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I know there is an anti-camo movement, is there an anti-black(clothing color) movement?
- Thread starter HuumanCreed
- Start date
I've teal hunted the last 6 days in various camo or non-camo clothes.
Duck hunting puts you in front of more and better eyes than deer hunting. They also have a good vantage point.
Increasingly, I find that the best way to remain unseen is to not get looked at. Don't be where they look, and you're invisible.
I call it the "mustard sitting in plain sight on the fridge shelf" technique. It's well lit and brightly colored, but the beer always distracts me from it and I have to holler for my wife.
Always
Duck hunting puts you in front of more and better eyes than deer hunting. They also have a good vantage point.
Increasingly, I find that the best way to remain unseen is to not get looked at. Don't be where they look, and you're invisible.
I call it the "mustard sitting in plain sight on the fridge shelf" technique. It's well lit and brightly colored, but the beer always distracts me from it and I have to holler for my wife.
Always
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I’ve always been more concerned with skylining myself than actual camo or lack there of. I also try to stay away from detergent with UV brightners. An “oh wow” moment was when someone gave me a black light flashlight for tracking deer and I shined it on my camo.
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Wise words
cville_bowhunter
Well-Known Member
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cville_bowhunter
Well-Known Member
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I was always taught that there are no (or very very few) naturally black objects in nature. Most objects that appear black aren't nearly as pure black as the clothing we wear; they're just darker. Around the mountains of VA, the only black thing you'll see in the woods is a black bear...or maybe an old, charred log from a burn. There aren't nearly enough of either, and I don't really want to look like a bear, so I try to avoid black clothing when I'm hunting
I'm not anti-camo by any means, I just point out that in my view it is not necessary. Especially to impressionable newer hunters that sometimes get lost on the path of thinking gear purchases can compensate for woodsmanship and experience.
Black is not that unnatural. Not sure if you have black bears where you live but those things can flat out disappear in the brush.
To me white is the one color I feel like I should avoid. Deer tails are white and a danger signal so something tells me deer are probably wired to pick up white pretty well. Then again there's a self proclaimed expert in my area that advocates for snow camo year round because it's similar to the color of the skyline, and he knocks down big bucks consistently too. If you listen to enough of the influencers you'll note that what they spit out is a long of opinions and we all know what opinions are like and here I am spouting my own.
I wore black rain paints for several years because I was too cheap to buy separate camo ones. The deer don't care. Few years back shot this dude wearing them I was like 7-8 feet off the ground, he was 10 yards away. Second pic is the view from the deer's position. Platform is middle of frame. Notice the good back cover and the fact that I was in the shadows. Some of those trees to the right of it would be no bueno, skylined.
This was a next day recovery, didn't make the greatest shot. But this is also my early season outerwear most of the time. Big fan of the solid grays seems to me deer look right through it just as well as they look right through fluoro orange and various camos. I don't even know what "the human outline" is like from a deer's perspective because it's mind-boggling to me that a deer can stand 20 feet from you and not see you wearing a bright orange pumpkin suit, as long as you're standing still. That bad of vision is beyond what I can even comprehend.
Generally I would agree with the assessment that solid black/brown, can be a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Especially black when bears are being hunted.
Black is not that unnatural. Not sure if you have black bears where you live but those things can flat out disappear in the brush.
To me white is the one color I feel like I should avoid. Deer tails are white and a danger signal so something tells me deer are probably wired to pick up white pretty well. Then again there's a self proclaimed expert in my area that advocates for snow camo year round because it's similar to the color of the skyline, and he knocks down big bucks consistently too. If you listen to enough of the influencers you'll note that what they spit out is a long of opinions and we all know what opinions are like and here I am spouting my own.
I wore black rain paints for several years because I was too cheap to buy separate camo ones. The deer don't care. Few years back shot this dude wearing them I was like 7-8 feet off the ground, he was 10 yards away. Second pic is the view from the deer's position. Platform is middle of frame. Notice the good back cover and the fact that I was in the shadows. Some of those trees to the right of it would be no bueno, skylined.
