If you dressed in solid color clothing for whitetails,what color jacket and pants would you wear? Would you use a different combo on the ground and in a tree?
All I know is when a Deer stands motionless in a woods it disappears ,but in a HUNTING senario I wouldn't trust walking or stalking in solid brown , my solid color pick would be OLIVE.
I've frequently worn a pair of dark green BDU pants and a dull plaid print jacket with a lot of green and brown while ground hunting in a natural blind. It's all about movement in my experience. If you are sitting very still deer will walk all around you and be unaware. It can be difficult to draw unless you have some good cover though.
All that matter is that you're still and not wearing blue. There has been a lot of scientific research on this out of the University of Georgia, as well as my own experiences in solids including white tee shirts. You'd be amazed what you can get away with if you're still, and you'll cuss all the money you wasted on camo. Except for turkeys!
I kill turkeys from the ground dressed like this.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/93C2B90F-2E2B-4C13-AF93-61318D3A8EEE_zpsdvkwrydx.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/93C2B90F-2E2B-4C13-AF93-61318D3A8EEE_zpsdvkwrydx.jpg.html)
Deer like this.
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/Mobile%20Uploads/B7E3028A-92E5-40DF-BCF5-79AF75438AD8_zpsicriajny.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/Mobile%20Uploads/B7E3028A-92E5-40DF-BCF5-79AF75438AD8_zpsicriajny.jpg.html)
I don't by into the blue theory either, killed lots of deer bucks and does wearing blue jeans when I was younger, shooting blue and white arrows you name it. IMHO Movement like said is what gets you and I rarely where a headnet unless it's cold and windy.
8yd shot
(http://i904.photobucket.com/albums/ac248/TmPotter47/tipi%20picks/190pt2.jpg) (http://s904.photobucket.com/user/TmPotter47/media/tipi%20picks/190pt2.jpg.html)
Tracy
I like greens, greys, and blues.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/Hunting%202012/P1010361.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/Hunting%202012/P1010361.jpg.html)
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/P1000157.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/P1000157.jpg.html)
Just think of all those poor African professional hunters who stumble around in khaki and OD clothes with no camo in sight. I don't know how they make a living without it. They also don't seem too concerned with what their clients show up wearing, or their trackers, who wear everything you can imagine.
I agree that being STILL is the best camo.
Murray
You can wear blaze orange and probably white if you want.
I dont think there is a best color.
as others have said movement will do you in far before your clothes.
I was sitting in my treestand during this last deer season just concentrating on the woods around me and was struck by how dominant the color grey is. Even the deer turn from reddish brown to gray as the season progresses. I would say grey would be my choice and in wool.
I prefer tan, green, grey, and brown, preferably in softer shades if wearing solids. As a practice, I most commonly wear either camo or plaid.
I love my gray Asbell Wool pullover. I usually wear it with OD pants. Even hunters in my club have a hard time seeing me!
What K.S. Trapper said.
Grey wool is my favorite though.
Same song and dance for me as others have posted already...
When it comes to critters - whitetail in particular, color is kind of a moot point, so long as you stay still. Movement is the number one culprit in getting busted. Wind is the number two culprit. Unnatural noises are number three - like corduroy pants, all kinds of jingly crap hanging loose, metal on metal, etc...
Color is somewhere after those, IMO. FWIW, I still like good, ol' wool (especially in plaid patterns) too!
I have heard this solid don't move theory alot and personally feel..why? if you can wear a pattern that breaks up your shape..why not do that...I have hunted on the ground alot and up in trees..my ground hunting is always done in plaid or camo..why ? It makes a difference....A deer will look at a solid object and decide if it is safe...some camo and plaid they don't give you a second look sometimes...movement will bust you no matter what..but why wear solid when you hunt with traditional gear and want to be close when it handicaps you? Yes I know alot of people kill deer wearing solid...but you don't hear about the deer that bust them or the deer they don't even see because they busted you from far away...Do your self a favor and have two friends stand in the trees or on the edge. One in solid colors and another in camo that matches the surroundings..walk back one hundred yards or even 50 and look...enough said...the solid guy sticks out like a sore thumb..his head and shoulders clearly visible...deer see in shades and can pick solid out like us..they just don't know its human SOMETIMES....yes sometimes..but they also bust you sometimes even without movement...
no offence Rob w.. but you stick out like a sore thumb in these pics...but you were successful..can't argue that....congratz...
