Safety orange, or blaze orange, commonly referred to as hunter orange, is worn by hunters to increase their visibility and to reduce their potential for being mistaken for game. Hunter orange was originally developed for the transportation industry and is the color usually used for traffic cones. Because of its high visibility, as a contrasting color of a natural background, it was adopted by hunters. The majority of states and provinces now recommend or require hunter orange clothing for most kinds of hunting activities.
Although there is no law requiring Geocachers to wear this color it is recommended that anyone entering the woods during hunting season does so.
Wearing highly visible blaze or hunter orange clothing makes it much easier for hunters to see you and increases your safety while Geocaching. Keep in mind that as we Geocache we crash through the woods, we crouch up and down, crawl around and we move branches and rocks, etc. These are the same actions, and it makes similar sounds, that a hunter identifies with game.
Donning a simple safety orange vest and cap before entering the woods raises our level of visibility, helping to identify us and makes us a bit safer.
There are also colors that you shouldn’t wear. You shouldn’t wear shades of brown or white, even if you are wearing hunter orange. As you can imagine, these colors are associated with game. White is associated particularly with whitetail deer. To a white-tail deer hunter a flash of white means a deer. Likewise, if you have to answer the call of nature, hide behind some trees or bushes if you are using white coloured toilet paper.
As with any sport there is safety gear associated and Geocaching is no different. Be visible and be safe. Remember, color me safe!
Keep on cachin’!