Camo and hunter orange?

So after completing my hunting course last weekend, I learned that you must have a rather large amount of hunter orange on your person at all times to legally hunt in Ontario (obviously there are some exceptions but for the most part this is true). I do not understand why anyone bothers with buying and wearing camo if they have a ginormous swatch of orange on there head and body. My wife pointed out that at least the rest of your body is hidden a bit more but when i think about it, it doesn't seem that that would really matter when an animal sees a moving pylon coming towards it.

Just wondering what you all thought. Feel free to put me in my place if I am thinking about this the wrong way :)

Hunter orange not required for turkey. Hunter orange not required for bow hunting. Also not required for migratory birds I think.
So put camo back on the christmas list.

Welcome to the fraternity! There have been more than a few discussions within this forum, on this very subject. Pour a good stiff drink and await the plethora of responses. While you're waiting, do a search and read the sillyness of camo/blaze orange discussions that have graced these pages. :D

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Originally Posted by arvanlaar

I do not understand why anyone bothers with buying and wearing camo if they have a ginormous swatch of orange on there head and body.

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I think you answered your own question...camo isn't required to hunt deer..camo is just so you can impress your buddies and look sexy for the wife :)

I hunt alot and for me orange is only required for the one week controlled hunt for deer. Turkey, waterfowl and bow hunting is for the camo.

Deer don't see orange, so pylons don't alarm them.

When I started hunting, I bought a blaze orange 3 in 1 parka for deer hunting.
If I could do it over, I would have saved money by just buying a cheap orange vest and a camo parka that I could also use for turkey and waterfowl.

You need 400sq inches of orange plus an orange hat, (basically an orange hunting vest and cap to be legal)during an open gun season for big game regardless of the species of game you are going to be hunting unless its waterfowl (ducks/geese).... When there is no open gun season for big game in your WMU, hunter orange isn't required.....That being said wearing hunter orange for most game is a good (safe) thing to do.

Most animals are colour blind so camo is not necessary for hunting, the advertising gods just make us believe it is...

Maximus44 and skeeter1 said it all-hunting clothing for all purpose(wind-cold-rain -burr protection)-likely camo,it is today's trend...then throw orange vest and hat on top of it ,when required.

Now-do you need camo for hunting at all is another topic.............

I like camo cause it don't show the dirt . :-)

When I hunt small game myself or others I require the use of hunter's orange. Just this past weekend while hunting rabbits once you are more then 50 feet from the other person they are very difficult to see. Myself I prefer everyone see's me rather then getting some bird shot in my face. I will never understand why someone wouldn't wear orange while hunting especially since the small games doesn't care.

Back in the day (mid '60s) most of us guys wore canvas coats. Usually brown :whacked: or a green"Hydro parka" The only orange I ever had back then was a small reversible hat. Green mostly and the top and would fold over to expose the orange. I upgraded my coat around 1966 to a wool Black and red checkered Mackinaw type coat. Never saw camo for many years and we killed a lot of deer........................................Daniel

Right... I forgot most animals are color blind so it doesn't matter. Thanks for the input and advice!

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Originally Posted by greatwhite

When I hunt small game myself or others I require the use of hunter's orange. Just this past weekend while hunting rabbits once you are more then 50 feet from the other person they are very difficult to see. Myself I prefer everyone see's me rather then getting some bird shot in my face. I will never understand why someone wouldn't wear orange while hunting especially since the small games doesn't care.

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People hate big government telling them what to do,even if it's for their own good. That's why people exceed speed limits,don't "buckle up" and talk on cell phones while driving.

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Originally Posted by boogaloo

Back in the day (mid '60s) most of us guys wore canvas coats. Usually brown :whacked: or a green"Hydro parka" The only orange I ever had back then was a small reversible hat. Green mostly and the top and would fold over to expose the orange. I upgraded my coat around 1966 to a wool Black and red checkered Mackinaw type coat. Never saw camo for many years and we killed a lot of deer........................................Daniel

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I remember those days. I was only 5 and that's what Dad and Grandpa used to use. Lot's of guys got shot,too,including my Dad. He got peppered with a part load off bird shot in his butt from another hunter swinging on a flaring Grouse.

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Originally Posted by arvanlaar

Right... I forgot most animals are color blind so it doesn't matter. Thanks for the input and advice!

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We're only legally required to wear blaze orange while hunting during an open GUN season for Deer and Moose. Licensed Black Bear hunters need to wear it while travelling to and from their tree stand. As already pointed out,it makes sense to wear it anyway,especially if there may be other hunters in the same area. Be seen,be safe.

Just like the myth about about only 3 rds in shotgun when you are NOT..NOT hunting Migratory Game birds. Take the plug out for small game. I challenge you to prove me wrong. We spent the better part of an evening during deer camp proving it. Does not mean you, you will not get a ticket from CO, but the regs are clear and refers to Migratory Act (under feds) no provincal restriction in F&WGA.

