Sit still and shut up, + down wind. Every real hunter knows this, every youtube watcher with limited hunting time will eventually.

 

camo "looks good"?

 

Personally, camo is not a fashion statement. I’m not one you’ll ever catch wearing camo outside of the woods or driving to/ from the woods.

 

you sound like my wife. lol i dont understand it. what is wrong with cammo for everyday? a guy i know wont wear sweatpants out in public.

 

We are starting to wear hunter orange on a lot of days during archery season now. Because they have so many gun seasons during what use to be archery only. And if a gun season is in, you have to wear hunter orange. I love the direction we are going, on nearly everything. Remember hunter orange became a thing because people could not tell the difference between a person and a deer. We should be proud of that as hunters.

 

Very well said!

 

Ever see what Fred Bear wore while hunting?

 

Yeah. And he probably froze his azz off! But I know what you mean. Lol. More and more. Camo for me is to stay hidden from other hunters. And also has to keep me warm and dry. I’m too old to care what other people think of my choices. But I do like camo and wear at least a hat in public daily. Sometimes a hoody. But these are not my hunting clothes. Those stay in totes until I’m at my spot.

 

Comfort for the conditions is as important as blending in. Earth tones have done me just as well to blend in.

 

I'm more about the functionality of the gear, camo just comes with it. Quiet fabrics, functional pockets, gortex membranes... that stuff can make a big difference in the quality and duration of my hunt, regardless of the color

 

Second this. Hunting gear is generally engineered to be quieter and have pockets to carry gear where regular workout clothes may not for example. The right clothes for the right conditios are crucial as far as staying warm and dry or cool and not have exposed skin to the sun. Studies tell us birds have really good eyesight, but wearing earth tones will also work. If anything, you can have one camo shirt or jacket for turkeys if you'd really like. Why are more and more companies coming up with "earth tone" gear?
Hunting has existed since the beginning of our time, and we're camo patters around back then?

I do believe quality gear makes your days hunting more comfortable and enjoyable. For example, the guy that is teaching me how to hunt told me he hates how rain gear makes you all sweaty and isn't breathable and is he is miserable when he has to use it. I looked at his clothing and noticed he wears very cheap hunting gear. Is there anything wrong with that? Not at all he has a ton of money which I very much don't have but he's older and no one has introduced him to breathable rain gear. He also wears long sleeve cotton shirts in hot weather. Again, if your budget only allows for such then by all means don't let it prevent you from hunting but know what to expect ahead of time and what you are getting.

Good hunting tactics will make you a better hunter. Staying quiet, still, and watching the wind are much more important than camo. Watch videos on how a bear smells a hunter hundreds of yards away and you'll see how much fully covered in camo from head to toe mattered.

With all that said, buy quality hunting gear if your income allows, but buy something you can use on an every day basis.

 

What.....none of the Sitka boys wanna admit they wear it for style and status.....lol

 

there is some of that for sure. I bought the fanatic kit for cold weather bow hunting. Tough to beat that jacket as far as functionality and staying warm. In September I’m rocking some brown denim jeans from Menards and a brown under armor sweatshirt.There are guys who own every kit for all weather conditions. It’s nuts.

 

Ever heard of John Demmer?

 

Good cams is worth every dollar when you use it to hide behind a tree and jump out and scare the crap our of your bowhunting buddies...

Does it work on animals? Only if you done move... but I bet you could be naked and stone still and be just fine

 

Good cams is worth every dollar when you use it to hide behind a tree and jump out and scare the crap our of your bowhunting buddies...

Does it work on animals? Only if you done move... but I bet you could be naked and stone still and be just fine

I killed an elk with no shirt on once. I just finished a steep climb I did really fast and was sweating bad so it took my shirt off to cool down. Decided I should give a bugle and it turns out a bull was only about 80 yards away and came trotting in. I tried to put my shirt on but it was a no-go.

That said I killed an elk with a red flannel (my first) and my third wearing blue jeans and light blue t-shirt.

Everyone's right. If you don't move at a bad time that's 80-90% of it with regards to being spotted.

 

You’ll never kill anything if you don’t look good. Looks are 95% of archery


Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk

 

Yup. Make sure you have that $250 thumb button release that helps you punch the trigger better, the 10” dovetail sight to increase your target panic, and don’t forget that crucial back bar to help slow that pin down as you do a drive by on that spot.

 

Best camo colors in a compound bow are black and red. That black and red on there, that looks so badass the deer have to get a better look at it. They just cant help it.

Anodized red cams, even better. Black riser and limbs, red or red/black strings, and anodized red cams that really brings them in. Maybe a dark cherry riser instead, with the black limbs. They just have to get a better look, it is the instinct of all deer to see it. The tunnel vision on that sweet ass bow is so unbelievable, they can’t even see you draw.

 

No camo will help you if you move, and almost anything will "work" if you don't move.

Last season I had one day where 10+ deer passed by me within 60 yards, including 2 mature bucks at a bad angle (but extremely close) and a small buck I had to pass on due to property rules. I was wearing my standard mid-season outer layer which is camo pants and a green/tan plaid wool button up from Costco that is whisper quiet.

That said... it's a game of a inches. If I could get stuff that was whisper quiet, perfectly worked for the weather/rain conditions, fit nicely, was durable, had the right pockets, AND had amazing camo. Sure I'd buy it. Maybe the better pattern buys you a slight twitch, maybe it gets you an extra step on that mature deer that is scanning trees.

I'm more convinced that the reflectance/some other related optical property is more important than anything (including color).

