CONCORD — As the temperature cools and the fall foliage hikes transition to winter hiking, New Hampshire Fish and Game is urging residents and visitors to practice personal safety and responsibility when enjoying the state’s great outdoors.
All outdoor recreation, even the shortest hike, requires research, preparation, and self-reliance. Venturing into the woods or onto an unfamiliar trail connects people with nature in a simple and inspiring way, but you need to be prepared as with any outdoor activity.
Never rely on GPS mapping or app technology to guide you in remote mountains or woodlands. Carry maps, a compass, and the knowledge to use both. Always be sure to bring a flashlight with extra batteries.
“People hiking now must be aware of their physical limitations, rapidly changing conditions, and the unreliable cellular service in many of the Granite State’s most natural and scenic locations,” said Fish and Game Law Enforcement Chief Colonel Kevin Jordan.
He warned of unpredictable weather, extreme temperature fluctuations between the trailhead and the summit, significantly reduced hours of daylight, and no electricity or wireless access.
“All hikers, regardless of experience, must know when to turn back, because the goal is to always return home safely from the backcountry,” he said.
Hikers who must be rescued after failing to take all the necessary precautions could find themselves paying for the cost of the rescue if they did not purchases a NH Hike Safe card.
Card sales help defray the costs of training and rescue equipment for NH Fish and Game Law Enforcement Conservation Officers, preparing them to come to your aid if the unexpected happens.
2026 Hike Safe cards will be available for purchase after Nov. 18 and cost $25 for an individual, or $35 for a family. The price is the same for both residents and nonresidents. They are good for the calendar year Jan. 1 to Dec. 31, 2026. Cards purchased before Nov. 18 are valid through Dec. 31, 2025 only.
Cards can be purchased online at wildnh.com/safe and at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive in Concord.
Purchasing a hunting or fishing license provides the same protection as a Hike Safe card. In addition to Hike Safe card revenues, Fish and Game’s Search and Rescue Fund is supported by a $1 fee collected for each boat, snowmobile, and OHRV registered in New Hampshire.
Blaze orange is a common-sense safety precaution for hunters and hikers!
Be sure to follow the hiker responsibility code by being knowledgeable about where you are going and what the local weather and terrain conditions will be, leaving your plans with someone, turning back in inclement weather or if you are running out of daylight, and planning for emergencies.
Visit www.hikesafe.com for more information.