Hunter orange required during modern firearm season even when turkey hunting

[scotrobe]

It appears there is a new rule this year. I checked last year’s regs and it wasn’t there. If you are hunting in an area open to modern firearm deer or elk, you must wear hunter orange even when turkey hunting. I’ll be going on a fall turkey hunt that falls during this time. This will make hiding from the turkeys very interesting.

Any tips?


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[Brushcrawler]

Wearing orange but sitting in a ground blind seems like it would help?

[Bob33]

Orange camo is legal and might help.

[scotrobe]

Orange camo is legal and might help.

Help with getting a bird? I agree it will help with safety.


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[Bob33]

Orange camo is legal and might help.

Help with getting a bird? I agree it will help with safety.


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Camo vs solid orange would possibly be less likely to spook a bird.

[scotrobe]

Orange camo is legal and might help.

Help with getting a bird? I agree it will help with safety.


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Camo vs solid orange would possibly be less likely to spook a bird.

Oh. Sorry. I misread your reply. Orange camo instead of straight orange is a good idea. I just ordered an orange camo vest from Amazon. Thanks!


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[grundy53]

Can't turkeys see color?

[Bob33]

Turkeys can see color.

[scotrobe]

Can't turkeys see color?

Yes. Turkeys can see color. That’s my concern with this change to the regs. Their eyesight is mostly based on movement but the orange makes it much easier for them to see you if you move even a little.

I mean, I understand the reason behind it. Nobody wants to get shot.


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[TheStovePipeKid]

When I went out in October with my ultra safe hunter orange camo vest I felt like a dope. Lessons I learned while hunting on foot in orange. First is to make sure if you are moving around you have plenty of vegetation to provide cover. I hid behind a bush for an hour watching the turkey I was hunting. Worked well for me and they never spotted me. Second, and this is unconventional, I ended up belly crawling up a small hill and shot a turkey in the prone position. Laying prone took care of the orange issue. When all was said and done I decided to plan my trips outside the modern firearm seasons as I still felt like a dope hunting turkey in a bright orange vest.

[TheStovePipeKid]

Just checking out the new WDFW website. Under the hunter orange section turkey was noticeably absent. I wonder what the regs will say when they come out tomorrow. I also found and underlined a typographical error because I'm obnoxious.

I fixed my own typo. Thanks birdgetter.

[Birdgetter]

Topographical eh, didn't see any mention of a map. 
Sorry couldn't resist.

[Bob33]

Just checking out the new WDFW website. Under the hunter orange section turkey was noticeably absent. I wonder what the regs will say when they come out tomorrow. I also found and underlined a topographical error because I'm obnoxious.

It's not a typo; the person who wrote that just stutters.

[Birdgetter]

 

[Bob33]

The WAC still references turkey, although I've heard there are some proposed changes being considered.

https://apps.leg.wa.gov/wac/default.aspx?cite=220-414-080

(5) It is unlawful to hunt bear, cougar, bobcat, raccoon, fox, coyote, rabbit, forest grouse, turkey or hare during those times and in those places open to the taking of deer or elk during a modern firearm season, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange clothing.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I too have heard there are purposed changes. We have a few months until the fall season. I've been avoiding modern firearm on public land for a couple of years. The turkey all get run out of the woods anyhow. WAC overrides stuttering websites and my own autocorrect map references as well.

[lokidog]

I wouldn't worry about it... twice I've been deer hunting in blaze orange and had turkeys walk less than 15 yards away from me.

[bearpaw]

movement is the key, if you are dead still the color of clothing you are wearing is much less relevant...

[The Gobble-stopper]

movement is the key, if you are dead still the color of clothing you are wearing is much less relevant...

Absolutely correct! They can see the color, but if you stay still,less likely to tell you from anything else in the woods. Keep your head and hands in camo.
For all they know, you are just a big fallen orange maple leaf. 😁

[konradcountry]

Yea it is the rule now since they extended the fall turkey season
http://www.spokesman.com/stories/2018/sep/20/seven-new-rules-every-washington-hunter-should-kno/

I really don't have a problem with it. Modern is short and most of the turkeys are probably taken as opportunity shots. Better off going earlier and limiting out before modern starts.

[PA BEN]

I see it's still not required for Ducks/waterfowl.

[TheStovePipeKid]

Maybe modern firearm hunters are afraid of open waterways?

[konradcountry]

Rifles aren't allowed in a lot of waterfowl areas.

Turkey and deer hunters are more likely to run into each other in the woods.

[TheStovePipeKid]

I used the report error option on the website and they got turkey added, plus the typographical error corrected. As long as birdgetter doesn't contact them they'll never know about my own auto correct mistake Giving credit where it is due, they seem to be working hard with the new website.

[Russ McDonald]

They finally made it a bit clearer.  When they first wrote it it was any season that used a modern firearm.  Meaning all master hunts.  If you look at regs there is open master hunter deer season from August to December in the state.  So it was a bit confusing at first.  Plus even the department didn't know how to interpret it.  I suppose modern firearm season can be interpreted differently.  I have changed my mind a bit on wearing anything other than camo turkey hunting.  Keeping still is key but I think that turkeys are a lot less skiddish in the fall than spring. 

[PA BEN]

Rifles aren't allowed in a lot of waterfowl areas.

Turkey and deer hunters are more likely to run into each other in the woods.

I do a lot of walking along rivers jump shooting ducks during deer season.

[fjp971]

So to make sure I'm doing the right thing, I don't have to wear hunter orange during my spring turkey hunt?  From what I can tell there's no deer or elk modern firearm season in the spring.  Thanks.

[boneaddict]

correct

[fjp971]

correct

Thanks.

[TheStovePipeKid]

So to make sure I'm doing the right thing, I don't have to wear hunter orange during my spring turkey hunt?  From what I can tell there's no deer or elk modern firearm season in the spring.  Thanks.

I carry an orange vest into the field in case I want to do some scouting while out hunting. Some turkey hunters have itchy trigger fingers. Wore it once this week while i was out walking. Easy to stuff in a pocket if you get on birds too.