I'm looking into buying a new camo outfit that i plan to use for hunting the sage country and desert here in Ca, as well as turkeys, deer, and bear next year when i move to Asheville NC. I need a good pattern that works well for a wide variety of game year round. I've got it narrowed down to 6 patterns and would like to hear some input from you guys. (Natural Gear; Cabelas Outfitter; Predator Brown Deception; Predator Spring Green; Predator Fall Brown; & Realtree AP HD)
ASAT.. :knothead:
I'm a disciple of the Ferret school of camo:
Plaid....if it has enough pockets.
1. Predator
2. ASAT
Cabelas Outfitter, I hunt open country sage flats, and Lush river bottoms. Use the terrain, shadows, and wind you won't have a problem. I really like the microtex fabric. I have one set of pants and shirt, can use it from August to January. Keeps you cool in the heat, and warm in the cold. Layer under the Outfitter Fleece and have sat in 20 below for hours.
Dakota Kid
Dude I don't see Mossy Oak any where??
ASAT!
I've got Predator brown and like it a lot. It worked real well back in Ks, especially in the CRP when calling yotes.
But my all time favorite is just plain old army camo. Had the best luck with it.
None of the above.
The first choice is an environment matched Ghillie but after spending so much time in them in the military they are not the most comfortable thing ever made. They're hot, they snag on things and they're bug and tick magnets. There is a DVD set from Bushrag that will tell you how to make one if you don't have a military source.
The second is the Multicam pattern which is absolutely phenomenal.
the US Marine MARPAT is another effective pattern.
Though the most important thing is finding a pattern that matches your hunting environment.
another vote for ASAT
ASAT 3-D "Leafy" Suit
Daryl
My home Made Ghillie suit that I learned how to make at Marine Corps Sniper School.... ;0)
Salvation Army special, used earth tones slacks and shirts, plaid shirts
ASAT...from the deserts and high mountains of Arizona to the woods of New York the most awesome pattern out there. The only thing better is a ghille suit, critters come so close you can touch them. I hunt with a group of guy's and that Mossy oak,Realtree,etc. looks ok when your against a tree and not moving but, is a dark blob at any distance.
Mixture of ASAT, some no-mame cheapo, and earth tones
predator......spring or fall pattern
I'm a fan of ASAT as well. I have a 3-D suit that's 3 years old and goin strong.
Depends on the the season and where I am. Since I hunt where there are plenty of evergreen foliage around; my favorite camo pattern is Predator Spring Green, but out in west Texas during the fall months, my second favorite comes into play which is Predator Fall Brown.
I may be a little differant than most BUT.....
I would worry less about what pattern it is and more about what it costs.
Instead of buying an "outfit".....Hit the clearance rack and buy 2-3 times (maybe 4 times) the amount of clothing.
You can buy pants,shirts,coats,(I'm a big fan of oversized long sleeve T-shirts,they cost about $3-$4 each)in any of the "popular" patterns.Mix the patterns up and you will blend in better than you will with the same pattern from head to toe.
Many say the "popular" patterns "blob" together at a distance.....Who Cares!!!!! We're bowhunters!!!!! I want camo that hides me at "spittin' distance!!!!! Also stop and think about how deer (and other solid colored animals) "dissapear" in cover. Just for fun,checkout the "now you see them,now you don't" thread,and see how easily those goats blend in!!!!! :thumbsup:
Save your money!!!!! Buy Cheap!!!!!
(Another "plus".....When your climbing over a barb-wire fence and you rip the seat out of your pants.....your ripping a $5 pair,not a $50 pair)
Mostly ASAT Ultimate 3D. I will use my "Shaggie" Ghillie suit when the weather turn colder. Both of these are absolutely deadly on deer.
John III
Predator. matching color to area.
I like dark plaids, since the allow me to blend in when I got to town, as well as in the woods. Critters don't seem to care one way or another, so long as you stay in the shade and don't move when they're lookin'.
Woodchucker, I agree. That is why I like the 3-D suit from ASAT. I just wear it over whatever I want, usually old faded camo I have. I haven't had to buy camo for the last 3 years because of it.
Natural gear or ASAT.
I've got a NEW favorite...CamoWest. Marc Carlton is a traditional bowhunter like us and an all around good guy. You will see his ad in TBM. His new Hybrid pattern is awesome in a lot of different environments because it is open and high def. His Arid pattern is also top notch in open country. Both will be going along to Africa with me this year.
ASAT leafy when it's hot switching to ghillie as it gets a little cooler.
