A number of years ago, I found a place in the woods that had some nice old targets in various places, both on and off the main trails. Now a lot of people used these trails on a daily basis. So.....here I am, walking around in the woods, a Lesche digger in my hand, a worn out jacket on my back, beard, headset and completely mesmerized in the ground and sounds of my machine, totally unaware of the people looking at me with their passing. Well, I happen to notice a few times, that as I came out of the woods on to a main trail....the snapping of twigs, beard, knife in hand that some people picked up their pace or totally avoided me, turning the other way. I became so oblivious to the hobby, that I failed to realize what others might think of me. Well.....I bet I scared the %$#*&% out of some of them people in the woods.
So I did some serious thinking....and I bought one of those reflective orange vests and started wearing them on the hunts. That vest immediately identified me to others as some kind of professional ( which all of us are)working in the area looking for buried pipes, wires and lines. People suddenly smiled and said hello to me. They didn't run away to avoid me. No....I just fit in the environment as a non-threatening person.
So.....perception is a very important element to consider, no matter where we are hunting. Hunting in the inner city? Dress in old worn out clothing.
. Hunting parks in an affluent part of the city? Wear a pair of nice sweat pants/ sweatshirt. I think had John maybe been wearing an orange vest, he probably would have been passed off by the police as a utility worker. And in all honesty, if someone does approach you, and the conversation leads to why the orange vest, the truth is so you can be seen by others and not get hit by a car or truck.
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----john "n" WV.