Hunter orange

[6haase6]

Correct me if I’m wrong. With the change in wording to hunter orange is required to hunt all big game anytime with a modern firearm. That means we are now required to wear it hunting moose outside of a general deer or elk season?

[tankcdr66]

You would be correct.

[Bob33]

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

It is unlawful to hunt big game, except bear and cougar, with modern firearm equipment at any time in any manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.

[NorseNW]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the not wearing orange during bear season?

I'm really all for everyone doing what they want with the hunter orange. I think it's dumb that if you are hunting you are required to wear it but if you joe citizen out for a hike, berry or mushroom picking it does not matter.

Personally unless I'm archery hunting I wear it. Just how I grew up and some personal experiences have lead me to this decision as well. Muzzy can reach out to 200 yds now. Bear is a rifle season looking for something that rustles around in berry patches. No thanks I'll wear some orange. Never had an animal see me because of the orange. Smell or movement gets me busted first.

Again not a rant - I do believe you should be able to make your own decision on it but curious if anyone knows the reasoning.

Be safe out there folks.

[BlackRiverTaxidermy]

Make sure and look at the regs….some of the elk special permit MUZZY tags are requiring hunter orange to be worn as well. Not sure of the reason but I was helping a guy scout the mudflow unit and it’s directly in the regs that he has to wear it…found a few other units that require the same. So it’s not just for the modern seasons. FYI

[chukardogs]

I have read the regulations and I don't see where it says that hunter orange and pink aren't required for bear and cougar. I mean, it seems really clear to me that if you're in the field with a modern firearm, you're wearing orange or pink.
Am I wrong?
The statement below is the main hunter orange requirement on page ten of the regulations.

Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent
Hunter Pink
Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter or-
ange and/or fluorescent hunter pink exterior clothing is required. It must be worn above
the waist and be visible from all sides. A hat, by itself, does not meet this requirement.
• It is unlawful to hunt upland birds or rabbits with a firearm, other than a muzzleload-
ing firearm, during any upland game bird season unless the hunter is wearing fluores-
cent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.
• It is unlawful to hunt big game with modern firearm equipment at any time in any
manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent
hunter pink clothing.
• It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except migratory birds, during those times and in those
places open to taking of deer or elk during nonmaster hunter, modern firearm general
seasons, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent
hunter pink clothing.
Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent
Hunter Pink Clothing is NOT Required:
• During an upland game bird season for anyone
hunting upland game birds with a muzzleload-
ing firearm, bow and arrow, or falconry.
• While hunting in a muzzleloading or archery
only season and possessing a valid muzzle-
loading or archery deer or elk tag.
• See WAC 220-414-080.
Photo Credit: Ken Sofich
Photo Credit:

The statement below is from the bear hunting portion of the regs.

HUNTER ORANGE AND HUNTER
PINK CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS:
It is unlawful to hunt big game with modern fire-
arm equipment at any time in any manner unless
the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange
and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing (WAC
220-414-080)

Where does it say hunter orange and/or pink isn't required for bear and cougar?

[dreadi]

I have read the regulations and I don't see where it says that hunter orange and pink aren't required for bear and cougar. I mean, it seems really clear to me that if you're in the field with a modern firearm, you're wearing orange or pink.
Am I wrong?
The statement below is the main hunter orange requirement on page ten of the regulations.

Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent
Hunter Pink
Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter or-
ange and/or fluorescent hunter pink exterior clothing is required. It must be worn above
the waist and be visible from all sides. A hat, by itself, does not meet this requirement.
• It is unlawful to hunt upland birds or rabbits with a firearm, other than a muzzleload-
ing firearm, during any upland game bird season unless the hunter is wearing fluores-
cent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.
• It is unlawful to hunt big game with modern firearm equipment at any time in any
manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent
hunter pink clothing.
• It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except migratory birds, during those times and in those
places open to taking of deer or elk during nonmaster hunter, modern firearm general
seasons, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent
hunter pink clothing.
Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent
Hunter Pink Clothing is NOT Required:
• During an upland game bird season for anyone
hunting upland game birds with a muzzleload-
ing firearm, bow and arrow, or falconry.
• While hunting in a muzzleloading or archery
only season and possessing a valid muzzle-
loading or archery deer or elk tag.
• See WAC 220-414-080.
Photo Credit: Ken Sofich
Photo Credit:

The statement below is from the bear hunting portion of the regs.

