I was just curious what everyone uses for camo patterns and in what situations. I have been looking for a pattern or brand to use while hunting hardwood. To me it seems like most camo is dark and not fitting the location for hunting hardwood areas.
Seen Lots of discussions about this on other forums. I’ll merely help provide some summary but I’m sure it gets filtered through my own bias: Camo is down the list in priority behind movement, noise, and scent. No matter what the pattern, you must not skyline yourself or provide a silhouette. Lots of camo is too dark or has too much of a micro pattern to break up your outline. A solid in a natural color might actually work better in some cases. More open patters and mixed solids may break up your outline much better than printed trees on a shirt. Some dyed and printed camo or synthetics reflects UV like a beacon. There are UV inhibitor treatments but some things like wool or natural fibers are naturally resistant. If you really want to break up your outline, try a ghille suit. Some camo is really just fashion made to look good on the rack. In reality your wife’s flowered blouse may be much more effective. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
All that said, I like ASAT and First Lite Fusion in wool and wool blends. I got a bunch of Sitka stuff too which I like when active hunting for being lightweight, breathable, weather resistant and just very well designed. Sent from my iPad using Tapatalk
Toadmeister hit it on the head. I think as long as you have quiet and comfortable clothes, camo is a real non-issue. Being able to sit still for long periods or stay comfortable while active is most important to me. I wear mostly the Sitka whitetail stuff and the Elevated II pattern really does not blend in very well until the late season, but it's warm, comfortable and allows me to sit still until the time is right. Mossy Oak has been putting out some great patterns that look to blend very well.
RealTree and some Predator, but moving more to Sitka. Stand on the ground and look up into the trees, a lighter pattern will blend better. Sitka Elevated fits the bill, and so does the Subalpine.
Sit still and be quiet. The wind will be your best friend or your biggest enemy. Use what mother nature gives you and blend in. Camo these days is crazy marketing. The $ spent on this stuff now is bonkers. If it makes you more confident then go for it. Hunters have been killing trophy bucks and filling freezers long before the stuff out today was being used. Good luck and God bless.
predator camo is awesome on the ground or in a tree. brown deception or fall grey. winter white would be awesome for hunting on the ground in any snow
I like natural gear camo. Use it mid to late season. Early season its faded walmart camo. I’ve even gone out in faded stained tan wrangler work pants and a camo shirt. Had a young buck stand 17 yards eating away and i was only 13-15 feet in a tree. Have the time my hat isn’t even camo. Early season in Wisconsin best to have a blaze orange hat on with squirrel hunters out.
Nat gear all the way. Wish they would make a down lineup for those of us who hoof it way back in the swamps and woods for hang and hunts. Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Seen one guy post a pic of a nice buck... as he was in camo shorts, and T-shirt, as he wore flip-flops in a tree stand. I just try to be as still as I cam, any movements are slow, and go 20'+ up. This is camo....
I harvested my largest scoring buck with a bow, while wearing blue jeans and a gray tee-shirt. Sent from my Moto G (5) Plus using Bowhunting.com Forums mobile app
I've been hunting in the same camo duds for the past decade (mossy oak new break up) with no problems. I did purchase a light weight shirt in Mossy Oak Break Up Country last season for warm weather hunts.
No doubt this can be done. As much as I hate wearing cotton (I sweat and I stink, get cold and wet, doesn't streatch on my big 6'4" frame or move well), a natural material like cotton is quiet, non reflective, and inexpensive. Faded blue jeans can actually blend in well. Flannel is good break-up. YMMV. Doesn't work well for me due to reasons mentioned above for cotton. Wool on the other hand solves most the above problems for me.
I don't pay much attention to the camo pattern, more interested in the quality of garment. I want something that is warm, but allows for plenty of movement and range of motion. Something that is thin and light, but still protects me from wind, rain and cold. The pattern just doesn't really matter for me when bowhunting. Deer don't generally look up in the trees unless they detect movement.