My bib overalls are ~25 years old and any reflective properties have long been beat out of them. Weather appropriate I wear them with a waterproof layer underneath solely b/c of how incredibly matte they are. The camo pants I purchased recently for warmer days are so-so optically, I'm hoping they'll wear down. Right now they feel a little shinier than ideal, but again if you're still don't think it matters much.

Breaking up your outline/depth of cover/literally not being visible (i.e. behind stuff) will all help more, b/c these help cover your draw/wiggles.

 

If I won the lottery or something like that I betcha I’d buy a full on Sitka or first lite getup. Just because it does look cool, and it’s specifically designed for bow hunters. I’d never really know the difference or if it’s any better than what I got now until I tried it out for a season. But until I win a large sum of money, im sticking with what I have. I do believe it’s a a status thing, like Nike or Harley Davidson. You’re paying big for the name.

 

Camo patterns are made to sell the buyer not the game animal!!!!! Why do you think it changes all the time.

 

yes i would, but the billary suite would have to be naked and at present age. 😁 already make us wear orange in gun season. so the cammo cant matter that much eh. indians did it with mud probably so it cant mean much. i didnt have any cammo until the 80s. i hunted in carhart bids and killed as many as jim jones did.

i have wondered about that hecs suit though. that would be killer if it really worked as people say it does. sights would be a thing of the past. lol

 

Lots of skeptics thus far.....I have a different take. From the beginning, I have liked ASAT camo because of the open tan background with swatches of black and brown. It isn't trying to look like something specific in the woods, instead it is seeking to turn the human form indistinct. Several above have mentioned "just sit still"......well that is great if you are a wildlife observer or photographer, but as a bowhunter you have to move at some point to draw your bow....eh? Maybe a crossbow shooter or firearm hunter can get a shot with very little movement. if pointed in the right direction the deer or other game shows up....but not a bowhunter. Try getting your bow drawn on the ground without a blind on a wild turkey tom.....naked or in your Nancy Pelosi suit. All the previous snark about camo goes right out the window in real life situations.....at least at eye level and not hiding in a treestand pretending you are another branch....which is how many hunt exclusively.

Secondary is the fit, fabric and design function of the clothing. One piece I was lacking for quite a while was a dedicated wind garment to knock down the west Michigan windchill. Christmas '21 my wife got me (at my suggestion) as set of Scent-lok Wind Brace that works very well and is comfortable. I wore it quite a bit last fall with existing layering and was glad to have it.....regardless of pattern. So before bashing camo as comparable with bright fishing lures to catch fishermen.....think again.

 

I agree, you can get away with solid colors hunting but when a deer sees you that is going to stick out because you are a solid object. I think being a good hunter is more important like others above suggest but to me it’s worth getting something to give you a better chance at Convincing the deer that you are something normal. I would say price is going to match quality and “coolness” of camo so just get what you can afford and what looks cool to you.

 

90% of being cool is looking cool.

Bro.

 

#fabricfirst

 

I will take any advantage I can get, minute or ginormous.

 

Look good for who? I only wear camouflage while hunting so it is not a matter of looking "good."

 

Camo patterns on your bow or on your clothes is marketing for you…… not the deer or elk. They don’t care. The deer don’t care that your stabilizers and quiver matches your bow and your clothes.

The camo that matters is “ sit still and if you have to move, move slow.”

 

I think breaking up your Silhoutte is part of Camo's reason some here prefer ASAT others Predator's "Fall Gray" or "Deception Brown" (both are top picks for many here at ArcheryTalk) whch seems to help blending in to the Terrain you are Hunting in, others where there is more Snow use some type of Snow Camo to blend in and break up your Form. As compared to a Black / Dark colored Shape slightly moving against the light color background or Sky / Sun which animals can pick up on your movement easier. Which makes it helpful as some mention one has to move to Draw the Bow or get in postion because you never know where the Animal will come from. Then Add in the Fabric needs to be Quiet and why 25 years ago Fleece was more Popular for Bow Hunters. But Fleece absorbs rain so then gortex among others came along to have the best of both worlds. But Wool is also a known quality Hunting material for when it is colder outdoors. Earth Tones are why some like Fred Bear used those colors even his known Hat. Today as Tech comes up with more things to Keep Us dry and warm that is key to hunting Longer and getting a Shot Opportunity. Never a Fan of Mossy Oak or Realtree Pattens for Clothing (or anything that has a shine to IT as light / the sun will reflect that) but that is what seems to Sell for the weekend Hunters. We each have our idea what works or not. I Stick with my ASAT & Fall Gray or Dececption Brown when in my Tree Stands as I have deer around a lot of the time while on a long sit. But again Use what You think helps You as a Hunter or Bow Hunter. As mention wearing Hunter Orange if that is Required during Firearms Season and Are where you Hunt then great as also Safety is another Factor as not all understand movement Deer or Human needs to be Identify Clearly (before aiming) is why more states require Hunter Orange's. As being Safe is Important!
Never thought Camo was a Status or Fashion Statement.
LFM

 

I guess I don't pay attention to what brand of camo I buy I just buy what clothes I think will best help me stay dry and warm and whatever camo they come is what I wear some times I've got 2-3 different camo patterns on at the same time but the deer never seem to notice

 

Camo definitely helps conceal, but being still and playing the wind are main factors to success.

 

I wear what’s comfortable and is going to keep me cool/warm. That’s a combo of Sitka/elevated, Kuiu/solids, First lite solids and Black Ovis base layers.

Really wish Sitka would make some good solids.