Newbie question about Hunter orange

[trimmer21]

I'm pretty sure you've said that only bow hunters in a stand can forgo the orange when bear hunting AND both gun and bow hunters can forgo orange when in the stand for bear.

I apologize if I made it confusing. I actually meant the exact opposite.

[Rugger]

Oh, no need to apologize. I just wanted to point out that a few of your posts sounded contradictory which is where some of the confusion is coming from. Happens to the best of us.

[Guelph1981]

OK,now,I understand what you're saying,but,I don't agree. The way I understand the regs and how it was explained to me by retired CO hunting partners is when gun hunting for Black Bear,we need to be using blaze orange whether we're gun hunting from a tree stand, sitting on the ground in a blind or "spot and stalk" hunting regardless of any other open season for big game at the same time. We're only allowed to remove our orange when in a tree stand with a bow,but,once we leave the stand,blaze orange must be used.
This is particularly confusing in my home WMU73 because Deer(Archery) and Black Bear (archery and rifle) are open at the same time. While Deer hunting with archery gear,blaze orange isn't required except during the gun hunt,BUT,a "licensed" Bear hunter while hunting Black Bear, must be wearing blaze orange going to and from a stand or when still hunting on the ground. I'm willing to bet that is why the more frequently written tickets are for blaze orange violations. For the average hunter,it's very confusing.

You are understanding the regs wrong then. If i decide to load up my gear and spend tomorrow sitting in the tree stand with my 30-06 then i only need to wear my orange to and from my stand. The area i hunt there is no open gun season for deer or moose or elk right now so i am free to lose the orange once in the tree and legally enjoy my rifle bear hunt not dressed like a pumpkin.

Edit - I want apologize to you. Im honestly not trying to be a troll here or be an @$$hat purposely. I have read many of your posts over the years and I respect what you have to say. I know you have been doing this way longer than I have thats why for the most part i try to keep quiet on here unless i have a stupid newbie question i need help with. That being said I wish you the best of luck and lots of success this upcoming season!

Cheers,
Jeremy

[rippin_355]

You only need orange when hunting bears from the ground or during an open gun season for big game. Period, it's as clear as mud in the regs.

[rev500ss]

Why don't you just wear it at all times while using a gun or if there is a open gun season.
If it saves one person from being shot then it's worth it.
In all honesty it's really not that hard to throw on a orange vest and hat to keep everyone safe.

I've even wore mine while in a canoe going to a duck blind. Better safe then sorry.

Sent from my LG-D852 using Tapatalk

[JJL]

I have to agree with Guelph1981's interpretation.
I have been up north getting ready to hunt this weekend without internet.
like rippin_355 said, it's clear as mud!

[Dythbringer]

Here is a link to the actual regulations:
https://www.ontario.ca/laws/regulation/980665#BK7

Part 4 (General), section 26:

26. (1) The holder of a hunting or trapping licence shall wear a garment in hunter orange and a head cover in hunter orange while hunting wildlife, (a) during the open seasons for deer, elk or moose, other than the seasons restricted to the use of bows only; and
(b) during the open season for bear. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 26 (1); O. Reg. 529/10, s. 6; O. Reg. 49/11, s. 3 (1).
(2) The garment referred to in subsection (1) must be solid and not open mesh clothing with a minimum total area of not less than 400 square inches above the waist and visible from all sides. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 26 (2).
(3) Clause (1) (a) does not apply to a person who is hunting migratory game birds other than woodcock. O. Reg. 665/98, s. 26 (3).
(4) Clause (1) (b) does not apply to a person who, during an open season for bear,
(a) hunts small game or wild turkey;
(b) hunts wildlife, other than bear, authorized by a trapping licence on his or her trapline;
(c) hunts moose, deer or elk during an open season for moose, deer or elk that is restricted to the use of bows only and that runs concurrently with the open season for bear; or
(d) is in a tree stand while hunting bear. O. Reg. 49/11, s. 3 (2).


So during the open season for bear you are required to wear hunter orange unless you are in a tree stand hunting bear during the open season for bear.

[Gunner 38]

No need to "split hairs" . If you value your "health" wear blaze-orange all the time (during any open season) except when waterfowl- or turkey-hunting . --- You MAY be a "safe" hunter BUT is the other guy ? --- Some YAHOO "could" even mistake you for a bear while you're using a tree-stand . --- Like to gamble ?

[hunteronwheels]

let me add another dimension i am a newb as well
if i want to spot and stalk a bear and take a backpack will an hunter orange rain cover on the pack make me legal and of course front vest and hat

[northernontario]

let me add another dimension i am a newb as well
if i want to spot and stalk a bear and take a backpack will an hunter orange rain cover on the pack make me legal and of course front vest and hat

Yes and no... because the backpack straps are covering your orange on the chest (and I assume the straps aren't orange)...

I've never seen it be an issue. If you have covered the pack in orange, have a vest on, and a hat on... you're a giant mono-coloured beacon in the bush. It's not camo (even orange camo)... so even to a colourblind hunter you will standout. I don't think anyone I hunt with has an orange backpack... so technically we're in violation of the rules when the pack is on and you're walking through the bush.