Blaze Orange - dumb questions, please don't laugh

[jpfrog]

Hello again folks!

I have a deer tag for this fall in Colorado, and I have some questions about blaze orange. The posted pictures I see of people hunting (successful or not) and glassing rarely have them wearing BLAZE ORANGE but I notice in the regulations that 500 square inches are required, plus some orange for the noggin and the pack. I don't want to get anything for the sake of color alone- it needs to also be functional. A hat is easy enough to figure out, but what vests and pack covers do you all like, that don't get in the way and restrict movement? I have an EXO K3 3200 pack and will be toting some EL 12x50s in a harness, with my rifle either in a carrier on the pack or in my hands.

Not sure if it matters much, but I'll be horseback on my way in/out of my hunting area...on foot once I get to the area.

Do you need the orange for the entire time you're in the field, such as traveling to from the area, glassing, etc.? Or is it just for when you're successful and packing out? I know, these are dumb questions- but on the hunting I do here on our lease in TX, hunter orange is only something I wear when we're quail hunting and the rest of the year it's just camo.

 

[26Reload]

Let's start by saying...'its better to be safe than dead'....
Your 'drop camping'?.....if so your pack guide should be able to answer every question you have...
But typically....the requirements of hunter orange ARE regulations for licensed hunters in the area during the season of hunt....they are still suggestions for nonhunters....
There's plenty of good hats and vest of camo configurations..just find a sweatshirt or vest that fills a niche in the hunting clothes....
I use an upland bird vest often when hiking in country....sometimes I have a little orange vest wrapped around my pack also.......never know who's got glass on you.......

 

[cohunt]

In co, if you have a tag are in the field you have to wear orange at all times while hunting ( read that as having a firearm on you and a hunting tag- to appease the cpw) even when hunting other species during big game season.
Technically if you are just spotting with no firearm or do not have a hunting tag then you do not have to wear orange-- but be safe, wear it at all times because it's there to protect you from being shot by another hunter. Not everyone should be allowed to hunt. Some seasons overlap ( muzzle loader and archery)-- muzzle loaders must wear orange but archers don't have to, so be extra aware of your surroundings during these times.
People aren't real smart, I see lots of " walkers" during hunting season that don't wear orange ( they probally have no clue its hinting season) I had a walker come within 10 feet of me during turkey season ( no orange required during spring turkey season) before he about crapped his britches seeing a guy in full cammo with a shotgun just 10 feet from him --- he was admiring my decoys (he thought they were real) he had no clue it was hunting season

What I do is go to Walmart and get several of the lightweight cheapo mesh hunting orange vests(mesh is considered legal in CO) -- I wear one at all times when not in camp, and one goes over my pack too... if I get an animal, when I carry it out (especially with the head) I put another mesh vest on any visible parts of the animal that another hunter might see... also if I have to leave parts in the field whe packing out meat, I toss one on it too ( it kind of shows possession to keep other hunters away from my meat)

As far as hats, if it's hot, it's an orange ball cap-- cold, it's An orange beanie

 

[Muley Madness]

Also, orange camo is not allowed in Colorado. It must be solid orange, but as mentioned before mesh is legal.
From the 2021 Colorado hunting regulations:

HUNTERS MUST WEAR FLUORESCENT ORANGE OR PINK. The law requires hunters to wear at least 500 square inches of solid daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink material on an outer garment above the waist while hunting deer, elk, pronghorn, bear or moose with any firearm license. A fluorescent orange or pink hat or head covering, visible from all directions, is also required. This includes all muzzleloader hunters. It also includes archery hunters who hunt during rifle season. Archers hunting during the limited Sept. rifle bear season, archers with an archery bear, deer, elk, pronghorn or moose license, and archers licensed for private land hunting through the Ranching for Wildlife program do not have to wear fluorescent orange or pink, but should consider wearing it to increase safety while in the field. Auction- and raffle-license holders do not have to wear orange or pink when hunting with archery equipment when no rifle seasons are open. If using a ground blind or pop-up blind, hunters should display orange or pink that is visible from all directions on the outside of the blind. CAMOUFLAGE ORANGE OR PINK DOES NOT QUALIFY! Mesh garments are legal but not recommended. CPW strongly recommends wearing daylight fluorescent orange or fluorescent pink clothes in the field, even if you're not hunting. Wearing orange or pink is for hunter safety, as big-game animals don't see these colors like we do: Movement, sound and smell are what give hunters away.

 

[TheLongRanger83702]

Hello again folks!

I have a deer tag for this fall in Colorado, and I have some questions about blaze orange. The posted pictures I see of people hunting (successful or not) and glassing rarely have them wearing BLAZE ORANGE but I notice in the regulations that 500 square inches are required, plus some orange for the noggin and the pack. I don't want to get anything for the sake of color alone- it needs to also be functional. A hat is easy enough to figure out, but what vests and pack covers do you all like, that don't get in the way and restrict movement? I have an EXO K3 3200 pack and will be toting some EL 12x50s in a harness, with my rifle either in a carrier on the pack or in my hands.

