Hunter Orange and Backpack

[IaTrent]

All,
How are you meeting the requirements of covering your backpack with Hunter Orange? I just watched a video on the Colorado Parks and Wildlife page and a video discussing the use of Hunter Orange requires that a backpack must be covered when being worn. See Hunter Orange Tips video http://case.epaperflip.com/colorado/Parks-and-wildlife/#?page=2

I am not opposed to this at all, as I always thought that wearing a pack over orange defeated the purpose. Just look for ideas as what is proposed in the video does not seem ideal at all.

 

[Poser]

I attach a ~100 square inch patch of blaze orange to the back of the pack with 2-3 safety pins. Seems simple enough, though watching the video.... Maybe I need a size XXXL vest??

 

[Bar]

I have a blaze orange pack for my day pack. When I use a frame pack for hauling out the meat I use a cheap blaze orange vest over it.

I recommend anybody hauling out antlers to put some blaze orange over it. Otherwise some trigger happy hunter will think you're an elk.

 

[husky390]

I bought some 1000d cordura in blaze orange the width and height of my pack, sewed a border around it and and attached it with the packs compression straps. Worked pretty well.

 

[Bar]

I've seen some packs come with a blaze orange sheet stored at the bottom of the pack. Just pull it out and attach it at the top.

 

[COlineman78]

As far as I am aware there is no orange pack requirement, however it is recommended by CO DoW. Personally, during muzzleloader or on private land I wouldn't worry about it, but OTC rifle I am going to make sure I light up like a Christmas tree. I have the Camelback Tactical Raincover and it works for most daypack sized packs.

 

[bbrown]

If you catch the wrong warden on the wrong day I could see him messing with you if your pack covers up too much of your orange. A Kifaru grab-it in blaze works for me. Watch eBay and you can still find them from time to time.

 

[Bar]

It is the law. If you don't have 500 inches showing you can get a ticket. If you cover your whole back with a backpack you aren't showing 500 inches anymore.

 

[COlineman78]

Big Game Brochure:
Law requires hunters to wear at least 500 square inches of SOLID DAYLIGHT FLUORESCENT ORANGE material on an outer garment above the waist. A fluorescent orange hat or head covering, visible from all directions, is also required.

33-6-121:
(b) Garments shall be a minimum of five hundred square inches and shall be worn as an outer garment above the waist, part of which shall be a hat or head covering visible from all directions.

Nowhere on there does it say it can't be covered by a pack, only that it must be the "outer garment". Since a pack isn't a garment, I would argue the back of the vest still counts. Again, I would only make this argument for muzzleloader. Too many yahoos out for rifle to not be complying.

 

[bbrown]

I know it reads that they are referring to the hat but I would guess that the "visible from all directions" part is where you could get in trouble while wearing a pack. At least wearing some amount of Orange on your pack in addition to your clothing shows intent and should save you some hassle. Better safe than sorry....

 

[Bar]

Nowhere on there does it say it can't be covered by a pack, only that it must be the "outer garment". Since a pack isn't a garment, I would argue the back of the vest still counts. Again, I would only make this argument for muzzleloader. Too many yahoos out for rifle to not be complying.

I asked this question at the DOW. They said the pack has to be covered in blaze orange. Feel free to call them yourself. It's your money. If you want to waste it on a ticket it's your business. I'm just trying to help.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

Perhaps I have been lucky. I have never been hassled or ticketed about orange with a pack on.
The only time I have worn orange on my pack has been taking out antlers. In which case I have draped my vest over the pack and it's contents.

 

[Bar]

Some wardens are nicer than others.

 

[realunlucky]

Perhaps I have been lucky. I have never been hassled or ticketed about orange with a pack on.
The only time I have worn orange on my pack has been taking out antlers. In which case I have draped my vest over the pack and it's contents.

This is also how I roll guessing from in season observations its the majority standard when wearing a pack. You can never be to safe though and I'll look into a blaze grab it

 

[Elk Map Guy]

As some have posted above, 500 square inches is the minimum to be worn above the waist (plus an orange hat). During rifle seasons, I am not trying to be hidden because I do not want some idiot popping a round off at me just because I am walking through the timber (which has happened in the past). I am always sure that no matter what direction somebody is looking at me, they can see an ample amount of orange.

Also, elk cannot see color like we see color. They see varying shades of gray. What they can see is solid colors but react mostly to movement. For me, I would rather wear enough fluorescent solid orange and return home than risk the alternative.

 

[COlineman78]

Bar, I believe this is a case of the smart thing vs the legal thing. I would guess that 1 out of 5 game wardens would also tell you that mesh orange is illegal even though the regs specifically state that it is legal, but discouraged. As you and others have mentioned that you never know who you're going to get when it comes to a warden. Even if it is legal they can make it a hassle by writing you a ticket anyways. The legalese is pretty clear for the reg in that it doesn't say that 500 in^2 must be visible at all times but instead must be the outer garment, which is clearly defined as a "piece of clothing". Now, I would think that as long as you have an unmodified store-bought vest you won't be hassled, but some I hunt with really toe the line by cutting off the lower half of the mesh vest so that it is exactly 500 in^2 and no more and quite dirty at that. If this were the case I could see the warden being a bit of a d*ck about it. Like I said, I hunt ML season where you have to watch out for camouflaged archery hunters anyway, so I don't see it as much of a safety concern.

 

[Bar]

Yes, but you have to watch out for other muzzleloader hunters. The youngsters with good vision are taking 200 yd shots with peep sights. I hate to think a hunter would just shoot at movement, but who knows? I've had bullets zinging past me. I was never sure if I was being shot at, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

 

[rayporter]

i have heard first hand of a ticket for dirty blaze orange.

that said, it is not the ticket that bothers me- it is the bullet.

 

[7stw]

I attach a light cheap orange vest to my pack with a few saftey pins on one side and use the compression straps to keep it secure. Works well when packing out meat and horns as well.

 

[COlineman78]

I've had bullets zinging past me. I was never sure if I was being shot at, or just in the wrong place at the wrong time.

That would sure change my position for sure, although sometimes this may be taking a shot at a silhouetted elk and you may be a half mile away where orange wouldn't make a difference. Those ML bullets are loud. If I were hunting OTC archery on public land I may think about a camo orange hat or an orange hat band at least. We sometimes have archery guys mixed in with us and even though I know exactly where they are I can have a hard time spotting them with binos. It can also go the other way; I once dismissed movement in the bushes as an archery guy coming back to the truck and all of a sudden a cow popped out of the brush 3 feet in front of me.