Wondering why you should bother with hunting camo in the field? Here are some tips on why it’s important to choose the right pattern.
Hunting is easier when the animals don’t see you. That’s about the first, most important, hunting rule that there is. If the animals hear, see, or smell you, they will run. It’s how they managed to survive past predators and how they will escape you. Many hunters swear by camo patterned clothing to help them stay unseen amid the shrubbery. While camo definitely gives you the edge, it only works if you choose the correct one.
Let’s talk about how and why camo can help you in the field.
Why Wear Camouflage?
Let’s tackle the obvious question first: why wear camouflage? In addition, if you do wear it, does it give you that edge or doesn’t it matter? There are hunters out in the bush with neon orange hunting jackets on. The truth is that some animals are colour blind and some are not. Also. that we don’t want to accidentally shoot each other out there.
Hunters who are out in unpopulated terrain and unlikely to come across other hunters, on the other hand, are those to whom camouflage patterns are of most use. You might be hunting a range of prey, or you may be waiting in a blind or bluff until the animals come to you. Wearing camouflage will help you remain invisible if you don’t move.
The Overwhelming Choice in Camo Patterns
There are loads of different colours, patterns, and styles of hunting camo. Hunting camo is only beaten in variety by military camo, which is a different thing. Many military camo patterns are usually focused on urban environments and are not suitable for hunting. So the first instruction is that you don’t buy a military camo to hunt in the trees with, unless it’s specific to your terrain.
Let’s also remember that hunting camo patterns vary by season. You shouldn’t be out in a summer brown and green camo in the snow of winter. Similarly, a wood-based pattern won’t work at sea, or in the bare mountains in spring.
Hunting Camo Patterns
There are many different styles of Hunting Camo to choose from. Here are a few of our favourites with tips on the terrain you should match them to.
Mimicry Patterns
Most camo blends into the background and attempts to make your invisible through merging the terrain to your clothing. Mimicry patterns are similar to how a chameleon blends into their surroundings. While normal camo makes you blend in, this makes you imitate the creature you are hunting. There are many types of mimicry pattern so again, match what you need in colour and style to the season and the terrain.
Snow Patterns
Snow camouflage often comes in white and shades of grey to brown or black. It goes without saying, but you reserve the use of this camo for winter months and snowy countries. A snow pattern in high summer when the leaves are green simply wouldn’t work.
Wood and Tree Patterns
These are by far the best for spring and summer hunting. Remember that autumn sees the leaves change colours, so unless you are hunting in an evergreen forest, you will need to change your camo pattern towards the tail end of the year. You can blend greens and browns for a successful wood camo.
Breakup Patterns
There are a few well known names in camo manufacturing and one of those is Mossy Oak. The reason so many hunters favour them, is because their breakup patterns are fantastic. Breakup patterns make you look like you are part of the scenery. They break up your appearance so that you blend. Mossy Oak make some of the best in the world.
Camo is Not for Everyone
Finding all this camo talk a bit boggling? That’s fine. Camo was only ever optional to begin with.