Earth tones like green and grey are seen in the outdoors but you are solid in both pics and a deer will look at you long if you are close to him and a solid large object..One of my friends hunts in solids and gets game but I guarantee he gets busted more than he knows...
I have had deer as close as 5 yards many times to me on the ground wearing good patterned colors..you would not get a deer that close in solid colors very often unless the set up is perfect ....unless you are hidden by shadows or rocks etc.....solid colors can work for sure but you need the right background..camo gives you more options..but as everyone said here there are other factors too...but why hinder yourself ????
I've studied this a bit with a camera and Asbell wool.....If I could only choose one color it would be grey wool.
Here is a video of one I passed on the ground, just sitting next to a tree in solid colors. He walked because I had already shot his daddy with the same setup at 8 yrds.
http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20131027_102844.mp4.html
I go back and forth from plaids to camo to solids and every combo in between. It's not something that I give much thought anymore. I can remember when I would worry about having to wear hunters orange in gun season as well. These days it doesn't cross my mind.
(http://i1225.photobucket.com/albums/ee391/rjwalton8/20121229_105704-1.jpg) (http://s1225.photobucket.com/user/rjwalton8/media/20121229_105704-1.jpg.html)
I always wear a cheap or self maid leafy suite, even when you move in it it can look like the wind is moving it,heck you can hunt in your underwear if you want, but I have better luck in my leafy suites.
I hunted an area that was open to gun and bow,had to wear 50% above the waist blaze orange,I bleat called a doe from 70 yards away she was looking at me the whole time to within 6 feet,never could get a shot as soon as i went to draw even when she was facing away she bolted,I think I might have had a better chance in my leafy suite it would have concealed the little bit of movement better, also the snow was 2 feet deep,orange and white really clash.
I must say I was on the ground not in a tree stand.
Good job Rob :thumbsup:
Atleast a few of us are answering his questions not giving him lectures on how to hunt. The man asked about solid colors not about leafy suits and fancy camo guys. :dunno:
Tracy
nice video...enjoyed it..yes I believe it betters your chances blending... but your getting your game wearing grey so it works for you..alot of stuff in the woods is grey...its amazing how deer seem to blend in when they are solid colors but I think the hair has texture so it helps them from looking like blobs........it seems their hide almost absorbs different shades when they move to different areas...
I pay way more attention to the shade than I used to, once I have the wind right....
great video...
here are two different photos of the same camo in two different locations....shadows and silhouettes...huge difference...where you set up is more important than colors..you'll get busted in camo if the lighting is wrong too!!!
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/bte1958/silhouette%20problem_zpslwu1ncz6.jpg)
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/bte1958/croppedshadowASAT_zps5d6b680d.jpg) (http://s1233.photobucket.com/user/bte1958/media/shadow%20effectivness_zpsicxdyakl.jpg.html)
ROB ... I have taken game wearing mostly camo but have taken a few whitetails on the ground wearing pendelton shirts in plaid and one I remember in ghost timber from the Asbells...I have never hunted in solid colors but it seems to work well for you..If I was to hunt in solid it would be medium grey..or light to medium brown..here is a doe I shot . I was wearing timber ghost plaid the night I shot her on the edge of a field sitting in the ground in tall grass...recovered her the next day..
[ (http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/bte1958/7c687a66-c318-4b80-bf74-f6e319615c6e_zps75843e12.jpg)[/URL]
here is exactly what i was wearing when I took this little buck..my good hunting buddy is wearing solid olive....he was close by..it all works if you do it right..but I will stick to my plaids and camo...my friend by the way takes alot of game and uses both solids and camo....Rob I see you wear camo as well from your name tag..
