A lot of us enjoy being quiet and going unnoticed, not wanting to draw attention to ourselves.

While there is nothing wrong with this, we must remember that being loud and seen sometimes is our best safety practice. Autumn is here, daylight hours dwindle and temperatures start to dip.

Many people struggle with balancing outdoor adventures with the hustle and bustle of their busy schedule while others still manage to set aside time for a walk or hike in the woods or a bike ride on a country road or trail.

Autumn is a favorite time for capturing the vivid colors in pictures, laughing at the squirrels scampering around hordeing nuts or watching the deer feed for winter weight. Often times, these activities take us a little further from the house where we must be more aware of the environment.

Here in Pennsylvania, the hunting season starts in early October. That is reason to require a little more thought about your safety.

Hunters have requirements for wearing contrasting colors (fluorescent orange). So why wouldn’t we do this on a hike a bike ride or an evening run? We should. Statistics for bike accidents say 80 percent of them happen during the day and hence the industry’s recent push for daylight flashing lights.

So does that mean with less daylight hours your risk of being in an accident decreases ? Technically yes, but it does require you to wear the proper equipment. It’s much easier to add contrast to your body at night when it’s dark by wearing reflective gear and lights.

It’s easier to see traffic around turns and over the crest of a hill because they will have lights, also. But be smart by researching and use the proper devices for walking, running, hiking or biking.

So it’s all good to think about our safety when it comes to vehicles and traffic, but what about the additional hazard of the hunting seasons? Good question!

Regis Senko, Information Education Supervisor of the North West Region, explained that though the Game Lands properties’ primary purpose is to serve open areas for wildlife management and hunting, it is also used by non-licensed people. It is not a requirement to hold a valid hunting or trapping license to be on these properties, but there are some rules you must still follow and could be cited for if you don’t follow them.

Senko mentioned regulations that can be found on-line at www.pgc.state.us in the Hunting & Trapping Digest that require 250sq inches of fluorescent orange or a full fluorescent orange hat be worn between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15 by anyone not engaged in hunting while on the properties.

Hunters’ requirements may be different. This is only for people not engaged in hunting! But remember, hunting takes place on private property and also in county and state parks, so be smart about being loud and seen with colors.

After my talk with the Game Commission, I contacted our local state park, Moraine and spoke with park manager Dustin Drew. He explained that the park is approximately. 17,000 acres, plus McConnells Mills had another 3,500 acres just up the road and almost 85 percent of these acres are open to hunting.

We may not see the hunter sitting up in his stand, but it helps to make sure he can see you. The state parks have more information at www.dcnr.pa.gov

We are all looking to share in the outdoors, so be courteous and respectful of others. Try moving your activity to Sunday during the hunting season if it’s in or around Game Lands or a heavy hunting area because hunting isn’t permitted on Sundays.

And if you do decide to bike or hike in the parks that are open to hunting, wear something to stand out. Those that hunt in these multi-use areas expect to come across other people, but make it easier for them to identify you.

Do your homework by reading rules and never hesitate to call the Game Commission or State Park Office if you have questions. Both offices were very friendly and informative when I spoke with them.

Enjoy your autumn and take your safety into your own hands while hiking, biking, running or on that evening walk.

Travis and Julie Saeler are cycling columnists for the Butler Eagle