Not sure if it matters much, but I'll be horseback on my way in/out of my hunting area...on foot once I get to the area.

Do you need the orange for the entire time you're in the field, such as traveling to from the area, glassing, etc.? Or is it just for when you're successful and packing out? I know, these are dumb questions- but on the hunting I do here on our lease in TX, hunter orange is only something I wear when we're quail hunting and the rest of the year it's just camo.

If your safety is in question I'd be wearing it all the time if it was me.

 

[Radman]

Hello again folks!

I have a deer tag for this fall in Colorado, and I have some questions about blaze orange. The posted pictures I see of people hunting (successful or not) and glassing rarely have them wearing BLAZE ORANGE but I notice in the regulations that 500 square inches are required, plus some orange for the noggin and the pack. I don't want to get anything for the sake of color alone- it needs to also be functional. A hat is easy enough to figure out, but what vests and pack covers do you all like, that don't get in the way and restrict movement? I have an EXO K3 3200 pack and will be toting some EL 12x50s in a harness, with my rifle either in a carrier on the pack or in my hands.

Not sure if it matters much, but I'll be horseback on my way in/out of my hunting area...on foot once I get to the area.

Do you need the orange for the entire time you're in the field, such as traveling to from the area, glassing, etc.? Or is it just for when you're successful and packing out? I know, these are dumb questions- but on the hunting I do here on our lease in TX, hunter orange is only something I wear when we're quail hunting and the rest of the year it's just camo.

NOT "dumb". Only dumb when you don't ask! Good questions. Most folks here are extremely knowledgable & courteous.

 

[crashlanding]

Some seasons overlap ( muzzle loader and archery)-- muzzle loaders must wear orange but archers don't have to, so be extra aware of your surroundings during these times.

Few years ago, a local kid from Palisade was shot and killed by a dude from Minnesota who was muzzle loading hunting . The kid was camoed up to archery hunt, the dude was blazed out. The dude shot at sound and movement, tragic accident. We wanted to hang him but the law prevented that. All I can say is even in the hunting community, stupid people exist. Always er on the side of caution. It's not the animals you have to worry about, if your a good hunter, wearing blaze won't make one bit of difference in your hunting success

 

[Majja13]

I have a vest that I have had for years and love it. I just bought a couple of other orange vests of midway one year on close out for a few dollars each and strapped that to the back of my pack to add a bit more. Check you pack mfg they may have a add on panel. Worry more about wind the camo. The wind will bust you way before not being in camo. I have had cow elk under 50 yds while wearing blaze and they did not run.

 

[blackbrush1]

Blaze head to toe in CO. Have you met the people living in that state these days?






(Settle down.....just joking!.......)

 

[ndking1126]

Some of my favorite posts start with "probably dumb, but..." or "don't laugh..."

But I think your question is legitimate, I've noticed the same thing. Seems like the guys on TV sometimes don't wear it and seemingly get away with it.

I used to live in Colorado, and I agree with the sentiment about wearing it. The proliferation of marijuana doesn't make me anymore comfortable either. I'd certainly hope hunters would be smart enough not to mix the two past times, but I'm not willing to take unnecessary chances. Orange vest and hat are a no-brainer when in the woods any season (other than maybe archery).

Happy hunting! I'm headed back this year and am very excited!

 

[crashlanding]

Blaze head to toe in CO. Have you met the people living in that state these days?






(Settle down.....just joking!.......)

No offense taken, sad truth is your right

 

[BountyHunter]

Blaze orange underwear too! Some real idiots walking around. I teach hunter ed for 25 years and you would not believe the stories. One guy turkey hunting shot a guy out of a deer stand wearing orange. watched him for 20 minutes but thought there was 180 lb turkeys wearing orange.

 

[cohunt]

Blaze orange underwear too! Some real idiots walking around. I teach hunter ed for 25 years and you would not believe the stories. One guy turkey hunting shot a guy out of a deer stand wearing orange. watched him for 20 minutes but thought there was 180 lb turkeys wearing orange.

I wish they would spread out the fall season more-- at any 1 time you can have elk hunters, deer hunters, turkey hunters, small game/grouse hunters, hikers, bikers, motorcycles, campers, and loonie bins all on the hill at the same time/season. It can get crowded and dangerous sometimes.

 

[Elk Hunter 338]

I Hunt Colorado every year **** near, and I run as much saftey orange as possible.. i have the exo 3500 and run the saftey orange lid on it too..

i never take off my hat or beanie and never take off my vest or jacket both blaze until im at camp!!