Camo Concepts

[jtmoose]

I did some research about predator and prey camouflage and wanted to see if anyone had some thoughts. Here are my notes:

A few concepts I found to occur:

1. Cryptic and Mimicry patterns are only used in small animals that mostly require being up close to see in the first place
2. Large animals use light-dark counter shading or solid colors
3. Macro disruptive patterns seem to occur most frequently for both predator and prey large animals
4. The only whole body animal patterns are solid for large or small animals and mimicry/micro pattern for small animals only

These concepts seem to drive me toward a few decisions

1. Macro pattern with light-dark counter shading coloration
2. Light-dark counter shading between top and bottom

I'm thinking of these for my default camouflage choices but would like to hear others ideas.

1. Dark solid pants (black) + light solid top (tan)
2. Dark solid pants + lighter color macro top (ASAT, Vias, Killik, multicam)
3. Dark color macro pant (Fusion, mandrake, green deception) + lighter color macro top (ASAT, Vias, Killik, multicam, highlander, 3D/Brown Deception)

 

[FangAgainstBullet]

Personally I really like ASAT. Have always had great luck with it and usually wear an ASAT patterned top with solid colored pants. That being said, if you're up for more reading, here's a paper you might find interesting. Basically what they found is that most successful hunters were those with the most knowledge. To quote some of their findings, "Hunter knowledge, specifically the presence of a guide, was far more important than other hunter characteristic in predicting size of killed prey." And "Despite 80% of hunters wearing camouflage clothing, this did not affect the odds of securing large game."

All the same I'll still be wearing ASAT this season and most likely next season as well.


PLOS ONE: What Enables Size-Selective Trophy Hunting of Wildlife?

 

[PathFinder]

I'm definitely with the "camo doesn't kill crowd," but I love the science of it. I hate feeling like a stick in the mud, getting visually busted hundreds of yards out. I'm gravitating towards solid bottoms and a camo top. Fusion, and ASAT are top on the list for me, Highlander and Optifade are good as well. The quality of the gear makes my final decisions, but I think the differentiation of a light camo top and solid bottoms helps make the human outline less conspicuous.

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[fngTony]

Agree with above. Nothing wrong with mixing either. I feel asat is the most effective with predator fall grey more visually appealing. I don't think open country is very effective beyond 40 yards but don't think it was intended to be. Both kuiu patterns work well but not in a natural break up. They are blocky and bloby that would be better in rocky areas but still break up your out line. Asat and predator use a more natural jagged lines and add better depth than kuiu. With that I would buy kuiu over predator for quality but asat on Firstlite maybe the best combo of quality and effectiveness.

 

[Biggs300]

I too usually use solid color pants (drab greens of darker tans) with camo tops. This year I'm going back to Cabela's outfitter camo pattern. It seems to blend in well regardless of where I hunt. I did pick up a pair of their Microtex pants to try this fall.

 

[jtmoose]

... Basically what they found is that most successful hunters were those with the most knowledge. To quote some of their findings, "Hunter knowledge, specifically the presence of a guide, was far more important than other hunter characteristic in predicting size of killed prey." And "Despite 80% of hunters wearing camouflage clothing, this did not affect the odds of securing large game."...

I think most camouflage is designed around being still and being still probably doesn't hurt hunters regardless. I think macro counter-shading camo like ASAT is beneficial camo because it masks movement. I think movement is the camo killer and most camo doesn't mask movement well. I think zebra stripes, tiger stripes, cheetah spots, etc. are effective because they mask or confuse movement. Not that bears or cougar wearing solid colors are not successful hunters but maybe for a little different reason. I feel like a bear would have a harder time stalking a deer than a tiger would - at least in the day.

 

[fngTony]

Great analogy ^^^^

 

[toadmeister]

I like wearing camo because it communicates to my wife, kids, and neighbors - I'm hunting, leave me alone!

I really like Predator, ASAT, FL Fusion, Sitka, and Cabela's Outfitter patterns and Gilley Suits They break up my outline and trust me, my outline needs a LOT of breaking up . I mix and match all of them.

As someone else said, they can also help conceal some movement.

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[halg]

I am a huge fan of the optifade patterns, and have observed to work well. For example, I have bumped deer several times the past few years while wearing both optifade forest and optifade open country while walking to a bow stand or just hiking/snowshoeing. Usually, when I had bumped deer in the past, they would take 2-3 big bounds, look quickly, and then be gone. But every time I have bumped a deer wearing either of these patterns, the deer takes 2-3 bounds, looks. ..looks some more, and then eventually wanders off slowly. It knew something was there, but it couldn't pick it out - even when I have pushed it with slow motions or by talking.

And I have had great experiences with optifade waterfowl. There are a couple channels near where I live in Wisconsin that have causeways or points on them, aND I go stand there in the tall grass (waist-chest high), and usually shoot ducks at nearly point blank range (20-25 yards) coming right at me - they usually dark right by me.

When it comes to camo debates, everyone has their favorites, but these experiences lead me to believe that the clothing in optifade patterns is worth the money - it is all Sitka and Beretta. You can just get a light shirt, a light jacket, & light pants and layer up under it for colder weather with less expensive warm stuff to avoid breaking the bank.

 

[JP100]

The best camo is not being seen!
Over the last few years as a guide I get to observe alot of camo patterns in different terrain. From what I have seen some think like asat or the kuiu patterns are the best.
Last year I watched a client walk from camp to the river and back again. He was earing full kuiu Verde. I could hardly see him in a open river bed and I actually thought he was wearing the vias pattern. As got closer the pattern 'changed' from macro to micro. Was pretty crazy to see how a pattern can change at different distances.

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[rileybassman]

The best camo is not being smelled animals are much more gracious if they cant smell you, but even if you are in a ghilli suite, and they smell you, game over.
I do like camo and wear it tho... usually olive/tan/greyish bottoms, and either realtree or optifade forest tops.
Gotta love when the beautiful camo pattern is covered with orange tho...

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[Windrunner17]

Some interesting points here. This pretty much follows my existing beliefs about camo. For a human, large macro patterns with contrast that can break up the silhouette are typically best. Neutral colors of course.

I usually wear solid brown or olive drab pants and Duck Camp Late Season Wetland hoodie or Asbell Timber ghost plaid.