Vermont Issued Hunter Safety Clothing Reminder
The Vermont Fish and Wildlife Department is urging hunters to wear fluorescent orange for safety in the woods.
Updated on Oct. 14, 2026 in Hunting
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Vermont Fish and Wildlife has issued a reminder encouraging hunters to wear fluorescent orange gear while in the woods. This guidance aims to ensure hunters remain visible to one another during the season.
Why it matters
The practice helps prevent accidental shootings by increasing visibility among people in the woods. Because deer have a limited color spectrum and lack multiple color receptors, they are reportedly unimpacted by the bright orange clothing.
Fluorescent orange clothing is highly visible to the human eye, serving as a critical safety measure in woodland environments. Deer vision relies primarily on motion detection rather than color distinction due to their lack of multiple color receptors.
The players
Vermont Fish and Wildlife
This is the state agency responsible for managing Vermont's fish and wildlife resources and establishing hunting regulations.
The details
Hunters are encouraged to wear the high-visibility gear to distinguish themselves from their surroundings to other individuals. Wildlife experts note that deer are effectively colorblind to the bright hue, allowing hunters to stay safe without compromising their success in the field.
Timeline
October 14, 2026: Vermont Fish and Wildlife issued the hunter safety reminder.
Culture Shift
This guidance aligns with long-standing safety protocols promoted by the North American Model of Wildlife Conservation. The push for visibility marks a commitment to modernizing hunting safety standards while maintaining traditional outdoor practices.
Hunters across Vermont should update their gear to include high-visibility orange to comply with safety recommendations. Adopting this clothing ensures better visibility to other hunters, potentially reducing the risk of accidents while navigating dense forest terrain.
The takeaway
Wearing high-visibility orange is an essential practice for anyone spending time in the woods during hunting season. Hunters should always prioritize gear that maximizes their visibility to others while remaining undetectable to the deer they are tracking.
Further reading
For additional information on seasonal regulations and best practices, see Hunting.
Source note: This article includes information reported by Local 22 & Local 44.
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