covert orange

[b.glass]

Has anybody seen this stuff! I just saw it in the Hunter's Handbook that was given to us at my sons hunter's education class yesterday. I'm pretty excited about it! It is a hunter orange that the deer see as grey. I quess normal hunter's orange is seen by deer as bright yellow. This stuff has a honey comb background that blends and makes the deer see it as grey while we still see bright orange. Sounds like the best thing since laundry soap without the UV brighteners. The only thing is I don't know yet if it is legal here in Indiana. I will at least wear it during archery season while hunting public land. I will call tomorrow to see if it is legal.  

[horatio1226]

Did the deer say it was grey???Did it write it down??? Did it point it out on a color chart???
Am I missing something here???

[b.glass]

I quess it has been researched and tested. I don't understand the science behind it, but I believe they have learned how the whitetail deer's eyes work, (it has something to do with rods and cones in thier eyes and how many they have compared to humans, also makes it easier for them to see at night), I also don't understand brain surgery but I believe it is done safely.

[Forester]

I attended a lecture by Dr. D'Angelo a few weeks ago.  He was involved in the latest research you mentioned.  He is a lead author on the current paper.  Very interesting.  I got the impression that most orange was viewed as more gray than yellow.  Blues , they speculate, are more detectable as a different color.  Color recognition seems less important to deer than solid patterns and movement.

I am sure there will be much marketing that spins off of the latest research.  Buyer beware.

Let us know if the new orange works well for you.  I would be interested.  Thanks.

[b.glass]

The site that has the information about this is at covertorange.com. Your right about buyer beware. I was concerned about this when I first heard about the UV killers also. But I am less skeptical about this new orange. To be honest I didn't read all the research info. Think I will now.

[Tom Leemans]

Well in IL, the regs say 400 square inches of solid blaze orange for gun hunting deer. You can't even use the mesh stuff. I wish these guys the best in their business venture though.

[b.glass]

I just talked to the DNR officer in the central office in Indy. He had not heard of the stuff until now but checked his files looking for the magazine that I had. What he found was a piece of the cloth and he said it had been approved in Indiana! I have already odered some hats and vests for me and my kids! We should have it for the youth deer season this weekend!

[frankwright]

I don't know how the product will work and I know they are getting smarter about devising research that may give a clearer picture of what deer may actually see.

I do know that I have sat still on the ground with a bright orange hooded sweatshirt and a bright orange watch cap and have deer feed right by me.
We have to wear orange while bowhunting once firearms or muzzleloader season starts, and while I feel not as covered wearing orange and bowhunting, the deer do not notice me anymore than if I was in complete camo.

I do believe having confidence in any product can make you more successful in the woods. I don't know if it makes you hunt longer or smarter but the confidence factor sure seams to play a part.

[John Scifres]

Deer don't seem to even notice the orange.  In fact, big ole rutting bucks sometimes don't notice much of nothing during gun season here in Indiana.  I once shot at a deer 4 times with a slug gun (scope was off) and he didn't even flinch.  I was bowhunting during gun season and decked out head to toe in orange sitting on a stool on the ground not really even trying to hide.  I had a doe walk within 10 feet of me without seeing me until I tried to draw on her  

I'd just go with the less expensive stuff.  No sense paying for good marketing.

[insttech1]

I know you're excited, but I would wait on any major purchases until you hear others chime in.

If anyone can get close to deer, it's the guys on this site--and there have been many a discussion about hunter orange here.

My personal opinion is it is motion and pattern that sets you off while you're in orange...unless it is super cheap crap and full of UV brighteners (which orange tends to have), but I've had deer on me while in a full Columbia parka (solid), that had not a clue....

Actually, if memory serves, I read more comments about deer NOT seeing orange than guys complaining of being busted because they wore it.

Now the confidence factor has its merit...and I agree with Frank, and so does the input from lots of people here.

Take Care,
Marc

[Covert Orange]

Great discussion!

We knew when we finished the research on this product that it would have a polarizing affect on the hunting world.  Ol' timers (and others) have always told us that deer are color-blind.  Scientists are proving they aren't.  The debate rages on!

I agree, that you can get close to deer while wearing blaze however, how many trophy bucks have you been near while wearing it?  They don't become trophies by not being observant.  I have to wonder how many trophies HAVE seen my blaze and snuck off before I even knew he was there.

With regard to legality, here is a map that shows which states have approved Covert Orange, which ones have not approved it and which ones have not decided.  Our vests are reversible but our hats aren't.

 http://www.covertorange.com/usmap.htm

I will gladly answer your questions about Covert Orange through this great forum.

[Tim Fishell]

I have been sitting on the ground next to a tree in a full orange suit (from head to toe) and had deer walk right past me at less than 10 yards (gun season no doe tag).  I think it is more a factor of motion and scent than what you wear.  But that is just my 2cents.

[dannyvp]

Well my state doesnt seem to like it.
Its a shame i love buying stuff.

[Oregon Bill]

My understanding is that deer see NO colors in anything other than shades of gray.

[woodchucker]

Hmmmmm.....

It says that deer see "safty" orange as "yellow".....

All of the maple trees in my hunting area drop yellow leaves.....

I normaly use yellow fletching on my hunting arrows.....

Maybe I should wear "safty orange" instead of my old wool sweaters.....

Naaaaahhhhh.....  

[Eric Krewson]

I had an old doe come catch me in my blind every time I had a blaze orange cap on or even when I put it on the ground, slightly visible through a tangle of pine and cedar limbs. She never caught me when I didn't have the orange cap with me.

Here is the blind from the inside. I kept my head down well below the blind's upper level.

 

The doe's view at my blind.

 

I think she could see color.