BigGameHunt.net Hunting Forums

NYhunter · Joined: 29 Nov 2003 Posts: 36

What is everyones take on it? I used to wear only cammo, but since i have been hunting in canada where you need to wear orange i even wear it in NY when i gun hunt. I personally don't think it matters, you will see deer if you work at it, its not the clothes that make the hunter. Now NY requires at least an orange hat which i guess is good. Do other states require orange while gun hunting?

Pick · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 8 Location: Vermont

I am also beginning to where a little orange. Vermont does not require orange yet, but I think it is in the works. I also used to be a camo only man, but I have had as much success since I've worn orange.

bitmasher · Joined: 27 Feb 2002 Posts: 2599 Location: Colorado

Colorado requires it and has for sometime. The requirement is 500 square inches of which a portion must be on the head. Orange camo doesn't count and most folks just wear a orange cap and orange jacket/pull-over. Archers are exempt.

I think it is a good idea and even if it were not required I would still wear some orange. The increased safety outweighs any loss in stealth, imo.

nyarcher · Joined: 07 Dec 2003 Posts: 69

I mainly bow hunt and don't wear orange while sitting. I do wear an orange vest while moving around, either moving stands or walking in or out. If NY does make it mandatory I will have no problem.

M.C.O. · Joined: 15 Jun 2004 Posts: 4 Location: Alberta, Canada

I'm from Alberta, Canada, we don't have to wear orange here but some people do. I was on a hiil overlooking a meadow when a deer passed by me, when she had passed about 30 yards away she stopped and looked down the meadow, I tryed to see what she was looking at for a few minutes and finally about a Mile and a half away I spotted a hunter still hunting with an orange vest. Now you can't convince me Deer don't see color.
(p.s. we have very few shooting accidents here, I think mostpeople know what they're shooting at. Forinstance, if you have to count points or at least know if it's a male or female there's not much room for error.)

jasonm0341 · Joined: 14 Jun 2004 Posts: 10 Location: Maine

Here in Maine we have to wear Orange. I dont really mind it. I think that the biggest reason that we have to wear it is because of neglegant "out-of-state" hunters. I am not saying that all out-of-state hunters are bad, it is just some that are coming close to the last day of the rifle season, and are shooting at everything that moves.
Awhile ago (I think like 4 or 5 years) there was a lady shot off of her back deck while she was getting clothes off of the line. The reason the hunter gave, She had on white mittens, I thought it was a tail. He was from Mass.
Also that same year, there was a Black Lab and also a Collie that was shot. All from out of state hunters and during the last three days of the hunting season. One from NH and the other from PA.
I am sure a lot of this happens all over. It is sad but that is why I support the Hunters orange. If I could trust all the hunters out there, then I would think different. Unfortunantley, that wont happen any time soon.

Gander River · Joined: 07 Jul 2003 Posts: 13

In Newfoundland, blaze Orange is recommended, but not required.

At our lodge, we insist that our guides wear it and recommend it strongly to the guests.

Orange and blue is not found on animals, only people. Both colors will stand out against a forest background and prevent misidentification.

In over 20 years of outfitting, I cannot recall a hunter not getting an animal because of the orange he wore. Neither did we have anyone shot.

These days people are in a hurry, if they go to field and don't see an animal, they think there has to be someone or some thing to blame. Not so.

Even if you do think a moose can see you better in orange, you have 10 x 50's and can see him better too.

Some days there is just no game in sight. This doesn't mean anyone failed,it is a part of hunting called chance.

On those days, enjoy the woods and the outdoors. When you get back to camp and have not seen a thing, thank your orange vest, for someone may have seen you.

Hunt safely.

BigE · Joined: 29 Oct 2003 Posts: 241

It is required for shotgun & muzzleloader season here in MA. I have no problems with it.

DEH5868 · Joined: 25 Oct 2004 Posts: 49 Location: New Jersey

NYhunter wrote: What is everyones take on it? I used to wear only cammo, but since i have been hunting in canada where you need to wear orange i even wear it in NY when i gun hunt. I personally don't think it matters, you will see deer if you work at it, its not the clothes that make the hunter. Now NY requires at least an orange hat which i guess is good. Do other states require orange while gun hunting?

I myself dont care for the orange. I think the animal can see it. Here in Jersey it is the law BUT I myself would wear it anyway because there are hunters out there that shoot anything that moves so Orange is a plus!!

dougw · Joined: 25 Oct 2002 Posts: 34 Location: Vermont

When did NY start requiring a hunter orange cap? Is this only in the southern zone? A forest ranger checked my license while deer hunting in the north zone last Saturday and nothing was said about my not having any hunter orange on. Thanks for the info.

Riflemen10x · Joined: 18 Oct 2004 Posts: 13 Location: Western New York

Hi Guy`s,

I live and hunt in New York and know where has been a big push to make orange manditory in this state just this year a bill was vetoed that would make 400sq inches manditory.I wear orange and won`t hunt with people that won`t wear it.We have too many people in the woods and im amazed how hard it is to see other hunters in the woods even though they are wearing orange.It`s just a safety thing for me.

Happy hunting
Riflemen10x

Bonedoc · Joined: 31 Oct 2004 Posts: 24

I don't wear it to the stand before light or on stand... If it's dark it can't really be seen that well and nobody should mistake you for a deer 15 feet up a tree. However I always wear it after the kill when hauling out of the woods or tracking the wounded deer. Picture the situation where the wounded deer runs by another hunter and you're the next thing that walks by. In these cases I wear blaze hat and vest. Don't take any chances....live to hunt another day.

moosehunter68 · Joined: 01 Nov 2004 Posts: 40 Location: Northern Maine

Two articles of orange is required here in Maine during deer season and one article during moose season.

dougw · Joined: 25 Oct 2002 Posts: 34 Location: Vermont

Thanks for the responses re: hunter orange in NYS. I don't wear it when I'm hunting big country with few hunters in VT or northern NYS. Just personal preference.That's not to say I don't think it's a good idea, especially on public land in the southern zone of NYS. When I hunt places requiring hunter orange (Maine, Province of Quebec) I obey the law and have no problem wearing it.

1975fj40 · Joined: 10 Sep 2003 Posts: 34 Location: Central Virginia

Here in VA, orange is required during the general rifle seasons ans spring gobbler, but not for stuff like archery and muzzleloader. Its no sweat. I feel a little safer moving around with some orange on especially on those "either sex" deer days. The deer don't care if you wear orange. Just keep your stink in check and wash your clothes in some anti UV detergent. I've killed more deer wearing orange than wearing solid camo. Coincidence??