Big game hunting requires Hunter’s Orange vest or hat for safety. This hot color stands out in the environment as a non-natural color that is quickly seen by other hunters. The Big Game critters do not see Orange as a color. These critters only see in black and white. They lack specific cells in their eyes, called Cones, which identify colors.
When wildlife managers were first looking for the best safety color to require hunters to wear, 3 colors were chosen, Chartreuse, Orange and Pink. Of these choices, they declined chartreuse since there is so much green found in nature. Orange worked well and was ultimately the choice. The best color for most hunters to quickly see was hot Pink! This color was declined since no real hunter would wear pink.
My best choice is the hot orange but, in a camo, broken, pattern. This pattern can be worn for archers or turkey if needed. Back in the day, hunters were wearing multiple colors of plaids. These patterns blended into the broken backgrounds that nature offers. Red and green Woolrich clothes were the perfect outfit.
Wearing safety orange helps, but Hunter Safety, and training are also important. There was an incident on a pheasant farm where one excited bird hunter, on a guided hunt, shot his buddy from head to toe. Only his face was not hit since the hunter had raised his hand in self-defense. The back of his hand was covered in birdshot. The wounded hunter was wearing what we called a Great Pumpkin Suit. His hat, coat, and pants were all safety orange. The shooter was too excited and untrained.
Its stupid to not wear gear that can save your life or your dog’s life. I met a pheasant hunter wearing camo gear. He was sitting along a wheat field edge waiting for us to push birds his way. He stepped out as we passed and surprised me. I told him how unsafe this situation was. Had a pheasant flushed, we would have shot the flying bird and may have hit him, not knowing he was there. His answer was “I can’t hit birds in the air, I shoot them on the ground”. He obviously had no clue about safety.
Montana does not require upland bird hunters to wear hunters’ orange. They should! Shooting flushing birds on the ground is also not very sporting. This includes grouse, pheasants, Huns, quail, and waterfowl. Turkeys are one of the few birds that can be shot when not in flight.
At least wear an orange hat when bird hunting. It will be easily seen is on the highest point to be seen, your head. Wearing orange on dogs is also smart. Too many dogs get shot by untrained and overexcited hunters. A vest, or at least an orange collar, could prevent an accident.
Roadworkers, police, hunters, and other folks wear orange to be seen. Home Depot orange is the color of their associates’ vests, so you can quickly find one for help.
In the moment of intense excitement, when hunting, things happen fast. The flushing and cackling rooster, a covey of birds rising at once, or huge antlers standing broadside make hunters excited. They may not see what is behind their target or…
No bird or critter is worth getting injured over. Be smart and safe.
Wear Orange!
Montana Grant
