October’s safety topic is Hunting Season Safety, a reminder that proactive planning, communication, and visibility are essential to safe fieldwork.

At Steigerwaldt, our work takes us into forests, remote areas, and properties where hunting may be taking place. Hunting season safety applies to all field staff, not just our foresters. Understanding what’s happening around us and coordinating before we arrive help protect ourselves and our teammates.

Understand the seasonal risk. Hunting activity varies by season, species, location, and method. Activity may begin before daylight and continue into the evening, with heavier activity on opening days and weekends. Be alert to:

• Hunters or hunting dogs entering active work areas.
• Workers entering areas where hunters are positioned.
• Limited visibility due to vegetation, terrain, weather, or darkness.
• Increased vehicle, ATV, and pedestrian traffic on forest roads.
• Gunfire near workers, equipment, roads, or occupied vehicles.

This month, we’re focusing on these key actions:

• Plan — Know Before You Go: Review hunting seasons for your work location, anticipate hunting activity, and consider whether work schedules or access routes need to change.
• Communicate — Coordinate Before You Arrive: Talk with landowners about hunting activity and share your planned work locations and timing with your supervisor and team.
• Be Visible — Check and Wear Your Gear: Inspect, clean, and wear appropriate high-visibility gear. Contact your supervisor before fieldwork if you need missing or replacement items.
• Stay Aware — Assess Your Surroundings: Remember that hunters may be working their way through the same areas where we’re working. Watch for posted signs, vehicles, hunting dogs, and other indications of hunting activity. Continue assessing conditions throughout the day.
• Drive Safely — Watch for Wildlife: Hunting activity can increase wildlife movement near roads and work areas. Slow down, scan roadsides, and use extra caution at dawn and dusk. If an animal enters your path, brake firmly while staying in your lane rather than swerving.

If you encounter a hunter, remain calm, make your presence known, and keep the conversation courteous and brief. If you have concerns about safely continuing your work, leave the immediate area and contact your supervisor.

Review hunting season information for the state where you’ll be working:

• Wisconsin Hunting Season Dates
• Michigan Hunting Information and Season Dates
• Minnesota Hunting Season Dates

Remember: Anyone can stop work if conditions appear unsafe. Pause, reassess, and communicate concerns. Resume only once the hazard has been addressed. If in doubt, don’t.

Our goal: Everyone gets home safely every day.

We are all safety stewards, and everyone has the responsibility and authority to speak up, ask questions, and help guide our safety culture. Thank you for your continued focus on safety for yourself, your team, and the company.