I'm starting to believe that I might just be better off wearing my fleece clothes rather than camo. I've started my pre-season scouting and I try to move around the woods as if I'm still hunting. Well I can't believe how many times I'm in a solid shooting position wearing nothing but levis and a tshirt. So my question is does camo really help that much. The deer don't seem to mind as long as they don't smell me. Had a buck trying to look through me at twenty yards.
I see more deer than most.
Is it ESSENTIAL? No.
Does it make a difference? Yes.
Being still makes more of a difference, though.
I think it helps your odds if you are wearing something that breaks your outline up. Like ASAT or Predator. I really like ASAT I've put the sneek on a few that looked right through me at mere feet away. I've killed several deer with out camo but I've taken more in it but I still wear my wool sometimes.
I am an ASAT wearer as well...I've had enough close encounters to convince me that it helps considerably.
I think Jeff has got it right. Not essential, but the better patterns do break up your outline.
Most importmant to me is the clothing itself. If it is quiet, warm or cool, depending on the season, comfortable, sheds burrs, fits well to allow layering underneath, and has pockets of the right size in the right places it works for me. Hunting clothes are designed for what we do, and the good stuff does it very well. It generally does come in camo, and that is good too, but the other things come first on my list when selecting clothing.
I always wear camo so I can hide from any other hunters-it won't fool animals though.
Over the years, I've noticed that deer don't shy away from flo orange during the gun season. That leads me to believe that the more confidence you have in your camo hunting garb, the longer you will stay in the woods and this is what increases your liklihood of seeing game. I've always thought all of this camo thing was a marketing "thing" that's been thrust on us by those who stand to make a buck or two from our behavior. I don't recall seeing Fred Bear in camo but in muted colors instead. Having said all of that, I do wear camo since I don't want to be seen by other hunters, but I think it's movement that alerts animals to our being there.
ASAT leafy 3-D suit is all i wear. either more or less goes under it, depending on the temp.
there's nothing better, in my opinion.
Actually Fred Bear wore camo a lot. Read his book "Fred Bear's Field Notes" and you'll see him in camo in almost every picture. He wore the WW2 ranger camo and liked his Fred Bear wear camo coat. I have one also I wear to this day. My camo is a mishmash of Fred Bear jacket, Army surplus woodland pants, brown fedora or surplus army hat.
ASAT!!!!!!!!
ASAT + Shrew ;)
(http://i201.photobucket.com/albums/aa102/Redriderxx/ASAT.jpg)
Yes.
(http://i415.photobucket.com/albums/pp233/TradNut/IMG_00711.jpg)
I wear camo a lot of the time. I'll also wear just a green and black wool plaid shirt from time to time.
After years of hunting and careful notetaking, I have decided that I can scare a deer off no matter what I'm wearing :-)
Wear an ASAT 3D Vanish Pro Suit to use the full name of that "leafy suit" for a year exclusively and you'll be able to tell your friends hunting stories they won't believe.If you don't see more game than you have before they will buy it back. The only camo with a money back garauntee.
It's generally over-rated except in specific circumstances, like hunting turkey without a blind. I pay less attention to camo every season. Don
A great friend and mentor of mine tells me that movement is what gives you away most of the time (assuming your not winded). He is 83 years old and is still a phenomenal hunter, the best I know. My experience over several decades bears him out. With that said, I do hunt in camo for the reasons Whip stated. It is simply better designed for the hunting I do. Being comfortable is essential to being still so that combined with other attributes built into camo with the hunter in mind just make it preferable. Not to mention that it may help break up your silhouette (can't hurt) and I'll take any advantage I can get. I'll take functional over stylish anytime.
I wear camo; and I know camo face paint; or a camo net on your face does help hide your presence.
Its movement that is the attractant for a deers eyes; and camo can help at that point.
Deer can see blue. Orange is very much in question.
I watched another hunter who could not see a bear watching him take his hand out of his pocket; and scratch his face. The sight of that hand not only startled the bear; it startled me!
I think our bodies are less a problem to conceal; than our faces and movement of a non camoed hand or arm or neck.
Last year I stalked through familiar country numerous times over many days. I got used to the does and how to conceal my movement.
So one day; when all the deer saw me coming; I had to really stop and think about it. It turned out that although I had on camo; I had a white t shirt under it that was showing through at the neck.
Brilliant move on my part; but it did show that the deer readily see some things over others.
