some cammo facts pls!

can anyone tell me what is the truth about cammo clothing out in the bush?

there are a lot of brands out there and i'm not interested in brand names, --just the concept

most hunters and even the army wear shades of green/kaki/brown and a good blind got [green] leaves and twigs

on the other hand, i've seen a lot of [good] informal trackers wear blue overalls

i also realize its not the clothes but the skill that matters

but what is the real truth about this cammo concept?
[eg can most animals' eyes really not see shades of blue, or colour blind, or 20/20 in full colour like humans???]

any vets?

observer at 100 or 200 yards by the time they see you the bullet has hit the mark thats the way I see it. fact

NOT, that I am an expert, but, I have researched this topic many many many times. Modern camo (military or commercial) are set to deceive human eyes "hence" the sales pitch.

Most animals are color blind "in a sense". If the eyes reflect light their eyes have conical receptors in the eyes (unlike ours) so they can see better in the dark. Which from my understanding helps them see ultraviolet light during daylight hours.. Therefore ( and I have had great luck with this,,,,) if you use a detergent to wash your cloths in that neuturalize uv rays and kicks your stink out of the way, then I would assume if you were on the stalk, the way hunting was meant to be, the only way you would get busted is if they would see movement (not you ((per sa))....... just the movement.....

A good camo pattern does look good to you and I, but I would have to say, that when in Africa I wore dark denim and dark (browns tans and blacks), it was all good, UV is the enemy... and I was washed, so were my cloths.

Good day sir.

In Africa you have critters in the bush that see in full colour! All the primates for a start! So using the blue camo where there is a baboon or Monkey population may not be a good idea.
Things to think about when hunting...Shape, shadow, shine and silhouette and most important 'Movement'
If it's shaped like a human...it probably is!
If 'human like' shadows move...there's probably a human there! Thinking of tree stands here!!
If it glints or shines (white skin!) in the sun, there's probably a human there.
If it's silhouette look like a human...it probably is!
If it moves...it'll draw attention. It's how you notice animals most often.

Appropriate Camo deceives all eyes when the things above are also taken into consideration.
If camo hides you from human vision, you'll be hidden from all vision. The UV factor does count to some degree though! Animals by and large don't walk around their habitat looking for humans.

my 5c worth!

Have to agree with Ole Balley. I have a complete dislike for anything that glints in the bush, take for example when you are glassing into the sunlight and that brief but distinct glint off the binos sends every animal into disaray, same as a scope or a watch etc etc. Best camo I have seen is Canadian military green digi print for the EC in the early season.

Forget the color of your clothes and focus on minimizing movement. I have killed deer in bluejeans and a wool sweater. You may look like a big tree, but if that tree starts moving, the critters are going to take notice.

I have been a long time proponent of UV control as I believe it is the most overlooked facet of camouflage. The manufacturing process of camo clothing starts with a bright white cloth base in which is then printed with the various camouflage patterns. The ink/stain that is used in this printing process, in no way, can block ultraviolet light transmission. Thus most hoofed animals see the hunter as a blueish glow especially in low light conditions of early morning and evenings. The problem is enhanced by using detergents that contain UV brighteners. If you would like to reveal optical brighteners in your clothing, use a BLB fluorescent light bulb available at most hardware stores. Go into a dark room and see what animals see. The main problem is that camouflage clothing is made to be sold to consumers. These distinct camouflage patterns are attractive to hunters and gander a false sense of effectiveness when in the field. How we humans see is not how animals see. Here is an interesting read on this subject. It's kind of long but very interesting.
http://www.atsko.com/articles/huntin...see-smell.html

Originally Posted by Ole Bally

In Africa you have critters in the bush that see in full colour! All the primates for a start! So using the blue camo where there is a baboon or Monkey population may not be a good idea.
Things to think about when hunting...Shape, shadow, shine and silhouette and most important 'Movement'
If it's shaped like a human...it probably is!
If 'human like' shadows move...there's probably a human there! Thinking of tree stands here!!
If it glints or shines (white skin!) in the sun, there's probably a human there.
If it's silhouette look like a human...it probably is!
If it moves...it'll draw attention. It's how you notice animals most often.

Appropriate Camo deceives all eyes when the things above are also taken into consideration.

thanks for all the input!
taking the above as a given,i must confess that i personally still prefer the green/grey/kaki above the blue!





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apart from primates,i truely believe that guinea fowl can also spot a human shape,as they have caught me out many times despite my best efforts to stay hidden from them!

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Originally Posted by Hotfire Hunting Safaris

Have to agree with Ole Balley. I have a complete dislike for anything that glints in the bush, take for example when you are glassing into the sunlight and that brief but distinct glint off the binos sends every animal into disaray, same as a scope or a watch etc etc. Best camo I have seen is Canadian military green digi print for the EC in the early season.

Some how our guys did not feel that green was appropriate camo for Afghanistan. Wonder why?

I was never sold on the blue idea.
Although, I do have to laugh when the farm worker get up is used and the PH is in white shorts with the hunter running around in full camo.

If you really want to be invisible use the colours in the environment you are hunting. It is the only way to go.

I used my green Springboks Jersey.
Did not really work for camo, but the Nyala must have just been shocked to see it.
Truly I don't think he cared.

Originally Posted by VanderLaan

Forget the color of your clothes and focus on minimizing movement. I have killed deer in bluejeans and a wool sweater. You may look like a big tree, but if that tree starts moving, the critters are going to take notice.

Spot on.

I do all my hunting in an army issue brown overall, bush hat and web-belt. I use a little bit of camo on my face and hands, if I'm not wearing fingerless gloves. Movement, sound, reflection, silhouette and smell are what you must be in control of, in the bush. Over the years I have been fortunate enough, in the above outfit and in the right conditions, to have had a huge baboon, a leopard and a family of kudu within a few feet of me - just by sitting dead still. Having the baboon shit himself when I did the 'bark' was great fun..

Years ago before "camo" was common place, I (as did many others) did all my sambar hunting in a pair of ex army pants & a red check woollen bush shirt. Keeping perfectly still with the wind just right, I've had sambar walk past within 10 meters unaware. In Africa I hunted with colours similar to the background but no camo. My PH, a good man of sound mind often wore a brown t-shirt and lighter coloured shorts. He was very successful at what he did I'm happy to say. I don't really recall him commenting good or bad on camo gear.

Docman ...I would pay money to have seen that baboon kack himself.