With many Pennsylvanians heading out to enjoy the fall season, Pennsylvania Game Commission officials today reminded those visiting any of the agency's 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands to wear fluorescent orange.

Game Commission regulations spell out specific fluorescent orange requirements for hunters, which are outlined on pages 78-79 of the 2005-06 Pennsylvania Digest of Hunting and Trapping Regulations.  However, from Nov. 15-Dec. 15, except for Sundays, those using State Game Lands who are not engaged in hunting, trapping or fishing must wear a minimum of 250 square inches of fluorescent orange on head, chest or back combined, visible 360 degrees, or, in lieu thereof, a hat of the same color.

"While there are no known instances of a hiker being struck by a hunter's bullet, this regulation was implemented as a way of promoting safety and common sense," said Scott Klinger, Game Commission Bureau of Land Management director.  "Annually, between Nov. 15 and Dec. 15, we hold seasons that include the highest participation rates of hunters, all of whom are required to wear orange.  So, if others are out there using State Game Lands from Monday through Saturday during this same time period, it only makes sense to require them to wear orange as well."

Klinger noted that this regulation does not impact those hiking on state forest or state park lands, which are under the jurisdiction of the state Department of Conservation and Natural Resources; or on those visiting the Allegheny National Forest or other publicly-owned or privately-owned lands.

Since 1920, the Game Commission has purchased 1.4 million acres of State Game Lands with revenues generated from license sales.  The agency does not receive any annual appropriation of state taxpayer dollars.

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