HB167: HB167 Game and fish; authorize fluorescent pink hunting outer garments

Georgia law has long required hunters pursuing feral hogs, bears, and deer during firearms seasons to wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange as visible outer clothing, mainly for safety so hunters can be seen by others in the field. This bill amends three sections of the Georgia hunting code (O.C.G.A. §§ 27-3-24, 27-3-25, and 27-3-40) to add fluorescent pink as an equally acceptable color option alongside fluorescent orange. The clothing must still total at least 500 square inches, be worn above the waistline, and may include a head covering. The rule applies to feral hog hunters during firearms deer season, bear hunters during firearms and primitive weapons seasons, and deer hunters during firearms deer season. The bill also repeals any conflicting laws.

• Adds fluorescent pink as an approved alternative to fluorescent orange for required hunting safety clothing.
• Applies the new pink option to feral hog hunting during firearms deer season under O.C.G.A. § 27-3-24.
• Applies the new pink option to bear hunting during firearms and primitive weapons seasons under O.C.G.A. § 27-3-25.
• Applies the new pink option to deer hunting during firearms deer season under O.C.G.A. § 27-3-40.
• Keeps the existing requirement of at least 500 square inches of material worn above the waistline, which may include a hat.

Georgia hunters who pursue feral hogs, bears, or deer during firearms seasons, as well as anyone who accompanies them in the field, since all of them must comply with the required outer garment color and coverage rules.

Hunters who currently must wear blaze orange for visibility and safety would gain a second color choice, fluorescent pink, without any change to the minimum amount of material required or when it must be worn, giving them more options for compliant hunting gear.

• Section 1 revises O.C.G.A. § 27-3-24 to let feral hog hunters wear fluorescent pink instead of or alongside fluorescent orange during firearms deer season.
• Section 2 revises O.C.G.A. § 27-3-25 to add fluorescent pink as an option for bear hunters during firearms and primitive weapons seasons.
• Section 3 revises O.C.G.A. § 27-3-40 to add fluorescent pink as an option for deer hunters during firearms deer season.
• All three sections keep the existing 500-square-inch minimum and the requirement that the material be worn above the waistline.
• Section 4 repeals any existing laws that conflict with these changes.

1. 2025-05-09Effective Date 2025-07-01
2. 2025-05-09Act 84
3. 2025-05-09House Date Signed by Governor (House)
4. 2025-04-07House Sent to Governor (House)
5. 2025-03-13Senate Passed/Adopted (Senate)
6. 2025-03-13Senate Third Read (Senate)
7. 2025-03-03Senate Read Second Time (Senate)
8. 2025-02-28Senate Committee Favorably Reported (Senate)

• Leesa Hagan (R, HD-156)Primary sponsor
• Chuck Efstration (R, HD-104)
• Charles Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-029)
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-049)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 21, 2025

   159 yea, 0 nay (14 not voting, 7 absent)

   Passage: House Vote #59

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 13, 2025

   50 yea, 0 nay (0 not voting, 6 absent)

   Passage: Senate Vote #233

• hunting laws
• game and fish regulations
• hunter safety clothing
• deer hunting
• bear hunting