Home Forums Hunting & Shooting General Big Game Looking like a dark blob- reconsidering my opinion on camo

I don't use any detergents when washing my camo.
Washing machines were designed to be used without 'soap/detergent', that is why they have the agitate cycle.

Do you run a rinse cycle first to rid the machine of any remnant UV "brightener" enhancers?

Same.

No way I'm donning a uniform. Some guys are better accessorized with matching ensembles than a red-carpet event for a movie premier.
Staying still and/or being mindful of light/shadows, skyline (and of course - wind) is key – heck of a lot cheaper and no need to sweat the carpeting not matching the drapes.

I didn't say anyone is right or wrong. I just posted color and b&w for comparison. Make up your own mind.

The stripped hoodie I got in a yard sale for about $2, over 30 years ago. It is almost always my go-to hunting shirt. It is more effective than you might think, especially in timber. It does have a few camp-fire spark holes in it now.

The Jacket (also usually my go-to for hunting, and everyday...)came from SG- for about $35, maybe 15 years ago.IIRC. Both are synthetic fleece, warm, don't hold water, dry quickly.

I've been wearing this camo parka for about 25 years. It's fleece, mostly waterproof, and uninsulated. It's loose enough to fit over a down coat so it can be warm if needed. With the hood, it's especially good in the wind.
I don't know if the camo has ever done me any good. I've shot a lot animals while wearing it, both with and without an orange vest.

All I appreciate the time in replies and advice so far. Thanks again


Scott

As stated, most detergents have UV brighteners. Don't use those.

i use Atsko U-V-Killer sportswash for about 20 years. i use earth scent too. deer don't notice me, even down winded deer. before, i was always seen or winded. i used to go to tree stands, but ever since my stroke, a homemade ground blind. i have deer about 4 or 5 feet away and i'm invisible.

i don't do U-V spray anymore. i use the sportwash for it.

To no one in particular: If you really think this whole UV thing through, eventually you get a palm-2-face moment and realize what a twat you've been believing in it. I had been asked by a rep from Atsko to test the product. I did. It didn't work. He sent me some more stuff and different directions. That didn't work. Then one day. . . Arrrgh! It hit me. It's all here:

Elephant Repellant

I almost lost my gig at D&DH over this. I had to promise not to test any of their advertisers' products and to make sure future criticisms were labeled as "just my opinion."

There is a speck of truth to this whole UV thing. However, it is the opposite of what was portrayed by the various marketers. Deer do see vaguely into the UV range. However, it is the lack of UV reflection that warns them they're looking at white fur and not snow.

As to the whole camo thing in general, you're talking to a guy who hunts in a radioactive hunter-orange clown suit. I bought this thing as a thumb-2-nose to Atsko, proclaiming I could hunt in it and be more successful than dowsing myself with their product. It just so happen, that I did have good luck in the suit, so it stuck.



Back to this camo thing. As I get on, I have found hunting in brown Carharts, olive drab field coats, etc. to be about as effective as any super-duper camo I got handed to try. I can say that now. If I had to pick one camo pattern that really did it for me, it would have to be this one:


It used to be sure-fire around the Greater Ohio Valley in October.

If I had to pick a currently available pattern, I'd have to go with Flecktarn

I previously posted this parka that I've worn for more than 25 years and I've shot a lot of both deer and elk while wearing it. It's the best possible camo pattern for a reason - I didn't pay for it. It was a birthday gift from my dad all those years ago. The animals don't seem to care what I'm wearing so the price I paid for it takes precedence.

Camo is over rated.

Million of deer died to hunters in red plaid Woolrich outfits.

Buck trackers in Maine and the NE walk up to bucks in green plaid.

It's movement and scent that give you away.

Camo is more for the hunters....

shaman- edit your image addresses by adding a s to the end of http so everybody can enjoy them without clicking...

Done. Thanks, I'd missed that-- too much blood in my coffee system. I had to readjust levels.

Camo is simply a fashion statement!!

Deer do not see in black and white, they are red / green color blind is all.
As stated above they do see some UV and various colors.

Yes

This is an amazing debate on the merit of camo. There needs to be a application to obtain grant money to study the issue.

I wore solid wool for years, never felt handicapped and until recently wore solid bottoms. Having experimented with lots of camo over the years, I settled on KUIU mostly because it works as advertised (warm, functional, etc.) but mainly because they make the most comfortable hunting clothing I've ever worn. I used to spend a lot of money on suits for work but these days, my most expensive and favorite clothing is my hunting gear. Lots of lightweight fabrics that fit well, stretch and are warm and durable. I have solids too but I don't wear my hunting clothes out of season so camo makes sense to me. I do believe that in much of the hunting I do in GA pines at often close range, camo does make a difference. If I hunted in the west most of the time, I'd still wear KUIU (seriously, you could sleep in this stuff it's so comfortable) but probably more solids.