Camo or not camo that is the question….

[Mungo]

I think just covering your skin is most important, especially if you’re pale (you could lose me in the fridge aisle of Curry’s). On a walked up shoot this year, myself and another were walking either side of a steep banked river. The chap the other side was just in light green tweed, no gloves, big shiny shotgun, two black labs. When he was stood still I really struggled to see him at 50m, and he’s about 6’3” and built like a barn.

Watching the beating line on a driven day on any kind of hill or moorland is very instructive. You learn a lot about what works and what doesn't, and how much movement you can get away with before you become obvious.

 

[JH83]

I think a key issue is some jackets turn very dark when wet. Was hill stalking with my brother last year and he has a schoffel lightweight which is a light green, but wet it goes rather dark and watching him on the other side of a Corrie he stood out like a sore thumb.

In answer to the question I avoid head to toe camo as I feel personally it looks slightly poacher-esque, and as others have said it’s not necessary. I do have a ex army MDT goretex smock which will be paired with breeks or green trousers. In the south Lakes it’s a realistic proposition to meet walkers when extracting beasties, so I’ll try to soften the image as best possible-purely to negate a possible complaint to landowner.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Love my realtree kit .Here’s me in the foreground leant against the tree .Think it works well View attachment 246430

Welcome to the site, Harry Potter.

K

 

[NullMac]

Camo patterns are a waste of time.

Deer do not have a spotting scope, nor do they have particularly good eyesight. So there is no need to break up your mass into smaller objects. Movement is the biggest issue.

Wearing something not entirely out of keeping with the environment (in the deers monochrome eyes) is more than enough and make sure it is washed in something that is not fluorescent. More often than not if I am caught out in the open just hunkering down is enough for the deer to think I am just another deer or something. A big smocks hood helps break the outline.

You don't have to look like a blade of grass, just avoid looking like a human

 

[Mungo]

So there is no need to break up your mass into smaller objects.

You don't have to look like a blade of grass, just avoid looking like a human

These two statements are slightly contradictory.

One of the easiest ways to stop looking like a human is to break up your mass...

 

[Pedro]

The important things are like going to the toilet. Movement and smell.

 

[Phil fox man]

The important things are like going to the toilet. Movement and smell.

on a trip to America in a local gun shop I noticed realtree toilet roll.i asked what that was all about?.
apparently hunters have had some near misses when they removed their hi viz and assumed the position! the main quarry is white tail deer

 

[muddy42]

on a trip to America in a local gun shop I noticed realtree toilet roll.i asked what that was all about?.
apparently hunters have had some near misses when they removed their hi viz and assumed the position! the main quarry is white tail deer

I can think of a use for that paper. I was once set up waiting for a decent shot on a red deer in the mist (waiting for the mist to lift or it to stand up). Eventually the scope got so wet, I had to cleaned it with a white tissue, which the deer saw, jumped up and shot off !

 

[Roebuck9]

Deer see in shades of green they have very good depth of field vission so it helps to wear anything but green as they can be feeding and as you approach they can tell as they lift their head that you have moved towards them and scarper. Also as has been said they see movement which alerts them to you. Be careful what washing powder your gear is washed in as the more "Brighter Wash" types give a flourescent glow which deer see very quickly. Remember the discos in your younger days that showed the girls bra through the white blouses they wore.

 

[foxdropper]

Good to see we have so many deer eye specialists on the site .

 

[paul o']

Camo why ! I'd be more concerned with movement than trying to be a tree . So I found this from over the pond and thank god we don't have to put bright bibs on as it seems the deer can see you and it make other hunters shoot at you .https://www.qdma.com/can-deer-see-blaze-orange/

 

[Klenchblaize]

Deer see in shades of green

 

[Klenchblaize]

Remove

 

[Klenchblaize]

Remove

 

[John Gryphon]

Camo patterns are a waste of time.

THAT line is the 'fail of the century'........please advise Mother Nature in the design of the Tiger`s and the Snow Leopard`s and so on.

I will add that often when one is sprung by game whilst wearing camouflage gear it often allows for the time to shoulder rifle/gun or camera to get your shot away at a still standing animal that has a wtf was that i just saw move moment ....instead of an instant ID and fleeing immediately. Some deer will be confused enough to even step forward for a second take....bang!
Its not about wearing it in the street,driving ones car or being in the dog walking park it is about the effectiveness of it in the field.
Stalking in thick wooded areas or bush is where it comes into its own.

I learned from a very young age as to how important camouflaging oneself is,some people take their time in this process,some people never do.

 

[Foxyboy43]

Personally I find that any interaction with the public is less tense in tweed or green. Camo never seems to go down the same.
As far as the deer seeing you, it has been shown on more than one occasion you can stalk deer in high vis.
Movement is usually what gives you away.

Indeed - hv compulsory in most US states from memory.

 

[paul o']

THAT line is the 'fail of the century'........please advise Mother Nature in the design of the Tiger`s and the Snow Leopard`s and so on.

I will add that often when one is sprung by game whilst wearing camouflage gear it often allows for the time to shoulder rifle/gun or camera to get your shot away at a still standing animal that has a wtf was that i just saw move moment ....instead of an instant ID and fleeing immediately. Some deer will be confused enough to even step forward for a second take....bang!
Its not about wearing it in the street,driving ones car or being in the dog walking park it is about the effectiveness of it in the field.
Stalking in thick wooded areas or bush is where it comes into its own.

I learned from a very young age as to how important camouflaging oneself is,some people take their time in this process,some people never do.

Has't work out to well for them not many of both left ! and sadly the chins think there parts are too good to pass up when there cooked and on a plate

 

[John Gryphon]

Has't work out to well for them not many of both left ! and sadly the chins think there parts are too good to pass up when there cooked and on a plate

Tigers still to this day eat a lot of Indians.

 

[FISH BOY]

Up until about a year ago, I was a flat green man, but having seen a mate hiding 400 yards away in the latest Harkila outfit and looking like a noticeable solid out of place blob, I moved over to the technical digital range.

I was also recommended by a pal who was really being successful. Having invested, have to say that I’m hugely impressed. Have been feet away from squirrels, munties, roe and fallow and even having a blackbird fly into my chest at full tilt, I’m totally sold on it.

Movement, covering your pinky bits seems totally obvious to me.

Red was 40 yards away.

 

[John Gryphon]

The sun coming over the ridge illuminated part of me,the hind saw that part of me which got her thinking and then stood staring intently whilst I took 40 still pics. She had no idea that she was looking into the face of the predator @ 86 yards. I can advise that if I wasnt attired as I was she would have seized on an instant ID and vanished.
Btw I had been on her for 3 hours taking pics and videos all up.