Hunting Season Has Begun! Here are some tips

🍂 Fall in Missoula is hard to beat. Golden larches on the hillsides, cool mornings, and trails that aren't nearly as busy as they were in July. It's peak adventure season for our pups! But here in the 406, fall is also hunting season, and that means sharing the woods with a lot more people heading out for deer and elk.

The good news? With a little planning (and a lot of orange 🧡), you and your dog can keep enjoying the trails safely all season long. Here are our team's top tips for every dog owner in the Missoula and Lolo.

Bow hunting has begun but rifle hunting is about to start. According to Montana FWP, the youth deer hunt runs October 15–16, and the general deer and elk season opens October 24 and runs through November 29. That means more hunters on public lands and trails around Missoula and Lolo, so it's time to make sure you and your pup are easy to spot.

• Blaze orange for everyone. Grab a bright orange vest, collar, or bandana for your dog, and wear orange yourself. A dog bounding through the brush can look a lot like wildlife from a distance. Cabela's, Scheels, Bob Ward's all sell orange for your pets!

  
  

• Keep pups close. Use a leash or a rock-solid recall, especially in areas open to hunting. Need a refresher on that recall or off leash skills? We always recommend Diverse Dog Training and know we can rely on any dog that finishes their program to be upstanding off leash citizens

  
  

• Mind the clock. Dawn and dusk are prime hunting hours (and prime wildlife hours, too). Midday walks are your safest bet this time of year.

  
  

• Know before you go. Check whether the trailhead you're heading to is open to hunting. Busy in-town trails and city parks are great options this season.

  
  

• Leave it! Pups who find leftover carcasses or gut piles can end up with an upset stomach, or worse. Late fall is also when trapping season gets going on Montana public lands, which is another great reason to keep your dog close on the trail.

  
  

• Make some noise. A bell on your dog's collar or a little friendly chatter helps let others know you're there. (Remember fall is bear season too so making some noise while you hike in the woods is going to help you out!

🐾 Let Us Help Your Pup Stay Active This Fall

Busy season, short days, or just not sure where it's safe to walk right now? Our team has you covered. We keep hunting season in mind when we plan where and when we walk, so your pup gets a great adventure and you get peace of mind.

Book a walk, drop-in, or Almost Overnight visit through the Time to Pet app, or contact us to get started.

Stay bright, stay seen, and happy trails! 🧡🐕 If you have any photos of your dogs out in their orange vests - or on a hunting trip with you, send them our way and we will feature them on our social media!

From all of us at All Around Adventures, happy trails!