The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I finally had time to do it.

For two years plus, I've been inundated with Predator camo questions. I've always tried my best to answer each PM or posted question directed to me thoroughly, and to the best which my communicative abilities of the written word would allow. I think I've done a pretty good job in explaining why I believe in Marc Barger's patterns so much. Those huge, contrasting geographic blocks simply break up the outline better to me than anything else I've seen on the market; the overlaying sticks and limbs are simply icing on the cake.

I've preached the word "contrast" in every discussion of camo I've participated, and I think these photos will show why. They're not "staged"... nor manipulated with some photo-editing software. Far from it; they were taken with a simple five-year-old Sony point-and-shoot digital camera, and not even under the optimal conditions to "showcase" the pattern. Deer don't necessarily show up when conditions are right, however -- nor from the direction you would always like them to. That's what I think makes this pictorial even more effective. Understand this thread is not to put any other pattern down; if you're happy with the pattern you wear, fantastic. This is for those who've asked for this from me for too long, and to serve as a reference for future questions.

This first pic is how I look probably 80% of the time on stand: release hooked up, bow hand lightly gripping the bow as the sling supports the weight. The pattern is Predator Spring Green:



Already, you can see the importance of what we call the "open concept" in this pattern; I fear photo-realistic details so intricately captured in some of the mass-marketed brands would be disappearing even at this dstance into one solid mass of color, otherwise known as the "blobbing effect."



Below is Predator Fall Gray. As good as the Spring Green looks above, I like this pattern even more. I'm often asked if Fall Gray works equally as well for me when the trees still carry their foliage; to me, that answer is a resounding "yes"...



Here's always been my explanation: If the pattern is universally deemed so great after the leaves have dropped and the backdrop is predominantly bare limbs and bluish-gray, hazy skies -- then how much better will it peform when you add a bunch of leaves into the mix? The addition of a canopy of leaves only serves to help any camoflauge pattern -- not detract from it. Take ANY camo pattern that can stand alone in a barren tree, and now add leaves into that equation... It's only going to be better.



My "standard of measure", below... What does your camo look like when the tree trunk isn't behind you? ;) Do you become a blob? Or can the pattern still break up the human outline? That's Fall Gray, by the way.



The second Fall Gray pic above turned to black and white:



And a Spring Green in black and white:



To those who've wished to see pics like these for some time, thanks for your patience. It's been great fun over the years picking the brains of some great contemporaries in the camo business. I've especially enjoyed my conversations with Marc Barger, the designer and inventor of Predator Camoflauge. I'm especially thankful for my relationship with Jeff Aulik and for him printing these patterns on the finest fabrics available to bowhunters. Jeff owns Gray Wolf Woolens, manufacturer of some of the finest custom-fit clothing in the hunting industry utilizing only the very best fabrics available, and can be reached through www.graywolfwoolens.com.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Great pics! I love my predator. I wore a full spring green suit yesterday morn. I had a buck look " right through" me.
One thing Greg.... I dont know if thats one of your sets, but if it is, make sure you remove those stand straps. I had a deer bust me last year on a windy day. I forgot to tuck the straps in on my Lone Wolf climber. They were flapping around and he caught it!!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I see for right now hard to come by for fall gray at the website. Also no local dealers near me but I will keep my eye on that site.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Next time I'm hunting, I'll get some of my predator evolution.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Good pics Greg. My old Spring Green suit is tattered and in fact is going out to the trash today. Though I like the Fall Grey as well I think the Spring Green works at least as well, and it may well be my favorite Predator camo.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Great explanation, great photos, great post!!

As usual I share your thoughts and feelings about predator including what others think of whatever camo they favor...

Well done!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Wicked cool! Dang you're going to make me spend a lot of money lol [8D].

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

It's ok Greg we know it was probably on backorder all that time!



Order now, to have any chance of having by next season!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Thanks for taking the time to do this Greg! You were the deciding factor last year for me to buy Predator brown deception. I love the stuff.

I just looked on their website and they are now contracting out a few companies for dipping bows in the brown deception pattern. That would be awesome but probably not worth the price. I'll check to make sure though.:)

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

You're draw length is too long.....:eek::D:D:D j/k buddy.....I see a guy with a bow drawn in these forums, it's almost a reflex anymore....[&:]

Excellent pics, and excellent review.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

mobow is funny.........great post greg.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Great pics. That is a fine looking pattern. I am sure it will serve you well. It looks even better on the bow!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Awesome Post Greg!!!! Terrific Pictures!!!
I've been wanting that pattern for some time now and this post only proves why.

That stand bottom sure sticks out though - it almost glows in black/white.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

awesome pictures. I need to get new camo for next year.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I think I have every brand in my arsonal, but predator...time to break open the wallet...

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Greg - great pics man. Now, you can add "Fashion Model" to your extensive resume.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

GREAT PICS AND AWESOME REVIEW!!!

I bought mine a while back and i love it!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Thanks for the pics Greg.

I can definitely tell the difference in the deer behavior wearing Predator (Fall Grey).

Of course, it wasn't much comparison since my old suit was bulky and had no contrast (very dark). I must have looked like a big dark bundle in the tree. The last 2 years, if I wasn't behind the tree or the treestand camo, if a deer within a 100 yards looked in my direction he was going to lock down on me and we were in for a stare down. This year, I've had 8 deer within 25 yards (once skylighted), and they would look in my general direction and go right back to what they were doing.

