Wind, Scent, and Cammo...

[Doc Sauce]

Like most of y'all, I have a very limited budget.  Blame it on unwise decisions and a 4 kids... I just don't have the cash that I would like to have.  I am prioritizing which gear to get and am now having to figure out how to dance around things I have already said to my wife... Like... Most animals are color blind...  My jeans are just fine for walking in the woods but I need a new pair of boots...  I have an old military Gore Tex jacket for rain gear, but it is relatively heavy and loud.  I'm looking at Rivers West (among others) when my wife asks why I cannot just use my North Face Jacket.  It's Red.  I say, " because it's red..."  and then she replays my words... "but I thought you said most animals are color blind..."  Touche.  Thus the question:

How important is Cammo?  I see pictures of folks standing next to Deer, Bear, Goats, and Elk wearing jeans and flannel.  I see pictures of folks standing next to the same animals in almost full ghillie suit. Sometimes I think the cammo is more to build credibility with other hunters and sometimes I think it really is of massive importance.

I don't have the money to really  buy anything and so I'm hunting in what I have.  Wearing dark colors and trying to be as quiet as possible.  I am really trying pretty hard to read the wind and pay attention to which direction my scent is being carried. 

So what is more important?  Hunting in Camo, or hunting the wind/scent game?

o, BTW, be careful what you say in the court of female... what you say can and will be used against you. 

[runamuk]

Wind......lots and lots of old timers never wore camo.....and lots of bears are harvested every year by people in blue jeans  besides camo is just fashion for men

[washelkhunter]

One color deer and elk see very well is blue. You want your clothing to be sight neutral by which i mean UV free. Wash that good ole bdu jacket in some scent and UV free wash. Those old military wool pants are great for hunting and cheap too. Check out your local thrift and military surplus stores. Two weeks ago i scored a brand new pendelton heavy shirt jack for $27. In red/black buffalo plaid. New off the rack it would cost $270.  buy a couple sets of poly underwear, nice wool socks at least 60% merino and a good waterproof hat and gloves. A wool shirt or sweater and you should be good to go. Do spend your hard earned money on a good pair of boots in the 200/400gr thinsulate insulation range. If your feet arent happy youre no longer hunting.  Use scent free body wash as well.

[Wildsau]

I, totally, agree.  The animals are color-blind and can only go by scent, movement and outline.  Camo wasn't even heard of, when I first started hunting, some 45 years ago, and, still, not used in Europe.  There, they wear the traditional earthin colors, grey, brown, or green.  The camo is a hype and a way to suck the extra money out of the average hunter.

Watch your wind and movement and you should do just fine. 

Best of luck.

[ouchfoss]

If your just bear hunting, I wouldnt be to concerned about camo. Bears have horrible eyesight. As long as your not moving they will never see you. I remember reading it somewhere, and Im sure someone on here would agree with me that bears have the best noses in the woods. In my own opinion, I dont think its possible to fool a bears nose no matter what you try (cover scents, charcoal camo, etc.).
The first bear I ever got I was wearing a white t-shirt and blue jeans because of how hot it was that day.
My bear I got this year walked to within 12 yards of me and I was squatting on the edge of a old road with nothing to hide behind at all. I just held still and let her walk right at me. I was wearing camo, but my figure stood out like a sore thumb. 

[pianoman9701]

Wind......lots and lots of old timers never wore camo.....and lots of bears are harvested every year by people in blue jeans  besides camo is just fashion for men

Yeah Run, but you know it's hot!

[skagitsteel]

Good pair of boots and whatever is most comfortable should be fine for bears.  I wear hiking pants during the summer and just layer under them with long underwear when it gets colder towards fall.  I am new to bear hunting, but can tell you that I have been in to around 100 yards on several bears this year, if your not moving they def cannot see you at 100 yards.  If the wind is headed toward them they can smell real well, had that happen too...

[Doc Sauce]

Good stuff y'all. 

I do have a good pair of boots.  Asolo Fugitive GTX's and I love them. 

I've got old military surplus gear and backpacking gear.  I'd prefer to use my backpacking stuff because it is lighter and seems to do a better job of keeping me cool (or warm if needed) and dry. 

I have yet to see a bear (only been out a few times) and I think it has more to do with my stink and location rather than fashion.

Thanks again y'all.

[jkhbuchanan]

Walmart! $20 mossey oak pants and $30 mossey oak thick jacket and if you want something lighter than a jacket they have $20 hoodies. You dont have to buy all the expensive camo from cabelas or any other sports store. I would say if your hunting just bear you would be good with just jeans. But if your hunting anything else just hit up your local walmart for some camo. It would cost you just as much as a pair of blue jeans.