FYI - At the OHA state board meeting yesterday, ODFW reported that the Oregon Fish and Wildlife Commission is considering adopting rules to make hunter orange clothing mandatory for hunters. Evidently, there is a significant push from certain groups to make this happen due to a recent unfortunate hunting accident that took life of a 15-year-old hunter.
OHA's position is that we support the VOLUNTARY use of hunter orange.
The Commission has directed ODFW to put together a rules package proposal that will be shopped around later this year. Basically, that means that they will roll out their proposal after it's been initially approved and ask for public comments. In real terms that means that they will be telling us what's coming "down the pike" and our comments will likely not do much good.
The real opportunity to impact what ODFW's proposal looks like is NOW, during its formative stages. Due to that fact, OHA will have representatives at the table even though we only support the VOLUNTARY use of hunter orange clothing. Absent some common sense input from hunters, we could all end up wearing FULL HUNTER ORANGE JUMPSUITS to hunt ANYTHING with ANY WEAPON.
You can (and should) be part of the process too. Your thoughts on the state mandating the use of hunter orange clothing can be sent to several entities to impact this process. Remember, your comments will mean much more now then they will after ODFW staff presents their completed proposal. Time to get busy...
Thank you for your comments regarding the mandatory wearing of orange while hunting. The department is reviewing this issue at the request of Oregon’s Fish and Wildlife Commission. The department is currently gathering information on hunting-related firearms incidents and research related to hunter orange. This information will be presented to the Commission at the June 4th meeting. The Commission will review the information and hear public comments to make their decision on whether or not rules related to the mandatory wearing of hunter orange are needed. Prior to the June Commission meeting, the department will be asking for public input and comments at the annual big game tag meetings held by each wildlife district in early May. The meetings will be publicized through the media, on the agency’s website, to include the department’s social media outlets. If the Commission decides to proceed with potential rulemaking related to hunter orange requirements, they would do so at the October 1st Commission meeting where public comments would also be accepted. There will be information available on this issue on the ODFW website at www.dfw.state.or.us by February 1.
If you have additional comments or questions please contact:
Mandatory Hunter Orange in OR