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Originally Posted by line052

Just like the myth about about only 3 rds in shotgun when you are NOT..NOT hunting Migratory Game birds. Take the plug out for small game. I challenge you to prove me wrong. We spent the better part of an evening during deer camp proving it. Does not mean you, you will not get a ticket from CO, but the regs are clear and refers to Migratory Act (under feds) no provincal restriction in F&WGA.

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Oh-oh.... you might want to read the FWCA, and then correct your post.

http://www.e-laws.gov.on.ca/html/sta...es_97f41_e.htm

Shotguns
19. A person shall not hunt with a shotgun unless the shotgun has been permanently plugged or altered so that it cannot hold a total of more than three shells at one time in the chamber and magazine. 1997, c. 41, s. 19.

Camo....wear it because you want to look like a hunter to all your buddies, and be tacti-cool....

Well, ok, I actually do wear it for Turkey, and Migratory. The other times I have it mainly because it's a purpose designed garment for hunting, and has nice things like shell loops, and big pockets.

I wear blaze for most of my small game, bird, and big game hunting. It's better to be seen by all.

This year we had a group of turkeys move between a couple of guys on their watches during deer season, both guys were head to toe in blaze orange, and they didn't seem to care, so I'm not sure it's even really necessary for turkey either.....

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Originally Posted by MikePal

I think you answered your own question...camo isn't required to hunt deer..camo is just so you can impress your buddies and look sexy for the wife :)

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Originally Posted by welsh

Deer don't see orange, so pylons don't alarm them.

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Originally Posted by fratri

Most animals are colour blind so camo is not necessary for hunting, the advertising gods just make us believe it is...

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These responses all nail it for deer (and moose). Really, all you need to worry about the animals spotting is your movement. Sit still and they'll walk up on you if you're dressed in orange from head to toe (and assuming they haven't winded you).

Like others said though, birds and other hunted species have great eye sight (turkeys & coyotes specifically) and you absolutely must be as camo'd as possible. This doesn't necessarily mean wearing actual "camo" but you want to make sure whatever you wear blends in very well with your surroundings.

And again, the best camo is always being absolutely still.

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

This year we had a group of turkeys move between a couple of guys on their watches during deer season, both guys were head to toe in blaze orange, and they didn't seem to care, so I'm not sure it's even really necessary for turkey either.....

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Had the same thing happen to me a few years back...flock of about 30 birds crossed the tree line right where I was sitting against a tree hunting deer. They were less than 3' from me and I was head to foot in Blaze orange....they didn't take a 2nd look, they peeked around right in front of me a slow meandered away... Camo for Turkey isn't even a must !!!

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Originally Posted by MikePal

Had the same thing happen to me a few years back...flock of about 30 birds crossed the tree line right where I was sitting against a tree hunting deer. They were less than 3' from me and I was head to foot in Blaze orange....they didn't take a 2nd look, they peeked around right in front of me a slow meandered away... Camo for Turkey isn't even a must !!!

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It is because they knew it was not turkey season :P

The animals always know.

The number of times I have seen huge bucks when it was not hunting season.
The number of deer when goose hunting.
The number of ducks when deer hunting.
It makes you sick sometimes, but they always know.

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Originally Posted by Fox

It is because they knew it was not turkey season :P

The animals always know.

The number of times I have seen huge bucks when it was not hunting season.
The number of deer when goose hunting.
The number of ducks when deer hunting.
It makes you sick sometimes, but they always know.

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It's freaky isn't it. I see deer when turkey, duck, moose and coyote hunting, turkey when deer and coyote hunting. Geese by the hundreds stacked up in fields that are in the no discharge zone. Makes you crazy doesn't it?

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Originally Posted by M_P

It's freaky isn't it. I see deer when turkey, duck, moose and coyote hunting, turkey when deer and coyote hunting. Geese by the hundreds stacked up in fields that are in the no discharge zone. Makes you crazy doesn't it?

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Animals can read.

That is where all the regulations books end up, the MNRF did not reduce the numbers, they just handed more out to the deer this fall.

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Originally Posted by Fox

It is because they knew it was not turkey season :P

The animals always know.

The number of times I have seen huge bucks when it was not hunting season.
The number of deer when goose hunting.
The number of ducks when deer hunting.
It makes you sick sometimes, but they always know.

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Ain't that a fact! No adult Moose tags in our area,this year and we saw more than in other five years,combined. I swore that Cow thst stood and watched me for ten minutes,not 75' away,was snickering. LOL

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Originally Posted by line052

Just like the myth about about only 3 rds in shotgun when you are NOT..NOT hunting Migratory Game birds. Take the plug out for small game. I challenge you to prove me wrong. We spent the better part of an evening during deer camp proving it. Does not mean you, you will not get a ticket from CO, but the regs are clear and refers to Migratory Act (under feds) no provincal restriction in F&WGA.

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Like Werner....I accept your challenge .....Sec. 19 FWCA
Hunt with shotgun not permanently plugged

Set Fine: $100.00

Total Payable: $125.00

A person shall not hunt with a shotgun unless the shotgun has been permanently plugged or altered so that it cannot hold a total of more than three shells at one time in the chamber and magazine.

