Does Camo Pattern matter?

[dbd870]

Originally posted by MIBIGHNTR:
I used to have GREAT luck with the original Predator stuff that was made out of COTTON.  This new crap that is synthetic/nylon/rayon or whatever, I do not like at all.  No matter what you do to it with anti UV products, the deer still seem to spot it easier than the old cotton stuff.

I have since migrated to almost all WOOL.  It seems to work better for me and I like the warm, live feel of it.  To each their own I suppose....

Yep; I'm not very pleased with their new stuff either. Once my current Predator clothing becomes totally worn out I'll likely switch to ASAT.

[Eric Krewson]

I quit using commercial camo about 10 years ago, I haven't seen any difference in the deer picking me up but I do wear muted plaids and grays.

I have also found the rough texture of wool seems to make one less obvious to deer, less reflection perhaps. I wear nothing but wool after the weather cools off.

[TradBowyer]

ive had deer walk right past me while wearing street clothes and I've had them pick me out when I was positivie I was brushed in enough. I'm actually studying the use of ground blinds and I believe there is more to camo than just us. For example, I took a pic of me back in a natural ground blind looking at the deer level and perspective. I didn't stand out at all but my bow and arrows sure did. If I noticed that right away, I guarantee you the deer do as well. I'm wondering if its not so much us they are seeing but in this case my bow which first gets their attention adn then they pick out other things that don't look right and then the gig is up. Its not just getting close to deer but we also have to draw our bow and this is where real camo comes in and I'm talking about just our clothing.

[George Vernon]

Over the past 20 years the digital imaging capabilities of the clothing industry have made great gains in being able to capture and print what I call ‘photo realistic’ patterns.  You can hold some of the photo realistic camo at arms length and it looks just like the scenes from nature.  I think this is why a lot of people buy it.  Take the same camo and look at it from 20-30 yards and all you will see is a dark blob.  All those neat leaves and branchs visible at arms length disappear.  Then take a large pattern.  Could be a big wool plaid, ASAT or Predator, at the same distance and it will still break up the human outline.  I think a lot of folks get fooled by the small patterns found in photo realistic camo, but the deer don’t.

I believe deer in heavily hunted areas have learned to ‘look up’ for danger above, and have also learned the shape of the human body outline whether in a tree or on the ground.

My favorite camo is an old wool ghillie suit from Sleeping Indian.  the wool strips are big, and give much more ‘texture’ than the cotton ghillie suits.  Downside is the wool is hot in warm weather.

If you’re on the ground, wear clothing that breaks up the human outline—especially the head.  Have a good background like a big tree, or brush pile.  Don’t need much in front of you if you are still.

[not on the rug]

Originally posted by DanielB89:
 

I love the clothing.  I'm wondering If I could send it somewhere to get some more dark and light transitions added in.

I wonder if you could just do it yourself.  Use some dark brown or black dyes and essentially "tie-dye" the gear, putting ASAT or Predator-like stripes through the garments.

My dad used to make a lot of his own camo gear like that with his old work clothes and he probably killed more deer than anyone I know.  

Just an idea

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by katman:
Does blending into your environment really matter?
I think it can be helpful, especially with wary game. Can n ot see it hurting.

Had a thought, could the camo you used have been washed in commercial laundry soap, ie. uv brighteners?

honestly not sure as I had just receive it earlier that week(used).  I know it was the warmest clothing i've ever wore. haha.

[DanielB89]

Originally posted by not on the rug:
 

Originally posted by DanielB89:
 

I love the clothing.  I'm wondering If I could send it somewhere to get some more dark and light transitions added in.

I wonder if you could just do it yourself.  Use some dark brown or black dyes and essentially "tie-dye" the gear, putting ASAT or Predator-like stripes through the garments.

that would be ideal!  I would love to have a way to put the ASAT color scheme on it.  

My dad used to make a lot of his own camo gear like that with his old work clothes and he probably killed more deer than anyone I know.  

Just an idea [/b]

[Bowguy67]

I don't get too camo crazy. Everyone has theories. I use whatever I have on hand. Most times army bdu pants and whatever jacket. How many times has a buck s
fed 20 yards away while we wore an orange vest during firearm season?? Too many times to count. If you pick a good hide and sit still most times they won't see you.