Another vote for ASAT. Their 3D Pro Vanish (leafy suit) is phenomonal.
wow, it looks like a lot of you prefer ASAT! I like that pattern, but i haven't seen it offered in many materials. I prefer lightweight fleece for warmer climates and wool for the cold because they seem to absorb light better instead of reflecting it. Dakota Kid, send me a PM and tell me more about the cabelas microtex, i'd like to hear more about it as that's what i'm looking at ordering right now and would like to hear pro's/ cons. Onestringer, I've never been a big fan of mossy oak. it seems to me they try to put to much stuff into their patterns and it looks like a dark blob. although i do like their "obsession" pattern for turkey hunting. I wear a lot of plaid and flannel now and it works pretty well for me. I also wear realtree hardwoods hd and advantage max4 hd and have had great luck with both patterns but even though it ain't broke, i still gotta fix it and try a new pattern! :) thanks for the input everyone, i'll report back in a couple days and let you know my choice, not that you care but it's exciting for me! LOL! :)
Predator Fall Brown.
"God's Country Camo" uses a light colored background instead of a dark like many of the popular brands. The problem with a dark background camo is that it turns the hunter into a dark blob in low light conditions. GCC keeps you hidden when it matters most. I really like the camo from them.
anything that hides me from the game
Faded Carhart bibs and my Longhunter Shirt from Ron Leclair.
Sorry my choice is not on the list.
ASAT first, Predator second; anyone know where ASAT clothing can be found?
From your list, Natural Gear, then predator. If you like the brown and grey "open" camo, check out skyline apparition. Just do a search for skyline camo....
All of em work well IMO, but I find that whatever I feel "best" in(aka Invisible) is what I go with, I mean its a mental quirk or something.LOL.
Good luck with your choices.
Predator fall brown, just bought a Grey wolf wool jacket off the adds in this pattern, it's the same thing i wore this spring it works good.
Maybe this has been posted, and if it has sorry for the double post. The orginal Predator camo is getting harder and harder to find. To keep from getting in trouble with all those that prefer ASAT, they are both pretty equal. I prefer one over the other, but it is hard to beat either one!
>>>>Tim------->
plaid, still the best and cheepest.
MOSSY OAK BREAK UP!! the old kind...
From your list Natural Gear but ASAT is my #1.
Kenneth, check out Day One camoflage for the varietys you're looking for in ASAT or Sitka is offering it now in their high tech line.
ASAT can be found in wool, fleece, lightweight fleece, bucksuede and cotton from Day One Camo-good stuff and much less expensive than gray wolf (although I love the gray wolf stuff as well).
BD
Asat for sure except around my home-then I can be wearing Carhards and the animals just don't care!LOL!
REMEMBER: Camoflauge is a concept, not a pattern. I am a firm believer that specific pattern does not matter, but following camoflauging principals does.
I own camo of every pattern, yet recently hunt mostly in wool plaid. I see NO difference in game reaction.
Shadows, concealment.....thats what matters.
ASAT
(I relaly liked Winona, but it is not made anymore. I just bought a suit off of a guy though).
ASAT 3-D is my choice. It can't be beat.
I have killed deer in just about everything.including my boxers when I slid open the kitchen door. :bigsmyl: I will try to find that old style treebark pattern if they still make it>>I am going to look into this asat right now.
I have an original pair of Mr. Jim's Tree Bark. Man are they old anyway that and a green plaid shirt early season.Red plaid when the leaves are changing,dark green/ brown plaid wool as the season gets cooler I also have a couple of Real Tree jumpsuits an original [my favorite, wacked a lot of deer in that one]and a newer one when it really gets cold and hardly any leaves on the trees . If I had the bucks to go out and buy all new stuff? I probably would go for ASAT>>>--->
Have you checked out SKYLINE'S LINE OF CAMO.I have acouple pieces in different patterns and they are really good at breaking up your silhouette.
My favorite camo pattern? Whatever's on the warmest, quietest clothes I can find. Unless I'm hunting turkeys, I don't pay much attention to camo patterns.
There's a VERY knowlegable and kind Trad Ganger named Carl Abrams who distributes ASAT Vanish Pro 3D camo (and I think perhaps some other brands, too).
He really does a great job as a business man, and offers a very nice discount if you say you are from the Trad Gang. I'd recommend him to anyone who wants good products and service (and price!).
I have his e-mail recorded as: Carl.Abrams@hdrinc.com
Daryl
Actually you shouldn't use that e-mail to contact Carl.That is his owrk e-mail and they frown on him using it for other business concerns. He is a friend of mine. I told him about the tradgang and how so many here seemed to like ASAT. You should contact Carl at abramscl@comcast.net
and tell him Curtiss Cardinal sent you. :bigsmyl:
for a discount that you will appreciate I'm sure.