(http://i1233.photobucket.com/albums/ff383/bte1958/b2168544-aead-400f-bf74-771c23f6ab4e_zpsc318d11d.jpg)[/URL]
QuoteOriginally posted by trubltrubl:
no offence Rob w.. but you stick out like a sore thumb in these pics...but you were successful..can't argue that....congratz...
Earth tones like green and grey are seen in the outdoors but you are solid in both pics and a deer will look at you long if you are close to him and a solid large object..One of my friends hunts in solids and gets game but I guarantee he gets busted more than he knows...
We are hiding from deer and not people.
Pretty nice deer you have. I also agree a human silhouette is a big giveaway and where you set up can be equally as important. very well illustrated in your photos.
I am sorry I realized that the original poster asked a question that should have an answer and not debate..I would hunt in medium grey if I had to wear solid color..
if you look at most of my hero pics at www.tradgang.com/tg (http://www.tradgang.com/tg) or have seen me in numerous hunting pics I wear predator spring Green with tan pants almost 95% of the time.
Nice pics Trubltrubl! Fine looking animals.
Like I said I go back and forth between all kinds of hunting clothing. I wear a leafy suit early season around here because it's easy to slip over my work clothes and treat with permethrine. In elk season I wear solid colors and camo depending on what I need for backpacking layers. Then for deer season around here I usually end up with a wool sweater or plaid.
As far as solid colors go I look at blending in a little differently. I'm fine looking like a part of one of the many trees a deer walks past all day, especially when the leaves are gone. That's when I wear wool or fleece. A darker color for red oak setups, a lighter sweater for white oaks, and whatever keeps me comfortable in between.
Rob
Thanks for your answers. I dress in solids,plaids and camo. Lately I started using more solids. I think wearing a different color shirt pants and vest gives the camo effect because it breaks up your outline just as good as all camo,agree?
I think it's often much more important to match the general shade of the background than to break up my outline. Match the shade (to a deer's eye) and you don't draw attention and the outline isn't all that distinct.
I came to this conclusion when I realized my hunter orange was working every bit as well for me as camo. I wear it a lot to bowhunt during rifle season (see profile pic) and have found it to be a great shade for the prairie, for snow, and for tree-standing in sparse trees. I'm a big fan of light tan or gray wool, too.
QuoteOriginally posted by BUCKY:
I think wearing a different color shirt pants and vest gives the camo effect because it breaks up your outline just as good as all camo,agree?
When I wear solids, that's what I like to do. But last year I took a turkey at 12 yards wearing nothing but bottle green top and bottom. I had a black hat and did have a multi-color kerchief over my face. First year not using camo on turkey.
I like wool and if I were to choose all one color I would vote for a medium grey. Not that I would choose it if it weren't required by law, but have had more deer than I can count almost walk over me during gun season when I was sitting in solid orange like a big pumpkin. :)
Having a significant color vision deficiency myself, I can guarantee you that what people with normal color vision see and what animals without it see cannot even be compared.
Mike
An example of hunter orange (the girls hats and vests) in action.
(http://i.imgur.com/tCatlyu.jpg)
I mostly call now days in olive green carpenter pants and a olive green t shirt.
Somebody has already stated that being still is probably the best camouflage effect we can employ no matter what pattern or color fabric we wear. My son, who is a trained artist, told ne once that lighter shades, particularly of tan and grey, against a woods background tend to create the illusion of empty space, which sort of explains how a deer just disappears when he stands very still. Tan and brown, however, bother me as hunting colors from a safety standpoint.
I usually wear camo or plaid but have had success wearing solids. I do not use blue, mainly because I don't wear blue jeans at all.
Grey wool is one of the very best single colors. When I wear grey pants and a plaid (evening stand brown asbel) nothing picks me out, even on the ground. But I would not hesitate to recommend all medium grey.