Camo or drab colors, movement will get ya spotted even in camo. I have bright pink hands and face so I cover them up also.
I've been camoed from head to toe and still been busted and I've had deer walk within feet of me with the same camo! I think wind and movement are the two main things a fella has to watch! I had an old friend of mine tell me that he killed more deer before he new all this stuff! HA! alot of truth to that!! Jason
I can't fool their nose, sometmes I can fool their ears and eyes. Camo for those times. Agree that movement negates camo.
Yes, but not always.
Anything camo, browninsh or gray that isn't washed with UV enhancers.
Holding still is the best tip and one I need to work on.
-Charlie
Turkeys are everywhere I deer hunt. And the last thing I want to do is spook a turkey by not wearing something that blends in. That turkey spooks and takes off, then the other animals (deer) notice and will be alerted as well. Turkeys can see colors that deer cant so it does matter. If I had NO turkeys in the woods I was hunting I would be in a red flannel and a pair dark pants to deer hunt with. Until then its camo for this guy!
I think anything that breaks up your outline helps. I've always used miss-matched camo patterns, usually ASAT on top and any camo for pants.I always wear a camo facemask,too.
So many popular patterns just turn into a blob at 20 yards.
I'm going to try muted plaids this year during deer season and see if it makes a difference.
I've had turkeys (osceolas no less)very close to me without spooking wearing blaze orange (just don't move!),so go figure.
I wear full camouflage,
even plaid boxers.
ASAT for me, the only way to hit the woods!
Texas Parks & Wildlife answered this issue for us with the head & torso hunter orange mandate for public land. Personally haven't worn camo in over 30+ years. I know professional guides who have never worn camo.
my dad is a far better hunter than i am and he wears carhart insulated overalls and a green carhart jacket most of the time.
I wear some camo but will wear anything thats breaks up my outline
Some.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/Bowhunt100805.jpg)
Here and there..
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2007%20November%20Hunt/2007Camp2.jpg)
Sometimes it is forced upon me.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v249/Killdeer/Hunting%20and%20Camp/2007%20November%20Hunt/2007Bowhunt2.jpg)
Most of my fleece IS camo, but some isn't. I go for comfort first, then concealment. But putting on camo usually means to me that firstly, I will be comfortable, and secondly, I am doing something I will enjoy greatly. I get the same kick that a Little Leaguer gets when he dons his uniform, as I used to get when putting on a stock, formal jacket and good boots before entering the show ring, my horse's mane all braided. Even when not hunting, it brings on those happy feelings.
Camo is fuzzy slippers for this hunter's soul.
Killdeer :archer:
There's nothing better then ASAT. It breaks up your out line better than anything. Thats all I've been wearing for years. If the winds right they look right through you..
Killie, those trousers look like the wool German surplus that was available 25? years ago. Great stuff; I wear them with a Winona type cardigan in ASAT. Quality clothing lasts for decades.
Tim
ASAT....since '87
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/P9160001.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/scan0003-6.jpg)
(http://i13.photobucket.com/albums/a281/sf1oak/PB230006.jpg)
Filson hunting bibs and gray wool top or KOM top for warmth. Camo is pretty much made to hide humans from other humans. Some are decent ( ASAT) some are made pretty just for sales. You move... you lose.
Skip thanks for driving the point home..ASAT..Don't go in the woods without it...
yes
NO, not for hunting, do wear a lot for scouting becouse it is so available. good cam cost crazy $$ which i will not spend. i wear a lot of plaids and wool. the only exception is the old realtree like Killy has in her picture, i wear that on occasion as i have a couple shirts with fond memories.
Uh...I guess that's when I started buying it. :o
They are a good reason not to gain weight. :D
Killdeer
Trebark, Kenny.
The wool pants I bought at the surplus store were about 18.00 per pair, but although that was high in the mid eighties, especially since I was making 4.75 per hour, they have been well worth it.
Daily, I wear blue jeans and a free T-shirt...the ones from the Indian charities or veterans' associations. I am the Imelda Marcos of hunting boots, though, and will buy hunting clothes when the product seems right.
Killdeer :goldtooth:
From time-to-time I like to don the attire
of a "Classic Bowman":^)too.
(Hit your F5 key if the photos don't open)
(http://brothersofthebow.com/camo2.jpg)
(http://brothersofthebow.com/camo1.jpg)
yup i do when needed (http://i259.photobucket.com/albums/hh305/jeffburg/CIMG2697.jpg)
killdeer, thats pretty philisophical.
