Bright -Clothes Proposed For Back-Country Shooters

Press, Volume XCVIII, Issue 28823, 18 February 1959, Page 11

Bright -Clothes Proposed For Back-Country Shooters

Concern at the Humber of shooting mishaps where tia* victim .Is mistaken, for ‘-a game animaland,.a* suggestion that outdoor clothing- and. camping, geir be manufactured in bright colours are contained in a-report printed bythe Federated Mountain Clubs pi. New Zealand. The report was prepared after a discussion by the executive on means of preventing accidents in the mountains and high country. “While there can be no excuse for a person shooting at an object that is not seen clearly, it is apparent that there is less likelihood of this happening if the person being fired upon Is more readily distinguishable,” says the report. “A person carrying a pelt or antlers or similar game trophy is running, a serious risk of being shot , at by inexperienced or careless shooters, and it is therefore urged that in. all cases the trophies should be covered by a piece of white or coloured cloth. “In poor visibility, a person or a party of trampers could be (and indeed have been) mistaken for a group of deer, therefore it is only logical to suggest that trampers should be made aware of this danger and be asked to co-operate in minimising it. Offence In U.S.

“In some national: parks and shooting reserves in the United States it is am offence for anyone to enter unless wearing a bright red jacket, and the proposal has been put forward ~ Here that all trampers, shooters and climbers should not only wear brightly coloured clothing, but should Uke-

wise have equipment such as packs of a bright colour.” Inquiries had bean made from manufacturers throughout New Zealand, the article says, to sea if clothing and equipment could be made in bright colours, such as red or. orange. "Although it appears that for lightweight material there is nothing as durable and satisfactory as oiled japara, some brightly coloured jackets suitable mainly for ski-ing are already obtainable,” continues the report. “Some heavier materials, such as used for packs, can be obtained, in bright colours and manufacturers have expressed a willingness to use these if they can be assured of a market.”

The report suggests that the changeover to bright equipment be introduced as a long-term project, as thousands of outdoor enthusiasts would not wish to discard their old equipment immediately. “A suggestion made by one manufacturer is that until the changeover is completed, a square of. red or orange cloth be fastened to the outside of the pack, particularly when In stalking country, and all mountain clubs are asked to bring this to the notice of their members as something that Cail be done immediately to help reduce the incidence of shooting accidents in the mountains.

DEERSTALKERS AGREE

Special Talks On Safety

The New Zealand Deerstalkers' Association, which is represented on the Federation of Mountain Clubs, agreed with the suggestion to institute bright clothing and mountain equipment as a safety factor

A spokesman for the Canterbury Deerstalkers’ Association's executive said the association fully supported any scheme . which would contribute to the safety of those whose activities took them into the mountains and backcountry regions. His association was also active in giving instruction to its members to promote greater safety with firearms, he said. A special lecture evening, at which detailed instruction in the handling and care of rifles, bushcraft and shooting equipment for backcountry deer-shooting trips was given to members, was conducted by the local association last evening.

It is hoped eventually to make this the basis for holding training classes in the bush for members, so that practical instruction in river crossing and other problems encountered in shooting in th* high country can be given.