Recently Mark Freeman, an outdoor sports writer ( he does have a desk inside) for the Mail Tribune, reported Oregon’s legislature is considering a law requiring big game hunters to wear what’s referred to as “Hunter Orange.”
The reasons for this are simple; when there are multiple people carrying rifles and shooting bullets in confined areas you do not want to be misidentified as game.
The legislature is considering many areas that could be included in the law, such as; what clothing should be worn that are orange, what percentage needs to be orange, and if orange will be only required for those under 18. The thought for dressing youngsters like creamsicles is explained by Chris Willard, the Oregon Department of Fish and Wildlife’s education services manager.
“The idea is like that of bicycle helmet and life jacket laws for kids — make hunter-orange part of their early routine and they'll be more likely to carry it through their hunting adulthood.”
Is Mr. Willard a parent? He should know that as soon as an 18 year old doesn’t have to do something he was previously required, the rebellion against continuing that practice begins.
The exact opposite needs to happen. Tell young hunters they’re not allowed to wear orange until their 18. Then it becomes a rite of adulthood when they can ceremoniously don the bright florescent cap and vest. Guaranteed there will be more orange on 18 year olds than seen in a Florida citrus grove.
Studies have determined big game, such as deer and elk, don’t distinguish orange. However this could be misinformation distributed by PETA. What if deer can really only see orange. The legislature is falling into their trap.
The best pro arguments used in enforcing sportsmen to wear orange are to apply the same benefits advocates for children wearing school uniforms detail.
Professional: a hunter in uniform would likely take stalking big game more seriously. The uniform evokes a greater sense of pride and hunters would be more concerned stewards of the forest. They would not only be more sophisticated in their stealthiness but, also look real sharp.
Promotes good discipline: Wearing hunter orange jump suits would diminish discipline problems associated with crawling around the woods spending long hours hiding behind rocks. There’d be fewer lewd jokes told around campfires and profanity would take a back seat to lucid conversation.
Reduces Fighting and Violence:
No more hunters fighting over who actually delivered the kill shot. They’d be more cooperative and use conflict management resolution skills to resolve such issues.
Distractions: Because every hunter would dress alike class boundaries would be nonexistent. All hunters would be fashion equals with no distinctions between poor and rich hunters, good shots and bad. No under privileged hunter would feel self conscious in not being able to keep up with current fashion trends. Most importantly, no hunter would be distracted checking out another hunter’s fashionable attire.
Low Cost: Since these are a one size fits all baggie jump suit Malaysian production lines can whizz these through, lowering the cost per suit.
Finally, the hunter uniform would promote hunter spirit. Since all are equals there’s a sense of belonging to a brotherhood and sisterhood of fellow hunters. Camaraderie would grow, hunter team flags would be created. On the first day of the hunting season fellow hunters will run into the woods, ripping through paper banners with the words scrawled across in bright paint, “Don’t shoot anything orange!”
If I was a deer, and a law is passed by the state legislature requiring the wearing of orange I’d steal me one of those orange vests that road construction workmen wear and strap it tight around my furry hide. After all, no hunter would ever shoot anything in orange, even if it has horns.
