Authorizes minors who are hunting to wear pink material

1 Co-sponsor

• Thomas F. O'Mara

Title of bill

An act to amend the environmental conservation law, in relation to allowing minors who hunt to wear pink material

Purpose

To authorize minors who are hunting to wear pink material

Summary of provisions

Section 1 amends § 11-0929(2)(b)(6) of the Environmental Conservation law to provide that a parent, guardian, or youth mentor and minor he or she is accompanying while hunting may display solid or patterned fluorescent pink in addition to fluorescent orange

Section 2 provides the effective date.

Existing law

Section 11-0929 pertains to hunting by minors. Subparagraph 6 or paragraph b or subdivision 2 of this section provides, a licensee who is fourteen or fifteen years of age shall not hunt wild deer or bear with a crossbow or gun unless accompanied by a parent, legal guardian, or youth mentor no less than 21 years of age who, with the minor, each display a minimum total of 250 square inches of solid fluorescent orange or patterned fluorescent orange material above the waist and visible from all directions, or a hat or cap with no less than 50% of the exterior consisting of solid florescent orange material visible from all directions.

This bill extends this provision to the color pink so that minors and their accompanying party may display solid or patterned fluorescent pink instead of orange.

Justification

While women comprise a relatively small percentage of hunters, that number has increased in recent years according to data published by the US Census Bureau. But by giving young hunters and those accompanying them the choice to wear fluorescent pink instead of orange, more women may be encouraged to join in this time-honored tradition. Hunters between the ages of fourteen and fifteen and those accompanying them are currently required to display 250 square inches of solid or patterned fluorescent orange material. This legislation extends the provision to fluorescent pink so that minors and their accompanying party may display solid or patterned fluorescent pink instead of orange as an option.

According to the University of Wisconsin and the Colorado Department of Parks and Wildlife, the use of pink in hunting is as safe as orange. A study conducted by the University of Wisconsin showed that the human eye picks up florescent or blaze pink even more distinctly than orange. The same study also found that for deer, pink is less noticeable than orange.

During a time when participation in fishing, hunting, and other wildlife-associated recreation is declining, this measure seeks to reverse that trend by providing young hunters and those who accompany them with the choice of wearing pink instead of orange. Additionally, various studies show that wearing pink is as safe as orange. If color choice encourages more young people to become involved with hunting and safety is preserved by providing the preference, this legislation will increase the number of participating sportsmen and contribute to our state's culture and economy. For all of these reasons it is imperative that this bill is enacted. LEGISLATIVE HISTORY :

New bill.

Fiscal implications

None.

Effective date

This act shall take effect immediately.