What Are the Hunter Orange Requirements?

Discover how much hunter orange you need to legally hunt in Michigan, Wisconsin, Illinois, and Iowa.

If you’re doing any kind of firearm hunting, you’ll need to wear hunter orange. Hunters wear hunter orange, often referred to as blaze orange, so other hunters can see them.

The amount of hunter orange you need varies state to state, and even by the type of game you’re hunting. Blain’s Farm & Fleet has rounded up what you need for Wisconsin, Illinois, Michigan, and Iowa.

Hunter Orange: Wisconsin

During firearm deer season in Wisconsin, hunter orange must be worn above the waist by all Wisconsin hunters, except those hunting waterfowl.

50% of their above-the-waist clothing must be blaze orange or fluorescent pink. Camouflage blaze orange is also legal to wear, as long as 50% of the clothing is blaze orange. Any head coverings should also be blaze orange or pink.

Ground blinds are required to have at least 144 square inches of solid blaze orange, visible from all directions. You can easily meet this requirement with a blaze orange safety cap for your blind.

Hunter Orange: Illinois

In Illinois, blaze orange requirements are measured by square inches. For firearm deer hunting, archery deer hunting, and turkey hunting, your above-the-waist outer clothing must show at least 400 square inches of solid blaze orange.

Blaze orange camouflage is not accepted. You also have to wear a blaze orange hat or cap in addition to your clothing.

It is unlawful to use or occupy a ground blind during any firearm season on Illinois owned or managed DNR land, unless a minimum of 400 square inches of blaze orange or pink material is securely attached to the uppermost portion of it.

Hunter Orange: Michigan

All firearm hunters in the state of Michigan are required to wear blaze orange clothing that is visible from all sides when they are hunting on any land during daylight hours.

Examples of acceptable blaze orange garments include hats, caps, vests, jackets, rain-wear, or other outer garments. Camouflage hunter orange is legal providing that at least 50% of the surface area is solid hunter orange.

Exceptions to the hunter orange requirement include waterfowl, crow, dove, and wild turkey hunters, as well as bow deer hunters during the open archery season.

Hunter Orange: Iowa

Iowa’s laws vary, depending on what size and type of animal you’re hunting. Pheasant and small game hunting laws require you to wear a hat, cap, vest, jacket, sweatshirt, shirt, or coveralls where at least 50% is solid blaze orange.

For firearm deer hunting, you must wear a solid blaze orange top or coveralls. A hat is not enough.

If you are firearm deer hunting with a blind, it needs at least 144 square inches of blaze orange that’s visible in every direction.

At Blain’s Farm & Fleet, your safety is important to us. That’s why we carry blaze orange clothes for the entire family. Choose from our wide selection of women’s and men’s hunting clothes. We even have kids’ hunting clothes.

Once you’re dressed for the hunt, get all the hunting equipment you need. Plus, you can pick up your hunting license at your local Blain’s Farm & Fleet.

For more hunting tips and information, visit our Hunting Blog.