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A blaze orange knit cap and vest hung on a weathered wooden fence post in a frosty field at dawn

Blaze orange, explained

Why hunters wear it, and why the rules are your state's.

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Why wear it

IHEA-USA hunter education standards say wearing hunter orange allows a person to be more easily seen and identified as a human, and that it helps prevent hunting-related shooting incidents.

Rules are set by states

IHEA-USA says most states require hunters to wear hunter orange clothing for certain hunting activities. How much, where on the body, and for which hunts is set by each state.

Where to find your rules

IHEA-USA lists official state publications and wildlife agency websites as the places to find hunter orange requirements. Check your state wildlife agency's current regulations.

Blaze orange, hunter orange

Blaze orange, hunter orange, and fluorescent orange are names you will see for bright orange clothing. Your state's rules say which colors count, and how much.

Be seen. Check your state.

FAQ

It depends on your state and the hunt. Check your state wildlife agency's current regulations.
Your state's regulations say.

General information only. Hunting laws, seasons, licenses, and hunter orange rules are set by each state; check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before you hunt, and take the hunter education course your state offers. If you hunt from a tree stand, wear a full-body fall arrest harness system every time you leave the ground, including while climbing up and down, follow the Treestand Manufacturers Association's Treestand Safety Guidelines and the maker's instructions, and have a plan for rescue. Tell someone where you will be and when you will return. In an emergency, call 911.

Next: ground blinds

Hunting from the ground.