2013 Winter Hike Series

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 The Sunapee Ragged Kearsarge Greenway (SRKG) is offering a series of exciting winter hikes in the Lake Sunapee region. The hikes, as always, offer a variety of terrain and conditions, and will include snowshoe and cross-country ski treks.

Please contact the hike leader in advance to get the details. All hikes are free and led by volunteers. Since winter hikes require special attention to physical conditioning, weather and snow conditions, participants are encouraged to evaluate their capabilities carefully before joining any group.  Bring water and a snack but please leave dogs at home.  

Current Hike Schedule:

Jan 19 (Sat)  School House Road x-country Ski
This hike will be on x-country skis provided Mother Nature cooperates.  The start will be at School House Road in Wilmot and end at the Bunker Farm in New London.  The trail is a logging road and in most places it is nice and wide.  Prior experience with off-track cross country skiing experience is required.  (It has been rumored that this is the route taken by the early settlers when Wilmot and New London were one and the residents needed to get to the town’s annual meeting.)    For more details contact Andy Hager  (526-2846)

 Jan 26 (Sat)  Bog Mountain fun family hike
Children’s activities along the way include animal tracking, games and hot cocoa at the summit. Starting at Stearn’s Road, the hike will finish at the Wilmot Library.  3.1 miles (Moderate) For more details contact Nick Baer  (526-8233)

 Feb 2 (Sat) Winter Wildlife Tracking
Dave’s Winter Wildlife Tracking snow shoe hike will take place on the lower slopes of Sunset Hill in Newbury.  Dave promises to teach tracking patterns and natural history for common local wild mammals.  Bring cold weather gear and lunch.  (Easy-Moderate)   For more details contact Dave Anderson via email at: danderson@forestsociety.org 

 Feb 9 (Sat)  Wilmot Snowshoe Hike (moved to Feb 10 (Sun))
Snowshoe over winter trails in Wilmot’s Patterson Road area.  Refreshments afterward at the Faughnans. 3 miles. (Moderate)  For more details contact Brian Faughnan (526-7838)

 Feb 16 (Sat) Snowshoe in Warner’s Chandler ReservationPeg is hoping to lead her group up to the old fire tower.  Some of the trails are rather steep, so be prepared. (Moderate-Difficult)  For more details contact Peg Bastien (456-2347)

 Feb 24,25 or 26 Fifth Annual Moonlight Madness!
The Fifth Annual Moonlight Madness Snowshoe Hike is scheduled for Feb. 24 (Sun), Feb 25 (Mon) or Feb 26 (Tue) at 9pm   The one-time only hike departure time will be made to coincide with the best moonlight and weather conditions.  If you are interested in participating, please email David Cook dwcook@tds.net and/or call (456-4570)  between 5:30 and 6:30 each night to determine which night has been chosen for the optimum conditions. All participants need snowshoes, warm clothing and headlamps with fresh batteries, and poles are strongly recommended.  The hike will be approximately 2 miles in length and 2 hours in duration.  Not for novices. Start and finish will be where the power line crosses Whitney Brook Road. in Elkins. The route will follow trails on the Cook and Deming easements, climaxing at the ridge-top skyline vista of the Cook Easement.  For further details see the SRK website. For more details contact David Cook dwcook@tds.net

 Mar 2 (Sat)  A winter hike to Lucia’s Lookout
Journey along Sunapee Ridge to Lucia’s Lookout to appreciate the unique view seen only by dedicated trekkers.10 miles (Difficult)  For more details contact Gerry Gold (526-2857)

 

 

Tips for Hunting Season

Hike Safely during Hunting Season

 

 

 

Deer season in NH opens on Wed 11/14 for regular firearms

 

 

 

As the Hunting Season gets into full swing here are some tips for hikers to safely use the woods this time of year.

 

 Know local hunting seasons — Specific dates for hunting seasons vary year to year and also by type of game hunted and weapon used. Small-game seasons (turkey, rabbit) stretch from fall through the end of May; large-game seasons (deer, bear, moose) generally occur October through January.

Wear blaze orange—Wear a blaze orange hat and vest (and pack cover if backpacking) when hiking in fall, winter and spring. New Hampshire requires hunter education classes prior to issuance of licenses, which has led to a significant decrease in hunting-related accidents. Even though these safeguards have been put in place, both hikers and hunters need to do their part to prevent accidents. In late 2002 and early 2003, two A.T. hikers were shot and seriously injured in separate incidents by hunters who mistook them for deer. Neither hiker was wearing blaze orange, and neither hunter properly identified his target. 

If you hike with a dog, it should also wear blaze orange visible from all sides. The SRKG recommends that pets be leashed at all times while hiking.

Avoid wearing colors that could be mistaken for game animals. Avoid white or brown during deer seasons; red or blue during turkey seasons. 

Use extra caution at dawn and dusk. Hunting activity may increase at dawn and dusk, when animals are feeding and visibility is poor. Wear reflective vests or use a headlamp or flashlight for extra visibility.

Use extra caution near roads and in valleys—Be especially cautious within 1/2-mile of road crossings (both approaching and leaving) and in valley areas.

Be heard—Make sure you are heard before you are seen by whistling, singing, talking, etc., while you hike.

Avoid hunter interference—Hikers should be aware that interference or harassment of hunters in the lawful pursuit of game is a violation of law. This includes interference or tampering with dogs used in the pursuit of game where allowed by law. Sportsmen are our partners in conservation—encounters between hunters and hikers are opportunities to raise the awareness of both groups.

Learn more–

Click here to visit our Hunting section.

Also visit the NH Fish and Game website