|
NHMA Trail Safety Guidelines
MUSHER SAFETY:
Winter trails in New Hampshire are used by many and as such, all users have the right to
expect safe use of these trails. You should expect to meet nearly anyone and anything on
the trails. Your presence on the trails should not present a safety issue to anyone. Our
continued use of the trails depends on us not being a hazard. Behave as if you are a guest
on the trails, because you are. Safe trail usage begins with you! These guidelines were
adopted in a joint effort of mushers and The State of New Hampshire.
Dogs - Dogs should be up to date with their immunizations and copies or proof of
immunization should be available. You are totally responsible for the conduct, safety and
well being of your dogs.
Equipment - Be sure your equipment is in sound working order and you are able
to safely stop and remain stopped on the trails. Match your equipment to the trail
conditions and number of dogs.
Control - Never take more dogs than you can safely control! If you have any
doubts, either reduce the number of dogs or have someone come along for assistance. Be
especially aware and cautious at all road crossings. Trained dogs and proper equipment
are the key to successful control. Remember, YOU ARE RESPONSIBLE FOR THE
BEHAVIOR AND CONTROL OF YOUR DOGS.
TRAIL SAFETY:
Being safe on the trails begins with BEING VISIBLE and being in control.
Visibility - Being seen gives other users the opportunity to be alert to your
presence on the trails. It does not mean they have an obligation to give any special right
of way. They may as a courtesy, but are not required to do so. Animals (dog teams) on
trails do not have the right of way (unlike on other roadways in N.H.). The responsibility
for being under control and in the right place on the trail still falls on the musher.
Clothing - The brighter, the better. Hunter orange, red, lime etc. are all good
choices. Jackets (or vests) are best, hats next and pants last. BE SEEN!
Reflective material - Reflective jackets and/or vests are a MUST when running
at night. Reflective material on your sled and dogs is also critical for safe nighttime
operation. Be visible from both front and rear.
Lighting - Lighting is essential when running at night and can be helpful during
daytime as well. A headlamp and some sort of light on your lead dogs should be
considered the absolute minimum requirement for safe operation during darkness. Lead
dog lights can be collars or small lights attached to the leader neck line and/or harness.
Consider putting lights on team dogs as well. Use of a more powerful light source ( a
headlight powered by a small rechargeable motorcycle battery?) should be strongly
considered. It could be turned on when running in an area known to have "high traffic".
ALWAYS HAVE ADAQUATE LIGHTS WHEN RUNNING AT NIGHT.
Dogs and Equipment - Dogs are low to the ground and can be "invisible" to
oncoming traffic, especially when coming up over a rise in the trail. Anything to improve
their visibility will give added safety. Vests and lighted collars as well as reflective lines
and reflective tape on harnesses and sleds will also help your dogs to be seen at night and
should be considered essential.
OPERATIONS:
Time of day - Obviously it is best to run when there is minimal traffic.
Usually early morning is best in most areas. If you must run at night or during heavy
traffic times, it is essential to use as much visibility gear as possible and it's advisable to
have an "escort" run out in front of your team.
Trail usage - The safest possible way to run dogs on the trails is to have
an "escort vehicle" (snowmobile, motorized training rig, etc.) "run interference" for you. That can alert any
oncoming traffic of you presence. Though not often practical, it is the safest.
If running in a group of two or more and you encounter oncoming traffic, it is
standard practice for the first person in the group to hold up "X" number of fingers
indicating how many additional teams, vehicles etc. are coming behind. This is repeated
by each member of the group. The last in the group would hold up a closed fist. If you
must stop on the trail please pull as far off to the right as practical. Off the trail
completely is best. Try to stop in a place where there is good visibility from the front and
rear.
KEEP TO THE RIGHT!! Rules of the road indicate that users should keep to the
right. You must train your dog(s) to run on the right hand side of the trails! This should
include going around turns and corners. Cutting the corners is very dangerous and
especially so on blind corners. It may take some effort but it can be taught and is an
important part of trail safety. You don't expect a car to be coming at you on your side of
the road when you are driving. No one expects traffic to be on "their side of the trail"
either. This is especially true of the wider trails. Failure to stay right causes much
confusion for oncoming traffic. Where are they supposed to go?? If you need help, let us
know. We may be able to offer some training tips.
CLEAN UP AFTER YOURSELF! Be sure to bag and remove all "droppings"
and any other litter. Pick up and leave the area totally clean.
If training in the "off season" when tails are not open to snowmobiles, you are
responsible for getting permission from property owners to use trails on their property.
Even though you may be using motorized training rig approved trails, this approval does not pertain to
running dogs and you need to get permission (written) to do so. It may also be an
appropriate time to ask permission to place signage indicating your presence on the trails.
Signage - If you consistently run in a particular area consider putting up
signs to alert other users that there may be sled dogs running on the trails. Check with
the local snowmobile club before posting. Possible choices include "Sled Dogs Use
These Trails", "Please Slow for Dog Teams", "Sled Dog Training Area" etc. We urge
ALL mushers to join their local snowmobile club and other clubs in the areas of the
trails you use.
SUGGESTED SOURCES OF SUPPLY:
Reflective vests, jackets, reflective Velcro straps (make a great reflective collar), small
lights (both steady and flashing), and other items can be found in most running/jogging
stores and departments.
|
|
