Trousers & Shirts - Black Out vs. Camo?

I will be water hole hunting in August in the Limpopo region.

Trying to figure out what to pack for hunting in relation to camo vs. black out gear for blinds? Also, I have seen this particular outfitter hunt from trees which complicates everything. I don't want to overpack. I'm already a 3-sink guy.

I've hunted a lot from blinds for turkey, whitetail and feral hogs so I'm a big believer in "blacking out" to avoid being seen in a dark blind

Trousers - does it matter whether camo or black or OD or Tan or whatever?

Shirts - real dilemma here. Black, camo, combo of both?

Balaclava - black/camo??

Gloves - black/camo??

thanks, dv

I can appreciate your questions but i wouldn't worry about it a whole lot. Even if you are blacked out, your PH probably won't be. I would just wear some neutral colors in the blind. Dark greens, browns, etc. You can wear camo if you like but i don't know as though it will make a difference necessarily.

It seems to me like the animals in Africa aren't so jumpy about the blinds. The baboons and monkeys will freak out if they see you, but most blinds are well camoflauged and won't alert the animals that you are inside.

I would wear what is comfortable for you and pack light. That is just my .02.

As far as hunting from a blind you will only need a dark top, whether that be dark blue or black. For trousers you can use any type, jeans work great. But should you or your outfitter want to hunt out of a treestand then I would suggest a leafy suit or at least one pair of camo shirt and pants.

I was sharing camp with 7 bow hunters from NY in 2008 in Limpopo.
All used faded cotton camo shirts and pants.
Nothing fancy, just plain brown/faded green camo patterns.
They huntet both from high seats and ground blinds.
Those were experience plains game bowhunters, an yes, they connected big time

Ingozi summed it up perfectly. I use a dark brown ( lucky ) top for the hides.

I wore both regular camo shirts and a lightweight black fleece pullover. I didnt have any problems with anything but the monkeys seeing me. I was trying to take there picture, so i am sure it didnt help.

I would take lots of layers.
We hunted concrete bunker style blinds that stayed cold all day. We also hunted some thin fiberglass blinds that would have you stripped down to your long jhons by 3:00

Thanks,

That is good stuff. Seems silly, but I was considering taking some long-johns. As a runner with 3-4% body fat I get cold very easy. The black tops I have would work well.

Thanks everyone for all the good input, dv

While I happen to love Mossy Oak for most things North America, camo is often frowned upon in Africa. Travels to the dark continent are often more fun in a traditional style with a dark color.

It has been best stated by some of the best hunters that “Stillness is the best camouflage.”

I agree with above. I don't (and won't) wear camo in Africa. I don't know, just something about it. I like the tradition of muted natural colors, cottons, canvas, etc. It is also important to consider your pictures (trophy photos). You want to look nice in the pictures, not wearing something with designs and emblems on it. That's just my opinion but i go out of my way to have my pictures look nice. Nothing can cheapen a photo like a hunter wearing a "NIKE" shirt posing with a beautfiul animal.

Originally Posted by TOM

You want to look nice in the pictures, not wearing something with designs and emblems on it. That's just my opinion but i go out of my way to have my pictures look nice. Nothing can cheapen a photo like a hunter wearing a "NIKE" shirt posing with a beautfiul animal.

I'm really trying to go Mark Kayser style. I don't see how that guy had enough room in his baggage for all the different brand logo hats he wore on his last safari I read about .

Thanks everyone. You are really making my packing list come together.

happy hunting, dv

Here’s an idea: Take only a few sets of identical clothing (i.e. three like dark shirts, pants,...). If you like the look in advance, you know your pictures will look good. Also, when/if you film your hunt/safari, your footage will all match and that makes editing easier. Also, like Einstein said, "You never have to exert brain power on deciding what to wear."

Knowing that safari camps often accidentally damage clothing in the washing/ironing process, I typically don’t buy/bring the high-dollar Filson style clothes. I’ll buy new and fairly inexpensive clothes and often leave them in Africa. Talk about traveling light. Plus, I get the “feel good” of giving to people who can use some clothes.

Originally Posted by TexasLebenskunstler

Here’s an idea: Take only a few sets of identical clothing (i.e. three like dark shirts, pants,...). If you like the look in advance, you know your pictures will look good. Also, when/if you film your hunt/safari, your footage will all match and that makes editing easier. Also, like Einstein said, "You never have to exert brain power on deciding what to wear."

Dat's smart!

Now I've heard several people talk about camp ironing and ruining of clothes. Can't I just tell them, "No iron?"

What's up with that?

thanks, dv

Often there is an "understanding barrier" due to language, culture,... On my first Africa trip, I took those zip-off fishing pants, thinking they would be cool during the summer months. Yes, they worked well until the camp staff made the honest mistake of ironing and melting them. They apologized with hat in hand, but I still had melted pants. to prevent the next set of pants from being melted, I requested the "no iron" plea, as you suggested. I suppose with lots of laundry to do, things all get a little mixed up and separating out one person's request sometimes gets lost.

In short, you're better off taking nice-looking, fairly indestructible, inexpensive clothes. Unless, of course, you're a "must have this label" guy.

Love the baboon picture, That is hilarious! I wish I could have gotten my picture like that....What a great Christmas picture for the family!

Originally Posted by enysse

Love the baboon picture, That is hilarious! I wish I could have gotten my picture like that....What a great Christmas picture for the family!

This is one of the American bowhunters. A NY firefighter by the way.
They had a great sense of humor, and the baboon was huge.