Orange blaze requirement

[DaveK]

We are hunting public land this fall for turkey and believe it or not this area in Illinois (Choteau Island) requires orange blaze for shotgun turkey just like deer hunting garb.  Although records show dozens of turkey are taken at this place each year with the rule in place, I am wondering what we can do to minimize the obvious disadvantage of wearing the orange hat and 400 square inches on the upper body.   Keep ultra still, scout, etc... but my goodness all that orange is bad for drawing them in. Any blind must also have 400 square inches of orange on top of it. Advice please?

[Deputy 14]

Wear the 400 inches on your back

[redarrow]

Sit very still.Think before making even the slightest move. Or hunt in a pumpkin patch. 

[ctwny1]

Is this just required while your walking  or must wear all the time?

[DaveK]

Orange is required at all times hunting, not just moving.  This is a site specific law.  Just as many public hunting places in Illinois do not have the rule for turkey. 

[Skeeterbait]

Yeah I wouldn't like that either.  I would especially not want it on body parts I might have to move like head, arms, or hands.  I would only want it on body.  Problem though is your turkey vest going to cover it up and make you not legal because it can't be seen 360 degrees.  What about an orange upland bird hunting vest and switch to it when hunting this area?

[handcannon]

Sounds like a brush blind might be the best way to go, even if you have to display orange on top somehow. I just dont see you wearing a orange cap and vest and pulling in a bird without one heck of a blind setup.

[fallhnt]

I looked into that and don't see it listed on the IDNR web site. Is it part of the Wildlife Refuge System? If so that could be why you have to wear orange. There is no gun deer season at that time so I can't think of any reason to wear orange but at least you know the rules.

[DaveK]

Fallhnt:  If you go to the hunter fact sheet for there http://dnr.state.il.us/lands/landmgt/hunter_fact_sheet/r4hfs/hrl_corps.htm  it is number 7.

thanks.




I looked into that and don't see it listed on the IDNR web site. Is it part of the Wildlife Refuge System? If so that could be why you have to wear orange. There is no gun deer season at that time so I can't think of any reason to wear orange but at least you know the rules.

[fallhnt]

Ya...I read into that what you do too. Seems like an odd rule. I bowhunt out of a ground blind with orange on top during youth deer season and have killed birds. Well good luck and let us know how you do.