[tecum-tha]

None of the synthetics will really take colors.

[yard dog]

Originally posted by Stumpkiller:
It's not as easy as four choices.  I have killed deer at ground level within 15 yards in solid olive/sage clothing (see my avatar).  Also blaze orange.

Movement trumps clothing, and odor trumps movement AND clothing.  

If you are in a field of grass or forest-floor of fall maple leaves a dark camp pattern is working against you.  


I agree with Stumpkiller......
Same in snow.

But if you are in a tree in October before the leaves change maybe snow camp was a poor choice.

I like a camo pattern with contrasts.  I figure it breaks up my outline.  And, on that subject, what is behind you can be more important that what is on you.

[BOHO]

I said yes but I do mix my camo up. I’ll wear a brown top and green bottom or vice versa. If your making a fashion statement good chance you’ll get busted

[wooddamon1]

I wear a mix of camo/plaid a lot, I look like a hobo half the time I'm in the woods. Can't remember the last time a deer spotted me in a tree (that I'm aware of), the ground on the other hand...

That said I try to use big, blotchy camo and big Buffalo type plaids to lessen the blob effect as much as possible. Also always wash my camo stuff in dye/scent-free detergents to get rid of the "shine" factor.

[Legolas]

I wait for deer to get out of my driveway in the city after spending a whole day in the woods

[Bowhunter4life]

Originally posted by not on the rug:
1-control your odors and hunt the wind.  A deer's nose is their #1 defense
2-sit still.  Any movements need to be slow and deliberate
3-be quiet.  
4-wear something with will break your outline up.  Most camo patterns look great on the shelf, but from 40-50 yards away you just look like a big dark silhouette.   Patterns like ASAT and Predator do an excellent job of creating depth and breaking a silhouette.   The contrast of lights and darks make an animal (or person) look "through" you because they aren't picking up an outline anywhere.

X2...  And I like Predator Camo for the depth/outline breakup ability, but wind/odor, movement, and sound trump the Camo Pattern I’m wearing...  But, I also don’t want to take care of the first three and get busted because I look like a new dark blob in the woods...

Don’t get me wrong, I’ve taken critters in a lot of different camo patterns over the years...  But, I’ve been using Predator Camo for about the last 5-6 years and have had good success...  I think ASAT would work on the same concept, but I have just never used it...

[bendotwood]

I have noticed that animals react differently to me in my ASAT leafy suit vs. the darker mossy oak type coveralls I used to use.  They can still pick up on movement and scent and all that, but seem to have a tough time figuring out what I am.  I am convinced that having something like ASAT or Predator or Kryptek that breaks up your outline works in your favour.  I like ASAT because the leafy suit fits over my brown canvas insulated work clothes.

[Hud]

Most game see shades of grey, and if you are wearing colors that blend in with your background, the actual color doesn't matter. Think of old black and white photography. Colorful species like birds see color, (ducks, quail, pheasants etc).

[dbd870]

Originally posted by Hud:
Most game see shades of grey, and if you are wearing colors that blend in with your background, the actual color doesn't matter. Think of old black and white photography. Colorful species like birds see color, (ducks, quail, pheasants etc).

It looks like deer may not be color blind. Looking a their eyes it appears they may be able to see color in the blue-green range. It should be easy enough to google the articles on this

[Ray Lyon]

I think UV could be partly to blame. One late season I was hunting a transition trail with lots of snow on the ground from a double bull blind. I had on a dark blue fleece pullover that appears almost black.  Had a deer pick me off inside the blind not moving (shoot through screens up).  I had a trail camera pointing at the blind to capture deer passing through and as a security system so to speak for the blind.  I pulled the card on the way out and when I looked at pictures that pullover was glowing like a neon sign. The next weekend I killed a deer wearing wool that never knew I existed and had to move inside at twelve yards for the shot.  Get in front of a trail camera that doesn’t use traditional flash right at dusk to check your clothing.

Also, I like wearing a different pattern top and bottom while in a late season tree stand. Doesn’t matter if camp or not, just split the human outline. Wearing the same top and bottom, even if cami, keeps the human outline present.

I believe that wool, especially that like Asbell with it’s rougher surface defuses glare and helps hide a hunter.

Finally try to set up in a shadow in a tree stand or ground blind to help hide you in late season