Tuesday, August 29, 2017

Why Camouflage Is Important

Hunting can be as complex or simple as you want to make it. Most of us love gear and trying out new things, but the fact is you only need a few things to hunt. The best and most experienced hunters I know carry very little with them into the woods. In fact, a great way to tell if a person is a good hunter is to look in their hunting pack. The smaller it is, the more likely it is that they are a good hunter.

There are a few things you absolutely must have. You absolutely need a gun or bow, a knife, and your license. After that things become optional depending on what and how you are hunting. On the top of that list for me is camouflage.

You may not realize it, but the use of camouflage is controversial in some circles. A surprising amount of people do not believe it works or is necessary. Many states require you to wear blaze orange, and if you can still be successful with that, why not just wear blue jeans and a flannel shirt? It is not a bad point.  I will agree that it is not necessary for all quarry and types of hunting. Squirrel and rabbit hunting does not require it. Neither does hunting from a blind or tent (although it is a good idea). However, it is my opinion that camouflage can only help you, and it never hurts you.

To understand why, you must know how camouflage works. There are two basic things camouflage does. It matches your pattern with the background and breaks up your outline.

Blending in with the background is more complex than it sounds. To do this your camo needs to match the foliage (or lack thereof) that you are surrounded by. For instance, a marsh pattern would not work in a tree stand. In fact, that would make you stand out. This is why you may need several sets of camo, even if you only hunt in one area. The green camo you use in early fall will not blend well in the grey of winter. When the snow falls, you need some snow camo. Remember when I said it is a good idea to wear camo in a blind or tent? A simple all black outfit can be perfect for that situation. To find the best hunting jackets available right now, check out that link!

For the same reason all of your camo should match. A woodland set of pants and a marshland jacket will make you stand out, not blend in. Also, don’t forget your gun and pack. If they are shiny or look unnatural then your camo outfit will be wasted.

Blending in is especially important when bird hunting. Birds can see in color and have good eyesight.  Mammals, like deer, coyotes, and bear, are not quite as picky about the pattern. For them the most important aspect of camouflage is its ability to break up your outline.

Most mammals cannot see color like we can. It is a myth that animals see only in black and white. They do see color, but not quite as many as we do. Deer see blues, greens and yellows the best. They cannot see red well at all. To them, red looks very similar to green. They also cannot tell the difference between shades very well. Camo that is a bunch of different shades green and brown just look like a green blob to them.

So with that in mind, when deer hunting you should prioritize camo that breaks up your outline. The color does not matter as much. Things like wide belts, backpack straps, hat brims, rifle scopes, and boots all emphasize your outline and steps should be taken to minimize and camouflage these areas.
Deer have amazing peripheral vision and notice movement very easily. Keep this in mind when planning your camo. What do you move the most? Your hands, feet, head, and gun (or bow). Make sure you have good camo on these areas, especially your hands!

 While you are looking into the best camo pattern and type for your next adventure, check out Under The Open Sky. It has some excellent reviews!

DreamHost Promotional Code