I wear some orange on public land and make sure a I wear a bright backpack as well.On private land I dont wear any.
CA Lifetime hunting license holder
NRA member
X2 orange has never prevented me from getting close to deer.Originally Posted by csutton7
I often overestimate it! I always assume most people are retarded. Old habits die hard...
I know I get on a soap box about hunters wearing orange, but I will be hunting with a buddy in A zone this weekend and I only have an AO tag for it. He will be rifle hunting and I will have my bow (unless I tag out earlier). I am not sure how I will handle this. We are hunting miles from any road, so I guess I will evaluate how many hunters are in the area.
After all of my preaching of wearing orange, it would be somewhat embarassing to be in a bad situation because I was wearing all camo during rifle season.
I usually wear a hat while going for upland game. I like to be seen and I can see others that at least wear a hat.
I wear a blaze hat and my pack has a zip in blaze piece. I think we all have encountered idiots in the field, I think the worst i have seen is upper and lower highland lakes where you have 30-50 hunters all packed in a hillside.
"I know now as men accept the time clock of the wilderness, their lives become entirely different. It is one of the great compensations of primitive experience, and when one finally reaches the point where days are governed by daylight and dark, rather than by schedules, where one eats if hungry and sleeps when tired, and becomes completely immersed in the ancient rhythms, then one begins to live" Sigurd Olson
If I am upland hunting I wear orange because I have been pelted by shot a few times and it gets me a little pissed off. Wait a minute, I was wearing orange when shot was landing on and around me.
The issue is not what you are wearing but wether or not other hunters are actually identifying a target prior to shooting or just shooting at noise or sight of movement. Orange clothing won't fix this issue. A human looks like a human through my scope no matter how you dress them.
I guess I wear orange when upland hunting because that is what I grew up doing and seeing. I don't know that it has ever stopped and ID10T from shooting at me but maybe. There are more hunters closer to me and my dogs when upland hunting so I guess I am hoping that they will look first and shoot second or remain aware of their surroundings.
When I am hunting big game I don't wear orange but I am aware of other hunters and avoid them or let them pass by. I prefer to conceal myself from other hunters as well as the animals I hunt. If nobody knows that I am there seems to be less interference with my hunt and future hunts. I just don't like to advertise where I am at. I always take the long way around when getting to my spot so that I am less likley to be followed. I learned this the hard way when I lost a great pig spot on public land that everyone overlooked until I got lazy and was spotted bringing out a nice porker.
It is not just shooting at a sound or identifying a target. It is also being in the line of fire.
Imagine you are in full camo, then you jump a good buck. Another hunter doesn't see you, but sees the buck moving and takes a shot. The shot goes whizzing by your ear. The hunter wasn't shooting at you. In fact the hunter didn't know you were there.
Given what I have seen, not even hunter orange, even in a full jump suit, would stop some from shooting.
Vegitarian:Old Indian word for bad hunter.
True, some would probably still shoot. But I like to give safe hunters an opportunity to NOT shoot me.
The first line says it all. I have been pelted with orange on while hunting for upland game and running dogs.
This is in the wide open with orange on.
There is no way to guarantee your safety.
Your scenario could happen either way in my opinion. Orange or no Orange if you see the buck I jumped but don't know I am there there are many reasons why Orange wouldn't help me.
There are people that will take the shot even though they know you are there.
I could fall off a cliff and die.
I could get attacked by a bear.
A mountain lion might get me.
Rattlesnakes live out there to.
I could get struck by lightning.
All these dangers are always present but I still go hunting anyway.
Wear orange. Don't wear orange. Either way just get out and hunt. There are always risks associated with the passion.
