Mixing camo patterns?

[swampy14]

I have several truetimber strata pieces. I like the pattern for the hunting I do in East Texas and it seems very versatile in that Ive worn it in central texas and hiking in Oregon and it seemed to blend in everywhere.

I found some deals on first lite but the closest camo pattern to the strata is the specter. Are they close enough to run togethre? Or am I over analyzing?

Seems like the specter better matches with the true timber prairie

 

[Wrench]

If you're able to play the wind and not tweak out....a blue flannel will work. I'd not worry for one second. I never match and I hunt with a stickbow.

 

[JollyRoger]

I dont like matching at all. Buy the best pants, the best tops, go forth and kill stuff. I prefer to not match honestly as it’s not a uniform to me.

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Yeah. You shouldn’t mix. Its been scientifically proven that animals can distinguish the different patterns and won’t come near you.

But if you got a tikka and swfa it won’t matter. You can shoot those animals from a mile away.

 

[Wolfshead]

Mix and match
I wear two shades of green wool. One forest green, and the other Kelly green with black checks….

 

[Bump79]

I just buy whatever piece I like and fits in my system regardless of the pattern or earth tone color. There's some camo I don't like but honestly I don't think it matters at all for ungulates.

 

[Ditt44]

It is not so much about the 'pattern' as the contrast. Too much focus on the pattern and too little attention paid to the brightness/darkness of the pattern(s).

Take an image and think of it in black/white/blue/yellow/green terms... the colors deer/elk see. Even in color, the human eye can generally tell (some of us see slightly differently) when colors or patterns match well.

One issue I have with some camo patterns is the horizontal printing instead of vertical. Nature is more vertical than horizontal. Even Sitka's stuff, and I have a lot of it, sometimes looks as if the printer ran across the fabric and not up and down it.

This is an excellent look at comparing camo: Camo Matrix

As I said, I have a lot of Sitka stuff in all three major patterns. Most of my items are EV2 and Open Country matches better than Sub Alpine because of the colors and their brightness/contrast. Just like wearing a camo top and a solid bottom (which I sometimes do), the 'solid' is going to be MUCH more obvious to an animal, especially if you get caught in motion. And if that solid is more extreme such as 'white' or 'black', you will stand out even more so than if it is more neutral in color.

 

[swampy14]

I dont like matching at all. Buy the best pants, the best tops, go forth and kill stuff. I prefer to not match honestly as it’s not a uniform to me.

That’s what I’m trying to do. Especially since I can get a discount on the first lite stuff. Just curious if the camo difference would bust me faster

 

[ElDiablito]

Overanalyzing….

And…come on man, everyone knows Kuiu patterns are the only ones that work!

 

[swampy14]

It is not so much about the 'pattern' as the contrast. Too much focus on the pattern and too little attention paid to the brightness/darkness of the pattern(s).

Take an image and think of it in black/white/blue/yellow/green terms... the colors deer/elk see. Even in color, the human eye can generally tell (some of us see slightly differently) when colors or patterns match well.

One issue I have with some camo patterns is the horizontal printing instead of vertical. Nature is more vertical than horizontal. Even Sitka's stuff, and I have a lot of it, sometimes looks as if the printer ran across the fabric and not up and down it.

This is an excellent look at comparing camo: Camo Matrix

As I said, I have a lot of Sitka stuff in all three major patterns. Most of my items are EV2 and Open Country matches better than Sub Alpine because of the colors and their brightness/contrast. Just like wearing a camo top and a solid bottom (which I sometimes do), the 'solid' is going to be MUCH more obvious to an animal, especially if you get caught in motion. And if that solid is more extreme such as 'white' or 'black', you will stand out even more so than if it is more neutral in color.

I know movement is the #1 way to get busted by ungulates.

I have some true timber lightweight hoodie, insulated bibs and a heavyweight jacket. I have a synthetic shirt as well. I recently got the first lite pro program as I work as a wildlife biologist and have just been over thinking the colors.

I ordered a pair of the first lite sawbuck pants in that dry earth color and they are great.

Wanted to get the obsidian foundry pants and a vest and the specter pattern was the closest to what I have.

I might do a mutted green color or more of the dry earth

 

[Ditt44]

The point is: If you want camo, pick colors based on contrast that most accurately matches the environments you hunt in. It does matter in some applications. If you're sniping deer/elk at hundreds of yards, not an issue. If you're up a tree for deer, or sitting against one for turkey, it sure is an advantage.

Don't stink, don't gyrate. Camo, within reason, is never going to hurt you if you can blend into your surroundings.

 

[mmac]

You won't harvest an animal because of the camo you are wearing or not wearing. Just get out there and stay out when others don't.....

 

[pacoalcracker]

Fred Bear and others shot a ton of game with a bow and never used any camo. Just have to be smarter than the animal you are after.

 

[jimh406]

I’ve always felt mixing is good. If the goal is to not look like a human, variation has to be an advantage. That being said, I’m like most people who buy the same pattern for upper and lower bottom.

I’ve also had deer walk right by me with blaze orange on, so who knows.

 

[MuleyFever]

Depends on what color your scarf and purse are. Try to get patterns that blend nicely between your accessories.

Seriously though, it doesn't matter. Head to toe matching camo looks lame and creates more of an outline of your body that mixing it up.

 

[JollyRoger]

That’s what I’m trying to do. Especially since I can get a discount on the first lite stuff. Just curious if the camo difference would bust me faster

It wont hinder you in most cases, at least western hunting. Ask the archery guys… for me I’ve killed a couple of deer with a bow with mismatched clothes and it didn’t hurt me at all. Been within a few yards to about 60 yards from a fox, bears, deer, and elk wearing green pants and whatever camo or tan colored top with no issue.

Can’t speak to whitetail or turkey hunting. But I think you’ll be just fine with any of those options

 

[BRTreedogs]

What the heck will people on social media think?

 

[Yukon Cornelius]

Overanalyzing….

And…come on man, everyone knows Kuiu patterns are the only ones that work!

This is a partial truth. It only works when paired with a tikka.

 

[farmermail]

Matching camo? If I am dressed well enough that random folks don't put money in my coffee mug at the gas station while filling up I consider that a win.

 

[country_20boy]

Way overthinking it.

I buy all my camo based on fabric, performance and quality. Camo pattern means next to nothing when deer or elk hunting. I actually make an effort to wear mismatch camo when turkey hunting or bow hunting, as the terrain I hunt varies and I just hope at least half my body blends in...LOL