To Orange, or not to Orange

[Ohio Varmint Shooter]

After several decades, I'm getting back into shooting and hunting.

Right now, I'm thoroughly enjoying squirrel hunting in the public hunting grounds north of Columbus, Ohio.

In Ohio, in addition to squirrel season, it's also deer bow season. I have seen a few deer tree stands in the woods where I hunt. Although I've never seen another hunter..of any kind in the woods.

So my question is this: Should I be wearing some orange? An orange hat perhaps? I'd prefer not too. I won't hunt on the weekends when there's a tendency for more deer hunters to be out. And I absolutely won't hunt during the deer gun season. (it's short)

Perhaps this is paranoia, but it doesn't mean I don't think about it. Looks like Ohio regulations are summarized as this: During deer GUN season (youth period, regular period and muzzle loader period) hunters of ANY WILD ANIMAL need to wear an orange vest. So I don't NEED to wear orange now.

 

[dansig]

since most animals are colorblind then wearing orange will not hurt your hunting, and wearing it in the woods will not hurt your fashion sence.. but wearing orange might prevent you from getting hurt by some other hunter...

I really can't see a reason not to wear orange....

 

[GSPV]

Squirrels are not color blind. They are "red green" color blind. I don't know if this equates to them not being able to pick up safety orange or not.

 

[25AI260]

i'd say wear your hat... my guess is a squirrel will pick you up by movement faster then by color.. it will hear you quicker also ... smell i don't how good they use that but if watch them long enough you'll notice they smell everything look'n for a food, a mate or danger

btw.. GSPV is right they're not totally color blind... maybe color dumb thou...

 

[RollandRo]

Looks like Ohio regulations are summarized as this: During deer GUN season (youth period, regular period and muzzle loader period) hunters of ANY WILD ANIMAL need to wear an orange vest. So I don't NEED to wear orange now.
[/quote]

Sorry to ask this but I did not get that why Ohio regulation asks the hunters to wear orange vest only? Why not any thing else. Can you please explain it in short?

 

[Nomad47]

It is a MINIMUM of an orange vest. Ohio encourages more orange.

 

[fr3db3ar]

Don't most states require orange for small game hunting? Everywhere that I've lived this has been the case.

Usually whenever guns are in the woods orange is required. I'm really surprised they don't require some orange on bow hunters when gun hunters are in the woods at the same time.

I've had deer look right through me from as close as 8 yards while wearing a head to toe blaze orange suit so it wouldn't bother me to wear it bow hunting.

 

[FryeGuy]

I wouldn't worry about orange when gun season is not in. bow hunters have to get so close to the game, that I seriously doubt they will mistake you for a deer! but then again, if you wear orange, maybe the little critters you are after will think they are safe since you are after deer and you can get closer to them!! ha-ha. that was always the case in my younger years. couldn't find a squirrel when you were hunting them, then show up in the same spot with a deer rifle and they were everywhere. not sure about Ohio, but here in VA, blaze orange is only req'd in areas where gun hunting is permitted. so if you are hunting an area that is zoned as bow hunting only, then no orange is req'd in those areas even if state-wide gun season is open (like residential areas open to bow hunting only).