Hopkinton has a wealth of beautiful open spaces and the Trails Club encourages everyone to get out and use them. When we go, we always take precautions to ensure our hikes are safe and enjoyable. We bring maps and water, wear appropriate clothes and footwear, and there's always at least one first aid kit in someone's pack.
Autumn is a particularly wonderful time to be out in the woods. The air is cool and the color of the changing leaves can be spectacular. Extra caution is needed at this time of year however. This is hunting season and many of the areas we love to explore in Hopkinton are open for hunting.
There are a number of hunting seasons throughout the year, but the deer seasons require special caution. There are three deer seasons worth noting. The dates for 2009 are:
You can still enjoy the woods during this time if you use common sense and take a few precautions:
For more information about hunting seasons and safety in the woods, visit the Massachusetts Division of Fisheries & Wildlife (Mass Wildlife) webpage: www.mass.gov/dfwele/dfw/
