A properly attired hiker: Blaze orange in hunting season

[bushwhacker88]

Although most do, it would be unwise to assume that all hunters follow the regulations. There have been several unfortunate shootings here in Georgia where people hunting on their own land or on leased land didnt wear their orange believing themselves to be the only ones on the property and were mistaken for deer by trespassers. Better safe than sorry.

[jboggg]

Good topic. I do a lot of hunting on National Forest near the AT in North GA. As an FYI the white oak acorn crop at higher elevations failed this year so most of the bears moved to lower elevations where they were in greater abundance. As a result most hunters have moved lower as well.

[LazyLightning]

I've been wearing Hanes 'cool dry' 100% polyester t shirts at work for years doing construction and has been my hiking choice as well including my current thru hike. They come in blaze orange so its part of my gear, nothing extra just switch the color for hunting season. The shirts are super durable, breathable, dry quick even totally soaked and wringing it out/puting it back on.... And there like 5 bux come long and short sleeve..... In cold weather I have my wool base layers underneath.

[Time Zone]

I've been wearing Hanes 'cool dry' 100% polyester t shirts at work for years doing construction and has been my hiking choice as well including my current thru hike. They come in blaze orange so its part of my gear, nothing extra just switch the color for hunting season. The shirts are super durable, breathable, dry quick even totally soaked and wringing it out/puting it back on.... And there like 5 bux come long and short sleeve..... In cold weather I have my wool base layers underneath.

Where can you find those?

I have found some Fruit of the Loom 50/50 shirts at WM that are bright - I have a bright yellow and another that is effectively blaze orange. Similar pricing. 50/50 is a good fabric for warm weather, but probably want all synth in cold weather, so I'm curious about the ones you mention. Thanks!

[LazyLightning]

Where can you find those?

I have found some Fruit of the Loom 50/50 shirts at WM that are bright - I have a bright yellow and another that is effectively blaze orange. Similar pricing. 50/50 is a good fabric for warm weather, but probably want all synth in cold weather, so I'm curious about the ones you mention. Thanks!

Try searching "Hanes Cool Dri" (dri not dry) on Wal-Mart.com .... They have a big color selection and usually blaze orange in stock online, much more stuff online then in stock at Wal-Mart.

[Another Kevin]

Another Kevin in hunting season:

Ahead:


Astern:

DSC_2714.JPG

[Time Zone]

Try searching "Hanes Cool Dri" (dri not dry) on Wal-Mart.com .... They have a big color selection and usually blaze orange in stock online, much more stuff online then in stock at Wal-Mart.

Thanks! Looks like they're on to your great idea ... prices are now about double of what you said (for men's), but a) it's still a great deal, and b) you said you've been wearing them for years, so prices do rise over time for various reasons. I'll try to remember these shirts next time I need to update my Insect Shield-treated clothes. I pretty much only hike in IS-treated socks/pants/shirts, though my blaze orange tee and blaze orange vest were not part of the batch I sent them, so those (one or the other) are just worn over top of whatever IS-treated clothes I have on. For the back of my pack, rather than buying a pack cover I don't want or need, I'm looking at just hanging a blaze orange drawstring backpack from the back of my pack. It's only 2.4 oz, and would probably be < 1oz if I just cut out a panel and pinned it.

One time this summer, I thought, "nah, it's so hot, I'll just wear regular shorts." Found a half-dozen ticks on my legs at the end of the hike; haven't hiked in shorts since.

Rangers tend to wear long pants too, and I figure it's probably for good reason.

[Another Kevin]

I'm not afraid of being mistaken for a deer. I'm afraid of being downrange of one.

I got uncomfortably close to a couple of hunters in spring turkey season this year. They were falling all over themselves apologising. They had no idea that they were firing across a blazed trail. (Obviously not the AT, and much less popular).

[Time Zone]

Many of us are doomed if it is necessary for a trail to have the popularity of the AT to ensure that hunters won't fire across it. Hopefully your experience was borne of exceedingly rare circumstances. I wonder, though ....

In years past I've simply not hiked in WMAs during hunting season. I've hiked elsewhere. Now, the trail sections I most want to complete are in WMAs that have hunting season during the best time to hike them (cooler weather).

:-p

[Another Kevin]

Many of us are doomed if it is necessary for a trail to have the popularity of the AT to ensure that hunters won't fire across it. Hopefully your experience was borne of exceedingly rare circumstances. I wonder, though ....

