Hunters orange under 18 yoa

[jjenness]

I see that MT may be going to only require hunter orange for those under 18 years of age. I think it is a good idea, as I cannot stand wearing orange while bow hunting during the rifle seasons, especially spring bear. What are your thoughts? PS I am not trying to start a huge debate here!

http://leg.mt.gov/bills/2015/billpdf/SB0154.pdf

 

[go_deep]

Wyoming only requires a orange hat I wear that and a vest because I unfortunately have had the luck of being shot before while hunting and want others to be clear of where I am. Everyone should be visible, especially with shots being taken at over a half a mile now.

 

[Againstthewind]

You have been shot? Holy smokes. I have heard stories of that happening. I would wear all the orange I could if that was me. I tend to agree that even if it isn't required, its a good idea to wear some for the reasons you mentioned go_deep. I haven't bow hunted in rifle season, though.

 

[HeartElk1]

I'd probably still wear hunter orange during rifle season even if it isn't required. Expecially if I was hunting with anyone under 18 -- for the saftey factor and also to set the right example. I wear hunter orange even when bird hunting whether any rifle seasons are open or not.

I sure hear you though about hating to wear orange when bowhunting during rifle season.

 

[go_deep]

You have been shot? Holy smokes. I have heard stories of that happening. I would wear all the orange I could if that was me. I tend to agree that even if it isn't required, its a good idea to wear some for the reasons you mentioned go_deep. I haven't bow hunted in rifle season, though.

The guy I was duck hunting with shot me in the back of my head and shoulders while I walked around to get a duck and another one flew in he shot at that one, but I was directly in line with the duck. Only good thing was it was steel and it was cold so I had a few layers on, but they still pulled out 37 #2 bb's. I have never hunted with him again and for the most part ever since hunt alone.

 

[mtnmikem]

I don't care for the new law myself. Having a young kid just starting to hunt and seeing how many hunters there are during the rifle season, I can't imagine not wearing it. I understand not wanting to wear if your bow hunting during rifle season, but I don't believe it's really that big of a factor to the game we hunt. Because it's so bright to us, I think it mental makes us feel like we probably stand out to the game we hunt also. Just my two cents.

 

[Retterath]

if i was bowhunting and didn't have to i wouldn't be wearing orange but that is just my thought. During rifle season i only wear a orange hat but maybe should wear more but i just prefer orange hat.

 

[Musket Man]

I think it is like seat belts. It should be your choice to use them or not. Im not against orange or seat belts and honestly Im not sure I would be making this post if it wasnt for a seat belt last November. I just think it should be up to you to decide for yourself.

 

[Againstthewind]

Makes sense to me. A lot of things should be that way.

 

[libidilatimmy]

I think that any time rifles are involved, it should be a requirement regardless of age. I've been peppered hunting pheasants while wearing an orange vest from about 70 yds. From that range one would think it'd be easy to see and a "no-brainer" not to shoot, but the excitement can, and will, get the best of people.

 

[shootbrownelk]

I think that any time rifles are involved, it should be a requirement regardless of age. I've been peppered hunting pheasants while wearing an orange vest from about 70 yds. From that range one would think it'd be easy to see and a "no-brainer" not to shoot, but the excitement can, and will, get the best of people.

Yeah right. Excitement can get the best of you while hunting. Dick Cheney comes instantly to mind. In Cheney's defense however, the guy was a lawyer.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

I think it is like seat belts. It should be your choice to use them or not. Im not against orange or seat belts and honestly Im not sure I would be making this post if it wasnt for a seat belt last November. I just think it should be up to you to decide for yourself.

MM....you got this right!

I was born and lived in California all my life until I retired. I taught Hunter Safety with my Father for years....the point is California has it right (for once), orange is optional. In over 50 years of hunting there, I NEVERwore orange. If you look at the statistics, California has no more hunter injuries due to gunshots that any of the states that require wearing orange. If you are more comfortable wearing it, then wear it, but don't make those of us who don't want to, have to also wear it.

Looking at the statistics, I think you will find the majority of accidental hunter shootings are inflicted during bird hunting season, not big game hunting.

The "propaganda" put forth by biologists that the animals don't see orange is only partly true IMHO. They say it looks gray or white, not orange. The point is, it looks UNNATURAL and stands out just like orange. How many times have you seen an elk or deer staring at you even tho everything you are doing is right? Wind, movement & cover are all in your favor, yet they still see you because you really don't blend in, just stand out as something different.

Make it hunters choice................

 

[libidilatimmy]

I see that MT may be going to only require hunter orange for those under 18 years of age. I think it is a good idea, as I cannot stand wearing orange while bow hunting during the rifle seasons, especially spring bear. What are your thoughts? PS I am not trying to start a huge debate here!

http://leg.mt.gov/bills/2015/billpdf/SB0154.pdf

The idea behind this proposal seems a bit backwards to me. Shouldn't I be worrying about youth hunters seeing me and knowing where I'm at? I'd be more worried that they'd be shooting in my direction rather than the other way around.

 

[CrossCreeks]

If I was bow hunting during rifle season I would most likely want to wear orange if I was stalking or on the move, I guess sitting in a stand I would not worry about not having it on . The new Montana Reg. says minimum 400 squares inches. does a hat only meet that requirement, I need to get my pad and ruler out.

 

[missjordan]

The guy I was duck hunting with shot me in the back of my head and shoulders while I walked around to get a duck and another one flew in he shot at that one, but I was directly in line with the duck. Only good thing was it was steel and it was cold so I had a few layers on, but they still pulled out 37 #2 bb's. I have never hunted with him again and for the most part ever since hunt alone.

Glad you ended up ok after that incident! Even if the law passed I would probably still wear it as well for the most part just for my safety at a distance.

 

[bdan68]

A hat would only be about 100 square inches, at best.

I'm with Musket Man. It should be up to us what color we wear. I hate that the government can tell us how to dress. What if I wanted to wear pink? I'm pretty sure that would be even more visible than orange, but it's not allowed.

 

[HeartElk1]

Wearing pink would certainly be effective at keeping other hunters away from you, and, who knows, maybe it would work during the rut???

 

[Work2hunt]

I wear orange whenever I am hunting during a firearm season. Even when I lived in Vermont and it wasn't required. My opinion is that there are too many people I don't trust out hunting with a gun and I want them to see me.

 

[okielite]

I'd like to think that orange helps save people but from the accidents I have read about few were caused by people not wearing orange. The archery accidents are the hardest for me to understand.

I never wore orange when guiding in Wyoming and never got shot at either.

 

[Hilltop]

It is nice to be able to see other hunters from long distance. Especially when they are hunting an area you were considering wasting a day's hike to get to. From a safety standpoint I feel more comfortable with orange on- especially while packing out animals. While many of the hunting accidents you read about are not caused by a hunter not wearing orange I am betting many accidents were avoided through the years by wearing it. If that is a risk someone is willing to take, I do think it should be their decision though.