black clothing for western hunt

[Deli]

Been doing lots of research on the forum for an upcoming October mule deer hunt in Wyoming (please go away Covid!). I pretty much know what I need but had a question around some of the clothing I should bring. Since I tree stand hunt in WI in a blind as well as mountain bike/hike, a lot of my good outdoor clothing mid layers (like R1) and rain gear are all black. Is this OK to use if my pants and pack are camo or do I need to invest in camo/earth color upper layers too? I just don't want to stick up like a sore thumb and get spotted. Thanks in advance for the help.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Poser]

I don’t think a black rain jacket will compromise you.

 

[5MilesBack]

For rifle season you could even wear bright fluorescent orange or pink and you'll be fine.

I wear a black microfleece mock-T even as an outer layer while bowhunting at times without any issues.

 

[Deli]

What about the other layers I would be wearing a majority of the time like my patagonia R1, TNF TKA fleece hoodie, and my puffy (all jet black)? I have camo hiking pants that I got for my birthday, camo merino base layer long sleeve shirt, and an old olive green soft shell that I'll bring. Otherwise pretty much all my outdoor gear is black or super bright colors like a blaze orange soft shell hoodie.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[Bobbyboe]

If there was one outer layer color I’d never wear, it would be black. There is literally nothing out west that is naturally back, except for bears and skunks. Black stands out in the west like blaze orange in the mid west.

 

[5MilesBack]

What about the other layers I would be wearing a majority of the time like my patagonia R1, TNF TKA fleece hoodie, and my puffy (all jet black)? I have camo hiking pants that I got for my birthday, camo merino base layer long sleeve shirt, and an old olive green soft shell that I'll bring. Otherwise pretty much all my outdoor gear is black or super bright colors like a blaze orange soft shell hoodie.

Most of the Western states require some sort of combination of fluorescent hunter orange (and pink is allowed in CO now) for firearm seasons, and it's never an issue for hunting. Even for close range muzzleloader hunting it's not an issue.

 

[Skyhigh]

As long as you can limit your movement in front of the eyes of an animal you should be fine. Try to keep behind cover as long as possible (ridgelines, trees, grass, sagebrush) literally anything taller than about a foot can be used for cover if you are willing to low crawl. As always make sure to not skyline your self or make a lot of motion in front of the deer. Other than that I can't imagine you not having success while wearing some black clothing.

Another option would be to buy an oversized camo long sleeve t shirt. Just throw it over whatever else you are wearing and you are now wearing camo. Pretty cheap alternative to buying hundreds of dollars of stuff you already have.

However, if you are looking for us to give you reason to spend some money on gear, I heard no one has ever shot deer in black clothing, basically worse than running around the mountains with an air horn blasting!

 

[Deli]

Most of the Western states require some sort of combination of fluorescent hunter orange (and pink is allowed in CO now) for firearm seasons, and it's never an issue for hunting. Even for close range muzzleloader hunting it's not an issue.

Wyoming requires 1 piece of blaze orange so I was going to wear an orange hat/beanie. Was also going to bring a cheap orange throw on vest as a backup and to throw on my pack. I might still bring the orange softshell because I like it so much. Forgot to mention we'll be camping in an RV and then day backpacking so weight isn't a huge deal since I'll bring what I need that day and leave the rest at camp.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[keller]

i would be more afraid someone would see me wearing pataguchi than an animal picking me out!!

 

[slowelk]

If there was one outer layer color I’d never wear, it would be black. There is literally nothing out west that is naturally back, except for bears and skunks. Black stands out in the west like blaze orange in the mid west.

I don't think you've looked at many hillsides out west then. Burned stumps, boulder, dirt patches, overturned trees all look pretty black or dark from close and afar. I killed a bull at less than 15 yards wearing a black sitka fanatic hoody in September, and a cow during rifle season wearing a black sitka jetstream. Black is fine for out west.

 

[Bobbyboe]

I don't think you've looked at many hillsides out west then. Burned stumps, boulder, dirt patches, overturned trees all look pretty black or dark from close and afar. I killed a bull at less than 15 yards wearing a black sitka fanatic hoody in September, and a cow during rifle season wearing a black sitka jetstream. Black is fine for out west.

Sure, the areas you outlined are specific and small areas. 99 percent of the places out west don't have features you just described. To each their own, I provided my opinion.

 

[Deli]

i would be more afraid someone would see me wearing pataguchi than an animal picking me out!!

Got the R1 10 years ago on a 50% off sale and wear it all the time and it still looks new. There's a reason people rave about them. Don't care about the brand either way otherwise. Actually most my hiking stuff is eddie bauer since it's so cheap for the quality you get.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[slowelk]

Sure, the areas you outlined are specific and small areas. 99 percent of the places out west don't have features you just described. To each their own, I provided my opinion.

The frequency of the features I described is high in most public ground out west. Tell me there isn't a lot of dark/black in each area of this photo.

 

[AZ_Hunter_2000]

You should be fine. Watch your movement, sound, and smell. I'd see about a brown/tan top/jacket if you can swing it financially.

Whether or not it is legitimate, I'd wash everything with the UV-killer soap.

I personally would be more concerned about an idiot shooting at what he/she thinks is a "bear".

 

[Bobbyboe]

I personally would be more concerned about an idiot shooting at what he/she thinks is a "bear".

 

[Deli]

Thanks everyone. I have time so I'll keep an eye our for sales or a used jacket. Otherwise I'll make sure to just wear an orange vest to break up the black a bit and make sure I accidentally don't get shot being a "bear". I actually would have never even considered that so glad I asked.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

 

[elkduds]

Your size plus 2, of the cheapest camo T shirt you can find @ a thrift store. Wear it whole, make a vest, cut the sleeves off, yada yada. Outside layer over anything.

Blue is the most visible color to ungulates.

Welcome to the forum, good luck this fall.

 

[Gearqueer]

OP,

If you’re rifle hunting I wouldn’t sweat it. +1 on being concerned with being misidentified as a bear, but the orange should remedy that.

You have the right idea. You already own premium outdoor equipment. Spending $400 plus on dedicated performance Camo clothing is a waste. If you’re concerned about camo buy one of these for the lightweight jacket as an over-garment and be done with it:


DoCred Ghillie Suit for Men, 3D Lightweight Hooded Camouflage Ghillie Breathable Hunting Suit https://www.amazon.com/dp/B07H9T5BQB/ref=cm_sw_r_cp_api_i_QXIMEb5EP6MB2


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

[Benjblt]

What about the other layers I would be wearing a majority of the time like my patagonia R1, TNF TKA fleece hoodie, and my puffy (all jet black)? I have camo hiking pants that I got for my birthday, camo merino base layer long sleeve shirt, and an old olive green soft shell that I'll bring. Otherwise pretty much all my outdoor gear is black or super bright colors like a blaze orange soft shell hoodie.

Sent from my SM-N960U using Tapatalk

I never where black in Oregon. It's a safety issue with all the black bears and there being a season 7 months out of the year.

Sent from my SM-G970U using Tapatalk

 

[Touchdown88]

Twice I've been within spearing distance of a herd of elk. Both times my cousin was wearing a black shirt and blue jeans. The second time it happened, two five point bulls squared off at 15 feet in front of us and I thought we were gonna get mixed up in the fight.

Solids and black will work just fine as long as you don't made sudden movements.