Yup, I do.
Quote from Killy:
"Camo is fuzzy slippers for this hunter's soul."
Again, yup!
Gary, where did you get that plaid shirt, with the doe? I like it alot.
I mix it up, wool plaid, predator....whatever ain't too smelly
me on the left
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn33/elkbreath/11b45b07.jpg)
(http://i300.photobucket.com/albums/nn33/elkbreath/5ff64282.jpg)
I haven't worn my leafy ASAT in over ten years. I've worn it a few times this year and have had Coyotes look right through me. What a fool I've been!!
I absolutely wear camo. Turkeys are fair game during the archery deer season and my life will not be complete until I kill one of them. Leafy suits and ghillies are the best if you hunt from the ground. If you are in a tree most any camo that is does not contrast too much with your surroundings will work fine. Noise and movement are any bowhunters worst nightmare. I would rather wear quiet plaids than noisy camo but due to the options available today you can have both....and I do.
I prefer not to. People hunted and killed plenty before someone invented camo patterns.
Yes, to hide from people.
Not much anymore. Just don't think it is absoutely necessary. I may wear a camo jacket along with a plaid shirt is about as good as it gets. I do wear a mix on ocassion but more by accident than design.
the subject of camo comes up quite often in my deer camp; i believe that...some... camo does work in certain terrain but not all; the asat works great just about everywhere but my main problem si that it is so hard to find anyone who carries it in stock; i like to use the surroundings as my camo as i build naturals blinds to hunt out of; i like to put leaves and small sticks on my hat and i use black charcoal to cover my ugly mug; nothing wrong with buying camo i just don't make alot of money but killalot of deer and turkeys using the "natural stuff"... :campfire:
I don,t know what to think on this. How can a deer or elk blend in so well? Here is what I think, If the sun is filtering through the trees the deer are wearing natural ASAT camo, the shawdows and sunlight turn them from dark brown in the shade to gray or light brown in the sun, so a deer that is half in the shade and half in the sun is multi colored. What I have found is that if I mix match patterns it makes my profile smaller. If I hunt the snow I wear white pants and a dark top etc, It cuts my profile up. Something else I have noticed where I hunt in the grasslands and am around livestock is if I wear all one pattern of camo even the cattle don,t like it at all. So I,m still a beliver in dull nothing shiny and to me movement is the most important of all as has been stated.
To answer your question Dan. My jacket is by Classic Bowman Sporting Woolens, made in the USA.
Yes..............Hides me from other hunters on public land; helps hide my outline when in a tree stand.More comfortable to wear when hunting, don't have to worry about ripping other clothes up when going through the autumn olive and multi-flora rose patches.......however....I don't pay premium $ for it...... I keep a list in the back of my mind of what I need, what is going to need replaced and when places have end of season sales, things I need go up on"that auction site" or the classifieds here----I get it then. I got ASAT insulated bibs for $18, 2 PREDATOR shirts and a light jacket for $40, PREDATOR polar fleece pants and jacket for $22, I also use alot of military surplus camo (comfy and cheap)............I'm too cheap to pay full prices----I'll make do with what I got untill I find a price I like...................
No commercial camo. But as a pro-staff member of the Good Will Industries, I feel it necessary to use their products.
I wear NatGear most of the time. It's a good neutral color--not too light, not to dark. My advice is to stay away from real dark colors, camo or otherwise. They make you look like a dark blob and its easier for the animal to see your movement--in my opinion.
Yes, I wear camo.
I think one reason you are able to get close right now, is there is no hunting season open and the deer are a bit less wary. Just my thoughts.
I wear mostly all camo, different patterns...most are older pieces that are "comfy" and I've had good luck with...I add some here and there when I find a bargain...
David
Yes for me too - ASAT and Predator.
What I'm really amused about, is how many say they wear camo to hide from "people". Now that's hunting presure.
In the 25 years of serious hunting, I think I saw a hunter only 7 times. Maybe it's because my deer hunting guru of an uncle told me, if I want to hunt deer, find the most unfriendly terrain in the area I was hunting. Don't hunt near trails, roads or clearings.
ToelkeMan, your uncle must not live around Amish folks.
ToelkeMan, your uncle must not live around Amish folks.
Absolutely, all the time.
For one thing, my camo stuff (ASAT & Predator) fits me better than anything else & for another, I absolutley believe it works & when a lot of bowhunting relies on confidence that makes a difference for me.