It's not just Predator either, my dad has had a couple of good experiences with the ASAT 3D Suit.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I have them all now, so I can not be called a fan boy for any of them[:-]

They all work great, I have yet to be pick off this year. I did have an old doe wind me on Friday night. She was looking hard for me but could not find me. She went about her business.

Great picks Greg, I love fall brown. Next purchase is going to be fall brown in wolfskin.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I'd now like to see some pics in Mossy Oak or another "blob" pattern. Man that stuff works nice!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Greg, thanks for the pics and the explanation. I've been a believer of open patterns for some time and love all of the current offerings (ASAT, Enigma, and Predator) and you're right having a great pattern on Wolfskin is tough to beat. I'm very happy with my fall grey suit.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Great pics.
I haven't even worn mine yet... waiting to loose a few more leaves. I got the deception patern.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Great pictures....The photosreally show offan excellent camo.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

If I'm not mistaken, I thought they had discontinued fall brown. Thats the pattern I was going to go with but had to go with the brown deception.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I believe that Gray Wolf Woolens is the last place you can still get Fall Brown.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Ok, thanks. I think I will eventually invest in a pair from GWW. Tough.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Thanks for taking the time to post the pics Greg. I always enjoy reading the camo-discussion threads.

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RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Greg, as always, well done.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Looks like good stuff, eliminates the need for snow camo as well.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Bump for you greg/mo and for others to see. Fine work, pictures and explanation. I saved some of these pictures...they look good. The black and whites I've seen before really convinced me of this stuff.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Hey Greg are you the guy in the Predetor commercial I see on the Outdoor Channel?;) J/k.. But your pics remind me of the commercial. I think the Fall Deception looks the best when you use the black and white pics. These pics just go to show what an open pattern can do for camoflaging you. Great Camo and Great post!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Thanks, guys!! I really appreciate everyone taking the time to comment on the threads; these are always more hard work and time-consuming than they appear, but I have a blast doing all of my instructional and review threads, hopefully for this forum's benefit.

Hazcon, you're exactly right. That set is behind my house in a small strip of woods between my back yard and the 15th green which I hastily threw up to take these pics... when I pull it, the first thing I'll be doing is taking a can of black spray paint and painting streaks across it to break up the glare when it's caught in direct sunlight, as it was in a couple of those photos...

Absolutely, Lebeau... there's several great open-concept patterns on the market today. Predator happens to be my favorite, but the fact that there's a few out there only benefits us bowhunters.

Mine too, Germ. :)



ducsauce, buckeye is right; Gray Wolf Woolens has both the Deception Brown you ended up with, as well as the Fall Brown you should have bought... [8D]http://www.huntingnet.com/forum/tm.aspx?m=2116240&mpage=1&key=fall%2cbrown &#2116240

Rob... thanks. You were on my mind when I talked about having good camo conversations with great people in the hunting industry.

MO... I seriously didn't even know they did t.v. commercials, so it couldn't have been me! And I even watch the Outdoor Channel from time to time (it's on right now, as a matter of fact).

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

If only Cabelas would have offered the cheap material in Fall Brown.[&o] BUT...I love my brown deception.:D

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

lone wolf system..i love mine...how many sticks do u use...and u are in the type of tree that i look for
forked and straight...nice set up

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

todd... I use four sticks. Iusually like to behigher than three will allow me to get.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

Good pics Greg, thanks for taking the time to post them.
Thereare plenty of up close pretty camo on the market today but few that are actually good bowhunters camo (3 that I can think of) that break up the outline of your body.
Back in the 70's when the Vietnam and the Tiger stripe camo became a hot item for bowhunters it didn't take me long to figure out that the old WWII open pattern was still the better pattern for bowhunting.
When Bob Fratzke put his open pattern Winona Camo System on the market I was glad to be a member of his bowhunting staff, not just because of the freebees or a greatly reduced price on the product, but because I honestly belived it was the best camoout therefor the bowhunter!
Open patterns help the game we pursue look through you instead of at you as they do with most of the photocopied camo that blends together at any distance or in low light conditions.
My wife is a great example of this, most of us would not dream of hunting in a 10' stand yet I cant begin to tell you the deer she has taken from her little 10' ladder stand while bowhunting, wearing open pattern camo!
I can say that when I cant stretch my almost 30 year old Fratzke camo over my hind quarters or gut anymore, I will be looking to purchase Predator or one of the other open pattern camo products to help fill my bow tags!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

I use the fall brown in the corn and the gray in the tree stand. GOOD STUFF!!! I want to get the green for turkey and early bow. Great picks Greg THANKS!!!!!

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

TTT.

Seeing as there have been numerous threads about camo, I figured I'd give Greg's thread a bump. Pictures look really good and thanks again for answering the couple questions I had.

RE: The Predator camo pics you've asked for the last two years...
 

What kind of other bells and whistles is offered with this pattern? Meaning, scent lok liner? Fleece? or is the mat. quiet? Warmth? Insulated? I love this pattern but still love the functionality of my mass produced gear. I definitely agree that the other patterns tend to "blob" out at any sort of distance (over 20yds.) and would love to get something that didn't.