He has talked me into becoming an ASAT dealer myself and I will become a tradgang sponsor when it becomes finalized.
While color and material are important remember the four S's...Shape; minimize all distinctive humman features. Shine; avoid surface reflection, skin, equipment. Shadow: dont make, and stay with the shadows. Silhouette; dont skyline yourself. Also if you hunt with other people, when you are meeting up whats the first thing that you see on them????? 99 times out of 100 it's the face that stands out from the distance.
Gods Country Camo
Cody and Chester thanks for the heads up on the Gods Country Camo! I really like their patterns and am gonna do a little more research into their stuff.
swp and BD thanks for the heads up about Day One Camo, I'll have to check that out and see if they have what I'm looking for.
C2 (Curtis) does Carl have a website? does he have ASAT available in fleece, wool, and such?
If I had the money, I would go for the Sitka gear with the Mothwing Mountain Mimicry pattern. It's some good quality stuff and the pattern is awesome!
Wow so many choices!! I know the deer don't care to much about the pattern, but I'm looking for something that's pleasing to my eye. Isn't that what the whole camo thing is all about anyway? It's kinda like wearing a shirt or jacket with your favorite sports team on it. :) thanks for all the input everyone. it's gonna take me a few days, but i'll report back and let you fellers know what team i'm rootin' for! :)
Kenneth-
Carl can get ASAT products through Day One and direct from ASAT (including the Sitka gear)-I would highly recommend you go through him-I just ordered some more ASAT from him.
PM me if you want more details.
BD
oh, i forgot. it seems most of you voted for the Predator Fall Brown, but I can't find it anywhere. The brown deception is everywhere though. I really like the pattern offered on the Double Bull blinds, it's call Deception All Season. I wish they offered it in their clothing line, if they did the search would be over!
Another vote from ASAT from DayOne. Great prices, great service. I hunt in/around a lot of corn fields - ASAT can't be beat.
Kenneth-the db blind pattern is predator brown deception.
BD
Well I just placed a couple of orders and I went with a few different patterns because BassPro had some good prices on t-shirts and almost everything in Realtree Hardwoods HD, and I ordered some silent weave pants from Cabelas in Realtree AP HD, I got a Vista fleece side quiver in Max 4, and I still have my plaids and earthtones to mix and match. Sometime in the future though I'm saving up and getting the Sitka Gear in the Mountain Mimicry pattern!!! Thanks for the input everyone.
1- Good background
2- Wind direction
3- Don't move
4- pick a spot
5- Mossy oak break up :bigsmyl:
Serge
I am turning more & more to plaids in green/brown,wool when cool enough. When I do wear cammo it's ASAT. Frank
I'm cheap for warmer weather I wear whatever Wal-mart is selling at the time. Another new camo this year with pine tree's etc. Cool to cold weather I use Wool clothes from Cabela's or my own wool versions. When hunting with other History Re-enactors I wear Breechclout, Braintan Leggins and layered linen shirts all dyed in Sumac Berries. I have used this outfit all over the Country with out a problem.
Soft, medium gray wools or plaids in neutral tones.
In actual "camo patterns" I prefer ASAT.
I also really use to like the original TreBark. As a camo pattern I still do, but since the founder/creator was instrumental (from my informed understanding) in the back-door rushed inclusion of crossbows in the VA archery season, I can't seem to buy any more from the new release.
I do love Nat Gear...wears well and is comfortable and I like the pattern. I do have a variety of camo though... I also love to wear the stuff from the army surplus store too.
I found a new line of girls hunting camo....this summer at the Southern Deer Hunters Expo... wow...the stuff even fits better.
I have noticed that to me the critters don't seem to care what I wear.
ASAT, but it's in a knit cardigan that I don't think is available anymore (at least 20 years old). Anyone remember the Winona knit camo? It's that type of sweater with the ASAT pattern.
Tim
Ya, still have some Winona. Effective, comfortable.
Steve
I honestly don't know what I have now! IT is an assortment I know that I regularly mix and match. I think camo ads are like those pet food commercials-they appeal to people when the animals don't care at all-they'll eat anything! I'm convinced that as long as you cover your face in something and otherwise just break up the pattern, stay downwind and still-you will be fine! I hae some scent lock too and I don't think that matters either!
Realtree AP HD for early fall, Realtree Hardwoods HD for deep winter, and Realtree Hardwoods Green HD for my rain gear.
No camo will hide you if you move.
ASAT anytime anywhere anyseason
anything plaid
Gee I forgot....to list the camo pattern of my favorite down hunting jacket. It is a Browning Jacket that I bought at Big Daddy's last year while enroute to Missouri. The pattern is Mossy Oak Brush and it blends in well in the Missouri hard woods.