Bill would reduce amount of orange Utah hunters must wear
Feb 28, 2024, 5:30 PM | Updated: 7:20 pm
FILE: Jerry Monson helps his grandson Logan Webb with his orange while in camp above the Strawberry area as they hunt deer on the opening day of the Deer hunt. (Scott G. Winterton / Deseret News)
(Scott G. Winterton / Deseret News)
SALT LAKE CITY — Utah hunters might be wearing less orange clothing if a bill passes in the waning days of the legislative session and becomes law.
The bill, HB222, changes the required amount of the bright color a hunter must wear. Right now, a hunter’s attire must include at least 400 square inches of blaze orange.
The new proposed legislation would change the requirement to just one orange exterior piece of clothing worn above the waist. That can be a vest, jacket, backpack, or just a beanie.
Scaling back orange for hunters
Riley Peck, legislative liaison for the Utah Division of Wildlife Resources, says the amount of orange worn by hunters does not make or break safety.
“There are so many things that go into making (hunting) safe, that hunter orange is simply just one precautionary item and is not the driving factor that makes this activity safe,” Peck said.
“We are not seeing many, if any over the last few years, hunting accidents (where) hunter orange may help eliminate.”
Lawmakers worked with the Division of Wildlife Resources to consolidate the bill. The DWR said the change in the bill is welcome because hunting practices are becoming safer.
The DWR offers many other safety tips for hunters on its website.
Related: DWR offers tips for hunters as big game hunting seasons approaches
