ORIGINAL: SteveBNy
Going out there to NY deer hunting where they have no blaze orange requirement had me come close to shooting a person once.
Except that NY voluntary compliance rate of BO is equal to or higher than most all states that have mandatory BO. This is combined with one of the lowest accident rates of any state. Your chance of almost shooting a person would be just as great in those states. Possibly greater because many feel that if they don't immediately see BO, it must be safe. I am not implying this is you, but it is definately a tendency for some.
More EDUCATION - not more meaningless laws that place responsibility on the victim!
How about more PROSECUTION for those that can't figure it out?
I have used "hunter shooting" clips from the local newspaper to teach my boys about hunter safety. I ask "What did he do wrong, here?" as we would read the article aloud.
The shooter always violates some basic safety rule, but 8 or 9 times out of 10, the "victim" wasn't wearing Blaze Orange. Imagine how low our accident rate could be if BO was required.
Clearly, the onus is on the hunter to make sure of his target - and I believe the shooter should be prosecuted for reckless endangerment whenever there is an incident.
But everyone should do what they can to prevent themselves from becoming a "victim." Blaze Orange is a common sense, must have item.