Question for hunters

[TTD]

So I've been watching more shows on guns/hunting, etc.

To be honest, hunting doesn't do it for me... but my question is this.

Why spend all the money on camouflage gear... when you just have to put on a bright orange vest?

One show I was watching said most animals can't see colors anyway.

[DocCola]

Always wondered the same damn thing. But I'll never understand the desire to sit out in a hide for hours on end hoping a dear will happen to wander by so you can shoot him.

Then again, after combat, nothing will compare because you can be shot at as well.

[Stoneman]

With camo, it's not so much the color as it is the pattern...

I know it sounds corny as hell and it's a highly generic answer. But if you need it explained to you, you'd probably never understand it...

[TTD]

With camo, it's not so much the color as it is the pattern...

I know it sounds corny as hell and it's a highly generic answer. But if you need it explained to you, you'd probably never understand it...

Yeah... not looking to make this a "hunting" thread.. just trying to understand the logic on the gear.

I hear ya on the pattern part though... guess that makes sense even if you have a vest on.

[nt650hawk]

I've run across more deer, turkey pheasant and quail mountain biking than my hunting friends.

I'm especially not quiet or sitting still.

[Stoneman]

I've run across more deer, turkey pheasant and quail mountain biking than my hunting friends.

I'm especially not quiet or sitting still.

Yip. I've seen more game working the wood lots than I ever have hunting. Deer, moose, turkey, bear, rabbit, etc. Strap a rifle on and they disappear...

[TTD]

Yip. I've seen more game working the wood lots than I ever have hunting. Deer, moose, turkey, bear, rabbit, etc. Strap a rifle on and they disappear...

So instead of cammo gear for your body, you have to come up with a gun that looks like something else.

[Stoneman]

So instead of cammo gear for your body, you have to come up with a gun that looks like something else.

They have camo rifles too...

[catamount]

So the question is directed at "deer" hunters? Because there are many types of hunters and so definitely DO NOT work with orange (duck, turkey, etc).

Deer can't see colors but they sure as hell can make out shapes.

A solid block of the color is the woods stands out like a sore thumb. Many states require a certain volume of orange on a hunter.

[OreoGaborio]

Yup. The camouflage isn't so much about blending in to the surroundings as it is meant to break up the silouette.


And cammo totally works. My mom proved it the other day when she walked into the TV room while I was watching the U.S. Army All-American Bowl Football game with my dad when the camera panned through the stands to show THOUSANDS of US Army troops in attendance.

To which her response was...


"Wow. No one wanted to go to the game, huh?"

[BSR6]

There is a lot more to it than just sitting in the woods and waiting. A good hunter employs strategy such as understanding the animal's habits and position's himself accordingly.

As far as the camo goes...I am still not sure about that one. Deer can't see very well so it doesn't matter what you wear, as long as your overall shape is broken up. This can be done by sitting up against a tree and being very still.

The reason you see deer mountain biking is because animals seem to have a way of knowing whether or not someone is in pursuit of them. On your mountain bike its obvious you are out doing your own thing and have no concern for them so they aren't afraid to be near you as much.

I am not really an avid hunter but my dad is, so I go with him on occasion. I have gone enough to "get it" though, and the only real way to explain it is that its like anything else. Once understood and appropriately applied, the strategy behind it makes it interesting. There is something to be said when someone can outsmart a wild animal in it's own habitat, with senses that are much sharper and more adapted to it's environment than ours are.

[Stoneman]

I wonder how many more of us are gonna post about hunting practices even though he's pointed out twice he's only asking about he camo gear...

[ninjachica250]

So I've been watching more shows on guns/hunting, etc.

To be honest, hunting doesn't do it for me... but my question is this.

Why spend all the money on camouflage gear... when you just have to put on a bright orange vest?

One show I was watching said most animals can't see colors anyway.

camo = blending into the atmosphere
bright orange vest = other hunters spotting you in the blended atmosphere so they dont shoot u.

[TTD]

OK... so now a real "hunting" question. (yes, I am watching the Outdoor Channel)

Anyway, it's light out and this father/son are hunting deer.

Kid shoots a deer clean, but the thing just sort of stands there for a bit... then runs off. The father says "we're going to wait until dark to retrieve him"

Cuts to commercial, comes back and it's night time and they are out there with flashlights looking for the thing.

Why wait until dark?

Only thing I could think of was so they aren't walking around while others are hunting? Then again, this is the only time I've seen any hunters wait.

[OreoGaborio]

camo = blending into the atmosphere
bright orange vest = other hunters spotting you in the blended atmosphere so they dont shoot u.

