Would You Support a Blaze Orange Compromise?

[wildcat junkie]

The legal hunting hours in NY for big game are sunrise to sunset.

 

This eliminates some of the best times for taking whiley bucks under natural conditiins for moderately pressured deer.

 

Most fatal NY deer hunting occurances happen during the last few minutes of daylight, often shortly after sundown. None that I am aware of involve hunters wearing blaze orange.

 

Many states require blaze orange but they also allow 1/2 hour before sunrise & 1/2 hiur after sunset. Even with iron sights, there is still plenty of light to make a shot during those times under most conditions. With good optics it is even more practical.

 

Would you support a blaze orange requirement if it allowed the extra 1/2 hour before sunrise & after sunset?

 

I always wear at least an orange hat, even though 90% of my deer hunting is done on my own property. To me it's not worth the chance. In my area it seems most are opposed to a blaze orange requirement because it hinders their ability to trespass without being noticed.

 

Indiana requires a hat, cap coat or vest of solid blaze orange. I have had deer feed for several minutes within 20 yards of me without noticing me when i was on the ground wearing a coat that was blaze orange.

Edited December 2, 2014 by wildcat junkie

[fasteddie]

I always wear Blaze Orange during gun season but I would never support having it mandatory .

[Doc]

If it were mandatory, I probably wouldn't lose any sleep over it. No, I am not going to start a campaign to pass laws regarding it, but I am of the opinion that it is absolutely stupid to be out in the woods without plenty of orange on. I am also of the opinion that there are way too many people without the intelligence to come to that opinion on their own (I've seem them). But I have to say that we are buried in laws already to the point where we are all offenders, often without even knowing it. Enough is enough!

 

Now as to making one safety feature into law at the expense of backing off on another, I can't say that I am in favor of that. Frankly I think the shooting hours are sensible, and adequate. I know there are those that disagree, but I have seen plenty of weather conditions, and forest over-story densities that make even the present rules a bit marginal. My opinion ...... leave it all alone and simply abide by the rules as they exist with a little common sense thrown in.

[First-light]

I would like to see a 1/2 hour before and after. Like Doc said you have to be a fool if you don't wear orange at gun season.

[ATbuckhunter]

I wear blaze orange anyway and so do majority of gun hunters as well so it wont bother me what so ever.

[Jeremy K]

Seems to me from what my ears have heard that people are already going 30 minutes before and after legal hours.

[jjb4900]

nope.

[CharlieNY]

I also feel that anyone who hunts during the firearms season without bearing blaze orange is not being responsible. I have always worn blaze orange during the firearms season even though I hunt on my own property, and it has never affected my hunting negatively. When my son began hunting some years ago, I required that he wear blaze orange during the firearms season, and he has worn it ever since. I would ask any hunter this question- Would you want your child or a loved one going into the woods during firearms season without some blaze orange on? If your answer is no, then you should also be wearing blaze orange.

[jjb4900]

I also feel that anyone who hunts during the firearms season without bearing blaze orange is not being responsible. I have always worn blaze orange during the firearms season even though I hunt on my own property, and it has never affected my hunting negatively. When my son began hunting some years ago, I required that he wear blaze orange during the firearms season, and he has worn it ever since. I would ask any hunter this question- Would you want your child or a loved one going into the woods during firearms season without some blaze orange on? If your answer is no, then you should also be wearing blaze orange.

my kids have always worn it, and I've gone from just a hat to a hat and vest since they started going with me, but I don't support it being mandatory.......and to the O.P., I think allowing people to shoot till it's dark is just as dangerous as not wearing blaze orange, only because there is no shortage of dangerous hunters out there.

Edited December 2, 2014 by jjb4900

[Mustang51js]

You should be able to wear tan clothes and still not get shot at. It amazes me people shoot at things without knowing what they are,like papist said,to many stupid people

[Five Seasons]

i would, but only on public land.

 

Honestly during these times I'm hardly ever actually moving through the woods. I'm in a stand, blind or hunkered down waiting on that natural movement. If it's even the slightest bit dark chances are i have my headlamp on. If you shoot at a headlamp than i don't know what to tell you.

