# Hunter Safety **URL:** \ **Category:** Factual Questions\ **Created:** [December 17, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360 "2002-12-17T17:28:03Z")\ **Posts on this page:** 18\ **Page:** 1
**Author:** ![zigaretten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/91b2a8/32.png) [@zigaretten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zigaretten)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 5:28pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/1 "2002-12-17T17:28:03Z")
This concerns something I’ve been noticing for a while. I am not a hunter, but I can remember from my youth that hunters used to wear red, the general idea being that others can then see them and hopefully not shoot them. Recently, however, it seems that in ads and on television hunters wear camouflage or, at best, dark clothing. Has there been some sort of change in “strategy” or have people just forgotten about safety or what? ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 5:38pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/2 "2002-12-17T17:38:33Z")
What you wear depends on what is being hunted. Some animals are color blind (deer) so color doesn’t matter. Other types of hunting rely on basically sneaking up on game (pheasant) so color doesn’t matter. There is even [orange camo](http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/standard-pod-wrapped.jhtml?id=0005423&navAction=push&navCount=3&indexId=cat470093&parentId=cat470093&parentType=index&rid=&_DARGS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fcatalog%2Fpod-link.jhtml.2_A&_DAV=http%3A%2F%2Fa1460.g.akamai.net%2Fv%2F1460%2F1339%2F6h%2Fwww.cabelas.com%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcontent%2FPod%2F00%2F54%2F23%2Fp005423ii01.jpg). Other hunting requires you being hidden very well and only ‘normal’ camo will work (duck). Safety was and still is a primary concern. ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 5:40pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/3 "2002-12-17T17:40:52Z")
Before somebody takes a shot at the deer color blindness [here](http://www.geocities.com/Yosemite/Gorge/4774/deervision.html) is a somewhat biased site on the issue. ---
**Author:** ![Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/50afbb/32.png) [@Duck\_Duck\_Goose](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Duck_Duck_Goose)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 5:42pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/4 "2002-12-17T17:42:44Z")
[http://www.youngbucksoutdoors.com/QuizWiz/QW8.13\_8.17.html](http://www.youngbucksoutdoors.com/QuizWiz/QW8.13_8.17.html) > [@](#): > > Are deer color blind? Can they see you standing still? Sent in by Kay Boone. > Question #2 about color: If deer are color blind, why do hunters wear camo and bright orange vests? Sent in by Brittany Grenville, Mims, Fla. > > …deer don’t see colors very well because they have more rods than cones in their eyes. The rods help them see well in low light, like at night or at twilight. > > \< snip \> > > …the reason we wear hunter orange is not for the deer. It is so that other hunters will know you are a human being and won’t make the mistake of shooting in your direction. That bright shade of orange can be seen from a distance. Otherwise, if a hunter was expecting deer to move through a spot in the woods and you moved at that moment, you might get shot. > > \< snip \> > > Now, the reason we wear camo when hunting is to blend in with the surroundings. If you wore a blue sweater and blue jeans, you would appear like a solid, person-shaped blob to the deer. Instead, the design on the camo looks like bark, leaves and branches to the deer’s eyes. The pattern breaks up your shape into smaller, natural-looking shapes. And because the colors blend with the background, there’s nothing that could cause the deer to stop and think, “Hey, what’s that kid doing in my bedroom?” So it looks like the deer can’t really distinguish the small amount of orange on a vest or hat, because the “human” outline is broken up by the camo around it. ---
**Author:** ![zigaretten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/91b2a8/32.png) [@zigaretten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zigaretten)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 8:04pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/5 "2002-12-17T20:04:31Z")
OK…I guess I would probably see the orange camo. My problem is that the same store sells [this](http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/pod/horizontal-pod.jhtml?id=0013147&navAction=push&navCount=14&indexId=cat470082&parentId=cat470082&parentType=index&rid=) camo which I’m not gonna see in a million years. I know that it’s nice if the animals don’t see you, but it’s not nice if you get yourself shot. So I guess my question is…what has changed in the last 25 years or so that makes hunting in camo safe now if it wasn’t safe then? ---
**Author:** ![Susanann](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/7ab992/32.png) [@Susanann](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Susanann)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 10:24pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/6 "2002-12-17T22:24:49Z")
Deer are color blind, or at least they dont care what color you are. If you dont move, the deer cannot tell that you are a human, even if you have no camaflouge at all. Deer also cannot see you when they put their head down. You can walk right up to a deer, if you walk toward him while his head is down. He cant remember that the last time he saw you, you were 10 steps father away. If you look like a deer , he will think you are a deer. Ive seen deer attack fake decoys, rubber ones that did not even smell like deer, deer are very “visual”(like men). ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 10:26pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/7 "2002-12-17T22:26:42Z")
