CONTACT:
Colonel Kevin Jordan: (603) 271-3128
Lieutenant James Kneeland: (603) 744-5470
February 13, 2025
Concord, NH – Responsible exploration and recreation requires the proper foundation, and that includes the purchase of a voluntary 2025 Hike Safe card. Even the shortest hike during the winter requires personal awareness, preparation, and self-reliance. Hikers, snowshoers, cross-country and backcountry skiers, climbers, and all other outdoor enthusiasts should never rely on GPS mapping or app technology to guide them in remote locations; individuals capable of self-rescue carry maps, a compass, and the knowledge to use both tools. Never rely on anything with a battery except a flashlight and always be prepared for the unexpected.
“People recreating in the winter must be aware of their physical limitations, rapidly changing conditions, and the unreliable cell service in many of New Hampshire’s most natural and scenic locations,” said Fish and Game Law Enforcement Chief Colonel Kevin Jordan. “Unpredictable weather, extreme temperature fluctuations, significantly reduced daylight hours, and extreme winter conditions in many locations mean that people must be prepared with flashlights, multiple layers of clothing that will keep them warm and dry, and accurate trail maps. All outdoor adventurers, regardless of their experience, must also know when to turn back. It is imperative that people enjoying New Hampshire’s natural resources exercise a high degree of caution.”
Colonel Jordan strongly recommends, regardless of season, that hikers always carry with them the top 10 essentials for New Hampshire’s changeable weather conditions and for unanticipated emergencies:
- Map
- Compass
- Warm Clothing:
- Sweater or fleece jacket
- Long pants (wool or synthetic)
- Hat (wool)
- Extra food and water
- Flashlight or headlamp with extra batteries
- Matches/firestarters
- First aid kit/repair kit
- Whistle
- Rain/wind jacket and pants
- Pocket knife
To learn more about safe hiking visit www.wildlife.nh.gov/get-outside/hiking-safety.
Another important safety step is purchasing a Hike Safe card. 2025 Hike Safe cards cost $25 for an individual, or $35 for a family, and are valid from January 1–December 31, 2025. The price is the same for both residents and nonresidents, and the card exempts holders from certain liability for repaying search and rescue costs if their actions are considered neither negligent nor reckless.
Cards can be purchased online at www.wildnh.com/safe and at New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Headquarters, 11 Hazen Drive, Concord, NH.
Because of the Granite State’s extreme weather and rugged terrain, the Hike Safe card has become popular among outdoor enthusiasts, and revenues raised through their sale go to the Department’s Search and Rescue Fund to help defray the cost of training and equipment. Card sales help ensure that New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Conservation Officers, trained in wilderness rescue, are ready to come to your aid if the unexpected happens.
Purchasing a hunting or fishing license also provides you with the same protection as a Hike Safe card. In addition to Hike Safe card revenues, Fish and Game’s Search and Rescue Fund is supported by a $1 fee collected for each boat, snowmobile, and OHRV registered in New Hampshire.
It’s your responsibility to hike safe. Be sure to follow the hiker responsibility code by being knowledgeable about where you are going and what the local weather and terrain conditions will be, leaving your plans with someone, turning back in inclement weather or if you are running out of daylight, and planning for emergencies. Visit www.hikesafe.com for more information.