I'm from Nebraska and this is my first year dear hunting in cali. The opening day i had 3 kids walk 10 yards in front of me and had no clue i was there and i was in orange. Two of the idiots after i said somthing sat within 15 yards of me. I spotted orange all over the hills so i know i can or i cant shoot but one of the idiots was full camo face paint and all there is no need for that hunting with a rifle. I think it should be mandatory to have orange on while hunting the deer dont care but the hunters can take the shot without thinking there might be a guy right behind him. The people that take shots like that at people in orange dont deserve to live were better shots just shoot back and teach them there final lesson lol . sorry after hunting Ne all my life i have O tolerance for ignorance like that if i'm shot at i wont shoot at i'll hit and end it.
modlinb------great to see another Nebraskan here--yea it's just a hair different here than Nebraska---tons more people and lots of idiots---chris
Well guys Im from IL and yes there are lots of IDIOTS in Cali. In San Diego Ive seen ten mexicans with a boombox blaring all carrying rifles and throwing empty beer bottles as they walked drank, yelled spanish, and listened to mariachi music DURING OPENING WEEKEND!!!!!! thats why I bow hunt. Less A$$holes. When i rifle hunt I carry orange although I don't wear it at times. You see some guys will walk miles to a ridge they dont see orange on, in an effort to find deer. I use that fact to assist my hunt by letting them to push deer towards me, or get them up and running when Im already setup ready to take em down.....Not saying its the most honorable thing to do but when you hunt public land in the most crowded state in the US coupled with all the A$$holes you have to do what you have to do.....Ive hunted out here for five years and only killed 2 deer out here........so thats my lowly 2 cents...I think Dick Chenny's hunting partner was wearing orange and he still took some shot in the face.....not busting on good ole Dick, Im just saying........
Depends on where I'm hunting - public land - I wear hunter orange - private land, I don't.
cant wait to get back to Ne next month for pheasant and deer
Opening day we got to see a 4x4 taken and one of the guys asked me if i've ever seen a deer that big. I figured he was kidding but then asked again and told him that 100 pound deer is just a baby back in Ne and he called me a liar but oh well. I'll be bringing 2 back with me so he can see for himself. Even back in Ne i always have the orange on it dont matter if its the family farm or where i might be and has never scared a deer away from me
Whew, plenty of lame excuse's (rationalization ) for not wearing orange, guess you think that you're so stealthy in the wood's that no one can see you, to the guy who said he liked to jump up and scare the spit out of folk's, let me offer you this advice, when I'm sneaking thru the wood's ( in my hunter orange ) I'm highly focased on movement and I have a bear tag, so when you jump up my first reaction will to put a bullet in whatever is confronting me, hopefully I won't be scared spitless and will refrain , but you never know, to the nebraska guy who says if they shoot at me I'll shoot back, first question , have you ever been shot at, I have, 3 times in my life and as hotheaded as I am I never once thought about shooting back, all I could think about was how to stuff 6ft 2 in 230 lbs behind a 2 ft high stump until the lead stopped flying, this ain't the movie's fella's, this is a real time enjoy your hunt and get back safely to your family situation, if you get your dumb azz shot off because you're (too smart or too dumb to wear orange ) you do a disservice not only to your loved ones but to all hunters in general, with every accident or fatality there comes renewed call's for more regulation. and lastly to the guy who said a human form is a human form no matter what they're wearing, I defy you to pick me out of the brush during bow season when I'm wearing predator green camo in the right situation. there seem's to be a lot of ethnic bashing on this forum, I'll be the first to castigate anyone acting foolishly or breaking the law but I've see as many or MORE white people acting like idiot's than mexican's, many of the mexicans and phillipino's that I've mentored are dedicated to the sport and probably superior hunter's to a lot of white's that I've mentored, it's a sad day when all we can do is lamely bash other hunters on public land trying to do the same thing that we are, we actually act surprised EVERY season that its crowded where we hunt when its the same situation as the year before, my advice, stop bitch'in and enjoy what we have, look for a better place to hunt , hunt weekdays or avoid opening weekend if possible, I'm in the field hunting /scouting etc around 200 days a year and have not had a runin with anyone except someone who thought the public land I was on was private.
your right i've never been shot at and you never know that might be my response to. I just know how i am and not saying its right just saying i know how i'd react if somone tried to shoot me when i'm in blaze orange. I do agree this is my first year deer hunting in cali and there are a ton of people out but think smarter most of them are glassing 800 to 1000 yards away i was setting up friends and they got pissed about it but like i said your only 200 yards away you will have the shot waaaayyyy before them. One hillside looked great and others must of been thinking the same thing there were 15 to 20 people glassing it but they were all over 1000 yards out. Do the work PUT YOUR ORANGE ON so i can see you and we will all stay safe and have a great time.
