Bow? Check. Arrows and broadheads? Check. Backpack with all your snacks, grunt call, toilet paper, extra knife, overnight fire-starting kit, flagging tape for tracking and an extra release? Check.

Blaze pink safety cap and vest? Ch … what in th’ name of Fred Bear are you talking about? Pink?

Pink?

WKOW in Wisconsin reports that state legislators held a public hearing about allowing “blaze pink” clothing to be worn for hunting. Blaze orange is the only legal clothing for hunting safety allowed by Wisconsin DNR at the present.

The WKOW report says “lawmakers and retail stores say letting hunters wear pink would help them benefit because pink is more visible than orange.”

Ah, well. I don’t know about that. Blaze orange is pretty damned visible and is known throughout the United States, Canada and Europe as the color for hunting safety. I mean, when you think of hunting you think of blaze orange. Not neon pink, chartreuse, limetreuse, blaze blue, passion purple or anything else. Blaze orange is visible, stands out and everyone from BB-gun toting kids to 90-year-olds know what it means.

On the other hand, I don’t want to be the old man yelling at clouds about change. “We’ve always had it THIS way and by gummy, it should BE that way! Harrumph harrumph harrumph!” No, I don’t want to be that guy unless — big word there, unless — it is scientifically proven that “blaze pink” isn’t helpful for hunters to identify someone else. But I suspect if someone were wearing a “blaze pink” shirt, cap, overlay or something, a hunter would take notice.

I can’t see my buds here in Alabama or the Southeast donning a blaze pink cap or shirt for hunting. It might attract interest from some women — some, not all, because “it’s pink!” doesn’t automatically mean women will go looney over it. That idiotic “pink sells to women” fallacy is played out each year in the industry and it’s an outdated, Neanderthal mindset. But some might like it, and some kids might think it’s cool.

Hey, “blaze pink” could be something. Blaze orange proponents say there’s no other color like it in the woods. But I don’t recall seeing anything resembling blaze pink, either. If this Think Pink movement gains steam and is approved, it would take a massive re-education effort by the Wisconsin DNR (and that means money, for advertising) along with the public taking notice.

Should be interesting to watch. Stay tuned.

UPDATE: The Wisconsin Assembly has approved the use of blaze pink for hunting. The issue now goes to the state Senate and if approved there, would have to be signed by Gov. Scott Walker. So even though it’s taken a step forward this entire issue isn’t a done deal yet. Stay tuned.

SEE THE BIG BUCK SECRET DEER HUNTERS USE BUT DON’T TALK ABOUT!