Do You Have to Wear Orange When Squirrel Hunting?

Squirrels are still one of my favorite game species to hunt because they offer similar hunting challenges that you face with big game, are relatively plentiful, and can test your marksmanship with a rimfire rifle. However, when talking to hunters that are new to the squirrel hunt, one question that I’m asked often is, do you have to wear orange when squirrel hunting?

I understand why the question is asked because hunters can be concerned that a game species that sees color might be able to see orange-colored safety clothing. Wild turkeys are a great example of a game species able to see color. Because they can see most all colors in the color spectrum, most states do not require that turkey hunters wear hunter orange safety clothing.

Since most deer hunters are required to wear orange during the deer firearm season, many hunters worry that deer can see orange, but studies show they can’t see colors.

Defining Blaze Orange

Before I get too deep into the content, it’s important to lay out some parameters about blaze orange. The orange color used in hunter safety clothing goes by several different names, including:

• Blaze Orange
• Hunter Orange
• Fluorescent Orange
• Safety Orange
• Neon Orange

For the purposes of this post, all those different descriptions are just different ways to describe blaze orange, so don’t let the different names confuse you.

I bring this up because each state may use it’s own verbiage describing blaze orange or hunter orange.

Here’s an example:

• During any firearms season for big game, the state of Arkansas requires that hunters wear at least 400 square inches of hunter orange and a blaze orange hat.
• The state of Colorado states that big game hunters (which are deer, elk, or antelope) must wear at least 500 inches of “solid daylight fluorescent orange above the waist”.
• Under most circumstances, the state of South Carolina requires that hunters wear a hat, coast, or hunting vest of solid international orange when hunting,

Also note that some states have specific verbiage about “solid blaze orange”, which rules out hunter safety clothing done in the popular camouflage orange break-up pattern.

As you can see, there are several different ways to describe blaze orange for hunting safety, so it’s important to fully review the hunter safety rules for the specific state you hunt.

Squirrels are Colorblind (sort of)

While squirrels are considered to have excellent vision for a rodent, scientists have discovered that squirrels have dichromatic vision. This means squirrels can only see two colors (reds and blues), so they are technically colorblind. In addition, research indicates that squirrels can identify red and blue but cannot differentiate between the two colors. As such, they cannot differentiate hunter orange from other colors in the woods.

Since the species is colorblind, wearing blaze orange safety clothing while hunting won’t spook the squirrels.

Squirrel Hunting with Blaze Orange Hunter Safety Clothing

Let’s get back to answering the question about having to wear orange while squirrel hunting. There are two components that play a direct role in determining if orange has to be worn:

• State Hunting Regulations
• Hunter Safety

Let’s look at each component in greater detail:

From a common sense and general hunter safety standpoint, I strongly suggest wearing some hunter orange or hunter safety clothing while squirrel hunting, whether required or not. This is especially important in states where a squirrel hunter may share the woods with deer hunters or hunters pursuing other big game species.

Personally, at a minimum, I wear a blaze orange hat even when hunting squirrels in states without any mandatory blaze orange requirements. However, I’ve spoken with hunters who don’t wear orange while chasing squirrels because squirrel hunters are not shooting centerfire or high-powered rifles. While this is a true statement, a rimfire rifle, 22 rifle, or shotgun is more than capable of causing death or serious injury to another hunter in the woods.

FAQS

Here are some commonly asked questions related to wearing blaze orange while squirrel hunting:

Can squirrels see a hunter wearing blaze orange?

Researchers have discovered that squirrels can see specific colors but cannot identify orange. So while they most likely see blaze orange in either a red or blue color, squirrels cannot identify the color. So wearing blaze orange in the woods won’t scare the squirrels off.

Even though squirrels are technically color blind, they still have excellent vision and are particularly good at catching movement.

Do I have to wear blaze orange clothing while hunting on private land?

The answer depends on the rules and regulations of each specific state. In most states, the blaze orange requirements apply to both private land and public land. However, there may be exceptions to that rule where hunter orange clothing is not required on private land.

I’d recommend thoroughly reviewing the hunter safety regulations for your state. If the regulations are unclear or you have questions, contact the state wildlife enforcement office in your state as they are usually happy to answer questions.