If you’re here, looking at types of camo for hunting, it means you want to stay concealed in a certain scenario. Whether you’re a hunter or a military personnel, you know the importance of having good camo to blend into your surroundings seamlessly. It is important to know the correct types of camouflage patterns not only for the purpose they are being used for but also for the region they are to be used in.
Some may argue that camouflage is not necessary when it comes to hunting as the idea didn’t even exist centuries ago when people would hunt for food. They are right about it not being a necessity but with time and progress, different products have hit the market that have improved the success rate of people. Camouflage is one such invention that makes all the difference in the world when it comes to hunting.
This article aims to explore different types of camouflage patterns and most effective camo patterns by region. Having accurate knowledge would not only help you in making the right decision when choosing camo pattern types for your endeavor but would also aid you when you are out in the field.
Types of Camouflage Patterns
- Mimicry Camo
- Blending Camo
- 3D Camo
- Breakup Camo
Regional Camo Patterns
- Virginia
- Michigan
- Pennsylvania
- Texas
- Georgia
There are different types of camo patterns available in the market. You must always choose the most effective camo pattern that suits your surroundings. If you end up buying the wrong type of camo for your hunting experience or any other purpose for that matter, you could potentially alert the game you are going after.
The reason why there are several types of camouflage patterns for hunting in the market is because every surrounding is different. Hunters may require a different sort of concealment when they are in the North than when they are in the south. Camouflage companies figured out that there was a need for different patterns and styles to cater to different geographic locations.
There are four main types of camouflage patterns and styles for hunting that work effectively when it comes to stalking game. Keep reading to know which pattern and style you need according to your geographic position.
1. Mimicry
Mimicry is a camo pattern style that “mimics” the geographic region of the hunter. These camo patterns for hunting mimic the foliage of the region they are being used in. It is often seen that good camo is able to depict the same flora that can be found in the area. This allows the wearer to align with their surroundings and become a part of it.
Mimicry style in camouflage can be executed with same style surroundings. For example, trees, grass, plants, and shrubs are printed over the wearables. This is done so to allow the hunter to become a part of their surroundings. In this way, they are not spotted by the game they are hunting. To ensure that proper mimicry is being done, the same pattern is copied onto all pieces of clothing. This includes upper, lowers, cap, face mask, and boots.
While mimicry may seem like a groundbreaking idea, it has been noted that exact mimicry is often impossible to execute. It is natural for the weather to keep changing throughout the seasons. This means that the hunting grounds also change in color, growth, and density.
Oftentimes, such changes are occurring within the season. This makes mimicry style camouflage a little unreliable. The prey would easily be able to spot the hunter. It would identify the silhouette of a foreign object i.e. the hunter.
One of the concealed hunting, best camo covers and blinds for treestand are pretty common in Northern States. These are camo burlaps to blend with tree patterns in forest area.
2. Blending
Blending is a technique that has been employed for years now. As the name suggests, these hunting camouflage patterns ensure the hunter is blending. The surroundings become seamlessly, making them invisible to an unsuspecting eye. This type of hunter camo pattern is designed using the colors of the surroundings.
Different tones are taken from the area where the hunter is most likely to use this type of hunting camouflage. These tones are then used to create a blended design that would keep the hunter concealed at all times. Matching tones may often make it hard to identify any foreign object in the vicinity.
While blending is considered to be a good technique, it can be a little unreliable just like mimicry. If and when the weather in the area changes, it reflect in the flora and fauna of the area. This means that blended designs may only be used at a certain time of the year. If a hunter really wants to have blended camouflage, they need different tones and shades. These should reflect the geographic region throughout the hunting season.
3. 3D Camo Pattern
As the name suggests, 3D camouflage style adds a third dimension, making it look super real. The camouflage houses different elements that make it look real when placed in a certain geographic region. The hunter remains concealed in the environment and can easily look for game without getting caught.
In 3D suits, companies may add artificial leaves all over the suit or could attach fragments of artificial branches. The main purpose of doing so is to add texture and layers to the hunter’s outfit in order for them to hide meticulously. It disorients the game and allows the hunter’s figure to be broken up.This gives the effect of the open field that the hunter is in. A great example of this is the ghillie suit.
There are now 3D digital camo for hunting in the market that do not particularly make use of artificial fragments but are digitally printed to depict the area. While it also provides great camouflage, the digital hunting camouflage is not as effective as 3D camouflage style.
