Ep. 114 | Camo, Camo Everywhere, but Not a Hunter to See

The number one reason to wear camo: Conceal yourself from game. The number one reason to avoid wearing camo: Every non-hunter you encounter will hit you with the same unavoidable joke - “Whoa, I didn’t see you there” - forcing you into the same polite laugh you’ve responded with Lord knows how many times. Regardless, there’s no doubt camouflage can have a positive impact on your hunt. In this podcast we cover the importance of camo, how it works, it’s evolution, hunt tactics you can use to enhance concealment, wearing solids, weapon and game-specific considerations and a whole lot more.
As always, we want to hear your feedback! Let us know if there are any topics you'd like covered on the Vortex Nation podcast by asking us on any one of our social media platforms and using #VortexNationPodcast.
Follow Vortex Nation Podcast on Instagram:
vortexnationpodcast

[@kennethboucherie3215]

My first hunt ever my dad wore a tan Carhart jacket and blue jeans. I was 8 with army green style overalls just a 2’ tall piece of camo netting in front of us. Literally had a doe walk up to us nose to nose less than 1’ between us and my dad gently bumped her on the nose with the gun she pulled her head back and shook it and stared about another min and slowly walked away. I have never been a big expensive camo guy because of that experience. I think movement busts you more often than anything.

[@fliesbyme]

Earth tone solids. Look how well muledeer just vanish. Information I've come across is that tan is the most important. It takes on the hues of other colors better than any other color. Movemet or the lack of is still the most important aspect of camoflage.

[@Kaiserland111]

Field and Stream published an article by John Barsness in 2003 that says deer can see better in the dark because they have more rods than cones whereas humans have more cones than many mammals so we see color better. Additionally, deer eyes are more adapted to seeing shorter wavelength light, which includes ultraviolet, purples, and blues, whereas they see longer wavelengths of light worse, including reds and infrared. So those "infrared blocking" detergents are almost certainly bull crap.

[@jacobivy2854]

Being from Mississippi, I’m a big fan of Mossy Oak. Their Bottomland pattern has been my favorite for as long as I can remember.

[@khylemcmahon1712]

Can not believe I've only just found this podcast/channel! So good guys!

[@JamesWalker-ng1qh]

I've always wondered if having a couple stuffed squirrels on me would trick the deer too.

[@VortexNation]

If you try it, let us know!

[@joshjspice]

I often times mismatch my tops and bottoms to each other, in an attempt to more closely match the ground and vegetation above it, especially when there's a patchy snow on the ground but not the veg. Ideally, my legs disappear when I'm sitting, kneeling, or crouched still or walking, and my top looks like a bush, rock, or tree.

[@steveyd101]

I have First Lite, Sitka, Kuiu, and all sorts of camo patterns. I found that, in a tree stand, old school plaid wool works best because of the way it doesn't reflect light. If it didn't absorb water like a sponge or weigh a ton, I would wear it more often.

[@matthewdennis1739]

Late to the party, but since you discussed hats... a hat can be great in casting shadow on your eyes which is very important in closer ranges. I almost always wear a brimmed hat. I just cover it with a hood or a veil to break up that silhouette.

[@davidbrownell5441]

For budget conscious hunters you can't beat good old army surplus woodland camo pattern for eastern states or hunting in hardwood forests. As a SAR & Detection K9 Trainer I agree 100 % that scent/wind is the single most critical factor. I can also tell you don't waste your $$ on scent blocker stuff. If you doubt this find a local SAR dog team and go hide for them using all of your scent blocker stuff and I can 100 % guarantee you that they will still find you. Your best bet is to setup your blind down wind from your most likely spot to get your shot.

[@User-nx7rs]

And the nice thing about the military surplus woodland camo is it's not expensive and if you need something replaced it's still available since the pattern doesn't change.

[@509Gman]

On the optical brighteners in detergents, the military actually bans such from being used to wash field uniforms since it will make them stand out more in nightvision (opposite end of the spectrum from UV, but there is a basis). Starched uniforms definitely glow under Night vision.

[@johnventers5128]

I shot my first stag late in the evening with the low sun directly behind me. I basically marched out in the open to a small rock lay down and took him in his bed. From the moment I came up the cliff I would have been fully exposed if it wasn't for that sun. The beast never knew I was there. Completely relaxed. It was ideal. He was a nasty old switch with barely a tooth left in his mouth. He was as old as the hills. I war brittish woodland dpm trousers and a solid tan felt jacket. I currently shoot 100's of deer per year and feel cammo is cool but totally unnecessary for deer stalking with a rifle. I have on one occasion stalked successfully in construction yellow high vi's as an experiment. I intend to do more research on this.

[@landonhinz1993]

episode idea/request- Restoring and old rusty firearm. Might be a neat podcast but at the very minimum helpful

[@VortexNation]

Would be interesting for sure! And Ian Klemm here does that sort of thing all the time actually so we could have him on. Thanks for the suggestion!

[@dwaynephilpot6154]

To sum this up. Realtree mossy oak bad solid color awesome only way to go. There I saved everybody time.

[@outdoorbasicslevel1825]

On UV light on your camo , look at your camo just as the sun goes up or down you glow compared to the trees or brush. I have found it is related to machine washing clothes and pulling. so I do use

[@RedCoat1721]

Hunted as a kid (70's) in blue jeans and red and black check shirts, and jackets. now I have camo I see less Deer and Elk running, but that might be I'm just older and slower :)

[@daviddukeshire7940]

Guys do great stuff!

[@VortexNation]

Thanks for tuning in, David!👊

[@craigschaefer8764]

I remember, back in the early ‘90s, wearing a set of non-proprietary brown camo while turkey hunting. If I was 50 yards away from my friend, he had a hard time picking me out, even if I was standing there. The modern patterns seem to be quite an advancement over that old brown pattern. But are they?

[@thechef2093]

So here's a little tidbit. The human eye detects visual information based on movement and colour. As an experiment go out with your buddy right after sundown and staff still - eventually their image will fade. The same logic applies to deer. When their skin folds up and creates shadows, it's harder to detect because it causes a lack of colour (relative to environment), so if they're still enough they're invisible until there ear twitch. The more you know!

[@paulbrown2016]

What is the groin of the torso?

[@outdoorbasicslevel1825]

Pilling not pulling. I use the UV wash. I live in the west and any camo that works for predators works great for big game.

[@VortexNation]

Great info - thank you!

[@joshbrown284]

It's all about the ghillie suit

[@waylonlegend4603]

I wear a solid dark green Cathcart hoodie.

[@VortexNation]

That'll certainly get the job done!

[@stenjohnson6149]

I thought the KUIU camo looked goofy at first. I was soooo wrong!!

[@tehunter6569]

90% of the art of camouflage is controlling your movement. When you’re moving it really doesn’t matter what you’re wearing

[@24kachina]

98.9 % of the time camo is a complete waste of time. If you're duck or turkey hunting, maybe, otherwise it's just silly boys playing army man. Nothing wrong with that if that's your fancy, but it's totally unnecessary for taking large game. I hunt in Arizona. For most elk and deer I've killed I was wearing a Smurf blue fleece pullover that all my friends make fun of.

[@Daniel_Callie]

Camo totally unnecessary.