blaze orange requirements

[Nova]

This is from the DNR reg's about blaze orange for small game. If I understand correctly you don't have to wear blaze orange if you use nontoxic shot. I emailed the drn, but what do you think?

bla ze Orange Require ments

Small Game Seasons: You may not take small game unless a visible

portion of at least one article of clothing above the waist is blaze orange,

except when hunting wild turkeys, migratory birds, raccoons, or predators,

or when hunting by falconry, with nontoxic

shot or while trapping.

[Eric Wettschreck]

The way I read the regs is that you have to have something orange on unless you are hunting waterfowl.

[metrojoe]

There does seem to be some room for interpretation, but unless I was duck hunting, I would always wear blaze orange. In the end it will be the discretion of the CO that determines the outcome.

I wouldn't risk it.

[Nova]

yeah, but in the section I copied from the regs the second to last exception says using nontoxic shot?

[Nova]

Metor, I agree, but I walk an area with lots of CRP and pot holes. sometimes I sit at the pot hole and shoot ducks coming in. When I am JUST pheasant hunting I always wear the orange vest and hat.

[Nova]

I just got the reply from the DNR. here it is.

Technically you do not have to if you are using non-toxic shot. It is still a very good and safer idea to wear an orange hat or vest or both, but as long as you do not use lead shot, you do not have to wear orange. Keivn

[metrojoe]

Well, there ya go.

I think I would still be inclined to carry a blaze orange hat or one of those cheap pull over vests.

Good Luck

[gspman]

IMHO if you are upland hunting you should at least have an orange hat on. If you are combo upland/waterfowl hunting just wear an orange hat for the upland part and carry a camo hat for the waterfowling part. When you get to the waterfowling part of your hunt just switch hats. It's much safer with orange on and it's a lot easier for other hunters to see you and the direction you are going. Hopefully they will adjust their course if both you and they are on intercepting courses.