Trail riding during hunting season

Since I have gotten Montana, I am very eager to take him out on the trails. I know it's hunting season and I plan on getting bright orange clothes to not only deck myself out in them, but Montana as well.
I also plan on getting bells and placing them on the saddle, bridle and breastplate.

What other precautions should one take when going out on a trail ride during hunting season?

Since I rely on area farmers for our trails, We always check to see if anyone is hunting that day or weekend before we head out. Its usually pretty obvious here where the hunters are, just listen for the gun fire. Its muzzleloader season here now, they really make a big BOOM
I wear an orange vest too.

I would nix the bells on the bridle -- probably hard on the horse's ears. Saddle and breastplate are lots for most bells.

I try to avoid going out in the early morning or just before dusk -- hunters tend to be more active then. And, definitely, as mentioned, if you can, check out with the landowner where you are going. Also, there may be some properties that don't allow hunters too. As well as some places don't allow hunting on Sundays. While this isn't 100% reliable, it narrows the chances.

I would most likely be trail riding on state park land.

I will nix the bells on the bridle.. I guess I was over doing it so we would be heard.

I'll see if I can contact the state parks around me and see if hunting is allowed.

That would be your best bet Appy. I know the state parks here have designated hunting areas and some only certain days of the week. Check with your local parks department.
I do keep bells on my breast collar but they are tiny little bells nothing cow belly They are mostly for letting wildlife know we are coming but a good loud "SHOO DEER" works just as well We gab and laugh a lot when we ride so they generally know we are coming. If we are being quiet its the front riders responsibility to holler "shoo deer" once in awhile. Silly I know.

I'm sure when I go on a trail we'll be talking non-stop and if I ever go out alone, I might bring my ipod and listen to music as I sing, just so everyone in the surrounding area knows there's someone there.

I was thinking of getting a cow bell, but I'm going to go with smaller ones.

Thanks so much for your input and help!

Ummm... ya! A cow bell is really loud and annoying, not to mention heavy. A goat bell is kind of nice, but I don't think it would work -- both cow and goat bells are designed to hang. You need a version of sleigh-bells. Or, what I did -- go to the dollar store, buy a whack of small bells of different sizes, string them on a line tying each one off so they don't slide together and attach to tack as needed.

Ahh ok. I'll go to a dollar store today and pick some up.
Thanks so much!

I have tiny little bells that I used floral wire to wire a bundle of around 5-6 together and then wire to my breast collar
They look like this


And sound like this

All you need is snow and you'd have a perfect sleigh horse!

I like it though! It's not over powering, just enough to be heard.

Thanks so much Maureen!