Camouflage and hunting go hand in hand together like peanut butter and jelly. But is it really necessary for a successful hunt? Many hunters think that without their camo, the animals will see them and they can’t get as close as they would without it. But is this really the case?
Is Camo Necessary
So what makes camo actually work? Since most animals are colorblind, the actual colors in camo are actually not even that useful. What makes camo work is the ability it has to break up your outline against your surroundings. When you are holding still, this will break apart your silhouette and allow you to blend in. So does this mean you need it? Not necessarily.
Many old school hunters never wore camo, and always seem to have plenty of success. Many of them would wear blue jeans and flannel shirts to go out deer hunting, and never seemed to have any problems. When you think about it, however, this simple outfit would function similar to how camo does. A flannel shirt has a pattern and design on it, helping to break apart your outline. With some solid blue jeans, this would combine to make a halfway decent camo pattern and give them plenty of luck.
How to Dress
So does this mean that you should stop using camouflage? Absolutely not! Whether you use camo or not, there are a few different things that you can do in order to help you enjoy the benefits of using a camo pattern while hunting. Wearing one article of clothing that is a solid color, whether it is a shirt or a pair of jeans, coupled with one that has a pattern on it, whether that is a camo or flannel shirt, can work together to make you virtually disappear when in the woods.
Even if all you have is a camo jacket, that might be the only thing you need. The most important thing when hunting, whether you are wearing camo or not, is to always be aware of your surroundings and use them to your advantage. It doesn’t matter what you are wearing, if you use a tree or bush to hide behind you can almost guarantee that you will not be seen! In addition to using your surroundings or terrain to your advantage, make sure that you are always moving extremely slow. Even out in the wide open, if you move slow enough you can usually get within range of most animals.
Final Thoughts
Some might disagree, but you do not need camo in order to be a successful hunter. With the clothes you already have, you can use the right tactics and fill your tags just as easily. Just remember that it is not crucial for a great hunt!
For more great ideas on how to fish and hunt from the experts, check out the awesome articles on our Bradley Smoker Hunting & Fishing Blog for more great tips & tricks.
