MADISON, Wis. (AP) — A bill that would legalize blaze-pink hunting gear would give female hunters an option besides bulky, man-shaped blaze-orange clothing, supporters told a legislative committee Wednesday.
Under current Wisconsin law, at least half of each article of clothing that gun deer hunters wear above the waist must be blaze orange. Reps. Nick Milroy, D-South Range, and Joel Kleefisch, R-Oconomowoc, introduced a bill earlier this year that would allow hunters to wear fluorescent pink as well.
Milroy began a public hearing before the Assembly’s natural resources committee by saying the measure was an attempt to recruit more women into hunting. But Kleefisch shifted away from that rationale, saying it offers people a choice to wear one of the hottest colors in sports apparel.
“We have no illusions about women flocking to hunting because of blaze pink being the color allowed,” Kleefisch said. “We’re giving all hunters an option.”
Rep. Kathy Bernier, R-Chippewa Falls, another bill co-sponsor, told the panel she needs hunting clothes tailored for women.
“I, for one, am a very curvy person,” she said. “I’ve always had to buy the men’s blaze orange. It drags. It’s very uncomfortable. When you have clothing that doesn’t fit you well, you get much more tired and worn-out.”
Milroy and Kleefisch insisted blaze pink is just as visible in the woods as blaze orange.
University of Wisconsin-Madison textile expert Majid Sarmadi, who studied blaze pink’s visibility for Milroy and Kleefisch earlier this year, told the committee that pink stands out better than orange against Wisconsin’s orange-brown fall landscape. He also said deer have an easier time seeing blaze orange than blaze pink.
“I’m not concerned about any safety issue,” he said. “In the fall, when all the colors turn orange in the trees, I would like my daughter or my brother when they go hunting to wear blaze pink. In fall all colors turn brown and orange. If I wear that color, I’m not as safe.”
The bill had at least one committee member shaking his head. Rep. Ken Skowrownski has been a hunting safety instructor for 20 years and is involved with a number of hunting clubs. The Franklin Republican said he hasn’t heard many women hunters clamoring for pink gear. He said he can’t see any reason for the bill beyond making a fashion statement.
“I have a real problem just introducing this color into hunting sports just for the sake of the color,” he said. “I don’t see where it has a purpose.”
The committee’s chairman, Rep. Al Ott, R-Forest Junction, didn’t immediately return a message left at his office after the hearing inquiring about whether the panel may vote on the bill.
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