I prefaced this article with a question because I can’t say with certainty that I have the answer.
As a purveyor of news from in and around the outdoor industry, I am fortunate enough to get a taste of much of what is going on out there. Well…as much as I can ingest in a day.
One topic that has caught my eye so far this month is the number of turkey hunting-related accidents and fatalities that have taken place so far this season.
Here’s a couple:
Deadly hunting accident leaves community in shock
DNR urges turkey hunters to wear orange after 2 fatalities
Let me take a step back.
I know hunting is safe. I also know that in the state of Kansas, for example, hunting is safer than playing golf when you look at injuries per 100,000 participants.
This being said, the stories, at least the ones I have noticed, involve turkey hunters on the move. Meaning the majority of these accidents took place while a hunter was either stalking a turkey (yup) or while setting up or moving decoys.
Now to some, it might seem completely unreasonable to fire a shot at a decoy, let alone one with a human beside it. But it happens.
With many big game species, hunting with a firearm requires a certain amount of hunter orange to be worn at all times. While hunting for certain species in certain regions only require it to be worn when moving through the forest or between stands.
My question is, why not apply this reasoning to turkey hunting?
I am not suggesting head-to-toe orange coveralls, nor am I suggesting that we should abandon our favorite spring camo patterns.
My personal opinion is that requiring turkey hunters to adorn an orange hat while moving to and from their blinds or while setting up or transporting decoys will certainly not ruin anyone’s hunt.
It might just save a life. Or somebody’s face.
Thoughts below, please.