Sure do...wearing camo shorts right now. Wear it for hunting all the time.
Not if i can help it.
I wear camo when I hunt because I think it is neat. After all I am having fun. I shoot a long bow because I like to and I shoot carbon arrows because I like to.I also ride my 500 honda because I like to. I really think that the rancho safari long coat is the tops for concealment.
I second what "three arrows" said, but with an add-on: The area I hunt is hotly advertised by the ODNR as one of the top places to deer hunt every year; people come from all over the state and from out of state to hunt the Woodbury public lands......I try to hide from people!
Ben, I have hunted Woodbury, there are huge bucks there but very difficult to hunt around the main campgrounds. People will literally climb up a tree right next to you!
Three Arrows, it is just the same here on public land. CRAZY!!!!
Here is a pic of my daughter crawling her way into position for deer that were in this field last December. I love the ASAT!
(http://i55.photobucket.com/albums/g128/ad2877/hunting/Picture146.jpg)
I'm just curious....
For you guys who don't wear camo....is it a financial thing? Or.........something else?
Have you seen the evolution of camouflage clothing from the 60's til now? We sit in the woods and try like hell to spot a deer who wears only one shade of color but is seemingly invisible; even at close distance. They move along slow and stop here and there. The colors they have are natural and muted. I wear the same type of colors when I hunt and have had more success getting near game now than when I wore the up to the minute camouflage clothing. I do own a complete line of ASAT because I have tested it at close range on deer and turkey. I also have a King of the Mountain Bushman shirt just for the wool. Otherwise, I prefer the durable Filson bibs for bark and brush. It is also very weather resistant. I also have a gray wool shirt to put on when the wind blows. So no, it is not financial. I just used every pattern under the sun and found out that plain dull earth colors was more than sufficient.
I all about earth tones (http://i146.photobucket.com/albums/r267/bowmofo/P1030737.jpg)
GMMAT, I find most of it too costly (royalties to brand names) and it rarely fits like a good wool or flannel shirt. Frankly, we really don't need a reason I suppose, but I think it takes away some of the individuality and makes everyone look the same; kinda like those folks who carry compound bows that are all camoflauged and look alike.
Many times in the early season, I end up wearing a tee shirt much of the day along with a pair of jeans. I think it's funny how many patterns are out there to buy, but heck it's good for the economy. And....I guess I may not wear it for the same reason that I hunt alone 99.9% of the time. It's that thing about being an individual and not another cookie cutter image.
By the way, I don't need camo to hide from people in the woods; if I don't want you to see me, you won't see me. :saywhat:
Smoke em if you got em!
Have at times, not so much anymore.....kind of like to distance myself from the crowd a little bit. I'd rather just be viewed as a harmless eccentric.
These guys didn't seem to care last fall that I didn't have any "famous" hunter's name on my clothes - of course each one was a bit distracted by the doe he was following - but then neither of the girls caught me either and I guess thats the real test......
R
Nov 4, Iowa:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/08IowaBuck2cropped.jpg)
Nov 16, Indiana:
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v195/RyanRothhaar/IndianaBuck08.jpg)
:notworthy: :notworthy:
Plaids, muted colors etc, are a camo. I think the question really being asked is do you wear commercial camo.
I wear como mainly,but have woren fannels or plads alot.Anything to brake up my outline I think is key,but movement is usally what the animals will see not camo.I had on camo top and purple shorts when I shot my frist elk with a bow.
Haven't worn any for a few years now and will probably never buy any again. My usual garb looks pretty much like Ryan's. Plaid and a neutral pants color that I'll get for a few bucks. My daughter in this picture graduated from college this year.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/aerohawk1/scan-1.jpg)
After hunting elk since 1971, I determined camo was pretty much a waste of time in most situations. You can kill an elk in a white tee shirt and blue jeans, with a bow, under ten yards, as one of my son's did a couple years ago. I do, however, like the Asbel plaid shirts his wife makes.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/aerohawk1/2006-Aug.jpg)
Or this one.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/aerohawk1/Mark2005elk2.jpg)
Or this. Didn't even have the plaid on.
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v207/aerohawk1/2006-Aug-1.jpg)
The elk in the pictures are probably in the twenties for elk I've killed with a bow, but I couldn't give an exact count. It seem's to me that the people who are really consistent at harvesting an animal have a predatory instinct, like a cat, and don't need a cover. Any mountain lions dressed in ASAT?