This has been an interesting thread. With all the comments about getting or the possibility of getting shot at, has anyone ever worn a bulletproof vest/body armor while hunting. I have never hunted on public land, but if any of the idiots I see at the range are out there hunting when I decide to go, it might be a little scary. I had no idea that the masses would be out there.
Unfortunately, I don't believe a bullet proof vest will help much against high power rifles. I don't believe. Plus, I don't even like to carry a side arm because it's too much weight. Like BPN said, the harder it is to get too, the safer you are. Another thing too, I don't think someone saying they'd shoot back is to far fetched. I have been randomly shot at(one shot and complete miss, whew) while both of us were making a right turn at a intersection at night in Fountain Valley, I can tell you I was trying to drive as fast as possible the other way after that. But, my father, at age 16 was hunting on his property in New Mexico when shots rang out from behind him whizzing by him. He had just went over a hill not knowing that a deer was trailing behind when some tresspassing a$$h@le was winging shots and the only thing he could do to stop it was to return fire. That was a 16 year old boy. So, not really so Hollywood.
I'd also have to argue that it is very possible to be stealthy enough to fool the fools as you just stated with your predator camo. There are inherent risks when you enter the woods with men and women of all different walks, knowledge, traditions and safety concerns. Add a little alcohol, unfortunately, and all the safety, planning and everything else good goes out the window. I choose not to wear orange so that less know where I am. Plus, you never know when you're going to walk into unwelcome territory these days. I also don't move much during daylight hours. That's the beauty of opening day. Hike in in the dark into an active area or close to, sit tight, and let the inconsiderate yahoos move game by you all day long. Find the right escape canyon for game and it can pay off for years until you tell a friend who tells a friend and so on. Sometimes friends can be real *******. Then you have to work again.
I live to hunt and hunt to live.
[/quote]dirtpoor and lastly to the guy who said a human form is a human form no matter what they're wearing, I defy you to pick me out of the brush during bow season when I'm wearing predator green camo in the right situation. [/quote]
If this is a challenge then I accept.
Of course it has been a little while since I hunted humans but I think I can still manage.
BTW our Military still shoots people wearing camo and hiding last I checked. And we are pretty darn good at it to.
We still have the best snipers in the world in my opinion. If you are a member of one of these sniper teams then I still accept the challenge but we are laying some ground rules first. (Don't want any flashbacks getting the best of you.)
Just a few conflicts in your statements though:
[/quote]plenty of lame excuse's (rationalization ) for not wearing orange, guess you think that you're so stealthy in the wood's that no one can see you,
Guess you do to given your challenge.
[/quote]I'm highly focased on movement and I have a bear tag, so when you jump up my first reaction will to put a bullet in whatever is confronting me,
Why wear orange you just said you would shoot me if I moved and you where focused.
[/quote]3 times in my life and as hotheaded as I am I never once thought about shooting back
Given the right training your first reaction would be to start shooting back but hey to each his own.
[/quote]it's a sad day when all we can do is lamely bash other hunters on public land trying to do the same thing that we are,
This one I agree with however I think you are the basher in this case but can't be 100% sure of your intent here.
[/quote]stop bitch'in and enjoy what we have, look for a better place to hunt
Again I agree.
Just a piece of advice when making challenges and taking people to task. If that is what it is. You should never assume you know anything about a person or the skill set they possess.
I always assume that you are all super ninjas. That way I am always prepared.