I remember the same thing, and it is one of my pet peeves. They all go around trying to look like Rambo these days. No wonder they get shot! ---
**Author:** ![UncleBeer](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/u/977dab/32.png) [@UncleBeer](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/UncleBeer)\ **Post date:** [December 17, 2002, 11:23pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/8 "2002-12-17T23:23:29Z")
> [@](#): > > Other types of hunting rely on basically sneaking up on game (pheasant) so color doesn’t matter. If you’re trying to sneak up on pheasant, you ain’t ever gonna get one. For pheasant, and pret’ near all other upland game, you want a dog to flush 'em outta the weeds. Now, if you’re hunting, say turkey, you need to be well camouflaged. However, you still ain’t gonna sneak up on 'em. You need to be deadly still. I fact, I can’t think of any game-type critter that you’d wanna sneak up on. It’s either flush 'em out, or hide and let them walk/fly up on you. ---
**Author:** ![zigaretten](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/z/91b2a8/32.png) [@zigaretten](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/zigaretten)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 12:23am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/9 "2002-12-18T00:23:49Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by ratatoskK \* > \*\*I remember the same thing, and it is one of my pet peeves. They all go around trying to look like Rambo these days. No wonder they get shot! \*\* But do they get shot more often? And if not, why not? Were the red jackets just an unnecessary precaution to begin with? And again…if they were a necessary (or advisable) precaution before, then why not now? ---
**Author:** ![chique](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/c/4491bb/32.png) [@chique](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/chique)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 12:59am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/10 "2002-12-18T00:59:53Z")
In Minnesota: > [@](#): > > A visible portion of at least one article of clothing above the waist must be blaze orange for anyone taking small game, except for those hunting wild turkeys, migratory birds, raccoons or predators, or when hunting with nontoxic shot or while trapping. This restriction does not apply to persons hunting by falconry. In addition, all hunters and trappers must wear blaze orange clothing in areas open under applicable laws and ordinances to firearms deer hunting, (including the Muzzleloader Season), except for migratory waterfowl hunters on waters or in a stationary shooting location, or trappers on waters. See page 31-32 for additional details. From page 18 of [DNR](http://files.dnr.state.mn.us/rlp/regulations/hunting/2002_hunting.pdf) hunting regulations. IOW, it’s not required by state law to wear blaze under certain conditions. Your state probably has similar rules. ---
**Author:** ![\_etalhea](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/_/779978/32.png) [@\_etalhea](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/_etalhea)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 2:47am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/11 "2002-12-18T02:47:42Z")
> [@](#): > > \*Originally posted by UncleBeer \* > \*\*If you’re trying to sneak up on pheasant, you ain’t ever gonna get one. For pheasant, and pret’ near all other upland game, you want a dog to flush 'em outta the weeds. > > Now, if you’re hunting, say turkey, you need to be well camouflaged. However, you still ain’t gonna sneak up on 'em. You need to be deadly still. > > I fact, I can’t think of any game-type critter that you’d wanna sneak up on. It’s either flush 'em out, or hide and let them walk/fly up on you. \*\* ummm, I’ll give you the pheasant one, that’s right, but after that, I’d like to make some points. I hate tree stands. I stalk my deer. Granted, you can’t chase them as in “Mutual of Omaha - Wild Kingdom -Lion on the run” kinda chasing, but stalking or “Still Hunting” (I have no idea why they call it that, but check Field & Stream) is an effective technique. \*\* The deer in my freezer will tell you that I’m very effective at it.\*\* I chased a deer for over a mile this season. Likewise, I don’t know any other way to hunt squirrels other than to go out and walk around a lot of trees. While hunting grouse with dogs is popular, I’ve always stalked them myself, you have to do something to get them to jump. If your point is that we’re not able to do what lions/bears/etc. do, I agree, but there are plenty of “sneaking up” scenarios during my hunts. ---
**Author:** ![David\_Simmons](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/d/9de053/32.png) [@David\_Simmons](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/David_Simmons)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 3:10am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/12 "2002-12-18T03:10:48Z")
[slight hijack] Hunters aren’t the only things that get shot by mistake. One year a cattle rancher at Bishop, CA painted the words COW in big letters on the sides of his cattle. There was a picture on the Sports page of the _Los Angeles Times_.[/slight hijack] ---
**Author:** ![Spiratu](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/s/47e85d/32.png) [@Spiratu](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Spiratu)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 3:18am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/13 "2002-12-18T03:18:34Z")
It depends on how you’re hunting. If you’re using a bow, you’re allowed to use the full camo outfit, because you have to get close to shoot a deer with a bow, and because (more importantly) other people have to get close to shoot you, and presumably would notice you’re not a deer. When hunting with a rifle, however, there are a lot more opportunities for quick, long-range shots, and so the blaze orange is required. ---