This is the best type of camouflage out there in the market as it greatly camouflages the hunter. It can quite easily be called the most effective camouflage in the world.
The only downside to this style of camo pattern for hunting is that it can be a little inconvenient to travel in it as it is prone to get entangled in shrubs and branches.
4. Breakup
Another disruptive camouflage pattern is the breakup style. The main purpose of the breakup style is to break up the silhouette of the hunter when they are out in the field.
In this style of hunting camouflage pattern, the main goal is to allow the hunter to become a part of their surroundings instead of blending in. Simply put, the hunter becomes invisible to their game. Breakup style is a relatively newer style of camouflage but is well appreciated by hunters.
Breakup camo is quite effective as it blurs out the outline of the hunter. It is quite flexible as this type of camo can blend into a number of different areas. Breakup camo comes in two different styles to improve the effectiveness of the camo according to the surroundings.
The first type is the macro breakup pattern. This pattern is used primarily in long range hunting. The print on this style of breakup camo is large to depict the area.
On the other hand, the micro breakup pattern is used in short range hunting. This type of breakup pattern has a smaller print. This is commonly used in run and gun hunting.
Different Hunting Camouflage Patterns by Companies
1. Realtree Camo Pattern
Realtree is a camo company that has been around for a few years now. Its camo has a specific greenish tree pattern that aligns with the modern style of camo. The company not only produces wearables in camo but also manufactures tree stand and deer stand camo for a well rounded hunting experience.
Realtree camo specializes in bark camo patterns as well as digital prints of camo to conceal the hunter better. Real tree edge is one of the best sellers by the company. It couples a woody pattern with green print that would practically work at any hunting field across most of America. Be it dry desert-land of the west or the woodlands of the north, Realtree Edge works like wonder.
Realtree Max is another great collection by the company (realtree.com) that is still sought after even so many years after it was initially introduced. This style of camo pattern mimics a dry, dusty pattern to match the environment.
The website works as a great realtree camo guide with adequate information available pertaining to all camo styles and patterns. The hunter can choose the most appropriate camo for their hunting trip.
2. ASAT Camo Pattern
ASAT camo stands for the All Seasons All Terrain camo. The company ASAT (asatcamo.com) Introduced the revolutionary idea of using the same sort of camouflage material and pattern regardless of the region, weather, or season. In the camouflage industry, this is a considerably newer idea as people have always opted for a specific pattern in accordance to a specific region.
The company has stated that greens are not a desirable shade of camouflage. Its main focus remains largely on bringing forth more subdued and dusty shades such as brown, gray, and black. The logic behind this is to match the color of the prey instead of that of the vegetation around. These hunting camo prints include petite vertical strokes to conceal the hunter better in the field.
While ASAT camo patterns are often considered the most effective camo, there are always those who would disagree. According to them, the most effective camo pattern would be one that blends into the environment seamlessly whether they are in woodlands, the desert, or the mountain ranges.
3. Mossy Oak Camo Pattern
Mossy Oak is a well established camo company (mossyoak.com) that specializes in digitalized breakup and mimicry patterns. The company has established itself as a modern camo company that makes some of the most sought after camo in the market.
Mossy Oak deals in wearables as well as other camo products to give the hunter a smooth hunting experience. Mossy Oak treestand camo is one of the greatest products they have put on the market because of the diverse styles they are available in.
The most effective Mossy Oak camo patterns are Breakup Country pattern and the Mossy Oak Brush pattern. Both the patterns house disruptive patterns in dusty browns that work effectively as western camo patterns.
Mossy oak camo pattern is pretty common in some of the best tree stand umbrellas used for bow and rifle hunting.
Most Effective Hunting Camo Pattern By Region
While this may seem surprising to you, the best camo patterns and best camo colors can only be chosen when one knows how to match it to the foliage and flora and fauna of a region. There are different types of hunting camo available in the market according to the region.
We will discuss a few regions to give you a fair idea of how you can go about choosing the right camo patterns for your hunting experience.
Best Camo for Virginia
There are a total of 8 mountain ranges in Virginia which makes the terrain of the region rocky but also dense. There is a lot of game including deers and bucks in the area which is why there is a lot of natural camouflage in darker tones.
The best camo for woods and other areas of Virginia would be darker and faded colors to encourage mimicry when out in the fields. This gives the perfect camouflage to hunters in Virginia. Designs with smaller patterns are preferred as the majority of hunting is close range.
