Rural fall hiking

The other day I was out exploring  and I found a new park, it's very close to other parks I regular, easy to find, great trails and natural features, I want to tell you about this park, but I won't. 
I know, I know, that's rude, but hear me out.

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I stumbled upon this park on a cold and dreary late October day after spending time at some other great places I enjoy going. I pulled into the parking area, there were a few other cars already there, looked at the kiosk and found a nice short trail to get a taste for the park (again, it was cold and rainy and I wasn't dressed properly - do as I say not as I do-). So I took off through the woods, pausing now and then to absorb the views, with as many vehicles as were in the parking area I was surprised I didn't pass or hear or see anyone, not terribly uncommon but still. The park was lovely, even in the cold rain, interesting natural features and miles of trails to explore, I was excited to go back (better prepared). When I got home I was excited to learn more about this park so I went to their website, this time of year the park switches from hiking and becomes a public hunting area (not to hunt the public, but so the public can hunt). I was lucky and made through the last safe day of hiking but it makes me wonder if perhaps I did walk right by the people who were parked in the lot, just in camo scoping out their spots, had I arrived a day later I could have interrupted a hunt or through the brush gotten in-between a hunter and his target, sure a hunter should always identify a clear path to a target first, but let's be real, people are fallible. 
What I want for you to take from this is to be very aware this time of year, know what parks are shared hunting parks, read all the information on park kiosks, know when hunting seasons begin and end, do a little research before entering a new area. Be safe out there! 
I'll tell you all about this new (to me) park come January!
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