Kulick: Know the rules for fluorescent orange, purple paint

Leaf peeping season is soon behind us and, in Pennsylvania at least, we are about to enter the season that rivals that line in The Christmas Story, “Only one thing could’ve dragged me away from the soft glow…” — oh, you know the line. But here, in Pennsylvania, although there are several seasons, the BIG one is hunting season, specifically, deer hunting season!

Now don’t get me wrong, there are other seasons, bear, turkey, small game, even elk and trapping, but the one that I grew up with as the holy grail was deer hunting season. There are books about hunting in the commonwealth that detail all the rules and regulations, dates, necessary licenses, hours, limits, and so much more. If you are a hunter or would be hunter, the Pennsylvania Game Commission has a publication called Hunting & Trapping Digest that is a must-have.

However, since safety is a priority, just to know the next couple of bits of information will be potentially lifesaving for a hunter and then another for those who know their property should be off limits. The fluorescent orange rules are now considered simpler and easier to follow. In virtually every season orange is required and the requirements are identical. Whenever orange is required, it must be worn at all times while hunting. Even when not required, using it is safety protection for the hunter, especially when moving.

First, 250 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material on the head, chest and back combined is the requirement. The color must be visible from 360 degrees. Interesting fact, woodchuck hunters must wear a hat made of solid fluorescent orange that is visible from 360 degrees. (When a hat containing 100 square inches of orange is specified, the cap must be solid fluorescent orange.)

Of interest: What you need to know about fall turkey hunting season in Pennsylvania

More: General elk season starts Monday in northcentral Pennsylvania for 72 hunters

The requirement for the 250 square inches of orange applies to hunters in all small game seasons, deer, bear and elk firearms seasons, October muzzleloader antlerless deer and bear seasons and extended antlerless firearms seasons in Wildlife Management Units 2B (Allegheny), 5C (Lehigh, Berks, Northampton, Montgomery) and 5D (Chester, Montgomery, Bucks, Philadelphia).

When using a blind or enclosed tree stand during the firearms deer, bear or elk seasons, a minimum of 100 square inches of fluorescent orange material (orange alert band) must be displayed withing 15 feet of the blind or stand and visible from 360 degrees. This is in addition to wearing orange while inside. Special details are required during turkey season for blind use while hunting.

The second safety item refers to Pennsylvania’s Purple Paint Law. With a change to the state Crimes Code, landowners now have the option of using purple paint rather than signs to post their properties and alert others that the land is private, and trespassing isn’t permitted. This is effective in all areas of the commonwealth except Philadelphia and Allegheny counties.

Landowners choosing to use purple paint to post their properties must use vertical paint lines that are at least 8 inches long and one inch wide. The bottom of the mark must be no less than 3 feet or more than 5 feet from the ground, and painted marks are not more than 100 feet apart.

Since the law is new, hunters may not be aware that the purple line identifies a property as private. However, the new law does authorize unarmed persons to go onto private property for the sole purpose of retrieving a hunting dog.

Here’s a heads-up. In Pennsylvania, failure to obey purple painted marks, as well as signs or verbal commands to keep out, is considered defiant trespass, which is punishable by up to a year in jail and $2,500 in fines. If trespassing occurs while hunting, additional game-law violations and additional penalties may also apply.

The act provides the Game Commission with the authority to investigate trespassing complaints and enforce trespassing violations as a primary offense, even if game-law violations aren’t alleged, and the agency will do so.

For more information, contact the Game Commission District in your area or pick up a copy of the Hunting & Trapping Digest from your county Treasurer’s office. Happy and safe hunting!

Debbie Kulick is an EMT who writes a weekly news column for the Pocono Record.

This article originally appeared on Pocono Record: Kulick: Know the rules for fluorescent orange, purple paint