Governor Signs Bill to Allow Fluorescent Pink as Option for Hunters

OLYMPIA – During this year’s legislative session, pink has become the new orange. On April 10, the state House of Representatives passed Engrossed Substitute Senate Bill (ESSB) 5148, a bill expanding orange clothing requirements for hunters to include fluorescent pink. The state Senate had already passed the bill Feb. 20; Gov. Jay Inslee signed it today.

“Orange will always be the classic safety color, but I think our state’s hunters can appreciate something new and different – and because fluorescent pink doesn’t blend in with anything else in the forest or field, it also offers the excellent visibility we need for safety,” said Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, a longtime hunter who was prime sponsor of ESSB 5148.

“This idea received unanimous support in the Legislature, and I can see hunter pink being very popular with both women and men, especially because pink is also linked to the fight against breast cancer,” added Wilson, who has been undergoing treatment for breast cancer during the time that her idea has made its way into law. For more information about the bill go to http://lyndawilson.src.wastateleg.o...ar-fluorescent-pink-headed-to-governor/.

Since the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife (WDFW) began requiring hunters to wear hunter orange, hunter injuries and incidents declined significantly in Washington. Fluorescent pink is considered equally visible to hunter orange, and nine other states have passed laws allowing hunters to wear pink clothing for safety.

“By adding fluorescent hunter pink, we are providing more choices to our hunters,” said David Whipple, hunter education division manager. “Women are one of the fastest-growing hunting groups, though we believe that this option will feel inclusionary all to new hunters. This attention is also helping to highlight the safe behaviors for continued reductions in hunter injuries and incidents.”

The current law gives WDFW the authority to adopt rules specifying gear and other hunting equipment. Currently, hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange exterior clothing during specific hunting seasons.

The new law, like most created this year, will take effect in July. In preparation, WDFW will begin a rule-making process to accommodate hunter pink. WDFW is also taking extra steps now to implement the legislation immediately, which allows time for public education and for hunters to buy pink clothing in time for fall deer, elk, and upland bird modern firearm seasons.

Those who wish to learn more about hunter safety can visit our hunter education and requirements page at https://wdfw.wa.gov/hunting/requirements.

Press release provided by the Washington Department of Fish and Wildlife.
https://www.kpq.com/governor-signs-bill-to-allow-fluorescent-pink-as-option-for-hunters/

I think the color pink has other connotations in Washington too. Remember the pink triangles of a few years ago? Figures.

WI passed this several years ago. Sales of Pink were weak. Women didn't want to be signaled out as being different.

The pink shows up very well.
Tom

so does the safety green, off all colors of surveyor's ribbon I can see the green farther and the orange least. in the fall woods.

Hot pink fletching sure works amazing .

This-- I switched a while back to Pink surveyor ribbon. Shows up much better than the orange I used for years, especially against a snowy background.

X2

Wish they would include many more fluorescent colors.

the only real issue I have heard of with the pink is the people who are truly color blind see green and pink the same.

other than that non issue.

the color I think should be allowed is the hi-viz green. it isn't technically a legit color in WI however I had a Hi-Viz green stocking hat I wore with my blaze orange coat I used to wear hunting everyone knew who I was at hundreds of yards that hat really stood out.
for many years my dad an I had identical coats , I know have a different coat and my son wears the one identical to my dads.

in pictures however the hi-viz hat always showed as white.

I like to be able to identify my people at long distance so I know if the drivers are coming in the right order or if it is someone who is lost or from another party.

a different color hat or a band of a different florescent on the arm would be good

"the only real issue I have heard of with the pink is the people who are truly color blind see green and pink the same."

I have a good friend that is color blind and he sees blaze orange the same color as deer. Yep, he says put a blaze vast on a deer and he would see no difference.

I agree that Hi Viz green would be a better option.

When will it be rainbow?

A similar law passed in Va in the past couple of years. I think it is a nod to women hunters. Seems unnecessary to me but doesn't hurt anything.

They say that blaze orange looks like bright white to deer. They also say hot pink looks like medium grey to deer. Not sure about Hi-vis green. Agree the green is easiest for us to see.

This is the first year for Illinois to use it.


Danny

I think it is wonderful knowing that all the real important issues have been solved by lawmakers so they can move on to this kind of trivial BS.

^^ Exactly

Yep someone wanting to sell something different.. Some colors do wash out quicker in fog or even bright sun. I think for the most part a person could use any of the true florescent Blaze colors and be fine..There will always be that one someone gets shot no matter what color they wear. I think people also get immune so to speak to the color thing.. Wasn't that long ago they went to the Florescent road vest. Now there is so many people wearing that color for everything. \i think people start to ignore it.

Mac

Argee, just look on a construction site. About the only thing that stands out isn't painted high vis.

My thoughts exactly.. Where does it end.? One person suggests it and then the powers that be act like everyone wants it..