Non-hunters wearing orange

[Pete D.]

That "they just don't know any better" is right on for the most part ( though some people are just stupid). The other day I was out with the setter looking for grouse in a hunting permitted section of Rickett's Glen SP. The trail is a big loop of about 2.5 miles through nice cover. I have hunted it before. Last time I was there -walking in one direction with a 12 ga, SXS, here comes round a bend in the trail from the other direction a troop of Boy Scouts and their leaders. No orange. No awareness.
Suppose the dog had pinned a bird and it flushed and flew over that bend or down the trail toward the bend and I'd shot at it. What's the worst that could have happened? Think a load of shot whistling over head would have gotten their attention?
Pete

[WCO,R.W.J]

Actually there is a requirement for Orange during a certian time of the year, Personally ! wouldnt mind seeing it extended.

Title 58 SS135.41

(c) Additional prohibitions. In addition to the prohibitions contained in the act pertaining to State game lands and § 135.2, except with the written permission of the Director, it is unlawful to:

(21) Except on Sundays, be present on State game lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored material. The material shall be worn so it is visible in a 360° arc. Persons using shooting ranges are exempted from this requirement.

[NA Wreckdiver]

Originally Posted by WCO,R.W.J

Actually there is a requirement for Orange during a certian time of the year, Personally ! wouldnt mind seeing it extended.

Title 58 SS135.41

(c) Additional prohibitions. In addition to the prohibitions contained in the act pertaining to State game lands and § 135.2, except with the written permission of the Director, it is unlawful to:

(21) Except on Sundays, be present on State game lands from November 15 through December 15 inclusive when not engaged in lawful hunting or trapping and fail to wear a minimum of 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same colored material. The material shall be worn so it is visible in a 360° arc. Persons using shooting ranges are exempted from this requirement.

I've never been able to figure out the superior wisdom that crafted the orange regs... Far above my IQ.

ETA: I'm talking about orange regs for hunters as well.

[WCO,R.W.J]

I agree, I can be just as confusing for Officers as well.

[wis bang]

My problem is this FO doesn't extend to SFL. I see alot of non-hunters on the state forest land w/ out a clue that it is hunting season.

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by wis bang

My problem is this FO doesn't extend to SFL. I see alot of non-hunters on the state forest land w/ out a clue that it is hunting season.

somehow educating the non-hunting public about hunting season and the need to wear orange would be great idea, imho.

but state forests are not state game lands and are not under the control of the game commission the way SGLs are...nor should they be.

SGLs are for hunters. state forests are for the general public.

SGLs should cater to hunters...and thus rules made specifically because of hunting should apply to everyone who uses SGLs. non-hunting use of SGLs should be subordinate to hunting use of SGLs. and non-hunters should have to modify their behavior to accommodate hunters on SGLs.

state forests, however, should not cater to hunters. hunters should be allowed to use them, but, in the case of state forests, hunters--like any other specific group of users--should be subordinate to the overall public. the public should not have to cater to hunters.

on state forest land, rules made specifically because of hunting should only effect hunters. if hunters cannot use state forest land without impacting others, then hunting should probably not be allowed on state forest land--rather than forcing others to change their behavior to accommodate hunters.

SGLs essentially belong to hunters. state forests belong to everyone.

people should still wear orange in state forests during hunting seasons. they should be educated and encouraged to wear orange. but they should not face any legal ramifications for not doing so. they should not be legally forced to change their behavior to accommodate a special interest group when they are on land funded with general taxpayers dollars.

[wis bang]

Originally Posted by LittleRedToyota

somehow educating the non-hunting public about hunting season and the need to wear orange would be great idea, imho.

but state forests are not state game lands and are not under the control of the game commission the way SGLs are...nor should they be.

SGLs are for hunters. state forests are for the general public.

SGLs should cater to hunters...and thus rules made specifically because of hunting should apply to everyone who uses SGLs. non-hunting use of SGLs should be subordinate to hunting use of SGLs. and non-hunters should have to modify their behavior to accommodate hunters on SGLs.

state forests, however, should not cater to hunters. hunters should be allowed to use them, but, in the case of state forests, hunters--like any other specific group of users--should be subordinate to the overall public. the public should not have to cater to hunters.

on state forest land, rules made specifically because of hunting should only effect hunters. if hunters cannot use state forest land without impacting others, then hunting should probably not be allowed on state forest land--rather than forcing others to change their behavior to accommodate hunters.

SGLs essentially belong to hunters. state forests belong to everyone.

people should still wear orange in state forests during hunting seasons. they should be educated and encouraged to wear orange. but they should not face any legal ramifications for not doing so. they should not be legally forced to change their behavior to accommodate a special interest group when they are on land funded with general taxpayers dollars.

I wasn't calling for jail terms. My family has a state forest lease since 1928 and there are close to 1000 such leases in the Delaware State Forest and most of them are owned by hunters who pay taxes at home and to the township where there lease is located.

Yes the SFL was purchased by tax money VRS Pittman-Robinson and hunting license funds for the SGL.

I'm not asking for exclusive use [which I believe the SGL SHOULD have] but there should be regulations, signage, whatever it takes to influence non-hunters to use FO while persuing non-hunting activities on SFL.

I grew up hunting the SFL and I know I always check behind my quary BUT I've seen alot of nimrods in the invading Orange Army who may not and I don't want to see anyone shot when some FO would have prevented it.

I've worn some form of FO for 39 years because it works!

[LittleRedToyota]

Originally Posted by wis bang

there should be regulations, signage, whatever it takes to influence non-hunters to use FO while persuing non-hunting activities on SFL.

i agree with signage and general education campaign 100%.

regulations, though, imply some form of punishment if you do not follow them. with regard to SFL, i just cannot agree with that for the reasons i stated.

but, yeah, everyone should voluntarily make the choice to wear orange...it's just the smart choice.

btw, i would not be opposed to exclusive use of SGL for hunters during hunting season.

[soup]

The game lands near my house has signage at the entrance "SGL #xxx hunters wear Orange. So should you" The I think it has orange requirements. It may even show a guy walking his dog with both him and the dog wearing orange (I didn't pay much attention to it)

[lexnaturalis]

Originally Posted by Dredly

in theory they should...going out during rifle season you would have to be stupid to walk in the woods without wearing orange

Exactly. I'm a member of a search and rescue team and it's mandatory that all our members have orange on when we're searching during hunting season.