In years past I've simply not hiked in WMAs during hunting season. I've hiked elsewhere. Now, the trail sections I most want to complete are in WMAs that have hunting season during the best time to hike them (cooler weather).

:-p

You guessed correctly - it was a WMA that I was hiking in - and a WMA for which the trail maps s*k ('*' of course is replaced with 'tin'). In fact, I was there GPSing trails to try to help correct the latter condition.

At least it wasn't big game season - they were loaded with birdshot. And I wasn't Harry Whittington. (When Dick Cheney shoots someone, the victim apologizes!)

Oh, this is another reason to carry a whistle. At first the guys didn't hear me halloaing - but they did hear my whistle and removed their ear protection.

[GaryM]

Consider wearing orange year round, makes it easier for S&R to find you. Unless you don't want to be seen of course.

[One Half]

I am hiking from Fontana to Hot Springs starting Oct 1, do I need to consider some orange?

As a non-hunter you are not REQUIRED to wear orange. But it's an EXCELLENT idea for your own safety.

[saltysack]

Just remember poachers don’t follow the rules or seasons...I feel it’s a good idea to be seen whenever in the woods...if you’re worried about spooking the animals don’t because most are colorblind and will definitely smell or hear a stinky hiker well well before they see you. In the south wild hogs can be hunted year round as they’re not native and considered a nuisance. Just my $.02.....safety has nothing to do with LNT.....


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[bbikebbs]

I appreciate this thread. I've got a question concerning the "blaze/safety" orange. Ordered an orange pack cover from the local outfitter and when I went to look at it yesterday, it wasn't anywhere close to what they had on their distributer's web site. Since then, when I look at web sites, I don't trust their pictures. Other than only purchasing from brick and mortar places, which I have a very limited selection, how do I know if the color shown is a true representation of what it is? I've already sent requests to a couple of places and am waiting for responses.

Scott

[Tipi Walter]

I appreciate this thread. I've got a question concerning the "blaze/safety" orange. Ordered an orange pack cover from the local outfitter and when I went to look at it yesterday, it wasn't anywhere close to what they had on their distributer's web site. Since then, when I look at web sites, I don't trust their pictures. Other than only purchasing from brick and mortar places, which I have a very limited selection, how do I know if the color shown is a true representation of what it is? I've already sent requests to a couple of places and am waiting for responses.

Scott

You could google the brand and model of pack cover you're interested in and then google images of that model in use and maybe you'll see other people using it on trips---and not images tied to the company or advertising. Maybe you'll find some reviews, too.

[Mags]

I appreciate this thread. I've got a question concerning the "blaze/safety" orange. Ordered an orange pack cover from the local outfitter and when I went to look at it yesterday, it wasn't anywhere close to what they had on their distributer's web site.

I've ordered this pack cover and it is a definite blaze orange.
https://www.shop.backpackingadventur...ting-at-PC.htm

EDIT: It is listed as ORange vs. when I bought it 2+ years ago. May want to call and ask if it is a blaze orange, still
This may work,, and is listed as blaze orange if more expensive and potentially on the large size.
http://www.jacksrbetter.com/shop/jef...ockpack-cover/

[bbikebbs]

Thanks for the suggestions! I actually heard back from one of the sources that I emailed. They sent the pantone number for the color of the fabric they use. It was close enough to what I was looking for that I pulled the trigger. Now I just have to wait until Tuesday for it to arrive.

[saltysack]

Just a heads up...I just listed for sale a safety orange Patagoochie Houdini wind jacket in xl....like new $45 shipped...


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[Slow Roller]

How many hikers have been shot by hunters on the AT. How many hikers have been killed by bears. How many have been attact by mice. Grow a set people.

[LazyLightning]

How many hikers have been shot by hunters on the AT. How many hikers have been killed by bears. How many have been attact by mice. Grow a set people.

Really? .... Your trying to talk people down from wearing safety orange telling them to 'grow a set'

Like the guy that saw my bear spray and said "did you need to use it yet?" ...... Um no, thanks, and if I don't have to use it I won't be upset either... I wasn't exactly planning on using it. I won't stop carrying it if I don't use it either.

If you don't want to wear orange don't wear it but why try to ridicule people for it?