Blaze Orange Hunting Requirements, by State (USA)
Planning a hunting trip? Read up on the blaze orange hunting requirements in your state at DSG Outerwear! We've created an easy-to-read state by state guide.
Blaze pink may slowly be stepping on the hunting scene, but as it stands, hunter orange is still the king. Rules differ from state-to-state on the minimum hunter orange requirements, so we've condensed the basics into a state-by-state guide for your reference.
Please note that this information has been sourced from the latest blaze orange requirements available, but that these regulations are frequently changing. Stay on top of your local rules and regulations, noting which areas allow blaze orange camouflage or blaze pink in place of solid hunter orange.
Alabama
Hunters must wear at least 144 square inches of solid blaze orange on an outer garment worn above the waist, or a blaze orange hat, during deer firearm season. Camouflage blaze orange does not meet this requirements. Exception: Hunter orange is not required when hunters are at an elevated position at least 12 feet from the ground.
Alaska
Blaze orange is highly recommended, but not required.
Arizona
Hunters are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange.
Arkansas
Hunters, and anyone in their company during hunting, in firearms zones during deer, bear, or elk seasons, must wear an exterior garment above the waistline that is at least 400 square inches of blaze orange. A fluorescent orange hat is also required. Additionally, pop-up ground blinds must also bear at least 144 square inches of blaze orange on each visible side.
California
Hunters are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange.
Colorado
Hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of solid blaze orange or pink material as an outer garment above the waist. This must include a hat or head covering. Orange camouflage does not count toward this requirement and bow hunters are not required to wear blaze colors during archery-only seasons.
Connecticut
From September 1 through the last day of February, all hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange exterior clothing above the waist. Exceptions: Archery deer hunting during archery-only seasons. Archery hunters may remove blaze orange garments while sitting in a tree stand that is at least 10 feet above the ground.
Delaware
On their head, chest, and back, hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange during deer hunting firearm seasons. Those hunting from a ground blind must display that same amount of blaze orange within ten feet of the blind and at least three feet off the ground.
Florida
Deer hunters and their companions, when hunting on public lands, must wear a minimum of 500 square inches of blaze orange above the waist, as an outer garment. Exception: bow hunters during bow season and those hunting on private lands.
Georgia
Hunters pursuing deer, bear, and feral hogs, and their companions, must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange above the waist during firearm deer seasons.
Hawaii
Hunters on public hunting lands, as well as their companions, must wear a solid blaze orange shirt, vest, jacket, or coat. The blaze orange must be visible from the front and back, even when carrying a backpack. There are no exceptions for archery-only areas.
Idaho
Hunter orange is only required on sponsored hunts (such as organized youth hunts) or when hunting pheasants where the Upland Game Bird Permit is required. Under these conditions, 36 square inches of hunter orange is required to be worn above the waist. Otherwise, fluorescent colored clothing is not required, but strongly recommended--especially for big game hunters.
Illinois
Hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of solid blaze orange or pink, as well as a hat, while hunting during firearm deer season. Hunters must continue to wear their blaze clothing while tracking wounded deer. Any upland game hunters must wear a blaze orange hat.
Indiana
Hunters of deer, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant, woodcock, quail and turkey (when fall turkey season overlaps a deer firearms season) must wear a solid blaze orange vest, coat, jacket, coveralls, hat, or cap. Orange camouflage does not qualify. Exception: bow hunters during archery-only seasons.
Iowa
Hunters during firearm seasons must wear an exterior blaze orange vest, coast, jacket, sweatshirt, sweater, shirt, or coveralls during firearm seasons (a hat alone is not sufficient). While hunting in a blind, 144 square inches of blaze orange must be visible in all directions. Upland bird hunters must wear at least one article of clothing above the waist that is at least fifty percent solid blaze orange.
