Remember: Hunters Must Wear Blaze Orange When Hunting

Minnesota’s small game hunting season is officially underway, and conservation officers with the Minnesota Department of Natural Resources report some hunters are not wearing required blaze orange clothing.

Wearing blaze orange is requirement for safety, regardless of where you are hunting, and it just may save your life.  Blaze orange is required for small game season as well as the upcoming firearms deer season.  If you're orange gear has faded, go out and get all new things to wear.

Here are more guidelines from the Minnesota DNR:

• Small game seasons: At least one visible article of clothing above the waist must be blaze orange when taking small game, except when hunting migratory birds from a blind or on the water, wild turkeys, raccoons or predators, when hunting by falconry, when trapping (outside deer seasons) or when hunting deer by archery while stationary.
• Deer season: The visible portion of at least one item of a cap and one item of outer clothing above the waist, excluding sleeves and gloves, must be blaze orange when hunting or trapping during any open season where deer may be taken by firearms (including special hunts, early antlerless, youth seasons and muzzleloader). Blaze orange includes a camouflage pattern of at least 50 percent blaze orange within each square foot.

Hunters often share wooded areas with non-hunters.  To avoid an accident, here are some safety tips for non-hunters:

• Wear bright clothing. Choose colors that stand out, like red, orange or green, and avoid white, blacks, browns, earth-toned greens and animal-colored clothing. Blaze orange vests and hats are advisable.
• Be courteous. Don’t make unnecessary noise to disturb wildlife. Avoid confrontations.
• Know the dates of hunting seasons. Learn about where and when hunting is taking place.

Good luck out there and be safe.