Ask a conservation officer

[Lee Borgersen]

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          Ask a conservation officer


Ask a conservation officer: Blaze orange required when deer hunting open

By Matthew S. Miller, 







 

 











Q: Now that the rifle deer season is over, can I go back to wearing just one piece of blaze orange clothing for grouse or small-game hunting? 
 


     

 

   




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A: No. State law requires that hunters and trappers (including waterfowl hunters on land) wear a blaze orange jacket or vest, and a blaze orange hat (if a hat is worn) when hunting or trapping where deer may be taken by firearms. This includes the muzzleloader season, which runs from Nov. 28 to Dec. 13 this year.

To be considered a legal article of blaze orange clothing, the pattern must contain at least 50 percent blaze orange. A hunter could always wear more blaze orange clothing, including bibs or pants, gloves, facemask, etc., so as to be more visible to other hunters, but this is the required minimum.


For more information on blaze orange requirements and exemptions, see page 32 in the Hunting Regulation book.