HUNTER ORANGE AND HUNTER
PINK CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS:
It is unlawful to hunt big game with modern fire-
arm equipment at any time in any manner unless
the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange
and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing (WAC
220-414-080)

Where does it say hunter orange and/or pink isn't required for bear and cougar?

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


BLACK HAMMER ARMS
07/02 NFA Dealer

http://www.blackhammerarms.com
http://www.facebook.com/blackhammerarms
https://www.instagram.com/blackhammerarms

[hunter399]

Page 10 regs.

[Jellymon]

I have read the regulations and I don't see where it says that hunter orange and pink aren't required for bear and cougar. I mean, it seems really clear to me that if you're in the field with a modern firearm, you're wearing orange or pink.
Am I wrong?
The statement below is the main hunter orange requirement on page ten of the regulations.

Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent
Hunter Pink
Under the following conditions a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter or-
ange and/or fluorescent hunter pink exterior clothing is required. It must be worn above
the waist and be visible from all sides. A hat, by itself, does not meet this requirement.
• It is unlawful to hunt upland birds or rabbits with a firearm, other than a muzzleload-
ing firearm, during any upland game bird season unless the hunter is wearing fluores-
cent hunter orange and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing.
• It is unlawful to hunt big game with modern firearm equipment at any time in any
manner unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent
hunter pink clothing.
• It is unlawful to hunt wildlife, except migratory birds, during those times and in those
places open to taking of deer or elk during nonmaster hunter, modern firearm general
seasons, unless the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange and/or fluorescent
hunter pink clothing.
Hunter Orange and/or Fluorescent
Hunter Pink Clothing is NOT Required:
• During an upland game bird season for anyone
hunting upland game birds with a muzzleload-
ing firearm, bow and arrow, or falconry.
• While hunting in a muzzleloading or archery
only season and possessing a valid muzzle-
loading or archery deer or elk tag.
• See WAC 220-414-080.
Photo Credit: Ken Sofich
Photo Credit:

The statement below is from the bear hunting portion of the regs.

HUNTER ORANGE AND HUNTER
PINK CLOTHING REQUIREMENTS:
It is unlawful to hunt big game with modern fire-
arm equipment at any time in any manner unless
the hunter is wearing fluorescent hunter orange
and/or fluorescent hunter pink clothing (WAC
220-414-080)

Where does it say hunter orange and/or pink isn't required for bear and cougar?

At one point I believe there was a version of the regs released with the wording you posted before it was approved. The change didn’t get approved and they had to change it back in a revised version. Looks like you’re looking at the old version. Another WDFW blunder, not really surprising at this point. I’d get the newest version.

[NorseNW]

With the versions and revisions it would be super cool to get jammed up for a violation.  My Dad was a game warden when I was growing up in Pennsylvania. I'm a rule follower through and through but if someone got a ticket over this I think is nonsense.  Almost as bad as trying to figure salmon regulations!

[Bob33]

The online version also reflects the change.

https://wdfw.wa.gov/publications/02498

[chukardogs]

Thanks! I was starting to think, no wonder I can't find a deer. I wear orange anyway. I figure if someone shoots at me while I'm wearing hunter orange, I won't have to explain to the authorities why I started shooting back. Be safe out there!

[ducks4days]

Does anyone know the reasoning behind the not wearing orange during bear season?

I'm really all for everyone doing what they want with the hunter orange. I think it's dumb that if you are hunting you are required to wear it but if you joe citizen out for a hike, berry or mushroom picking it does not matter.

Personally unless I'm archery hunting I wear it. Just how I grew up and some personal experiences have lead me to this decision as well. Muzzy can reach out to 200 yds now. Bear is a rifle season looking for something that rustles around in berry patches. No thanks I'll wear some orange. Never had an animal see me because of the orange. Smell or movement gets me busted first.

Again not a rant - I do believe you should be able to make your own decision on it but curious if anyone knows the reasoning.

Be safe out there folks.

It is required for hunting due to hunter densities during the short modern firearm seasons. It would be better to have a blanket requirement to access public land during those seasons, but you will never get the 95% of the population that doesnt hunt to support it. So we are where we are.