To camo or not to camo...That is the Question!!!

[brian]

I hear many people stating how important scent is, but I am amazed at how many guys put their hunting clothes on when they leave Vancouver

That is because there is almost nothing you can really do to evade it. All the scent killing hunting stuff is marketing bullshit. I did extensive reading of studies conducted by law enforcement agencies like the FBI field testing a dogs sense of smell. It is truly amazing. Deer have about the equivalent. There is an odour on your skin that does not wash off with soap and is distinct to you. We cannot smell it, but dogs and deer sure can. They can piece out your scent like you can flavours in a meal. They can smell your breath, your BO, your cover scent, your laundry detergent, your scent blocking laundry detergent etc etc etc. Once you realize how good their sense of smell is, then you will realize your only solution is to not have the wind carry that scent to their noses.

[Harvest the Land]

That is because there is almost nothing you can really do to evade it. All the scent killing hunting stuff is marketing bullshit. I did extensive reading of studies conducted by law enforcement agencies like the FBI field testing a dogs sense of smell. It is truly amazing. Deer have about the equivalent. There is an odour on your skin that does not wash off with soap and is distinct to you. We cannot smell it, but dogs and deer sure can. They can piece out your scent like you can flavours in a meal. They can smell your breath, your BO, your cover scent, your laundry detergent, your scent blocking laundry detergent etc etc etc. Once you realize how good their sense of smell is, then you will realize your only solution is to not have the wind carry that scent to their noses.

100%. Good to see you back posting again Brian. HBC is a much better forum with expert Blacktail killers like you on it. Keep it up. I've learned a lot from you over the years (thank you for sharing your knowledge).

I would add that deer are also really good a being able to detect how fresh or old your scent is. They can tell if you've just been through the area or if you were there a couple days ago. My experience is they won't stick around long if they smell fresh scent, but will tolerate "older" scent much better because they think/know that you have moved on and no longer pose a threat.

And yes, its all about the wind. If the wind is blowing straight into the deer's path its game over

[mike31154]

I scored a set of camo PJ pants at Surplus Herby's a few years back!

[Stillhunting]

My lucky hat is camo, but not much else.

[brian]

Thank you for that Harvest, but I would hardly call myself an expert. The deer still manage to make a fool out of me regularly. Guys like Steve (pro guide) are the experts. He’s my guru. But thank you for the encouraging words.

[nature girl]

It really comes to your budget. IF ya can afford it then buy camo. If you cant use what you have.
If your road hunting you dont need camo. Just saying.
I thing if your on a budget its better to spend your money on good footwear.

[srupp]

Hmm question was not on scent..obviously movement is important as is scent..no shooting a deer from 1,200 yards with new zipada-dooda...2576 caliber does not need camo.

However it DOES help..even somewhat..it's a game of subtle advantagee..take the gun to the knife fight..lol
On numerous occasions had grizz step out and instantly peg the solid green attired hunter..not scent not movement.lit just didn't fit
Called moose into 25 feet stting still I blended in..obviously wind was in my favourite and I wasn't moving.

The gillie.suit would be more realistic if gotten wet and rolled in the vegetation around him..as it was designed to be done..
Once out at Churn creek I was already on the hillside..2 hunters came out up the trail..one sneezed..I said bless you..he almost pooped..40 feet away total camo..they never saw me..
I will continue to wear camo..lol I even have winter camo for late Alberta whitetail hunts.
My .02
Srupp

[caddisguy]

I just wear neutral colors that blend in, greens, browns.. often a camo jacket or hoodie. I dont know how much it really matters. Negligible in comparison to other efforts like movement, being out in the open, skylining yourself. You can wear all the camo you want but if you're out in the open, rubbernecking, figiting, pulling up the binos every few seconds, it's irrelevant.

I do think there are certain colors to avoid for various species. I think blue sticks out for bears, but I've taken quite a few bears in blue jeans so go figure.

One thing I wonder about is material and reflection/exposure.

I have noticed myself on trailcams, some materials, particularly water resistant stuff glow like a light bulb compared to other materials. I've ditched some camo giddyup based on that. If I am reflecting light lit up like a dang disco ball in one thing but look like a tree stump in another... well, I'll stick with the stuff I appear plain/drab. BUT maybe someone who knows a lot more can weigh in on why that is.... looks like camo, add a little light reflection and it's completely white and glowing vs other material, no glow.

My thinking is that you could potentially pick out the best camo pattern you can find that suits the terrain you want to blend with, but to a deer you might not be blending in at all, but rather looking like a street lamp trying to blend in with a tree. I think testing light reflection might be a valid consideration but I do not know for certain. I'll add that the stuff that lights me up like a disco ball doesn't even appear to be reflective/shiny/etc at all. So if I am right, I wonder how you would even know before you buy?

[caddisguy]

Thank you for that Harvest, but I would hardly call myself an expert. The deer still manage to make a fool out of me regularly. Guys like Steve (pro guide) are the experts. He’s my guru. But thank you for the encouraging words.

Proguide ain't here these days, so you're the best we got

And we have abandonment issues, just like when dad said he was going for a pack of smokes and never came back... gonna be kinda clingy, you gotta stick around for the 5 of us that pursue Columbian BT's in the timber.

[ghost]

Contrast of pattern and colour is the best main purpose. Most camo appeals to the human eye rather than blending in to the background