Blaze Orange VS Camo

[MIKE IN lINO III]

I read the thread about Blaze Orange during Muzzy season and something crossed my mind.

Why do Bow Hunters think they need to be Camo'ed?

From what I understand about deer is that the see shades not colors. Now that seems to answer my own question but two years ago I was stalking up a hill in SE Mn and heard noises coming from the top. I stopped and leaned against a tree looking up hill. A six point creasted the hill and stared directly at me. I froze until he simply moved away.

Would it have made a difference if I was in Camo? I personally don't think so.

Your thoughts.....

Mike

[BRULEDRIFTER]

It's nice to blend in and break up your outline a bit, but overall, camo is overhyped. If you're well camo'd up you may get away with a little more movements, because you're bleded into the background, but as long as you sit still, I think you could wear whatever you want.

Deer key in on movements more then anything!

[InTheNorthwoods]

Many camo makers and patterns fool more hunters into buying it than actually fool deer. The big thing is breaking up a persons outline. In some cases, camo might not make a bit of difference, in others, it might provide the contrast with your surroundings needed to fool a deer.

That said, to flat out say camo is completely overrated would be wrong, as a simple glance at the colors of any of mother natures critters in the woods would show that certain color combinations, markings, etc. help the critters to blend in.

[sticknstring]

Deer see some color... mainly shades of gray with varying degrees of blue & yellow. If you have a red/black checkered flannel on and aren't moving, that's all the camo you need. Realtree & ScentLok have some of the best marketing campaigns in the country.

[BRULEDRIFTER]

I was just going ot say that, too. A guy could go out in blue jeans and a red/black checkered flannel; and as long as you kept your movements and sent minimal, and play the wind, your chances are just as good as the guy who dropped $300 on the latest and "greatest" sentlock camo suit.

[para1911]

Even if camo gives you only a slight advantage I'll fork out some hard earned cash to better my success! Besides blending in with your enviroment these duds that some call "overpriced" like scentlock, scentblocker, exc... are made to be very quiet, flexible, pockets where needed, and breatheable. Money well spent IMO.

[InTheNorthwoods]

Even if camo gives you only a slight advantage I'll fork out some hard earned cash to better my success! Besides blending in with your enviroment these duds that some call "overpriced" like scentlock, scentblocker, exc... are made to be very quiet, flexible, pockets where needed, and breatheable. Money well spent IMO.

I own some scentlok and scentblocker clothing, and I would never call someone who thinks they are overpriced "duds" for thinking so. They are overpriced! You can find well made garmets for much cheaper that have every bit the characteristics Scentlok or Scentblocker do - except the carbon, which its value is questionable at best.

[jigginjim]

I have the camo blaze, I think it could work from Nov. 1 until the last day of Dec. and still blend in. Mine is camo like large branches, of blaze orange and black.

[deerminator]

I bought some cheapo predator cam from Cableas a few year ago because I like the pattern more than anything. And I agree on the movement factor. I put the stalk on a doe a few weeks ago and and closed the distance through the woods from about 200 yards to 20 before I put an arrow through the boiler room. I had the advantage of being able to walk down an old dirt road for the most part with no leave so I was silent and the wind was in my favor. The main concern was her seeing me move and luckily I had lots of trees to stop behind on the way. There were times when she could have seen me plain as day but I stayed absolutely still during these periods. I have also had deer stare up at me in the tree (after I had already seen them) and so long as I stayed still, they paid me no attention.

[Arctic]

In my humble opinion, the only thing you REALLY need to wear camo for are turkeys and waterfowl. That's it.

[Neighbor_guy]

Gotta include crows and Yotes in that too.

The first three deer I ever killed with my bow I was wearing an electric blue jacket. What can I say, it was cold outside and I did not have much for hunting clothes.

Most camo is for hunters. A drab colored wool shirt will usually out do most camo patterns at a distance. It's the human shape that is the issue. If you choose your stand locations properly, and use the cover around you to break up your outline the camo pattern you choose makes no differance to the deer.

