Hunting Washington Forum

Other Hunting => Turkey Hunting => Topic started by: Nibornos on July 21, 2011, 03:44:58 PM

Title: Hunter Orange
Post by: Nibornos on July 21, 2011, 03:44:58 PM: I am going out this fall for the first time and not 100% with this rule. Is it required for Turkey Hunting?

I am trying to figure this out, and would like input from here if you guys know.

thanks
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: BIGINNER on July 21, 2011, 03:46:34 PM: its not required for turkey, but i think its required if you're hunting an area open to deer or elk modern firearm season, (i might be wrong)
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: Nibornos on July 21, 2011, 03:49:36 PM: Thanks

Thats kind of what I have read so far too.
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: Bob33 on July 21, 2011, 05:10:38 PM: To the best of my knowledge hunter orange is not required when hunting turkeys.

"Anyone hunting in an area that is open for modern firearm deer or elk hunting must meet hunter orange requirements if they are hunting any of the following species: Bear, Bobcat, Cougar, Coyote, Deer, Elk, Fox,
Grouse, Hare, Rabbit, or Raccoon.

"During any upland game bird season, anyone hunting upland game birds or rabbits with a modern firearm is required to wear fluorescent hunter orange clothing. (Grouse are not upland game birds.)"

Turkeys are not upland birds.

There is no explicit requirement for wearing hunter orange when hunting turkeys.

I will stand corrected if someone can cite a regulation to the contrary.
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: Heartsblood on July 22, 2011, 08:09:17 AM: I've never heard of anyone hunting turkeys in blaze orange before. But. I've always hunted grouse in blaze orange. Hmmmm. :dunno:

So the only time I need to legally wear blaze when hunting grouse is during modern firemarm season? Does that mean just for the general modern season, or all the raffle, special, permit, etc places/times that are open to modern rifle hunting? Because if the latter is true, I might need a private investigator to decipher the regs for me..... :bash:
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: CedarPants on July 22, 2011, 08:28:12 AM: Is there actually any portion of the turkey season that overlaps with any portion of the rifle season? I don't believe so. If there was though, I'd be wearing orange ..... if I even hunted turkeys at all then.
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: bobcat on July 22, 2011, 10:19:00 AM: I wouldn't worry so much about people rifle hunting for big game during turkey season. Most of the accidental shootings seem to be turkey hunters shooting other turkey hunters.
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: 3nails on July 22, 2011, 10:46:57 AM: Quote from: bobcat on July 22, 2011, 10:19:00 AM
I wouldn't worry so much about people rifle hunting for big game during turkey season. Most of the accidental shootings seem to be turkey hunters shooting other turkey hunters.
Yeah, and ain't that backwards! In Idaho where it's not required for deer and elk no more people are accidentily shot than anywhere else. The vast majority of mistaken identity shootings come from turkey hunting. :dunno:
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: Bob33 on July 23, 2011, 08:25:13 AM: Quote from: Heartsblood on July 22, 2011, 08:09:17 AM
I've never heard of anyone hunting turkeys in blaze orange before. But. I've always hunted grouse in blaze orange. Hmmmm. :dunno:

So the only time I need to legally wear blaze when hunting grouse is during modern firemarm season? Does that mean just for the general modern season, or all the raffle, special, permit, etc places/times that are open to modern rifle hunting? Because if the latter is true, I might need a private investigator to decipher the regs for me..... :bash:
You don't need to wear hunting orange when hunting turkeys. Ever.

If you are deer or elk hunting and there is any modern firearm deer or elk season open (general, raffle, special, permit, etc.), yes. If you are upland bird or rabbit hunting with a modern firearm, yes.
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: CP on July 23, 2011, 08:48:58 AM: Turkeys have excellent eyesight, much better than humans, and they are not color blind. Hunting them while wearing blaze orange would be a waste of time.
Title: Re: Hunter Orange
Post by: JH on July 23, 2011, 09:14:47 AM: As tricky as turkeys can be this past fall I deer hunting the end of general season around mount spokane( in my blaze orange hat and vest). I got to my spot before light and posted up. Right as the sun was coming up I heard all kinds of ruckus and watched around 20 turkeys come out of the trees across the ravine from me. They slowly made their way across towards me and came within 15 yards. They were all hens and yearlings but it was really cool to see them that close and watch them pick the ground apart, they didnt seem to mind me but I was still as I could possibly be with only moving my eyes.

With that said when Ive been turkey hunting I have spooked them many times in full camo, so I wouldnt try to hunt them in blaze orange but you never know.