I dunno, if I wanted to blend into the atmosphere I'd skip the camouflage and try sublimation.

OK... so now a real "hunting" question. (yes, I am watching the Outdoor Channel)

Anyway, it's light out and this father/son are hunting deer.
Kid shoots a deer clean, but the thing just sort of stands there for a bit... then runs off. The father says "we're going to wait until dark to retrieve him"
Cuts to commercial, comes back and it's night time and they are out there with flashlights looking for the thing.
Why wait until dark?
Only thing I could think of was so they aren't walking around while others are hunting? Then again, this is the only time I've seen any hunters wait.

Sounds pretty dumb to me, but then again the only hunting I've ever done is Milf hunting.

[TTD]

Sounds pretty dumb to me, but then again the only hunting I've ever done is Milf hunting.

The MILFS come out at night... the MILFS come out at night...

YouTube - Whodini - Freaks Come Out At Night

[ilikenapalm]

Off topic, but expanding on what BSR6 said...

Deer usually follow set game trails. I went for a run through the woods in the snow and you can clearly see what paths they follow and where they cross certain trails. It'd be wise to make note of those trails now for when you go hunting later.

Also, I'm totally going to chase down a deer this summer.

[Stoneman]

OK... so now a real "hunting" question. (yes, I am watching the Outdoor Channel)

Anyway, it's light out and this father/son are hunting deer.

Kid shoots a deer clean, but the thing just sort of stands there for a bit... then runs off. The father says "we're going to wait until dark to retrieve him"

Cuts to commercial, comes back and it's night time and they are out there with flashlights looking for the thing.

Why wait until dark?

Only thing I could think of was so they aren't walking around while others are hunting? Then again, this is the only time I've seen any hunters wait.

It's rare that a deer (or any large game) dies 'instantly' and it could take a while for it to actually die. 'Stumbling' on a dieing deer that's pumped full of adrenaline could cause it to jump & run again if it's able...

[Stoneman]

Off topic, but expanding on what BSR6 said...

Deer usually follow set game trails. I went for a run through the woods in the snow and you can clearly see what paths they follow and where they cross certain trails. It'd be wise to make note of those trails now for when you go hunting later.

Ya think?

[Stoneman]

Tony, you're welcome to come out with me next year. I'll be going for my bear next year (usually late summer/early fall) and definitely deer. I'd hafta double check to see if an unlicensed person can accompany me though. I'm not sure if they allow it, but if you're not carrying a rifle or doing an active push, I can't see a problem. It'll be out at our woodlots...

[TTD]

It's rare that a deer (or any large game) dies 'instantly' and it could take a while for it to actually die. 'Stumbling' on a dieing deer that's pumped full of adrenaline could cause it to jump & run again if it's able...

Ahhh... kind of makes sense. Thanks.

As for going hunting sometime, thanks for the offer but it's not on my "to do" list.

I just got sucked into some hunting shows and I don't like when I don't understand something - hence, the hunting questions.

I changed the channel... so no more questions.

[Slyder]

Deer can't see well? They can't see colors, but let me and any other hunter tell ya, they see really damn well. I've been sitting motionless and have been picked off by them easily. Sometimes they make mistakes just like any other critter though, us included. Sometimes they walk right by you, literally feet away and never know it (hence why camo helps). They sure as hell can see the big blotches of solid colors though, as was mentioned. Orange isn't a req in VT, I opt for the wool coat anyhow.

And Stoneman was right on, rifle is one thing but if they were bow hunting, then ya give the deer time to die. Wounded they will find a place to lay down. If you start / keep pursuing a shitty shot deer, it can go hundreds of yards and there's no guarantee of a blood trail. Another thing, they really don't taste as good if they've been wounded and chased all over the county due to adrenaline.

Ninja chickie was onto something though, atmosphere...we need to learn how to hover above tree line, the little bassards will never see us up there. Depending on the day, you wear blue, white, gray...

[ninjachica250]

tree stands FTW

my dad is a hunter and all he watches on tv is football, hunting & the occasional tom petty concert on Fuse.

[butcher bergs]

What I have learned from this thread:

Ride a mountain bike to go hunting and get that headshot.

Got it!

[dhuze]

Deer can't see well? They can't see colors, but let me and any other hunter tell ya, they see really damn well. I've been sitting motionless and have been picked off by them easily. ................ They sure as hell can see the big blotches of solid colors though, as was mentioned...............................

Deer can see blue and purple very well. Most new clothing have UV brighteners in them so they look good to consumers. The bad part is they essentially "glow" to deer and they will see you. Always wash new hunting clothes in detergent with no brighteners.

This is what they see




By the way Tony, Stoneman was correct on both questions.