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One of the longest-running debates in hunting communities is whether you should wear camo or solid colors when going out. While each one has distinct advantages, hunters can’t seem to come to a conclusion on which one is objectively better. The truth is, the right hunting clothes depend on a variety of factors. Whether you are hunting in the eastern woods or western backcountry, bow hunting or rifle hunting, or sitting in a tree stand or ground blind, each situation and style calls for different hunting gear. In this guide I’ll explore the advantages and disadvantages of each one to help you determine which outerwear meets your unique needs for the upcoming hunting season.
Camouflage
While many people view camo patterns as a traditional hunting choice, this isn’t actually true. Camo clothing is a relatively recent innovation in hunting, and it started gaining popularity in the second half of the 1900’s because manufacturing processes started advancing. This allowed brands to start creating more variety and versatility in their clothing, which lead to certain brands designing their own camo patterns.
If you like to wear camo, you know that there are different patterns depending on where you plan to hunt and the time of year. For example, late-season hunting in the north may require you to get white, snow-patterned camo to blend in with the ground. Alternatively, for western, open country hunting, you may need a pattern that consists of muted earth tones, especially on your hunting pants, so that you match the brush and sparse foliage.
When Should You Wear Camo?
Generally, wearing camo hunting gear is the best option when you are hunting from short- to medium range. For example, eastern deer hunting often takes place in a wooded area where the shooter sets up in a tree stand or ground blind. This is because it is hard to line up a long shot with many trees around, so the hunter must conceal themselves until the deer get close. Camo patterns help break up your silhouette and blend in with your hunting blind and surroundings, making it harder for the deer to spot you. This means that wearing camo outerwear is the best option if you are plan to be within 200 yards of your target.
Another time you should always wear camo is when you are hunting waterfowl like ducks and geese. These animals have much better eyesight than deer, and they have evolved to spot predators quickly so that they can fly away. Even if you are using high-quality decoys to lure them in, any strange silhouettes or unnatural shapes can easily spook waterfowl, ruining your chances. The best camo for this type of hunting involves several steps. First, you need either a layout blind or a boat blind, depending on if you want to hunt on land or the water. The blind should be camouflaged, and you should use nearby vegetation to help conceal it. Then, you should also wear matching camo outwear, such as camo bibs and waders, to fully conceal yourself.
Solid Colors
People have been wearing solid colors to hunt for hundreds of years. When referring to modern solid color hunting, this started because people who had to hunt to survive wore what they already had, as they couldn’t afford specialized clothes just to go into the woods. While this started to fade with the introduction of camo patterns and branding, it is currently making a comeback. Now, when people opt to wear solid colors, they choose earth tones and muted colors that still blend in somewhat with their surroundings.
Even without detailed patterns, you can still use solid outerwear to conceal your silhouette. The trick to doing this properly is by mixing and matching the solid colors you use. For example, tan pants are a perfect option for a lot of eastern and southern hunting and you can combine them with a dark green or black hoodie. You could also wear blue jeans with a brown or tan hoodie, as well as a blaze orange hunting jacket or cap. This breaks up your silhouette so that it doesn’t look like a single shape, helping hide you from deer, elk, and other animals.
When Should You Wear Solid Colors?
While solid outerwear provides some concealment, this is not its main purpose. Therefore, the best scenario for this type of clothing is when you are shooting from a long range, typically at least 150-200 yards away and usually not in a direct line of sight. This style of hunting is most common in western big game hunting, where the main target is mule deer or elk. It also works for “pass shooting” hunting, such as doves, pheasants, and quail. Pass shooting involves going through an open field or using dogs to scare the birds into taking flight. In these cases, you don’t need concealment, as having the birds see you isn’t really a big deal.
The reason solid colors are better for long-range hunting is because mule deer and elk rely mainly on their smelling and hearing abilities to spot predators from a long distance. While their eyesight is sufficient to see predators that are approaching or are already close, they most likely won’t see you from a distance unless you are sticking out plainly.
Another huge benefit of wearing solid color hunting gear is that it tends to be cheaper. As previously mentioned, many camo patterns are patented, which means apparel companies must license them to use them in their clothes. This causes the overall cost of camo clothes to go up. Plus, with plain, solid clothes, you can wear them in many situations outside of hunting. Since they look just like normal clothes, you can wear them to the store, as work clothes, and more without sticking out.
Shop Our Camo and Solid Color Hunting Gear Today!
Here at OpticsPlanet, we take pride in offering a wide variety of hunting accessories and apparel. From our wide selection of clothing from top brands, like King’s Camo, Badlands, and Kryptek, to our spotting scopes, we have everything you need to gear up for the hunting season. Also, make sure to check out our selection of in-stock hunting ammo, including some of the most popular calibers like .308 Winchester and 6.5 Creedmoor.
