The Bright Choice: Understanding Why Hunters Wear Blaze Orange

Can You Rent Expensive Hunting Gear?

1. Safety First:

A bright color, such as blaze orange stands out prominently against the natural hues of the forest, making hunters easily identifiable to others.  According to the Hunter Education Association, Hunter Orange is the shading “having a dominant wavelength between 595 and 605 nanometers, a luminance factor of not less than 40 percent, and an excitation purity of not less than 85 percent.”  The high visibility of blaze orange helps reduce the risk of accidental shootings, especially in areas with dense vegetation, as other hunters are more likely to see other hunters.  Most states require big game hunters to wear orange during firearm seasons but not all gun seasons, such as turkey season.  Be sure to check your local state game laws on the ever-changing hunting rules and regulations.

Statistical Data:

• According to the International Hunter Education Association (IHEA), states that implemented mandatory blaze orange requirements saw a significant decrease in hunting-related incidents.  A survey in Oregon compared the number of incidents and fatalities in two 5-year periods: before the state laws adoption and after. According to the study, fatalities decreased by 40%, and the total number of incidents decreased by 22%.

2. Hunter Visibility:

Blaze orange ensures that hunters can easily recognize each other, preventing instances of mistaken identity during a hunt.  Every turkey season, we hear the unfortunate news of a hunter being shot while being mistaken for a turkey.  Unfortunately, for us, some game animals, such as a can see a fluorescent color like hunter orange, therefore it is not required when turkey hunting because some game animals, such as turkeys can see colors such as blaze orange similarly to the human eye.  When turkey hunting, camouflage is necessary, but not as important when deer hunting, thus is. Deer have dichromatic vision, meaning they are essentially red-green colorblind like some humans. Their color vision is limited to the short (blue) and middle (green) wavelength colors. As a result, deer likely can distinguish blue from red, but not green from red, or orange from red.

Hunters wear safety orange due (blaze orange) to its effectiveness in providing greater visibility at longer distances, aiding in communication and coordination among hunting parties.  Also, there’s not much in the whitetail woods that blends with blaze orange, making it easier for other hunters to distinguish one another while hunting.

Statistical Data:

• A study published in the Journal of Wildlife Management found that wearing a blaze orange vest increased visibility at distances up to five times compared to other colors.

3. Legal Requirements:

Currently, 40 states and five Canadian provinces now mandate use of hunter orange requirement be worn while hunting. The other ten states and four other provinces strongly recommend using blaze orange or hunter orange but do not require it by state law.  The majority of regulations requiring blaze orange apply to deer hunting, the most common game species that hunters seek each fall, but it’s often recommended that hunters utilize blaze orange clothing during small game hunting activities, as well as other big game hunting pursuits where firearms are utilized.  Be sure to check your local state regulations for the specific blaze orange requirements in your area.  In my state, you have to wear at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange.

4. Educating New Hunters:

An increase in hunter education has greatly decreased the number of hunting-related injuries.   The increased knowledge of hunter safety allows the majority of hunters to associate the blaze orange color with other hunters.  Wearing blaze orange is now part of the cultural tradition of hunting, passed down from experienced hunters to novices, and has been welcomed throughout the hunting community because it works.  So, when introducing a new hunter to sport, make sure each of you are wearing blaze orange when necessary.

• Hunter Education Programs:
  • Education initiatives stress the importance of blaze orange for safety, fostering a responsible hunting culture.  This Christmas, pick up a blaze orange hat, orange vest, or other orange garments for those hunters in your life, regardless of whether they participate in a firearm season.

Statistical Data:

• The IHEA reports a correlation between comprehensive hunter-education programs and increased awareness and adoption of safety practices, including the use of blaze orange.

Are Blaze Orange Clothes Effective in Keeping Hunters Safe?

Statics prove that blaze orange clothing is an effective means to protect hunters while hunting.  The New York State Department of Environmental Conservation states that hunters wearing adequate blaze orange clothing are seven times less likely to be shot.  The NYDEC reported that none of all firearm-related hunting incidents reported in the state between 2009 and 2019 involved hunters wearing blaze orange. All hunters mistakenly shot at or killed in New York during this 10-year period were not wearing blaze orange.  If that doesn’t prove to you the effectiveness of Blaze Orange, here are a few other statistics.  Even if orange is not required in your state during the particular hunting season, you should consider the benefits of wearing to keep you safe while hunting public land, especially on heavily hunted a wildlife management area.

• In 2010, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife reported that in the past 20 years, 81 percent of victims in vision-related hunting incidents were not wearing hunter orange clothing.
• The survey compared the number of incidents and fatalities in two 5-year periods: before the laws adoption and after. According to the study, fatalities decreased by 40%, and the total number of incidents decreased by 22%.
• In NY, the hunting injury rate has been reduced by almost 70 percent since the 1970s.
• Currently, 40 states and five Canadian provinces now mandate at least some Hunter Orange be worn afield by hunters. The other 10 states and four other provinces strongly recommend its use.

Conclusion

The adoption of blaze orange in hunting is not just a matter of tradition; it’s a critical element in ensuring the safety of hunters and those around them. Blaze Orange, or hunter orange, is often a legal requirement during firearm deer seasons in the majority of most states, as it and pink are two of the most visible colors in the spectrum.  (Most firearm hunters probably aren’t going to wear pink to deer hunt with, so that’s why hunter orange has been adopted by the hunting community.

Backed by statistical data and real-world examples, the use of this conspicuous color has become a standardized and effective practice, promoting a safer and more responsible hunting experience for enthusiasts across the globe. As we venture into the woods, let blaze orange be a symbol not just of visibility but of a shared commitment to a safe hunting environment.  Learn the answer to the question What Do People Wear to Hunt, when you don’t have to legally wear blaze orange.

AUTHOR BIO

Hi, I’m Camron the owner of Hunting Gear Deals. I’m an avid bowhunter with a knack for finding good deals on hunting gear and love to help you save money on hunting gear.  I’m also the owner of the popular Bucks, Bulls, & Bears email newsletter that’s built to educate and entertain hunters.  If you haven’t subscribed, you’re missing out!  Last but not least, I’m proud to say that I work for Whitetail Properties as a Land Specialist in Ohio.  If you’re in the market for hunting property, shoot me an email and I’d love to help you find your dream property.  

Instagram- @huntinggeardeals