This was a next day recovery, didn't make the greatest shot. But this is also my early season outerwear most of the time. Big fan of the solid grays seems to me deer look right through it just as well as they look right through fluoro orange and various camos. I don't even know what "the human outline" is like from a deer's perspective because it's mind-boggling to me that a deer can stand 20 feet from you and not see you wearing a bright orange pumpkin suit, as long as you're standing still. That bad of vision is beyond what I can even comprehend.
Generally I would agree with the assessment that solid black/brown, can be a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Especially black when bears are being hunted.
Iron_llama
Well-Known Member
If you're hunting in a blind of some sort, all black makes sense. If you make brush blinds, brush in behind you better than you brush in front of you.
I wear discount, walmart, milsurp, mis-matched camo. I'm of the opinion that most camo is made to catch hunters, not hide from deer. That said, I only wear my camo hunting, only wash it in the gimmicky scent-free detergents, never run chainsaws or gas up the truck, etc., any thing that might stink it up more than I will do on my own. If it gets muddy or bloody or torn, IDGAF because that's why I bought it (for cheap) in the first place.
Once I realized that my beloved Carhartt bibs were about the same color as a deer, I replaced them with blaze orange. I also retired my white hankies and now buy red or even blaze orange. If I could find blaze orange baby wipes for "emergency field paperwork" I would. Deer don't care but I hunt public land during rifle season...
In addition to the whole "no/few solid black things in nature" I'll add "no/few straight lines in nature" - as in, ladder stands, climbing sticks, etc., hanging rappel ropes, etc. If I leave anything arrow-straight where a deer - or, for that matter, another human - might see it, I'd want to camo it as best as I can.
I wear discount, walmart, milsurp, mis-matched camo. I'm of the opinion that most camo is made to catch hunters, not hide from deer. That said, I only wear my camo hunting, only wash it in the gimmicky scent-free detergents, never run chainsaws or gas up the truck, etc., any thing that might stink it up more than I will do on my own. If it gets muddy or bloody or torn, IDGAF because that's why I bought it (for cheap) in the first place.
Once I realized that my beloved Carhartt bibs were about the same color as a deer, I replaced them with blaze orange. I also retired my white hankies and now buy red or even blaze orange. If I could find blaze orange baby wipes for "emergency field paperwork" I would. Deer don't care but I hunt public land during rifle season...
In addition to the whole "no/few solid black things in nature" I'll add "no/few straight lines in nature" - as in, ladder stands, climbing sticks, etc., hanging rappel ropes, etc. If I leave anything arrow-straight where a deer - or, for that matter, another human - might see it, I'd want to camo it as best as I can.
I'm not anti-camo by any means, I just point out that in my view it is not necessary. Especially to impressionable newer hunters that sometimes get lost on the path of thinking gear purchases can compensate for woodsmanship and experience.
Black is not that unnatural. Not sure if you have black bears where you live but those things can flat out disappear in the brush.
To me white is the one color I feel like I should avoid. Deer tails are white and a danger signal so something tells me deer are probably wired to pick up white pretty well. Then again there's a self proclaimed expert in my area that advocates for snow camo year round because it's similar to the color of the skyline, and he knocks down big bucks consistently too. If you listen to enough of the influencers you'll note that what they spit out is a long of opinions and we all know what opinions are like and here I am spouting my own.
I wore black rain paints for several years because I was too cheap to buy separate camo ones. The deer don't care. Few years back shot this dude wearing them I was like 7-8 feet off the ground, he was 10 yards away. Second pic is the view from the deer's position. Platform is middle of frame. Notice the good back cover and the fact that I was in the shadows. Some of those trees to the right of it would be no bueno, skylined.
