Costello bill gives hunters option of “blaze pink"

Hunters in Illinois this time next year may see more than orange under new legislation sponsored by state Rep. Jerry Costello II, D-Smithton, which adds blaze pink to acceptable colors for hunters to wear.

"As a father of two daughters, I know that the tradition of hunting is not just something that fathers pass on to sons, and in fact women are the largest growing population of hunters," Costello said. "By opening color options to pink as well as orange, we can better recognize and appreciate female involvement in hunting."

Costello is sponsoring House Bill 4337, which adds solid blaze pink as an acceptable color under hunting regulations in Illinois. Currently, blaze orange is the only color allowed under statute. While Arkansas allows hunters to wear fluorescent chartreuse, Wisconsin is the only other state currently considering adding blaze pink. Research from the University of Wisconsin also found that while humans see pink as well or better than orange, pink is actually more difficult for deer to differentiate, making it a better option for hunters, regardless of gender.

"Blaze pink or camouflage pink products have expanded recently, and this is a great way to promote those products as well as giving charities, such as for breast cancer, opportunities to tie in hunting with their efforts," Costello said.

"Hunting is a great tradition in Southern Illinois that I have cherished sharing with my daughters, and I hope that time next year sees even more families wearing blaze pink as well as orange."

House Bill 4337 awaits consideration by the House.