Kansas
During an open firearm or muzzleloader season, big game hunters (and their companions) must wear a blaze orange hat and at least 200 square inches of blaze orange exterior garments above the waist. Of this, 100 square inches must be visible from the front of the torso and the other 100 square inches must be visible from the back. Camouflage orange may count toward this requirement.
Kentucky
Blaze orange exterior garments must be worn by all hunters and their companions on their head, chest, and back while hunting during daylight hours for any species during the modern gun, muzzleloader, and youth firearm deer seasons or a firearm elk or bear season.
Louisiana
During deer firearm season, hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of exterior blaze orange or pink above the waist. Hunters on private land may wear a hunter orange or pink cap or hat instead of the 400 square inches. Hunters in an elevated stand on private land are not required to wear hunter orange or blaze pink. However, if you’re hunting on privately-owned land where hunting with firearms is allowed, you must wear the 400 square inches of hunter orange or blaze pink OR a hunter orange or blaze pink cap or hat while walking to and from elevated stands.
Maine
During an open firearm season, hunters must wear at least two articles of solid blaze orange exterior clothing. One of these articles must be a hat, with the second covering a majority of the torso.
Maryland
Hunters (and their companions) must wear a solid blaze orange or pink hat, vest or jacket with at least 250 square inches of solid blaze orange or pink, or an exterior fluorescent camouflage garment above the waist that is at least fifty percent blaze orange or pink.
Massachusetts
Deer hunters, as well as other hunters during deer firearm season, must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange on their exterior above the waist. Otherwise, a blaze orange hat must be worn by hunters on Wildlife Management Areas during pheasant or quail season.
Michigan
All firearm hunters on any land during daylight hours must wear a blaze orange hat, vest, jacket, or rain gear. Camouflage that is at least fifty percent blaze orange is acceptable. Exception: Archery hunters during archery deer season.
Minnesota
During deer firearm season, hunters must wear a blaze orange or pink hat and exterior clothing above the waist must be blaze orange (excluding sleeves and gloves). Camouflage that is at least fifty percent blaze orange or pink is acceptable. Outside of firearm season, hunters of small game must wear at least one article of blaze orange or pink clothing above the waist.
Mississippi
Solid blaze orange or pink must cover at least 500 square inches of a hunter's exterior during deer firearm season. Exceptions: hunters in a raised stand or fully enclosed blind.
Missouri
Hunters and their companions must wear a hat and exterior torso garment (shirt, vest, or coat) that is solid blaze orange, during firearm deer or elk season, black bear season, or during a managed firearms deer hunt. Camouflage blaze orange does not meet this requirement.
Montana
Big game hunters (and their companions) must wear at least 400 square inches of exterior blaze orange above their waist.
Nebraska
Big game hunters (and turkey hunters during an open firearm season) must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange above their waist, on their head, chest and back.
Nevada
Blaze orange is not required, but highly recommended for hunters.
New Hampshire
Blaze orange is not required, but highly recommended for hunters.
New Jersey
Firearm hunters are required to wear a solid blaze orange hat or exterior garment that totals at least 200 square inches of blaze orange. Those hunting from a ground blind must also display 200 square inches of hunter orange.
New Mexico
In most areas, hunters are strongly encouraged to wear blaze orange, although not required. 244 square inches of blaze orange are required when hunting on military properties or Valles Caldera National Preserve.
New York
Deer or bear firearm hunters (and companions) must wear a hat, shirt, or vest that displays at least 250 square inches of solid or patterned blaze orange or pink.
North Carolina
Hunters of bear, feral swine, rabbit, squirrel, grouse, pheasant or quail, as well as all deer hunters during firearm season, must wear a hat of blaze orange or another exterior blaze orange garment that is visible from all sides.
North Dakota
Big game hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of solid (not camouflage) blaze orange on their exterior above the waistline, which must include a blaze orange hat.
Ohio
During firearm deer season, hunters must wear an exterior vest, coat, jacket, or overalls of blaze orange. Solid or camouflage hunter orange is acceptable.
