I've always bought into the Bob Fratzke (author of "Taking Trophy Whitetails" - an excellent off-season read, btw) methodology: big, bold patterns are great, but light reflection is even more important.
Notice what a lot of the folks here saying they wear plain colors mention for fabric: wool! Wool and fleece absorb light; they don't reflect it. Reflections magnify movements and catch deer's eyes like nothing else (just think about how visible someone shining a mirror up toward a plane is). Our white faces, especially if oily, reflect lots of light, which is why I'm big on using a face mask, too (unless you have a thick beard, which will absorb lots of light). This is especially true when duck hunting, as a pilot friend who's flown over lots of duck blinds has repeatedly emphasized to me just how visible our faces are from the air.
I've had tons of deer seemingly stare into my soul while in fleece and wool, even if not camo, without being able to identify what I am or even that I'm a threat--they just seem to sense that something is different or "off," but they can't figure it out and eventually move on. On the other hand, I've busted more deer than I care to admit with even miniature movements when wearing more reflective clothing like a rain jacket.
All that to say, my best advice is: (1) be still; (2) be REALLY still; (3) no seriously, stop moving!!; and (4) wear light-absorbing clothing and a face mask whenever possible.
Notice what a lot of the folks here saying they wear plain colors mention for fabric: wool! Wool and fleece absorb light; they don't reflect it. Reflections magnify movements and catch deer's eyes like nothing else (just think about how visible someone shining a mirror up toward a plane is). Our white faces, especially if oily, reflect lots of light, which is why I'm big on using a face mask, too (unless you have a thick beard, which will absorb lots of light). This is especially true when duck hunting, as a pilot friend who's flown over lots of duck blinds has repeatedly emphasized to me just how visible our faces are from the air.
I've had tons of deer seemingly stare into my soul while in fleece and wool, even if not camo, without being able to identify what I am or even that I'm a threat--they just seem to sense that something is different or "off," but they can't figure it out and eventually move on. On the other hand, I've busted more deer than I care to admit with even miniature movements when wearing more reflective clothing like a rain jacket.
All that to say, my best advice is: (1) be still; (2) be REALLY still; (3) no seriously, stop moving!!; and (4) wear light-absorbing clothing and a face mask whenever possible.