ok guys - this i got to say... i am a novice hunter and so is my son. both only been at this for 2 years. I love being in the woods and consider myself extremely aware of my surroundings - i personally think that on PUBLIC LAND you should ALWAYS have some kind of ORANGE indication - a tie around the tree, your hat, anything, but something - my son is very aware of his surroundings, but would have probably missed you in this instance. We went squirrlin this weekend, and although we only saw two other hunters they did have a bit (not much, but enough) orange around them. I think it is your only way to be safe.