This was a next day recovery, didn't make the greatest shot. But this is also my early season outerwear most of the time. Big fan of the solid grays seems to me deer look right through it just as well as they look right through fluoro orange and various camos. I don't even know what "the human outline" is like from a deer's perspective because it's mind-boggling to me that a deer can stand 20 feet from you and not see you wearing a bright orange pumpkin suit, as long as you're standing still. That bad of vision is beyond what I can even comprehend.
Generally I would agree with the assessment that solid black/brown, can be a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Especially black when bears are being hunted.
Is that a cut down Lone Wolf Sand Cast Hang-on I see?????
OG, before there were any platforms on the market and lone wolf assassins were selling for $500+
Still have it, bought a tethrd platform, sold it and kept the better one.
hokiehunter373
Well-Known Member
2 very important points there that tie very well together. The best camo is what's around you. The main thing I'm concerned about when picking a tree is backdrop. With how their vision seems to work you can get away with a lot no matter what you're wearing as long as you've got good cover.I'm not anti-camo by any means, I just point out that in my view it is not necessary. Especially to impressionable newer hunters that sometimes get lost on the path of thinking gear purchases can compensate for woodsmanship and experience.
.............
Few years back shot this dude wearing them I was like 7-8 feet off the ground, he was 10 yards away. Second pic is the view from the deer's position. Platform is middle of frame. Notice the good back cover and the fact that I was in the shadows. Some of those trees to the right of it would be no bueno, skylined.
Generally I would agree with the assessment that solid black/brown, can be a bad idea from a safety standpoint. Especially black when bears are being hunted.
Did you turn the seat into a Klemz too?
OG, before there were any platforms on the market and lone wolf assassins were selling for $500+
Still have it, bought a tethrd platform, sold it and kept the better one.
No I actually bought this one pre-cut and did the rest.
I have another sand-cast down in the basement that is uncut. I bought it as a backup in case this one ever breaks. Now that there are a whole bunch of platform options available I've thought of selling it, but haven't yet.
PancreasBroke
Active Member
In my experience (30 years hunting), just don't wear a lot of solid top colors. I wear brown pants all the time - I don't think black would make a difference so long as I didn't move. For tops, I have the best luck with a leafy jacket. I wore really dark green pants once that were basically black as it was all I had. I was able to still hunt within 30 yards of a bedded dow who checked me out several times.
When I'm within 100 yards of a deer, crouching or leaning against a tree if standing is a must, regardless of what I wear. Within 30-50 yards, the leafy jacket is a must for me. I have camo tops, but my pattern really is just whatever nice clothing company was on sale. But I buy brown pants to wear anywhere. I never want to not feel like I can hunt cause I don't have my outfit, lol. Also, cover your face!
When I'm within 100 yards of a deer, crouching or leaning against a tree if standing is a must, regardless of what I wear. Within 30-50 yards, the leafy jacket is a must for me. I have camo tops, but my pattern really is just whatever nice clothing company was on sale. But I buy brown pants to wear anywhere. I never want to not feel like I can hunt cause I don't have my outfit, lol. Also, cover your face!
PancreasBroke
Active Member
Concur with this - white is flashy and could be dangerous. Also, never wear red (turkey), or blue (deer can see it supposedly).
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I carry a white hanky in my pocket. If I walk up on a deer that sees me but doesn’t bolt I take the hanky out and flip it around a few times at waist height. I can’t swear to it but it seems to relax them because it’s something close to natural that would happen if I were another deer. Probably wouldn’t do this if I were hunting in a public area with lots of other humans.
PancreasBroke
Active Member
Bare hand works sometimes too!
Close range I also don't make eye contact with deer. I swear if you sear a hole in them with your eyes they pick you out way way easier than if you are just looking at them in your peripheral.
I think I’m grabbing my loin cloth a Atlatl and going hunting. Don’t shoot at me Wisco.
Marmuzz
Well-Known Member
An older hunter I know, fairly successful guy, told me he does this too. Flips his hand around if he walks up on one and he said they kinda stop and stare and are confused but they don’t freak out as easily.