Interesting the use of "permanently" there, but that's another can of worms entirely.

I've been down to the grand opening of Bass Pro in Niagara over the weekend & was reminded that wearing camo is not just about marketing or being convinced you need it ... it's also a marker of identity that declares "I hunt." Much more so than the Mackinaw coat, and you can wear your camo jacket or ball cap in public without being committed to an asylum, unlike your waders or your upland vest. This is one reason camo is so popular.

Camo not required while in a tree stand for black bear. Bears have a wider spectrum of vision than most animals if I remember correctly.

SHeepishly.....schooled...hides from forum for several days...we were sure we had it figured out....but alas..the act proves true. Thanks I won my bet now....lol

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Originally Posted by arvanlaar

So after completing my hunting course last weekend, I learned that you must have a rather large amount of hunter orange on your person at all times to legally hunt in Ontario (obviously there are some exceptions but for the most part this is true). I do not understand why anyone bothers with buying and wearing camo if they have a ginormous swatch of orange on there head and body. My wife pointed out that at least the rest of your body is hidden a bit more but when i think about it, it doesn't seem that that would really matter when an animal sees a moving pylon coming towards it.

Just wondering what you all thought. Feel free to put me in my place if I am thinking about this the wrong way :)

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Easy!
Frist, I use my big game hunting clothe for turkey, waterfowl, yotes and so on so it better be camo or brown.
Secondly, if you want some good quality hunting clothes there is a good chance they are going to be camo, or brown but that's a bag idea while deer hunting.

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Originally Posted by arvanlaar

So after completing my hunting course last weekend, I learned that you must have a rather large amount of hunter orange on your person at all times to legally hunt in Ontario (obviously there are some exceptions but for the most part this is true). I do not understand why anyone bothers with buying and wearing camo if they have a ginormous swatch of orange on there head and body. My wife pointed out that at least the rest of your body is hidden a bit more but when i think about it, it doesn't seem that that would really matter when an animal sees a moving pylon coming towards it.

Just wondering what you all thought. Feel free to put me in my place if I am thinking about this the wrong way :)

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Most (almost all) of the decent quality clothing is camo. Even the stuff that is reversible orange, the reversible side does not put up with much wear and tear. I've ruined one reversible orange jacket by wearing it in the brush until it was shredded. I got a better one and after a couple of seasons, I could see where that was going. I now wear it camo side out and put an orange vest on over it.

If you buy camo for deer/moose, you can also use it for bow, turkey, waterfowl, etc - just ditch the orange vest.

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Originally Posted by werner.reiche

Most (almost all) of the decent quality clothing is camo. Even the stuff that is reversible orange, the reversible side does not put up with much wear and tear. I've ruined one reversible orange jacket by wearing it in the brush until it was shredded. I got a better one and after a couple of seasons, I could see where that was going. I now wear it camo side out and put an orange vest on over it.

If you buy camo for deer/moose, you can also use it for bow, turkey, waterfowl, etc - just ditch the orange vest.

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Werner is bang on. Same thing I do. Camo clothes with a good orange vest when required

I normally go with good warm camo and a good orange vest (full sleeves are better but I cannot find one like dad has).

I do have a full orange parka, it was a gift, best and warmest hunting coat of all time, I will wear it for all my big game but I wish I had another one in camo.

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Originally Posted by Bluebulldog

Camo....wear it because you want to look like a hunter to all your buddies, and be tacti-cool....

Well, ok, I actually do wear it for Turkey, and Migratory. The other times I have it mainly because it's a purpose designed garment for hunting, and has nice things like shell loops, and big pockets.

I wear blaze for most of my small game, bird, and big game hunting. It's better to be seen by all.

This year we had a group of turkeys move between a couple of guys on their watches during deer season, both guys were head to toe in blaze orange, and they didn't seem to care, so I'm not sure it's even really necessary for turkey either.....

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I had a similar experience a couple of weeks ago too. A flock of about 15 or 20 turkeys pecked their way across the field towards me and then hopped the fence about 15 yards away. No concern whatsoever for my orange. 10 minutes after that, a group of coyotes came out of the treeline along the same route the turkeys had followed. I ended up getting 2 of them with a single shot 20 gauge slug gun and they never did figure out where the shooting was coming from, blaze orange and all. I was under a big cedar in the shadows but when I looked back at the spot from where the coyotes had been, my blaze touque was plainly visible sitting on my pack. Guess they just couldn't see my movement while reloading because of the shadows and the blaze didn't concern them.

Rather than buying 2 sets of clothes, I have thick warm camo that I toss an orange vest over. A lot cheaper than a whole separate orange outfit...

Camo at the end of the day still breaks up ur outline.

I'm not a black powder hunter,but,I notice there's a one week BP gun hunt in WMU 73 along with bows. So,I suppose we still need blaze orange for another week,right?