If you are in my scope then I already know where you are at.
I don't shoot at movement alone. Game animals come in all shapes and colors. Try telling the game warden you shot the wrong animal because he wasn't wearing orange.
I identify my target prior to pulling the trigger.
It is your absolute responsibility to make sure of what you are shooting at and beyond prior to pulling the trigger.
There is a major difference between cover and concealment.
If you are merely concealing yourself from game then you are identifiable to other hunters if they place you in their scope.
If you are behind cover or proned out and well concealed then I must assume you are preparing to ambush me and take appropriate actions.
No matter how good we think we are there is always someone better without a doubt.
The stats I see state that we average about 16 shooting related incidents per year in California. With an average of two of these resulting in deaths.
In these cases the injured is usually shot by someone in their hunting party. According to Hunter Education Administrator and Capt. Roy Griffith.
Sounds to me it might be more important to pick good hunting partners then spend so much time deciding what to wear.
You drew the line in the sand on this one.
Wear orange. Don't wear orange. Just get out and hunt. Enjoy the sport and teach someone else.
It is interesting to read all of the comments here which refer to most hunters as unethical, drunk idiots. Isn't that the view of anti-hunters? If that were the majority of hunters, maybe it would be a good idea to regulate the sport more.
But...it isn't the majority. I've been hunting for 35+ years and found hunters to be my favorite encounters in the wild. I would rather talk to another hunter than some whacked out tree hugger who thinks I am murdering animals.
There are some bad seeds. But there are bad seeds in every population. An overwhelming majority of hunters are ethical and good people. Most don't work that hard for their deer, but so what? Who cares if they road hunt? Only a criminal (or soon to be one) is going to intentionally shoot at a hunter wearing orange.
The idea of wearing orange is to allow hunters to avoid accidents. Accidents occur when a hunter shoots in an unsafe direction. By wearing orange, you are telling other hunters not to shoot in your direction. If you believe that other hunters will target you for wearing orange, we need to ban hunting and regulate this lawlessness.
X2 for most of it. Except for the orange.
Unless they change the laws of course. I will always do what is required of me in the field.
If you are wearing orange I will still talk to you just the same as those not wearing it.
There is no right or wrong in this state. It is a matter of what you are comfortable with.
I don't believe any hunter would intentionally shoot at another for wearing orange or they would have to face the criminal charges.
However it is like fishing. If you are around other people ever notice when you catch one they move over next to you.
There are new hunters that are not comfortable with their experience or skills that treat it just like fishing. They see you wearing orange and it is not in the area they hunt they question there abilities. Not intending to be disrespectful they might try and get closer to where you are without disrupting you.
I take the long way and try not to be seen as much as possible.
The less hunters around me the less likely I am to have to dodge bullets.
It works for me as I don't seem to have the problems everyone else complains about. I seem to spend a lot of my time alone in the deer woods.
I understand the risks and am willing to accept the consequences.
However I also believe that it is highly unlikely.
dglover ,I guess I'm confused with your comparisons, No, this isn't the military and with any training you don't return fire unless you're in a hot combat zone, my opinion was based on the person who wore camo and liked to jump up and scare the spit out of people, I'm a fast reacting person and if someone is stupid enough to try to scare me when I'm armed and actively hunting then I make no apologies for my action's. I was a master instructor in the hunter ed program and my intent has and always will be to keep hunters safe, unfortunately in a discussion like this ego's seem to take center stage instead of logic and many try to relate their best impression of John Wayne, talk is cheap but when the chips are down and you're forced to participate in a life or death situation many so called John Waynes become Don Knott's. nothing personal just a general observation, you appear to be better trained than most and if the enemy breeches our defenses than I would hope to fight next to you for the common cause, but we're talking here about weekend warriors who go into the forest a couple of times a year with virtually NO training, they let off steam they make mistakes and if some unlucky critter gets in their sights they can go home and brag about their hunting prowess, not bashing them just telling it like it is, I prefer solitude and do all I can to avoid people in the wood's and yes when I'm bowhunting in my predator camo I am stealthy and have killed 8 bull elk with that ability, but I'm not an average hunter I've devoted my life to hunting and after many mistakes I have honed my skill's as best I can, I'm rarely dissapointed with other hunters actions other than those saftey related because they have every right to be where they are and do anything legal that they wish, if I don't like it I go somewhere else.
