For those here that have never hunted in NY, you need to understand the State is split into 2 hunting zones. The Northern Zone and southern zone. Although NY has never had a BO requirement, and the NYSDEC’s own data confirms NY has one of the safest hunting records in the country. I do voluntarily wear BO while hunting the Southern Zone.

However, the Northern Zone is completely different. It is very likely a deer hunter could hunt the entire season and not encounter another hunter in the field. On top of that, I’ll repeat, the NYSDEC’s data shows the majority of hunting accidents are SELF INFLICTED. BO does nothing to inhibit one from shooting themselves, or falling out of a tree stand.

I have hunted many states and Provence’s that have BO requirements, and I’ll bet anyone here, NY without a BO law, has a better safety record while putting around 700,000 hunters afield each year.

We all know the way things are going in the world today, I feel, If you need a law to tell you to have colors on when you walk in the woods, It fits.

With the new times of younger folks hunting, With or with out a guide, I wear Como & a little color.

I used to resent having to wear blaze orange until I still hunted into crazy close range of multiple deer and elk while wearing orange cammo jacket or watch cap. Don’t mind now cause if you’re not moving they don’t recognize the danger. Proved it to myself many times.

We have mandatory blaze orange (hat and vest) regulations in Ontario and this for all trapping activities during gun season for deer, moose and elk.

It is understood that blaze orange will not never prevent all hunting accidents. However, when hunting pressure is at its peak, it will prevent certain type of accidents for sure.

Been shot at during a turkey hunt.. a good thing it was a bird shot, my daughter and I would have been dead if it had been 00 buckshot. A Careless hunting case with hunter charged...it could have been worst.

It is understand valid arguments can be made for waterfowl hunters being out during gun hunt for deer. However, I have not encountered too many guys hunting Canada geese from a treestand (have seen it).

Ok reading, typing and watching hockey game should not be done at same time....

In Mn,once you are on or in the water,the blaze can be removed. I have to find the regs to see exactly how it is worded.
I have worn blaze till I got to my blind or boat.
Doesn't NYS now require Blaze for new hunters 14 and 15 and their Mentors?
Tom

If you want to wear.blaze orange for safety concerns by all means do so ..... Don't.tell me I have to.wear.it or be fined .... Like squash said earlier very few hunters in the northern zone and.lots.of acerage ....

Government can pass just about any regulations they want and at times there is unfortunately little that can be done... so yes it may come down to were it or go home with a ticket. However, if you guys can lobby Government to turn this around I am sure many will be interested in hearing arguments. When game and fish laws are amended to improve safety for hunters or trappers it is a very tough one to argue...just saying.

Cant imagine not wearing hunter orange in populated areas.Lots of places in the south I have heard when deer season opens it is like a little war going on on the little sections of bush surrounded by fields.

Up north wearing red could get you shot-someone might mistake you for a stop sign.

Here hunter orange is mandatory for hunters during moose/bear/upland game season.