(MyKeeneNow) – As the Labor Day weekend approaches, New Hampshire residents and visitors are encouraged to prepare for outdoor adventures by securing a Hike Safe card, a measure that supports the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department’s search and rescue efforts. With late summer offering perfect conditions for hiking, biking, kayaking, and other outdoor activities, the department is reminding adventurers to take precautions.

The 2024 Hike Safe cards, available for $25 per individual or $35 per family, are valid through the end of the year. They can be purchased both online at www.wildnh.com/safe and in person at the Fish and Game Headquarters in Concord.

Revenues from these card sales directly contribute to the Department’s Search and Rescue Fund, crucial for conducting wilderness rescues in the state’s unpredictable weather and challenging terrain. Last year, the Department sold 14,282 Hike Safe cards, generating $364,775, which helped fund 183 search-and-rescue missions. Despite this, only 18 of the 121 hikers assisted in 2023 had purchased the card, which also provides an exemption from certain liabilities related to search and rescue costs.

Purchasing a Hike Safe card isn’t the only way to support the fund; hunting or fishing licenses also offer the same protection. Additionally, a $1 fee from each registered boat, snowmobile, and off-highway recreational vehicle in New Hampshire contributes to the fund.

Fish and Game Law Enforcement Chief Colonel Kevin Jordan emphasized the importance of being well-prepared before heading outdoors. “Whether you’re hiking, biking, paddling, or enjoying a nature walk, the Hike Safe card is a valuable backup plan,” said Jordan. He also stressed the necessity of personal responsibility, advising outdoor enthusiasts to be aware of their physical limits, monitor changing weather conditions, and know when to turn back.

Jordan advises hikers not to rely solely on cell service in the backcountry and to carry essential items for safety, including a map, compass, warm clothing, extra food and water, a flashlight or headlamp, and a first aid kit.

To ensure safety, hikers are urged to follow the hiker responsibility code: be informed about the area, share your plans with someone, stay together, and be prepared to turn back in bad weather or if running out of daylight. More information can be found at www.hikesafe.com.