Confused mid-life crises, cannot decide what camo (or wool) to wear

[dan d]

I'm going thru a midlife crises on what to wear for hunting. I have always wore camo of some sort, never got cought up in having to wear the latest fashion statement for camo, if it looked like it would conceal me and the price was right I bought it. Right now I'm wearing a department store leafy suit and I like it, but it is getting worn and I have been accumulating wool wear ( some of it is Fred Asbell's stuff) I love the traditional look and feel of wool, it makes me feel complete as a trad hunter, but...................  Then my more youthful brain (that has been brainwashed over the last 50 years with the need for the latest greatest gadgets and trendy hunting outfits ) kicks in and I think I need the latest greatest gillie suit I see so much talk about here. Then I wake up the next day looking at the cool woolens (dreaming about that woolen two tracks vest          ) and I want to be a true trad hunter when I grow up. ( walk the talk, and talk the walk          )

Just throwing this out for tradgang conversation, I enjoy everyones thoughts and they will be used to help me thru this mid-life crises        

Thanks,
Dan

[Tom Leemans]

The "pattern" (or lack thereof) may not be what the fellas on TV say you should use, but you simply blend in, much like an animal. I think it's from the natural fibers and the way they reflect light. I wouldn't even worry too much about the color, just worry about not stinking and hunt the wind.

[Crash]

I killed a couple of deer last year wearing a green plaid shirt, was still wearing some natural gear pants as I haven't found any that I like that are not camo.  I still normally wear camo but realize now that it's not required to be hidden from a deer's standpoint.

I understand that we all have slighty different ideas as to what constitutes trad archery, but ultimately it comes down to what you like and makes you feel good about yourself.  There's nothing wrong with camo, there's nothing wrong with wool and there's nothing wrong with plaid.  It all works and it's all good.

[Night Wing]

Some people wear camo while others basically don't. Me, I like to wear camo. Even if I don't bag something, I look.....GOOD!    

Over the years, I've looked at lots of camo patterns and for me, I liked how Predator camo looked and how it concealed me even if I was out in front of bushes or in front of trunks of trees.

Since I live in the evergreen pines of southeast Texas, my camo of choice is Predator. So I have "10" full sets of Spring Green and also of Fall Gray and the disconintued Fall Brown. I prefer these patterns over Predator's Deception pattern.

I figured since I loved these patterns, Predator would discontinue one or more of them. I was right since Predator discontinued Fall Brown, but with "10" sets of all three patterns, I'm set for the rest of my life.    :D

Google Predator and check out their patterns.

[Stumpkiller]

You know what?  Some days I wear wool and some days I wear modern syntheics.  Some days I mix the two.

It doesn't seem to matter a hoot.

When it's 60°F I prefer the lighter synthetics or even, gasp, killer cotton.  In fact, the image in my avatar is plain green Polartech 200 jacket and mil-spec green cotton pants.  No camo or pattern at all.

Though I did once notice two deer pointing their hooves at me and laughing.

[caleb7mm]

I go back and forth between one of the name brand camos and brown, red, green flannel. I dont see a difference as far seeing game when wearing either.

[Stumpkiller]

There is a "free" preview of the Sportsman's Network on Dish this month.  I saw an add for this camo and I think it is perfect for your mid-life choice.

[Bjorn]

Good work Stump!! Archerporn!      

[Kip]

I use camo but nothing fancy mix and match whatever I buy.Last year after a morning hunt my grandaughter asked to take a walk in the woods.My wife came also and took these pics.I try to blend in but plaid also works.Kip
 
 
 
I think it helps and I use it.I also use a face mask when hunting.Kip

[DeCurry]

I'm using ASAT; mainly the leafy suit as it lets me wear whatever I want underneath it, usually lightweight merino wool that I layer depending on the temperature.

[Breakfast Boy]

Wool...nothing looks better nor works as well.  Just my two cents, which in today's economy isn't worth much.

[dan d]

I'd be styling with stump killer's camo !

I'm really leaning towards making the leap to wool, but I'm surprised to read a lot of camo people here. I guess what I'm mentally struggling with is you see the high tech pics with the hunter hidden by his camo in the woods, and then you see the occasional plaid wool hunter pic that is not blended in at all. I'm thinking I will look like a neon sign out there. But mentally I would feel real traditional, and I am enjoying that feeling, but feelings don't get deer.

[Izzy]

Buy a Rolex(cheaper than a Corvette) to ease your midlife crisis and hunt with what youve got. What were you wearing when you kiledl your last deer with?  

[PaddyMac]

I've been wearing Predator for years and I feel like I'm so invisible I can't even find myself half the time. But I have a friend who routinely pokes mule deer wearing whatever tee shirt he grabs, white, red, blue whatever and blue jeans, which is a color that really stands out to deer. He's just really good -- uncanny -- at being in the right blind spot at the right time.

[hardtimes]

I wear camo. Always have and always will. I think camo is not nearly as important as we make it out to be. My father never wears camo. He wears a tee shirt and blue jeans. If it is cold he will wear a sweat jacket. He kills deer no problems. Heck he kills more deer than I do.

[Dave Lay]

i got to where i dont have as much money to spend as i did in the past on huntin clothes. and as they became rags, i have just been huntin more and more in jeans, and a green t shirt, or a plaid flannel overshirt, seems to work just as well as any camo i have ever worn...I do have some wool for colder weather hunts.

[joekeith]

My favorite camo is Predator camo.  I bought a few sets of it about half a dozen or more years ago.  I think it and ASAT or the 2 best camos out there.

 That bein' said, I don't think it's necessary.  Wool is great if ain't too hot.  Plaid is just as good as good as any.  All that said, if ya pay attention, don't move, and watch your scent which is most important any way, you don't need any of the above.  Save your money and slow down.  

[Groundpounder]

predator! hands down no comparison. i have shot at deer and missed while they stood there and watched  me in my tree stand knock another arrow and get em on the second shot.i shot an 8 point at 20 yards wearing predator that i stalked in a soybean field.and i had a turkey at an arms length away and a hawk once who was swooping down at im guessing my moving eyeballs. i love that predator camo!

[sidebuster]

Deer don't care what you wear.   Keep your human scent down, keep your movements down and hunt with the wind in your favor.

[Widow's Son]

Predator camo rules. It's the only camo I buy anymore.