The reason why mimicry style of camo is preferred is because it disseminates the figure of the hunter and keeps them concealed when they are hunting in deer-rich Virginia. Elements Terra by Mossy Oak is a great collection for Virginia.
Best Camo for Michigan
If you’re looking to hunt in the state of Michigan, you must know that it has a densely forested landscape with a lot of green. It may vary from area to area but the majority of the state falls into the green and brown category. Located towards the north of the country, Michigan is most notably a land for deer hunting.
The best hunting camouflage colors for the state of Michigan would be deeper browns with green on top. Camouflage with smaller prints are preferred for this area since it blends well with the backdrop of the state. This mimics the tree camo pattern which in turn conceals the hunter better.
A common question asked is how to camouflage a treestand. Specific hunting camo colors are preferred by hunters, not only in wearables but also for their treestands since they are commonly used in Michigan. Getting burlap blinds in the same prints would suffice and do the job well.
The APG collection by Realtree works a charm in such regions as they blend the hunter seamlessly into their surroundings. The Breakup pattern by Mossy Oaks works really well as well in this environment as it reflects a smaller green pattern.
Best Camo for Pennsylvania
Found at the east of the map, Pennsylvania is home to 369.5 km of the Appalachian trail. The mountain range is noted to be rocky and dry. The hunting grounds lack a lot of bright green and instead tilts towards darker shades of green, dark brown and black.
The best hunting camo print for the region of Pennsylvania is the tree bark camo. Darker colors such as dark green, black, and dark brown that mimic the bark of a tree are
appropriate for the region. This allows the hunters to blend into their surroundings seamlessly.
Realtree camo patterns are great for this region. Camo from the Realtree Timber collection would blend into the Pennsylvania region perfectly. Generally all types of camo from Realtree would be effective in this area as the primary focus is on deeper tones and shades.
Best Camo for Texas
Texas is known for its dense but desert-like terrain. Since the land is vast, different camo styles and patterns are suitable for the north and the south. The north of Texas begs for a deep breakup pattern to reflect the dense vegetation in the area. South Texas camo patterns are in contrast to the north. For the south, breakup patterns that are in faded brown tones work the best.
Realtree Edge as well as Realtree Max would work perfectly for south Texas. Mossy Oak Breakup Country is the appropriate choice for the north of the state. Realtree Edge and Mossy Oak Breakup can also be paired to create the best camo according to the region.
Best Camo for Georgia
Georgia shares a similar terrain to Virginia. It also houses the Appalachian mountain range. Located at the east of the map, the state of Georgia has a rocky but dense landscape. The main tones that can be identified are deeper tones.
Best hunting camo texture and style would be the tree bark camouflage pattern that has earthy and faded tones. Dark brown, gray, and deeper greens are often preferred for this area. These colors provide the perfect camouflage to hunters while they hunt their game. Not only should the hunters look for camo wearables in this area but should also seek treestand camo, if they are using one.
The Realtree Timber collection as well as the Mossy Oaks Elements Terra collection would be a great fit for this region. If it really comes down to Realtree vs Mossy Oak camo for the Georgia region, the Realtree camouflage patterns take the cake as they have been often suggested by hunters.
ASAT Camouflage
While camo for hunting has always been divided by region, there are new camo patterns for hunting in the market that cater to all regions of the United States. As mentioned above, the ASAT camo stands for All Seasons – All Terrain. The primary focus of these newest camo patterns is to match the camouflage to the game that is being hunted instead of the geographic region.
This idea was initially introduced by the company ASAT. It implied that if the game being hunted was never green, why was the camo designed to look green. ASAT camo is tunnel
visioned to indulge colors like brown, gray, and black to introduce a newer style of camo that would cater to all regions of the United States.
It is actually a great idea because this way people would not have to rack up camos according to different seasons. Instead, they would just have to buy a few pieces that would be effective in a multitude of surroundings.
Currently, ASAT camo (the company) is the best company that is making such types of camo. The products have a snake-y pattern which allows the hunter to be camouflaged perfectly in, as the company puts it, all seasons – all terrain!
Whether you are looking for the best all around camo pattern or different hunting camo types, it is necessary to understand your region and the game you’re hunting. These details make all the difference in the world when it comes to hunting.
Through this article, we hope we have answered the three main questions you might have had about hunting camo types before visiting this page; What is the best camouflage pattern? What is the best camouflage? And does camouflage work for hunting?
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