OLYMPIA – Hunters in Washington now have a second choice of safety color when heading out into the wilderness: Fluorescent pink.

Washington joins nine other states that allow hunters to wear pink clothing for safety. Currently, hunters must wear a minimum of 400 square inches of fluorescent hunter orange during hunting seasons.

The Bill, signed by Gov. Inslee Monday, was sponsored by Sen. Lynda Wilson, R-Vancouver, a longtime hunter.

Wilson pointed out that pink doesn’t blend in with anything else in the forest or field, and offers the excellent visibility needed for hunter safety. She said the idea received unanimous support in the Legislature and goes into effect on July 1.

Photo: (Left to Right: Chalee Batungbacal (WDFW), David Whipple, (Hunter Education Division Manager, WDFW), Governor Jay Inslee, Sen. Lynda Wilson, Amber Hardtke (Legislative Assistant to Sen. Lynda Wilson), Inna VanMatre (Intern, Sen. Lynda Wilson office). Courtesy: Washington Dept. of Fish & Wildlife