For immediate release
November 3, 2015
For more information, contact:
Rep. Nick Milroy – 608-266-0640
Rep. Joel Kleefisch – 608-266-8551
BLAZE PINK PASSES ASSEMBLY ON BIPARTISAN VOTE
Wisconsin to be first state in the country to offer hunters an option
Legislation introduced by Wisconsin Sportsmen’s Caucus Co-Chairs Nick Milroy (D-South Range) and Joel
Kleefisch (R-Oconomowoc) to allow gun deer hunters to wear “blaze pink” was passed today by the State
Assembly on a voice vote.
In the legislation, blaze pink is described as bright pink or fluorescent pink. Prior to introduction of the
legislation, Milroy turned to Professor Majid Sarmadi, a renowned color scientist at the University of
Wisconsin-Madison School of Human Ecology, for answers on if blaze pink would be safe to wear in the
woods.
“Professor Sarmadi conducted experiments revealing that to the human eye, blaze pink is just as visible as, or
even more visible than, blaze orange,” Milroy explained. “Equally important, existing research concludes that
blaze pink is actually more difficult for deer to see than blaze orange, meaning that blaze pink could give
hunters an advantage in terms of camouflage.”
Retailers and manufacturers recognized the untapped market of pink camo and other pink apparel and started
promoting this merchandise, including everything from clothing to weapons. However, blaze pink is not a
current legal alternative to blaze orange while hunting. Allowing the legal use of blaze pink will add an
additional option for hunters.
Kleefisch said he has found there is a large interest in the use of pink for hunting. “Recently I stopped at a local
sporting goods store and was approached by a sales associate who expressed his interest for the legislation,”
Kleefisch said. “The associate told me his customers are excited about this new option, and he has countless
customers inquire about the legislation daily.”
Co-sponsors Dianne Hesselbein (D-Middleton) and Kathy Bernier (R-Chippewa Falls) expressed their support
for the bill, pointing out that it is difficult to find hunting clothing to fit well. “In the past manufacturers and
retailers have only had blaze orange hunting clothing, and it was geared to fit men,” they commented. “Now
that pink camo is in the sporting goods stores, we can easily find clothing to fit us, but it is not legal to wear this
clothing while hunting.”
The legislators learned a Minnesota legislator intends to introduce similar legislation in the spring and has asked
Professor Sarmadi to provide his testimony in support of that bill. Milroy and Kleefisch said they have also
been contacted by other states interested in following their lead.