[Joe15]

I agree alot with what everyone has been saying about breaking up movement and staying still. But When you get a camo like predator, moth wing, skyline or the new scent lock vertigo that really breaks you up it can make a huge diffecence IMO

[jigginjim]

I have thought about photographing my blaze hunting suit in black and white in the woods.

[tracker x-2]

I think the break up is also important, thats why when i bought my archery camo i got the stuff with the loose leaves on it to move in the breeze. I have found this to be very helpfull and have had deer look right at me. however its only an advantage when the leaves are on the trees other wise late season I sport blaze coveralls with a nice break up pattern.

[Wanderer]

In my humble opinion, the only thing you REALLY need to wear camo for are turkeys and waterfowl. That's it.

I pretty much agree with this also, but since I hunt turkeys too, I like blending in as much as possible.

Some things that I've observed are:

Predator Camo is under rated. Its so simple and old school that people don't give it the credit it deserves. I didn't either until this year. I had a buddy wearing green Predator in the early archery season. We were looking for his lost gear on a cedar covered hillside and even though I knew where he was, I had the hardest time picking him out if he wasn't moving.

Brown Predator is pretty universal. I'm looking for some now.

I've had fun in the late season with wearing white coveralls under a leaf suit. While still hunting I've had deer literally look through me after walking closer trying to figure out what they're noticing. If I don't move and they don't smell me they never really figure it out. They've come as close as 5 yards face to face. Its a rush.

Most of my camo is pretty old but it still works because as most are agreeing, break up your solid outline and you'll be fine.

One exception for me though:

Even my lightest "woods" camo is too dark for the prairie. Broken pattern or not, you look like a dark blob unless you're wearing something similar to khaki in color. Hence the shopping for brown Predator and hopefully some sage.

[mabr]

I think one of the biggest reasons bow hunters wear camo is to keep other hunters from seeing where they hunt.

Id say camo does help, but it isnt really needed. I Had a does within 5 feet from me on the ground this season with a solid orange vest on and hat. She seen me no doubt. I didnt move she walked right by, a little hesitant but still continued on her way. That one incounter made my whole week.

When snow is on the ground, You cannot beat white with a break up background. It's simply amazing how you disapear to both the human eye and a deers. Never seen anything like it. This is the one time when I believe it is an advantage big time whether still hunting or stand hunting.

[para1911]

I think one of the biggest reasons bow hunters wear camo is to keep other hunters from seeing where they hunt.

I like this idea!!!

[Swill]

Is it really that much more? I think I only paid 50-75 more for scent loc, compared to no carbon camo all weather clothing. Hard to find decent outdoor clothing that isn't expensive, hunting or just regular outdoor clothing. I mainly care about pockets, how windproof the outer shell is, and if the clothing is silent. Plastic "rubbing" not a good when standing up in your deer stand!

[vister]

the whole concept of camo is so you blend into your surroundings. because when you move, which you have to do while in the tree, camo conceals your movement. and if deer see in shades, then if your camo is the same pattern as your backdrop, you are far less likely to be spotted, vs that big funny lookin blob 16 feet up an oak tree

[Bear55]

Most of the hunters I see kind of give me a funny look when they see my ASAT or predator camo. They are usually covered up in Realtree or Mossy Oak. Like others have said most camo is to fool the hunter out of some $$$.

Really you don't need camo if you be careful of your movement, but a little something to break up your outline when bowhunting does help.

[vister]

i think scent lok is a huge waste of money, as far as camo goes. my camo isnt fancy, and yes, it is cheap. less than 40 bucks for the outfit, of which, my rubber boots cost more than. a 7 dollar bottle of scent killer, and im on my way. its been years since i've been picked off by sight, sound, or smell while deer hunting.

[SledNeck]

Nothing can take the place of quality hunting gear especially when its cold. Comfort can make or break a hunt. When I was a kid I had all inferior stuff that my dad bought and I hated every second in the stand when it was cold out. I buy my kid the best gear so that hes warm/comfortable and when hes older, looks back on hunting as a kid with fond memories.

[birdswacker]

I saw 2 guys out tonight in camo bow hunting.