Camouflage in nature.

[Al Dente]

I hunt wearing a ghillie suit that I made myself.  In my opinion, camo use in military and camo use in hunting are two totally different perspectives.

When "hunting" humans or trying to not be detected by humans during military operations, camo is an advantage, as the human animal is preprogrammed to look for a human form or outline.

Animals have an alternate view, as they are always looking for something not quite right.  The best camo in hunting either makes you blend in, so you are virtually invisible, or breaks up your outline.

What many forget to "hide" is their eyes.  Eyes will always give you away.  I use black all around my eyes and lids, and make sure that some of the jute from my boonie cover hangs down to break up my eyes also.  And yes, keeping still and silent is very important.

[trad_bowhunter1965]

I use camo head to toe for Waterfowl hunting but not so much on MuleDeer, BlackBear, Elk or if I am hunting Antelope on a water hole using a popup blind I make sure I wear something dark and I shoot through the netting. The big camo company make some nice looking gear and some of the best rain gear I have ever seen in my 40 + years of hunting.

[BAK]

To be honest the lepord thing is a size perception issue.  I never expected it to be that small.

[MnFn]

I couldn’t find the leopard either.
Good example Mr Bee.

[SlowBowKing]

Tim B beat me to the Fred Bear quote. I’m a ghillie guy, but acknowledge that most anything should work in the right conditions.

WWII camo works well, and is my absolute favorite. Wish you could find more stuff with the pattern.

[Elsecaller]

Tim B beat me to the Fred Bear quote. I’m a ghillie guy, but acknowledge that most anything should work in the right conditions.

WWII camo works well, and is my absolute favorite. Wish you could find more stuff with the pattern.

Agreed, especially with deer who aren't the most visually oriented creatures. Ducks and turkeys are a little harder.

[BAK]

Texture is so important, and usually so completely overlooked.  Deer don't "disappear" just because their brown or grey.

[Terry Green]

[Wudstix]

That piebald doe is incredible.
 

[blacktailbob]

Yep, wear some camo that looks like a jumbo bobcat where I hunt and you'll likely get shot.
 At least a vegan will try to pull you out of the ground first if looking like organic vegies.

[Overspined]

Small and laying in the rocks. I saw it’s rump first. Yeah not surprising it’s hard to find in that position.

[pdk25]

I think it is a little stretch to think that the spots on a leopard are the ultimate camo.  Just working with limitations of genetics and evolution.  Plenty of examples where different types of ‘camo’ is used, often more effectively. Especially with changing color.

[pdk25]

There are tons of different camo patterns in nature that are adapted to their environments, given genetic and evolutionary limits. Different snake species, horned toads, etc.  Nothing wrong with choosing a pattern that may be better suited to your hunting environment.  I will agree that it isn’t always necessary.

[pdk25]

Just because something has worked doesn’t mean that there can’t be improvements.  There is a reason that not many folks carry a flint and steel to start a fire.

[beemann]

That is cool as heck.....

[Elsecaller]

I think it is a little stretch to think that the spots on a leopard are the ultimate camo.  Just working with limitations of genetics and evolution.  Plenty of examples where different types of ‘camo’ is used, often more effectively. Especially with changing color.

To be clear, I was not saying leopard spots are any kind of ultimate Camo. Leopards and jaguars were just the example I used. My point was more so about how much money goes into developing new camouflages, which are not really all that functionally different, mostly just to make people want the “newest” one to make $$$.

[Elsecaller]

And of course it is perfectly fine to use improved technology as it progresses, but I don’t think most of these new camouflages represent the kind of change you’re talking about from starting a fire with steel and flint to with a lighter. That is a revolution in fire starting technology. In my experience, and through my reading I haven’t seen any substantive difference in the efficacy  of brand new camouflages and stuff that has been around for 30, 50, 70 years or longer. Some studies have found that Camo use makes no statistically significant difference in success rates.

[pdk25]

Care to show any references to those studies?  I would be interested in studies like that.  It would seem to be very difficult to have good controlled studies for that across a wide range of conditions.

[pdk25]

And of course it is perfectly fine to use improved technology as it progresses, but I don’t think most of these new camouflages represent the kind of change you’re talking about from starting a fire with steel and flint to with a lighter. That is a revolution in fire starting technology. In my experience, and through my reading I haven’t seen any substantive difference in the efficacy  of brand new camouflages and stuff that has been around for 30, 50, 70 years or longer. Some studies have found that Camo use makes no statistically significant difference in success rates.

Not to mention, that your last statement kind of argues against your leopard or plaid camo support.

[pdk25]

You know, it occurs to me what a waste it is that companies have put millions of dollars into developing camo when all we really need to do is look to nature. A leopard or jaguar depends on their camouflage to survive. If they get busted, they don't eat. They can't walk down the street and buy ground beef at wal mart. Why fix what isn't broke? Of course, the answer is $$$, but if you want to be a predator dress like a predator. I've never seen a predator with fur that looks like detailed sticks, twigs, and leaves.
[/quote/]

.