Oklahoma
Big game hunters, during firearm seasons and using a firearm, must wear a hat and exterior garment of solid or camouflage blaze orange that is equal to at least 400 square inches of blaze orange. Archery hunters and other types of hunters hunting during open firearm seasons must at least wear a blaze orange hat during firearm season.
Oregon
Hunters under age 17 must wear a solid or camouflage blaze orange hat or exterior garment above the waist. Blaze orange is recommended for all firearm hunters.
Pennsylvania
Firearm hunters must wear at least 250 square inches of blaze orange on their head, chest or back. Those hunting from blinds or enclosed tree stands must display 100 square inches of blaze orange.
Rhode Island
All hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of solid blaze orange during firearm deer season. These restrictions apply to solid blaze orange worn above the waist. Archers traveling to and from elevated stands during muzzleloader season must also adhere to this requirement. Hunters using pop-up blinds during firearm season must display 200 square inches of hunter orange. All other users of State Management Areas must wear at least 200 square inches of blaze orange, annually, from the second Saturday in September through the last day of February, as well as the third Saturday in April through the last day in May.
South Carolina
During any gun or muzzleloader hunting season for deer, bear and hogs, all hunters on WMA lands must wear a solid blaze orange hat, coat, or vest.
South Dakota
One or more exterior garments above the waist must be blaze orange or pink for all big game hunters.
Tennessee
Big game hunters must wear at least 500 square inches of blaze orange during firearm seasons--including a hat and outer garment above the waist that is visible from both the front and back. Blaze orange camouflage is acceptable as long is the blaze orange portion totals at least 500 square inches.
Texas
On public hunting lands, while firearm hunting is permitted, all persons must wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange with orange headgear included, and at least 144 square inches of blaze orange appearing on both the chest and back.
Utah
Big game hunters must wear at least one article of blaze orange above the waist. This item could be a vest, jacket, hat, or shirt. Solid blaze orange is preferred, but camouflage orange is allowed.
Vermont
Blaze orange is highly recommended for hunters, but not required.
Virginia
During firearm deer season, hunters (and their companions) must wear a solid blaze orange or pink hat, exterior garment on their upper body that is visible from all sides, or at least 100 square inches of blaze orange or pink material that is on display within reach, at shoulder level or higher and is visible from all sides. When hunting from a ground blind, hunters must display 100 square inches of solid blaze colored material as well.
Washington
For anyone hunting bear, bobcat, cougar, coyote, deer, elk, fox, grouse, hare, rabbit, raccoon, or turkey in an area that is open to hunting for deer or elk during a modern firearms season, they are required to wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange or pink on their exterior, above the waistline and visible from all sides. This can include a combination of the colors to reach the minimum. This includes archers and muzzleloaders when they hunt in areas (e.g. game management units, deer areas, elk areas, wilderness areas) that overlap modern firearm seasons.
West Virginia
During firearm and muzzleloading deer season, deer hunters must wear at least 400 square inches of blaze orange on their exterior.
Wisconsin
During firearm deer season, at least 50% of a hunter's outer garments above the waist (including a hat or head covering) must be blaze orange or pink. Solid blaze colors or blaze camouflage is acceptable. Grounds blinds must also display 144 square inches of solid blaze orange.
Wyoming
Hunters must wear a visible, exterior garment of fluorescent orange or pink during open firearm seasons, unless they are hunting during a special archery season. This garment can be a hat, shirt, jacket, coat, vest, or sweater. Fluorescent orange or pink camouflage is also legal.
Safety First
While these regulations stipulate a bare minimum of blaze orange, hunters will increase their safety in the woods and fields by wearing as much exterior blaze orange above their waistline as possible. Especially during firearm seasons, all hunters should exercise caution in their hunting areas by covering themselves and their companions in hunting orange vests, jackets, etc. According to the International Hunter Education Association, "Hunter orange should have a dominant wavelength between 595 and 605 nanometers, a luminance factor of not less than 40%, and an excitation purity of not less than 85%."
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