Get Your 2024 Hike Safe Card and Support New Hampshire's Search and Rescue Efforts

Photo byNH Fish and Game

CONCORD, NH – As the late summer sun inspires outdoor adventures like hiking, biking, kayaking, and climbing, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department is reminding residents and visitors to secure their 2024 Hike Safe card. The card offers valuable peace of mind for outdoor enthusiasts and supports the Department’s Search and Rescue Fund, helping to ensure that Conservation Officers are prepared to come to your aid in case of an emergency.

The 2024 Hike Safe card is available for $25 for individuals or $35 for families and is valid through December 31, 2024. Cards can be conveniently purchased online at www.wildnh.com/safe or at the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department Headquarters at 11 Hazen Drive in Concord.

Given New Hampshire’s unpredictable weather and rugged terrain, the Hike Safe card has grown increasingly popular among hikers and outdoor lovers. In 2023, the New Hampshire Fish and Game Department sold 14,282 cards, generating $364,775 for the Search and Rescue Fund. The Department conducted 183 search-and-rescue missions last year, and of the 121 hikers assisted, only 18 had purchased a Hike Safe card.

Holders of the Hike Safe card are exempt from certain liabilities for repaying search and rescue costs. Additionally, purchasing a hunting or fishing license also provides the same protection as a Hike Safe card. The Search and Rescue Fund is further supported by a $1 fee collected from each boat, snowmobile, and OHRV registration in New Hampshire.

“Whatever outdoor activity you enjoy—hiking, biking, paddling, cross-country skiing, or simply walking the nature trails in your town—the Hike Safe card is your backup plan for the great outdoors,” said Fish and Game Law Enforcement Chief Colonel Kevin Jordan. “While the card supports critical search and rescue activities, it's essential that outdoor enthusiasts take personal responsibility by knowing their physical limits, being prepared for unpredictable weather, and recognizing when it’s time to turn back.”

Colonel Jordan urges hikers to never rely on cell service in the backcountry and recommends carrying the top 10 essentials to be prepared for unexpected situations:

• Map
• Compass
• Warm Clothing (sweater, long pants, wool hat)
• Extra Food and Water
• Flashlight or Headlamp
• Matches/Firestarters
• First Aid Kit
• Whistle
• Rain/Wind Jacket and Pants
• Pocket Knife

The Hike Safe card, along with proper preparation, ensures that you have a backup plan while exploring New Hampshire’s great outdoors. For more information, including the hiker responsibility code, visit www.hikesafe.com.

The information for this article was sourced from New Hampshire Fish and Game Department releases.