**Author:** ![GusNSpot](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/gusnspot/32/436_2.png) [@GusNSpot](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/GusNSpot)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 3:29am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/14 "2002-12-18T03:29:26Z")
Cows and horses and goats and dogs and cats and people get shot because the hunter is stupid, or drunk, or does not really care, or thinks they are the best. Writing ‘cow’ on them does not, IMO, do any good from what I have observed. I have made no study. I have a game officer who is a friend and what it comes down to mostly is what I have already listed. One more thing that is becoming more and more common is the ones who just want to shot anything living, including people. There is a large chance that they will not get caught and IMO, just as the message board mentality of not having to live with what you say, that anonymity that one gets allow these types to fulfill their fantasy. Sadly, some people get killed just fpr the very fact that these sick people can find them easily. YNNV ---
**Author:** ![lee](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/lee/32/7455_2.png) [@lee](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/lee)\ **Post date:** [December 18, 2002, 3:45am UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/15 "2002-12-18T03:45:55Z")
Red was the safety color long ago but for the last 25 years or so it was blaze orange. We learned that in Hunter’s Safety when I was a girl. Best gym class I ever took. No dressing for gym, very little physical activity, except near the end we went to the rifle range in the basement of the school and had target practice. Lots of knowledge about being safe out doors. Excellent class. ---
**Author:** ![Opengrave](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/o/919ad9/32.png) [@Opengrave](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/Opengrave)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 3:13pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/16 "2002-12-19T15:13:32Z")
\*\*If you’re trying to sneak up on pheasant, you ain’t ever gonna get one. For pheasant, and pret’ near all other upland game, you want a dog to flush 'em outta the weeds. \*\* [/QUOTE] You don’t need a dog, you need an [army](http://www.camppioneer.org/personal/leobarn.jpg) (the other 15 or so hunters were just out of frame on the right). Maybe sneaking up wasn’t the best choice of words, flushing would have been better. The point still stands, concealment is not necessary for upland birds. **//\etalhea|)** For me tree stands are boring as well. It is just too easy, the only ‘hunting’ is trying to find a good place for your stand. For me shooting a deer from a stand at 150 yds is no more challenging than a paper target. Turkey with a bow is hunting. ---
**Author:** ![ratatoskK](https://sea3.discourse-cdn.com/straightdope/user_avatar/boards.straightdope.com/ratatoskk/32/2987_2.png) [@ratatoskK](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/ratatoskK)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 4:47pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/17 "2002-12-19T16:47:17Z")
I like that Minnesota law – it basically says that if it’s deer-hunting season, you MUST wear blaze orange (unless you’re out in a boat somewhere), regardless of what you personally might be hunting. ---
**Author:** ![jeel](https://avatars.discourse-cdn.com/v4/letter/j/71e660/32.png) [@jeel](https://boards.straightdope.com/u/jeel)\ **Post date:** [December 19, 2002, 5:03pm UTC](https://boards.straightdope.com/t/hunter-safety/143360/18 "2002-12-19T17:03:31Z")
It seems that hunters wear more blaze orange vests, jackets, and caps during the centerfire rifle seasons for big game. Here’s what I think the reasoning behind it is: The ranges of most centerfire hunting rifle cartridges are pretty substantial. If some drunk idiot is hunting and decides to shoot at the first thing moving at long range, he might think twice if the moving object is bright orange. For the same reason, you don’t have to be as well hidden if you are shooting at an animal from 200 yards or so. The elements of disguise and surprise are not that important during rifle season. On the other side of the coin, during bow and muzzleloading season, the range of shots taken is significantly reduced. You really have to hide to get within range of the game. Since the effective range of the weapon is lesser than with a rifle, your chances of somebody shooting you from across a canyon is lessened. Another explanation is that during the early season hunts for game like deer and elk, you usually can wait for the animal to come to you or near you, but during later season hunts there is more stalking involved. Any time a hunter is moving from one place to another, he/she should make themselves visible and distinguishable from the game being hunted. But what it all boils down to is **STUPID PEOPLE**!!! Anybody/Everybody who goes hunting should know their target, and know what is behind it. Accidents happen, but to be honest if there weren’t stupid people in this world, **nobody** would ever have to wear an orange vest or jacket hunting! ☹ A slight hijack…I am an avid hunter but I absolutely loathe 97% of the hunting shows on television. I think they wrongly portray hunters as either redneck spaz a-holes or snobby, filthy-rich trophy hunters. I have no respect for either type.