The N.C. Wildlife Resources Commission’s Home From The Hunt safety campaign is reminding hunters of blaze orange requirements (also known as hunter orange, fluorescent orange or 10-mile cloth).
In North Carolina, hunters are required to wear a cap or hat of blaze orange color, or wear an outer garment such as a shirt or game vest in blaze orange that is visible from all sides, when hunting bear, feral hogs, deer, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant or quail with a firearm. Hunters also are required to wear blaze orange while hunting with a bow on Sunday during the muzzleloader or gun season.
The campaign also recommends anyone spending time outdoors in areas that see hunting activity to consider wearing blaze orange. Blaze orange clothing stands out against an outdoor background and studies have proven it increases visibility of the wearer in low light situations.
“Blaze orange signals ‘caution’ to the viewer,” said Travis Casper, assistant hunter education coordinator for North Carolina. “Wearing blaze orange is an important step for safety, because it alerts others to your presence with an instantaneous recognition.”
Blaze orange can also be helpful in locating someone lost or injured.
In North Carolina, all first-time hunting license buyers must successfully complete a Hunter Education Course, offered free across the state. Go to www.ncwildlife.org to consult the online version of the 2011-2012 N.C. Inland Fishing, Hunting and Trapping Regulations Digest or call 919-707-0031 for more information.