Hunters and nonhunters are reminded to be cautious in the woods now that some of the state’s hunting seasons are open. With black bear season open throughout most of the state, state Department of Fish and Wildlife staff are stressing the need to be safety conscious.

“A variety of people, including hunters, hikers, anglers and campers, share the outdoors in Washington,” said Bruce Bjork, chief of the department’s enforcement officers in a news release. “We all must do our part to stay safe, as well as ensure the safety of others.”

Last August in Skagit County a hiker was shot and killed by a hunter who mistook her for a bear. That incident was the state’s first hunting-related fatality involving a nonhunter in at least a quarter-century.

A basic rule for hunters is to “know your target and what’s beyond it” before shooting, Bjork said.

The department offers the following safety tips to anyone recreating outdoors during hunting seasons:

Wear brightly colored clothing: Make yourself visible by wearing bright colors, such as blaze orange. Avoid wearing earth tones.

Make noise: Alert hunters to your presence by talking, singing or whistling. If you hear someone shooting, let the hunters know you are in the area by raising your voice.

Remain alert and never assume you are alone: Hikers, hunters, forest-product workers and anglers might be present in remote areas.

Be aware of hunting seasons: Hunting seasons occur in Washington throughout the year, except June and July.

The black bear season was the first of several hunting seasons scheduled to open, according to the news release. Several other hunts get under way in September, including those for forest grouse and waterfowl, as well as archery seasons for cougar, deer and elk. Popular modern-firearm hunts for deer and elk open later in the fall.