Just another off season thought!
 

After reading another thread about the different camo types, I got to thinking more about camo's role in deer hunting.
Don't get me wrong, I respect deer's vision, and personally, I prefer the old Realtree and Mossy Oak camo!
It have come to the conclusion, that just about ANY camo will work, I even use the old GI issue's now and then!
I would further have to say, that if you are relying on camo for hunting success, then you need to improve your hunting skills! To me scent elemenation, stalking, scouting, and stealth, are far more important than your brand of camo!
What do you think? It's been too long since last season, and this season's still a long way off!

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Just add restricting movement while in the stand and I agree 100%.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Anything that breaks up your outline will work. That's why you see so many different types of camo. If something new comes out, someone will buy it and say it's the best. If doesn't matter if your invisable, just have to break up your outline and stay still when they are lookin. I read somewhere where someone did a study on what breaks up your outline the best.....want to know what it was? With the color in black and white...a Hawiian T-shirt. :D And yet we spend hundreds of dollars on trying to look invisable.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

I wear it cause it looks cool.:):D

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

where did you go??! I can't see you!! [&:]

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Just as long as you can sit still or move very slowly. Deer wont be able to distinguish you from a tree or rock if you sit still but if you move they can pick you right off, and then it is bye bye. It doesnt matter to me what camo I use. All I do is sit fairly still, move little when I see a deer coming, and dont make any sudden movements.
As for the scent business, I've never really saw much of an affect with that. I mean I use some scent elimination stuff now and then and keep my clothes in a plastic bag with some pine needles, but I just dont go to the extent that I know some people go to.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Half the time I don't even bother with the camo. Preventing the sudden movements and antsiness is more important. I know they say deer are color blind but I swear they can pick out the blaze orange vest from a mile away. Besides with the orange requirement I feel it nullifies any advantage the camo gives.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Good point JAG about the hunting skills. I sometimes think folks get all caught up in the new "stuff" on the market today. Hunters were shooting deer for years way before camo came to the hunting scene. The old red check woolies and wool jacket worn with or without an orange vest was the order of the day. I honestly think hunters of the past had a better understanding of the animal they hunted and relyed on their knoweldge and skill to be successful. I take nothing away from anyone that uses the latest camo fashions to hit the market. The reason is obvious, to help in making you less noticeable while in the field. That certainly makes sense, but I know a few hunters that think that using cover scents, scent eliminators, full camo, attractants, buck lure etc. makes them a better hunter. If you don't practice the learned skills and gain a better understanding of deer, then all the camo in the world isn''t going to help.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

I'm glad to see you guys get my point! With the exception of close in bow hunting, (and ANY good camo will do for that too) if you are relying on your camo to get the deer, you are betting on the wrong thing, and will be disappointed more often than not!

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

I do wear camo, but I class the craze over all the different camo designs with most of the other hocus pocus magazines trump up to keep the advertisers happy.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

The key is breaking up the blob, which is what deer distinguish or are alerted to - like said breaking up the outline. There is little doubt once a deer is locked on your position he/she sees something that just isn't right and that is when if you can sit motionless and remain undetected to the more prodominant scent a whitetail or other game rely on you may just get lucky. This is were breaking up your outline by either camo or using natural cover is worth while. I choose to use predator brand camo for a couple of reasons;
a) break up technology vs blend(something I have long believed in)
b) patterns are best suited for my enviroment
c) ground hunt mostly
d) predator garments have serviced me well, IMO they are an excellent product for the wear n' tear/washing I put on my outerwear.

I can only wear camo for Bow and ML season here, during rifle we must wear solid colours of blaze,white, red or yellow(no camo blaze either-SOLID). If I believed camo was the main reason for being successful I would be hooped come rifle season. However it has simply further endorsed my opinion on what works to throw off a deer eyes is in fact outline break up. When I dawn my solid suit I hunt the same way as if I had on my predator camo, I look for areas when setting up that offer natural breakup to my outline. Which includes front, side and more importantly rear ward. Sitting on a crest of a hill might give you a good vantage point but it also places you in direct contrast with the skyline behind you---regardless of the camo or clothing you wear - thus will draw the attention of game for miles. To be successful you need to place your self in a position to be successful in the first place, the example I just gave wouldn't be one of those situations to reward success on a regular basis.

Not all camo is created or works equal but a lot is based on your area, some patterns would offer little to your concealment or outline break up, while others will work in a variety...best advice when buying camo is a pick a pattern that encompasses your areas backdrop and seasons..not the prettiest or latest thing.

I agree jagman with your underlying theme though, a lot is placed on the technology side vs the smarts side for hunters today...latest in greatest doesn't work unless you have the basics and for those of us who have changed our gear most likely have changed our knowledge base as well which is more a direct reflection of how we fare in the field. Unfortunately we are a marketing crew and believe those who say you can't live without this product. While mant things have enabled us to be more accurate or effective in some way the true reason lie within. It boils down to confidence, knowledge, experience, etc. I have long said if you feel more confident with an item then it will transpire to the field and if you want to thank that item or items than go right ahead but you are the real reason it turned out that way! For some it is essential to have that brain up factor and others the old suit, bow and 7x35's nocs work just dandy thank you very much;).

Long in short a puzzle don't make a picture until all the pieces are in place, camo is just one small piece of the puzzle and certainly not the centre piece either!

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

I have stood 10 feet away from a deer before she knew i was there while wearing a solid red sweatshirt. Which doesnt really fit because it didnt break up my outline at all. I wear a blaze orange camo jacket.

i never use any "designer" camo. the only camo i own are used BDUs, and i only use those for turkey hunting and bow hunting. The rest of the time i wear orange coat, or a red sweatshirt.

someone said deer can pick up blaze orange from a mile away, and that may be true, it depends on what kind. There are different types, i try to get dull clothing, that doesnt have that shine to it, with the camo pattern. The problem i have is that my current coat russtles too much when i move my arms.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Here's the way I see it. Turkeys can see very well, so yes camo is important when hunting them. No disrespect to a deer's vision but it is keyed by one thing...MOVEMENT!! I've never seen a camo make it look like you're not moving. My dad shot a nice buck a couple years ago wearing carharts. He was just trying to keep warm. I think that might be more important sometimes than camo.

RE: Just another off season thought!
 

Any camo, good camo.

I have shot more deer in jeans and a plaid shirt than with any camo pattern. However, when I am bowhunting I think camo is more important. Otherwise, I think it is a waste of money to by the "latest designer" camo.

I must use different blaze orange vests, because the deer don't see me from 30 feet as long as I don't move.