers should know #
Legal traps are set on many US public lands in fall and winter, and they’re baited with meat and scents that attract dogs. The Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s guide to legal trapping for dog owners notes that seasons for some furbearers begin as early as mid-October and end as late as March 31. Keeping your dog on the trail and close to you is the best protection.
- Carry wire-cutting pliers for foothold traps and snares.
- Carry a length of rope to help open body-grip (Conibear-type) traps, and learn how before you need it.
- If your dog is caught, stay calm, keep them still, and call your vet once they’re free, even if they seem fine.
Walking in the UK countryside during shooting season #
From October to February, many British woods and fields host driven shoots. Public rights of way stay open on shoot days and you’re entitled to use them: if you reach a drive in progress, stop, make yourself seen and wait for a signal from the shoot staff, who will usually pause the guns to let you through.
The Countryside Code asks you to always keep your dog on a lead or in sight, and to be confident it will return on command. Keep it well away from release pens in woodland, where young pheasants are released in late summer and dogs love to chase them.
What should you do if you hear gunshots? #
Stop, call your dog back, leash up, and speak loudly so hunters know you’re there. Then head back the way you came rather than cutting through the woods. Never walk toward shots or through a line of hunters.
Your dog ran off in the woods: the right steps #
Don’t chase toward the shooting. Let nearby hunters or the shoot staff know a dog is loose, then start searching from the spot where you last saw your dog. Leave a piece of clothing with your scent there and call in a calm voice. If your dog wears a GPS tracker, open the live map.
If the search drags on, follow a step-by-step plan to find a lost dog and make sure your microchip registry details are up to date.
A GPS collar: know where your dog is, even deep in the woods #
A GPS collar doesn’t replace any of these habits, but it changes everything the day your dog disappears: you see where they are instead of waiting for someone to find them. With the Max GPS plan, the Invoxia Biotracker connects over the LTE-M network, no phone needed, in more than 30 countries across North America and Europe:
- Live Tracking refreshes the position every second while your dog is moving;
- escape alerts notify you the moment your dog leaves one of your safe zones;
- up to 15 days of battery, IP67 water resistance and 1.3 oz (37 g), light enough for small dogs on long hikes.
A microchip identifies your dog once found; a tracker helps you find them. See the difference between a microchip and a GPS tracker before you choose.
A long, stressful day outdoors can also leave less visible traces. The Biotracker continuously tracks activity, sleep, and resting heart and breathing rates. If those don’t return to your dog’s usual levels over the next few days, check in with your veterinarian: the collar helps you notice changes, it doesn’t diagnose anything.
Hunting season checklist for dog owners #
- Season dates checked for the area you’re visiting (state agency, local shoot notices).
- Blaze orange for your dog and for you.
- Leash or long line wherever hunting is allowed.
- Bell and LED light on the collar.
- Wire cutters and a short rope in your pack on US public lands.
- GPS collar charged, safe zone turned on.
- ID tag and microchip contact info up to date.
- Your vet’s number, plus the nearest 24/7 emergency clinic, saved in your phone.
FAQ — Dogs and hunting season #
Can I take my dog hiking during hunting season? #
Yes. Choose trails where hunting isn’t allowed when you can, keep your dog leashed and in blaze orange elsewhere, and avoid dawn and dusk during firearm deer season.
What color should my dog wear during hunting season? #
Blaze orange. It’s the color hunters are trained to spot, and it contrasts with fall leaves.
Are traps legal on US public land? #
In many states, yes, during regulated seasons. Rules differ by state and land type, so check with your state wildlife agency.
Is Sunday hunting allowed in the US? #
In most states, yes. Maine and Massachusetts are the last two states with a full Sunday hunting ban, while a few others keep partial restrictions.
Can I walk my dog through a pheasant shoot in the UK? #
You can stay on a public right of way. Keep your dog on a lead, stop if a drive is in progress and wait for the shoot staff to signal you through.
How can I find my dog if they run off in the woods? #
A GPS tracker is the only way to see their location live. A microchip only works once someone scans your dog.
In summary #
Hunting season doesn’t mean giving up fall walks and hikes, just planning them a little better. Season dates checked, blaze orange, a leash wherever hunting is allowed and an eye on your dog’s location are enough, in most cases, to enjoy the outdoors with peace of mind. And to limit escapes all year round, work on these habits that keep dogs from running away from your next walk.