Fluorescent orange requirements for Pennsylvania hunters are simpler and easier to follow than ever. In nearly all seasons orange is required, the requirements are identical. And whenever orange is required, it must be worn at all times while hunting. When not required, the use of orange is strongly recommended, especially while moving.
Generally, when orange is required, hunters must wear
250 SQUARE INCHES of daylight fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined and it must be visible from 360 degrees. An orange hat and vest satisfies this requirement.
This requirement applies to participants in:
• All small game seasons
• Deer, bear and elk Regular Firearms seasons
• October muzzleloader Antlerless deer and bear seasons
• SPECIAL FIREARMS Antlerless deer and bear seasons
• Extended firearms antlerless Deer and Bear seasons
In firearms seasons for deer, bear or elk (regular, special and extended), orange is required, regardless of the sporting arm carried. Hunters using archery equipment must meet orange requirements when participating in these seasons.
Woodchuck hunters must wear a hat made of solid fluorescent orange that's visible from 360 degrees.
When using a blind or enclosed tree stand during the regular firearms deer, bear or elk seasons, a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material (orange alert band) must be displayed within 15 feet of the blind or stand and visible from 360 degrees. This is in addition to wearing orange while inside. See the turkey section for details on blind use while turkey hunting.
In firearms seasons for deer, bear or elk (regular, special and extended), orange is required, regardless of the sporting arm carried.
When fluorescent orange is required, the full amount of orange required for that season must be worn while moving from one hour prior to the start of legal hunting hours and for one hour past the closing of legal hunting hours.
It is unlawful to be on State Game Lands from Oct. 1-Jan. 31 and April 20-May 31, including Sundays, without wearing a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange-colored material on the head, chest and back combined, or a fluorescent orange hat, unless engaged in lawful hunting, trapping or fishing that does not require the use of orange.
ORANGE CAMOUFLAGE
Camouflage fluorescent orange may satisfy orange regulations when 250 square inches of safety material is required if the orange content is at least 250 square inches. When a hat containing 100 square inches of orange is specified, the cap must be solid fluorescent orange.
No fluorescent orange is required during archery seasons when hunting for deer, bear or elk, or when hunting waterfowl, doves, turkeys, furbearers* or crows.
Hunters participating in the after-Christmas flintlock season are not required to wear fluorescent orange (See Special Regulations Areas section).
Even when orange isn’t required, the Game Commission highly recommends the use of orange.
*Fluorescent orange is required when hunting coyotes during any big-game season, if orange is required during that season, including from one hour before sunrise to one hour after sunset.