[Mr VJP]

The biggest problem I have with blaze orange, is the statement it makes to the general public.  That being, "Hunters are so stupid in general, they have to wear blaze orange to keep from shooting one another".

 

The man who doesn't wear it isn't stupid.  The man who shoots at a man not wearing it is stupid.

 

Remember, only hunters would be required to wear it.  Anyone else in the woods would be exempt.  Do we not care if stupid hunters shoot them?

 

 

[HOUNDS77]

NO!

[Culvercreek hunt club]

 

 

The man who doesn't wear it isn't stupid.  The man who shoots at a man not wearing it is stupid.

 

Remember, only hunters would be required to wear it.  Anyone else in the woods would be exempt.  Do we not care if stupid hunters shoot them?

  Not enough information. Are they Liberals?

Edited December 2, 2014 by Culvercreek hunt club

[wooly]

It's a no for me.

Sometimes when I get in my stand I'll take my orange off just because I feel out of harms way up there., my vest is noisier against the tree than my fleecy under layers, and most of all because I CAN.

I could see that being in violation if it were to be mandatory, and I can do without that kind of hassle over a dress code.

I never touch the ground without it though.

[thphm]

It is already mandatory on NYC DEP lands.

[Mr VJP]

If the penalty for "accidentally" shooting someone were harsh enough. maybe we'd see fewer "accidents".

[NFA-ADK]

No

[bubba]

From the DEC, Almost every hunting "accident" occurs while the parties involved were already breaking the law.  for instance hunting after hours, everyone trying to be the person in the group to fill the last doe permit even if you are not in possession of it etc etc etc.  I do not see how making a new law will curb that.   There are several argument for and against.  Also form the DEC they are not in favor of mandatory BO.  I have seen it here in responses when the person got shot hauling his deer out on a cart.  Oh I wonder who was at fault, maybe the guy hauling the cart was not wearing orange.  All it does is conditions hunters to look for orange, not a viable target.  It does not condition people to be safer.  if it is orange, they pay less attention, and if not they get more anxious to pull the trigger.  So I would ask if these are the times that seem to be the most of these accidents happen is after legal shooting hours now, then the DEC is on the right track by not expanding the hours.  Why would you want to take the chance at lower light if that is when people get shot? I would think you would want to be out of the woods and safely in your vehicle.  Wearing orange gives you a false sense of security.  So my answer to both is NO. unless it was made mandatory for all big game hunting in NY.  Then you could legally sneak in that after hours hunt with a bow also. 

Edited December 2, 2014 by bubba

[Four Season Whitetail's]

I say bring on the orange law as long as it changes the hours. The guys that hunt only mature deer would love the changes, the ones that shoot anything..still can and the orange would save lives and help stop trespassers!

[HuntOrBeHunted]

Hereeeee we go again. Another shoot em if he doesn't have orange on thread lol.  You shouldn't HAVE to do anything. People shouldn't be shooting at what they can't ID. Period.

 

 

Remember the good ol saying guns dont kill people, people kill people. O I forgot its a phrase only used when it suits your needs.

 

 

Their are kids that might not brake every bush line you cant even see em. Maybe someone has dogs their using to hunt and you cant see the orange. O you ever think of this maybe someone other than a hunter is trying to enjoy the woods and take a stroll or bike ride do they need 5 layers of orange ???? They have nothing to do with hunters but have to worry cause people are slinging rounds like a moron.

 

But yea.. Lets here the excues roll in !!!!

[WNYBuckHunter]

I would support either of the two changes. While I agree that those that shoot others are being reckless whether Blaze is being worn or not, you are a fool if your not wearing it during gun season. Just my opinion.

 

I would also support a change to 1/2 hour before sunrise/after sunset. It works just fine in lots of other states.

[Five Seasons]

should NY do away with helmet and seat bell laws too?

[Culvercreek hunt club]

should NY do away with helmet and seat bell laws too?

 Absolutely!!! those damned bells going off are annoying.

Edited December 2, 2014 by Culvercreek hunt club

[Buckmaster7600]

NY should change to 30min before and after sunset in NZ during regular season! As for the Orange no way the last thing we need is another requirement and I do not and will not wear orange on my own property!