‘Blaze pink’ hunting wear bill heads toward House vote
Hot pink could soon be in fashion in Minnesota hunting camps.
A bill adding blaze pink to the traditional blaze orange clothing requirements during Minnesota's firearm deer hunting season is headed to the House floor for a vote. The House Government Operations and Elections Policy Committee endorsed the legislation Wednesday after about three minutes of consideration.
Republican Rep. Tom Hackbarth of Cedar said his bill mirrors a Wisconsin law that was signed in February.
"They got a jump ahead of us," Hackbarth said.
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Rep. Jim Nash, R-Waconia, clarified whether hunters will be able to see others in pink as easily as those wearing orange.
"While I'm never going to wear pink in the woods I do want to make sure I see other people who are potentially wearing pink in the woods as the disciplined hunter I am," Nash asked.
Hackbarth cited studies in Wisconsin that found pink is as visible to humans as orange but less visible to deer.
"Maybe you will be wearing pink, Rep. Nash," Committee Chair Tim Sanders, R-Blaine, said to laughter.
Nash held firm.
"I can confirm that I will not," he said. "But I do have daughters that may wish to bling theirs out."
A companion bill has been introduced but not yet heard in the Senate.