How strictly is this enforced on public lands in Texas. I have hunts quite a few different areas from the panhandle to down by Brownsville and maybe 1/3 to 1/4 of the other hunters I have seen have not worn any blaze orange. by my understanding rifle hunting for deer or any big game except bighorn it is required on public land correcr?

It's a safety issue that I never wavered on when I hunted public lands.

Each jurisdiction is different.

It depends on the hunt area.

Rifle hunt deer, squirrel, hogs, & any shotgun hunts (duck hunting) might be exception.
Hunter orange is required.
Archery only hunts don't need it.
@ Sabine, deer archery, if hog/squirrel shotgun, rimfire, muzzleloader was going on.
Needed the orange. Walked ta stand, had self climbing.
Went an extra length up, put my orange around tree, then down 9ne length ta were set up.
Hunters seen orange, had no problems.

Stay Safe.

Depends I think. I’ve never seen an area that allows rifle hunting not require orange. Most will require it for shotguns, with some exceptions for turkey/duck hunting.

Unless you're waterfowling you're taking your life in your hands with some of the people out there on public lands if you don't wear orange. You may find yourself on the wrong end of a sound shot. Blaze orange hunting vest is a handy piece of gear anyway.

You don't have to wear orange for dove on public land, but I sure as heck would wear it when rifles get involved.

Not required in Montana for shotgunning, but I wear it anyway.

No.

Public land, is public land that can be hunted, no requirement. State owned land that is designated as a Public Land Hunting Area can require it. It will be stated as a requirement in their regulations if it is required.

I'll look like pumpkin whenever I'm on public land during any gun deer, hog, or other bigger critter hunt. Seen to many folks that just ain't right going out to hunt. I made it through Iraq and Afghanistan, I ain't going out because some California transplant living in one of the metro areas wants to play Texan for the weekend.

This is why I prefer to stick to “archery-only” areas.

I guarantee if it is "supposed" to be worn and a game warden sees it not on. Expect a ticket or a stern warning.

That being said there are times in February and March when I am hog hunting the national forest and I am 2 miles from the road in the middle of the week and not a car for miles from the road I came from then I dont feel too bad about taking off my vest if I am sweating or putting my coat on over it because I am cold. ''I just think common sense prevails that if there are known hunters around you then no doubt 100% have it on but again use your common sense. I admit that a few times when spotting pigs and stalking up on them I removed my vest so I could sneak up on them unseen.

A guy I know got ticketed last year for not wearing it. He also got fined for not purchasing a permit.

the closest i have gotten to a pig on public was with my walmart orange hoodie on

I’d never hunt public land without orange. An extra piece or two to prominently mark your presence isn’t a bad idea either. I was going to joke that body armor was a good idea too, but hunting safety on public land is no joke. There is no shortage of the clueless and unaware in the public woods.