I am not defending the guy that likes to jump out at people. Not very smart in my book.
I didn't call you to the carpet here you made assumptions about my abilities without knowing anything about me.
Actually your op orders will tell you what to do if engaged.
It sounds like you have quite a bit of knowledge about hunting. However you should realize that their are many others that do as well. So telling it like it is sounds great just don't make assumptions.
We need more weekend warriors who think they are John Wayne to start hunting. If they feel good about themselves maybe they can get more people interested in what we do. As long as they abide by the laws who cares what they wear or how they feel. I hope they all think they are Davey Crockett and tell all there buddies what a great time it is.
The only way they learn is by gaining experience. You can only get experience by coming back for more. The only way people will continue an activity is if they feel good about it.
We are losing numbers and are soon to be extinct.
I also try and stay away from the crowds. That is part of the reason I do not wear the orange if I am not required to.
Here is a last question for you.
Why not wear orange all of the time? You can get stuck with an arrow just as easily as a bullet.
The game can't see color any differently in archery season then they can in rifle season.
actually, you can't get stuck with an arrow as easily as a bullet for a variety of reason's and hunter orange even with potenially color blind animals accentuate your movement as a gray blob as opposed to a pattern that breaks up your profile, You are correct about dwindling numbers of hunters but you're wrong about having the John Waynes in the wood's, A month ago I put on a free seminar for new predator hunter's I also mentor new hunter's all year long and was personally involved in the certification of almost 3000 hunters in the 70 's , so I'm trying to do my part to perpetuate our sport, I encourage all the TALKER'S to become DOER'S and rather than rag on well intentioned folk's who have an opposing opinion actually get involved with new hunter's.
So safety goes out the window when you step into the field with a bow and razor sharp arrows. Last I checked arrow speeds today are much greater then bows of the past. Arrows are designed to mortally wound the game.
I guess you can have your cake and eat it to. It seems to be your world we just live in it.
Your argument against hunter orange is that a lame excuse or a rationalization as you said.
John Wayne might take offense to that.
Again with the assumptions. Can I have your permission to stick to my children and the children in our social network or do I have to strive to beat 3000 to be worthy?
BTW I did not single you out you chose to single me out with others. I am merely defending myself against a hothead to use your own term.
Grandpa told me never assume boy. It makes an A$$ out of U and ME.
Just a piece of advice passed on from an old hillbilly.
I truly do appreciate your hard work and dedication to our sport. That is commendable. Thank you for your time!
P.S. Why post polls if they are only going to be used as a tool to bludgeon people over the head with?
no sense perpetuating this disscussion so I'll close with the following, most bowhunting accidents are self inflicted through carelessness, its very rare for a bowhunter to actually shoot another, as fast as todays bows are they have extremely limited range and are easily deflected compared to firearm's, I explained my experience in the hunting community to establish credibility, to give credence to my opinion's, anyone can talk the talk, I walk the walk and am proud of it, however I didn't at anytime mean to use myself as a personal comparison to you, I don't need validation from you or anyone else, if you mentor ANYONE, within your social network or not, then you're furthering our sport and I commend you for that,lets agree to disagree and have a great hunting season.
Wearing Orange
nowadays it doesnt really matter because of all the idiots that shoot in the direction they hear noise without examining it first.
.[LegalAddiction].
Do you have anything tangible to back this up?
I have been hunting since before you were born and have never seen this happen.
Where do you pool your info from?
I am starting to feel like I am surrounded by antis trying to make a mockery of people that hunt.
If the answer to the first question is no then please refrain from damaging our sport.
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