Camo is kewl man... but I think that texture is equally important.. you know, that non reflective light absorbing quality of rough cloth like wool, burlap, cotton, denim, fleece and leafy suits that really helps seal the deal...
i don't wear it at all ...
plaids and earth tones for me.
ben
IMO there are just two many gadgets being sold today for the hunter. When I watch some of the shows on TV I just have to shake my head.
Camo Clothing
Camo on everything
Range Finders
Special no scent clothes
Special blood finding flashlights
Special arrows with lighted nocks
The list just goes on.
The Cabela archery catalog just gets bigger every year.
Some people just have to have everything in order to feel confident in the field. That's their prerogative and if it makes them feel good then more power to them but it's not for me.
I use to wear camo ago until I found out I did not need it. I have not worn it for many years but that is just me.
Really enjoyed what you had to say Mark ... not to mention the photo walk down memory lane!
The reason I asked about it possibly being cost-prohibitive is......
That's EXACTLY why I don't own some of these wool garments I see in a lot of these photos.
GMMAT, At one time, when I was younger, I would have probably bought-in to some of the hype, but aging sometimes cures youthful exuberance....not all but some. I have also been lucky enough not to make so much money that I could afford to spend $500.00 for a wool jacket. It seems that the old Woolrich or Codet works very well, even without a designer label. 8^). Having a frugal wife has also kept me in check over the decades 8^).
To me, cost-prohibitive means many things, not just what I can't afford, but what doesn't make sense in the first place....like a broadhead that costs $30.00.
And to the guy who said Fred Bear wore lots of camo? Fred didn't wear hardly any until Bear Archery started carrying it. That was about 1959'ish. Fred always had his wool checked shirt and wool pants on when he hunted. Anytime he wore that camo was to benefit the films and videos he was making for the company. And so it goes.
Heavens sake I don't care what people wear, but it just seems everyone wants to look like everyone else or they won't kill anything. The insatiable hunt for new bows, broadheads, scents, et al. If they spent half the time learning how to be a predator in the woods, they wouldn't need predator camoflauge or goofy scent blockers, etc.
It is hot here in Florida during bow season so wool and fleese plads are out.
I wear Army issue digital camo or military multi-cam in the hot weather uniforms or if does get cool enough, a ghillie suit.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/ocala_hunt_009.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/ocala_hunt_010.jpg)
Another Yeti sighting near Ocala, Florida.
George, don't you mean Skunk Ape?
I like a lot of things and sometimes do wear camo as well as wool plaids, in fact I have quite a bit of the Cabelas Microtex(sp?)"outfitter camo".
Regardless of what I'm wearing, I like it to be soft, quiet, warm when damp, breathable, non-reflective as possoble, and with enough light-dark contrast to break me up some. I also don't want items too heavy to layer. When I plug in all of those goals, a lot of clothing on the market gets quickly eliminated!
As far as more expensive clothing is concerned, I must admit that the only "high-end" clothing I care to invest in are quality traditional wools. Not only are they functional in the woods, but can be worn in casual style in public, and passed down to sons, daughters, and the grandkids. To me they evoke memories of special times, heritage, history - whatever words you choose. I simply don't feel that way about a Goretex lined camo "supersuit". But that's my feelings, and we're all certinly entitled to our own opinions.
By the way what George said about Fred is spot-on. Fred did indeed wear what he described in the 50s and before. I spent quite a bit of time with Fred, a wonderful fellow, and one who inspired me to take up bowhunting. He always reminded me of the photos I had seen of my grandfather who passed away when I was a baby. He also wore wool plaid jackets, shirts, and neutral colored pants. Like Fred, he was a very successful hunter. Perhaps those images and memories of Fred have shaped my taste in clothes:^)
I like my Shadow Gray wool.
http://www.shrewbows.com/wool_shirts/
(http://www.shrewbows.com/rons_linkpics/100%25_wool.JPG)
Yes I wear camo - this year I'll be switching to ASAT (it's sitting and waiting)
I wear ASAT Ultimate 3D. Have been wearing this since 1997 with superb results... Or maybe because I set up well and watch my movement.. LOL
I like the looks of G. Fred's wool but cant get an answer to my emails asking about it on his website.
John III
Speaking of G. Freds wool I have called myself with no results! if anybody has any info I would appreciate it! Thanks, Jason