HB 167: Game and fish; authorize fluorescent pink hunting outer garments

Georgia law currently requires hunters, and people who accompany them, to wear at least 500 square inches of daylight fluorescent orange material as an outer garment during certain hunting seasons for feral hogs, bears, and deer. This is meant to help hunters see each other and avoid accidental shootings. HB 167 amends three sections of Georgia's hunting code (O.C.G.A. §§ 27-3-24, 27-3-25, and 27-3-40) to add fluorescent pink as an approved alternative to fluorescent orange. The bill keeps the same 500-square-inch minimum and the same rule that the material must be worn above the waistline, optionally including a head covering. It applies during firearms deer season for feral hog and deer hunting, and during firearms and primitive weapons seasons for bear hunting. The bill does not change any other hunting rules and repeals any conflicting laws.

• Adds fluorescent pink as an approved color, alongside fluorescent orange, for required outer garments when hunting feral hogs during firearms deer season.
• Adds fluorescent pink as an approved alternative to fluorescent orange for outer garments worn while hunting bears during firearms and primitive weapons seasons.
• Adds fluorescent pink as an approved alternative to fluorescent orange for outer garments worn while hunting deer during firearms deer season.
• Keeps the existing requirement of at least 500 square inches of visible material worn above the waistline, which may include a head covering.

Hunters and anyone who accompanies them while hunting feral hogs, bears, or deer in Georgia during the specified firearms and primitive weapons seasons, since they must comply with the visibility clothing requirement.

Hunters who previously had to wear fluorescent orange for safety visibility will have the option to wear fluorescent pink instead, without any change to how much material is required or how it must be worn.

• Section 1 amends O.C.G.A. § 27-3-24 to allow fluorescent pink as an alternative to fluorescent orange for feral hog hunters during firearms deer season.
• Section 2 amends O.C.G.A. § 27-3-25 to allow fluorescent pink as an alternative to fluorescent orange for bear hunters during firearms and primitive weapons seasons.
• Section 3 amends O.C.G.A. § 27-3-40 to allow fluorescent pink as an alternative to fluorescent orange for deer hunters during firearms deer season.
• Section 4 repeals any conflicting laws, a standard closing provision with no independent substantive effect.

1. 2025-07-01Effective Date
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)
• Chas Cannon (R, HD-172)
• Matt Dubnik (R, HD-29)
• Angie O'Steen (R, HD-169)
• Drew Echols (R, SD-49)

1. PassedHouse voteFebruary 21, 2025

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

   PASSAGE: House Vote #59

2. PassedSenate voteMarch 13, 2025

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

   PASSAGE: Senate Vote #233

• hunting regulations
• game and fish law
• hunter safety
• deer hunting
• bear hunting