Illinois hunters will soon be able to swap their orange hunting gear with pink if they wish, thanks to a new state law taking effect in January.
A leading cause of hunting accidents is accidentally shooting a person--instead of an animal--because you can’t see them. It’s why you have to wear a certain amount of bright orange if you go hunting. But state law will now allow hunters to don pink hunting gear as well.
State senator Neil Anderson, a Republican from Andalusia, says studies have shown pink can be seen more easily by hunters, but not their game.
"Some scientists believe that deer cannot see pink. So, it works in a lot of ways,” he said. "I can speak from experience with my six-year-old daughter [as well]. She loves the idea of being able to wear pink instead of orange.”
Anderson says big box stores like Dick’s Sporting Goods are taking in shipments of pink hunting gear, though Dick's has yet to confirm their shipments. Hunters will still have to wear at least 400 square inches of orange or pink, and must also wear a hat.
