Stick Season
By Patricia Racine
November 2026
Once again, we are hitting the time of year here in the Berkshires when the vibrant coats of our forests have dropped, but before the clean crisp snows blanket everything–the mature phase of autumn referred to as Stick Season. This is a term that I was unfamiliar with until Noah Kahan’s album became a hit in 2023; he used the phrase as a metaphor for small town claustrophobia and the depression from feeling stuck there. I know this sounds like a total downer, but if you haven’t listened to his music, I suggest you give it a chance. Anyway, in this case it is the literal definition of what you see out there in the woods, a bunch o’sticks. It’s a time of year that is unpretentious, crisp, and actually pretty peaceful when you hit the trails, provided you understand that you will be sharing the woods with some local huntsmen.
The Fall is my favorite time to hike, it’s quiet, there’s no humidity, and those pesky bugs have disappeared. But you always need to be aware that you are not alone out there – hunters walk amongst us hikers. Sharing the forest is totally doable though, as long as you exercise a bit of situational awareness and thoughtful planning, and upgrade your hiking wardrobe to a vibrant kaleidoscope of colors.
In Massachusetts, the hunting seasons start in September and end in March, in case you didn’t know:
BEAR: September 7 – December 12
TURKEY: October 5 – November 28
GROUSE: October 17 – November 28
DEER (Archery): October 5 – November 28
DEER (Shotgun): November 30 – December 12
DEER (Black Powder): December 14 – 31
PREDATOR: January 1 – March 8
Photo by Patricia Racine
There are an awful lot of people that tell me I am crazy to be hiking during hunting season—but seriously, do you see those dates above? That’s the entire autumn! And honestly, I believe that those nervous nellies are exaggerating the dangers out there; it’s not like the woods turn into a scene out of the Shootout at the OK Corral. Hunters get a bad reputation from under-educated people who get their information from urban legends.
1. Dress brightly: I have clothing that is special for fall hiking that makes me visible from miles away. My trail name is Rainbow Bright, and it was bestowed on me by a customer who saw my neon getup. NEVER wear brown, white, tan, grey or red unless you want to get shot; channel your inner valley girl when picking out your gear.
2. Do Not Wear Headphones: First off, you are out in the woods to enjoy nature, so turn off the music or podcast and be comfortable with the silence and your thoughts. I personally have a bear bell attached to my bag; it’s not for bear discouragement, but to alert others I am coming.
3. Plan accordingly: Currently Sundays are no hunting days in Massachusetts, even though our super-fantastic governor is making noise about doing away with that law. But it is an election year, and I will believe it when I see it … audit? Anyway, Sundays are safe from those wild, wild west stray bullets. Also, most hunters are out there before dawn or a few hours before dusk when the animals are more likely to be moving, so if you hike midday chances are that they have abandoned their tree stands for lunch. And, furthermore, to debunk another stereotype, I sold a lot of liquor in my time at Katie’s and really can’t remember a time that I sold alcohol to a guy dressed in camo and orange who wasn’t calling it a day. These guys are trying to catch something to fill their freezers, why on earth would they mess with their aim for a nip or a beer?
4. Be selective about where you go: This is the most important choice you can make about hiking during hunting season is to, and there are plenty of safe places around us. Try any Audubon property, Kennedy Park in Lenox, or Bartholomew’s or Tyringham Cobble.
Keep in mind that state parks allow hunting within their borders and that the Appalachian Trail runs through these parks, so you might run into someone. A few years back I was up in October Mountain Marsh trudging along having a full on conversation with myself when I came upon a couple of duck hunters. I may not have been aware of them, but they certainly heard me coming.
There really is no reason to stay locked in your house during hunting season; I assure you that the hunters are not sitting along trails waiting for unsuspecting hikers. So, throw on some orange, pink, and yellow and continue enjoying the trails.