PAB, I totally agree with you in the fact that all camo's do have their limitations and some work better in areas where others don't.
That is all that I was trying to convey. Thank you for putting it eloquently.
Just curious, how did the deer react to you in the cases where you were caught?
In all but one situation when they spooked I noticed them first. They looked right at me...gave the customary stomp of the foot and then gave me the tail....give or take 10 or 20 seconds.
In all honesty, I have had that happen with non-open patterns as well which is just the point I am trying to make. Match the camo to the terrain and do not expect one pattern to work well everywhere.