Aside from sectional closings or re-routes, Ohio's backpack trails are always open. Ohio is a state where a change in the season brings a new look to the landscape. Weekends during peak fall foliage are the most crowded time of the year. Some trailhead parking lots will be overflowing with vehicles. Rightfully so, this is a wonderful time to hit the trail in Ohio. After leaf drop in late October through mid-April, the landscape will be open. This is a great time to be out if you enjoy surveying the lay of the land. You can often catch a nice ridgetop vista through the trees if you happen to look in the right spot. Snakes and pesky insects are almost of no concern. If you're able to get away for a night or two during the week, chances are you'll be the only one around. Shorter days will give you less time on the trail and more time in your tent.

As May, June and July roll around the forests undergo a spectacular growth from bare to lush and green as the canopy closes in and understory fills in. If your interest is wildflowers, then April and May is your time to hit the trail. Both resident and migrating birds will fill the air with a chorus of songs, all in search of a mate. Hiking remains pleasant through June, but lightly traveled trails will start to become overgrown and difficult to follow in places. Once the calendar hits July the temperatures and humidity rise almost in unison. This is also the time to usher in the bug repellent as mosquitoes and biting flies can be a real nuisance. Their presence will be felt through September, and even warmer days into early October. As if flying insect pests aren't enough, add an annoying little black and white angular-looking spider named the Spined Micrathena to the mix. They enjoy weaving webs across the trail starting in mid-summer, most often at head level. On lightly traveled trails it is advisable to wave a stick in front of you as you walk to avoid a head-on confrontation--literally. They are otherwise harmless to humans.

Hunting Seasons

Hunting seasons for a variety of game are open throughout most of the year. Hunting is allowed just about anywhere on state and national forest lands and at some state parks. The most important season of concern to backpackers is deer-gun season. Including dates for muzzleloader and youth hunts, deer-gun season occurs on multiple, non-consecutive date ranges of various lengths in a late October through December timeframe. Open gun season usually occurs for one week following Thanksgiving. This is the height of deer-gun season and the least safe time to plan a trip. Consider wearing a blaze orange article of clothing or wrapping an orange safety vest around your backpack on any outings during deer-gun season. Check with the Ohio Department of Natural Resources (ODNR) Division of Wildlife for exact hunting dates. On the Internet, the Division of Wildlife can be accessed through www.ohiodnr.com.

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