Hunter Orange period clothing

[Johnny Too-Tall]

So I’m going all in primitive hunting next year longbow and flintlock only. Question is since I’m required to wear at minimum gun hunting an solid orange hat and a vest or jacket/shirt. I’m thinking about trying to have a hunters orange capote made. What are you guys wearing to remain traditional but legal. I don’t want to wear a fleece orange hat and modern orange vest. Did you have a jacket made, i hunt mostly in Kentucky and gun season is usually 30-45 degrees average. Pics would be great. Looking for ideas.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

A nice capote from Northwest Traders in a bright color or jazzy racing stripes? They'll make whatever blanket you pick.

 

[Brokennock]

I have a rifleman frock aka hunting shirt or frock with an orange cape. I have seen hunter orange waistcoats that guys have had custom made or made themselves. (Johnson Woolen Mills recently had hunter orange wool back in stock for such projects, but it's pricey)
I did see one of the makers of higher end period hats that has a solid hunter orange felt round top broad brimmed hat, can't remember who.

One of the tough things with this is that unless you spend the money for the wool material. Natural, period correct hunter orange fabric is surprisingly hard to come by.

I don't generally love a caped hunting shirt,

I find the cape to be a nuisance.
So, when I had an opportunity to buy a few yards of hunter orange wool fabric, before Johnson got theirs back in stock, at a reasonable price, I bought some.
I went with a far more versatile option.
Period correct for most of the periods we cover here. Our muzzleloader season is in December, so cold and wet are always options during the season here in New England. This keeps me, and my gear, warm and dry.


A nice simple matchcoat.

Just so you know, there are those who vehemently disagree with spending time and money on "period correct" hunter orange clothing.

 

[Brokennock]

A nice capote from Northwest Traders in a bright color or jazzy racing stripes? They'll make whatever blanket you pick.
View attachment 116936

Nice capote, but it won't comply with the o.p.'s hunter orange law issue.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

I think a member posted pics of an orange one they had made last year, don't know if it was regulation. Can't recall who it was, maybe they'll chime in.

 

[Brokennock]

I think a member posted pics of an orange one they had made last year, don't know if it was regulation. Can't recall who it was, maybe they'll chime in.

Yes, I remember it. I have the pics saved as well as pics of a member with a wool hunter orange waistcoat, but I don't want to post there pics without their okay.

 

[Omahkapi'si]

This was the thread.....

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/northwest-traders-capote.128763/page-2

 

[appalichian hunter]

I have a hunters orange waist coat, had it made large enough so it would fit over a heavier coat if needed, but since our first muzzle loader season is in mid Oct. it really is not that cold out. It is not wool but a heavy weight canvas type material.

 

[Johnny Too-Tall]

I have a hunters orange waist coat, had it made large enough so it would fit over a heavier coat if needed, but since our first muzzle loader season is in mid Oct. it really is not that cold out. It is not wool but a heavy weight canvas type material.

Yes we have an early ML season in October and this past year it was cold in am for the early season was mid 30’s in am but 65 ish during day. I’m thinking having a solid orange hunters shirt made as well for the walk in and out during the warmer parts of season.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

Track of the Wolf used to sell Blaze Orange "Liberty" style caps.

Johnson Woolen Mills does have Blaze Orange wool. I have heard it fades quickly, but if you just use it during hunting season and then put it away it should last. I have one of their Green and Black plaid jackets with the Blaze Orange cape. I keep it in my cedar chest when not in use and it is as bright as when I bought it.

 

[Brokennock]

Track of the Wolf used to sell Blaze Orange "Liberty" style caps.

Johnson Woolen Mills does have Blaze Orange wool. I have heard it fades quickly, but if you just use it during hunting season and then put it away it should last. I have one of their Green and Black plaid jackets with the Blaze Orange cape. I keep it in my cedar chest when not in use and it is as bright as when I bought it.

Johnson's blaze orange wool by the the yard was out of stock for over a year. When it came back in several months ago it was almost $50 per yard. I'd love to buy more, but at that price it makes almost any item but a workman's hat a >$100 item.

 

[Snydly]

Wyoming allows this cap for hunting. Traditional and legal. Much prefer my free trappers muskrat hat but ,, it is what it is.

 

[jackpine54]

Several years ago member spikebuck made a orange wool capote.

https://www.muzzleloadingforum.com/threads/hunter-orange-capote.95839/

 

[Spikebuck]

Jackpine, thanks for finding and posting. I still have that capote for deer hunting to be legal in Minnesota.

Northwest Traders made the capote and did a great job. They had to have the blanket custom made since that is not a standard color.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

So I’m going all in primitive hunting next year longbow and flintlock only. Question is since I’m required to wear at minimum gun hunting an solid orange hat and a vest or jacket/shirt. I’m thinking about trying to have a hunters orange capote made. What are you guys wearing to remain traditional but legal. I don’t want to wear a fleece orange hat and modern orange vest. Did you have a jacket made, i hunt mostly in Kentucky and gun season is usually 30-45 degrees average. Pics would be great. Looking for ideas.

I've been thinking the same thing...or even make a capote out of fluorescent orange canvas and pull it over my garb.

 

[bushytail]

I had a photo but must’ve deleted it. I put a orange knit hat over my felt hat and put an orange vest with game pouch over my period clothes to be legal. After Christmas we don’t need orange in PA. So, no orange on me then.

 

[bushytail]

Brokennock- That orange blanket looks like a good idea.

 

[OldMaineWoodsman]

I asked the question regarding orange wool such as a pumpkin color to one of our Conservation Police Officers (Game Warden) here in Virginia. Here is his reply. Keep in mind this is Virginia. Other States may have another or similar view.

Thanks for reaching out regarding the Blaze Orange question. Virginia code 29.1-530.1 addresses the Blaze Orange/Blaze Pink requirement. Paragraph A states, "For the purpose of this section, "solid orange" means a safety orange or fluorescent orange hue and "solid blaze pink" means safety pink or fluorescent pink hue."

The fluorescent hue is made to stand out in all vegetation as other orange hues have a tendency to blend with fall season colors. The fluorescent hue will be obvious to other hunters.

This is basically the same reason that Blaze Orange Camo does not count under the law in Virginia.

 

[Rock Home Isle]

You can"t wear camp-orange in Colorado either…

 

[TraderVic]

Poor light and weather conditions are where you want other hunters to see you. Blaze orange serves this purpose best. Lesser shades of orange can compromise your safety. I've made these points as a Hunter Ed Instructor for 30 years.
I started hunting when red was legal (1960's).