New Blaze Orange for Michigan Hunters May be Hot Pink

Come hunting season, hot pink could pepper the neutral-toned Michigan countrysides — That is, if a measure to expand the blaze orange law gets the go-ahead from state senators.

The state House of Representatives passed a bill Thursday that would expand the existing safety law requiring blaze-clad sportsmen to also include "hunter pink" as a fluorescent alternative for coats, vests or hats, The Detroit Free Press reported.

The neon shade would remain safe and effective, lawmakers said, some noting that hunting is a growing hobby among Michigan women.

“I don’t want to make it so that pink is the girls’ color," said State Rep. Lisa Lyons, R-Alto, in the article. "You look around this chamber and half the guys have pink ties on ... I want to be careful not to pigeonhole pink as a female-only color. But if it spurs more interest and encouragement of the fastest growing hunting population in Michigan, that’s a great side benefit to make sure we’ve got safe colors out in the woods.”

The 78-30 approved change could take effect as soon as October 2017, should a study affirming its effectiveness be completed. The bill will soon go to a vote in the state Senate.

Accompanying photo courtesy of Flickr Creative Commons via user M C Morgan.