Hunting Washington Forum

Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Commando on February 06, 2014, 02:29:32 PM

Title: camo pattern?
Post by: Commando on February 06, 2014, 02:29:32 PM: hey guys i was wondering what kind of camo pattern/ brand these days. im really considering getting a new set of under armour . but sitka is always in the back of my head to. thought? if it helps i normally hunt the west side up north
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: notellumcreek on February 06, 2014, 02:48:52 PM: I am no expert, but what comments I have read Sitka is not worth the money they want. I am leaning towards Kryptek myself when I do go buy some new camo, my good buddy liljozie on here owns quite a few pieces now and they are all really nice.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: emac on February 06, 2014, 02:54:50 PM: i am a fan of core4element. but i do like kryptek also
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: tonymiller7 on February 06, 2014, 03:03:45 PM: Camobooty!!! :drool: J/K I don't think the pattern matters as much as it is hyped. I've worn the vietnam era woodland and had animals walk right by me. It depends on your budget, whether or not you want it to be waterproof, and what's on sale. My biggest thing is that it is QUIET!!
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: fillthefreezer on February 06, 2014, 03:34:08 PM: kryptek
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: deltaops on February 06, 2014, 04:08:46 PM: Camo is over rated. Deer know when its hunting season and when its not. hunting season I do not see any deer, but when I am out camping and its not hunting season, they walk right up to me. Maybe I will make me a ghillie suit and see if that helps during hunting season. :chuckle:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: deltaops on February 06, 2014, 04:28:41 PM: Just noticed this is in the ELK section, Either way, the only elk I have seen was in Unit 653 and they just looked at me, wondering what I was doing.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: REHJWA on February 06, 2014, 06:53:37 PM: Staying still is the best camo. :twocents:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: xXLojackXx on February 06, 2014, 06:58:22 PM: Fred Bear used to bow hunt in jeans and flannel. Animals pick up movement, not colors. That being said, I wear Sitka because it gives me confidence in what I'm doing. And without confidence in your gear or method, you're walking aimlessly.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: bowhuntersd on February 07, 2014, 07:57:01 AM: OK, everyone knows animals trigger in on movement. A good camo will help you be able to move with out being spotted as easily. I love Core4Element (mountain mimicry) and Kryptic gear. Also the Cabelas Zones (western). I haven't tried the gear but the camo looks good. :twocents:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: baker5150 on February 07, 2014, 09:11:06 AM: The number one thing Ive fund is that I want to be comfortable. Warm, Dry, and quiet. The pattern doesn't seem to matter one bit.
I hunt with guys who have worn the same pair of wool pants and flannel shirts for 30 years, and they all shoot Elk.

Being a snowboarder I am use to certain clothing types when it's cold and wet. I wear layers and shells. A waterproof camo coat with hood, and a waterproof camo pant, with lots of pockets. I have a hell of a time finding what I want.

My coat is by Gamehide in Realtree camo, and my pants are some sort of cabela's brand, not sure which but they are waterproof and just a shell.
I also have various camo hoodies and tee shirts in case the weather gets warm.

No matter what I wear, I just need to be comfortable, and confident that if I do my part, so will my gear.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: REHJWA on February 07, 2014, 10:08:22 AM: :yeah: Whatever you are comfortable in.... When your warm and dry you are going to have a better hunt. Here is a pic of my early season Camo. It is a leafy bug net I put on over whatever I'm wearing. I do treat all my clothes with scent killer also. Scent and movement are what always get me busted .
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: lewy on February 07, 2014, 10:31:51 AM: I prefer the more open/lighter patterns such as Mt mimicry, the darker tighter patterns from a distance turn to a solid and don't work well :twocents: Scent and movement are far more important tho.....
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Stizz on February 07, 2014, 11:50:21 AM: Go for the sitka...its expensive but ive gone through two sets trying to find one that can handle this western wa jungle, and theyve hooked me up both times without asking for a cent. The customer service is second to none, and being dry and comfortable while you hunt is priceless.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: SquirrelHunter on February 07, 2014, 12:16:15 PM: :
Quote from: fillthefreezer on February 06, 2014, 03:34:08 PM
kryptek
:yeah:
Bought a set of kryptek highlander last year and it works great, i use it for big game and waterfowl
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: D-Rock425 on February 07, 2014, 12:16:44 PM: I wouldn't be to worried about the pattern. Sitka is nice stuff but not cheap.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: batch on February 07, 2014, 12:44:00 PM: i wouldn't be too concerned over the pattern like others have said. i don't really were camo that much. i don't think it is really that necessary. when i do wear it it is because it is waterproof. i think one should be concerned more on the durability or other properties you are wanting as opposed to the pattern. i also think it is absurd to think you have to spend thousands of dollars on clothes to make you a better hunter but if that floats your boat go for it.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: KopperBuck on February 07, 2014, 12:50:40 PM: Quote from: fillthefreezer on February 06, 2014, 03:34:08 PM
kryptek

All the way for the cool factor. I ordered Marathon Seat Covers in the Typhon pattern.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: fillthefreezer on February 07, 2014, 01:45:54 PM: Quote from: KopperBuck on February 07, 2014, 12:50:40 PM
Quote from: fillthefreezer on February 06, 2014, 03:34:08 PM
kryptek

All the way for the cool factor. I ordered Marathon Seat Covers in the Typhon pattern.
ive been seriously eyeballin those!
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Olympics777 on February 07, 2014, 09:55:17 PM: Go with Sitka. It is completely under rated, and all the negative comments I've heard were from people who don't use it. I have walked right up to deer, elk and moose within 30 yards easy in it. The one thing I will say, though, is that it is designed for the alpine hunter, not for sitting there in the ferns and greenery. But you can still get it in Optifade forest, and that problem is solved!
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Damnimissed on February 07, 2014, 10:35:44 PM: I wear tin pants (because I bust a lot of brush) and whatever camo or drab jacket fits the conditions. I very rarely eat a tag.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: kenzmad on February 07, 2014, 10:50:31 PM: Kryptek camo isnt for hunting. It most closely matches a Lingcod. Here is me in mine at Neah Bay last year :chuckle:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: ghosthunter on February 07, 2014, 10:57:26 PM: I use lots of differnt patterns, some leafy. Seems like turkey's are the most aware.
I wear differnt pant camo tha tops. I like to set against trees. Ground is usually different than tree I am against. I go cheap on camo.

In blind I wear a black shirt.

Here's some pics.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 08, 2014, 12:32:55 AM: I found that the best camo is any Ghillie/Leafy type stuff that breaks up your outline. I once sat on the edge of a road in my Ghillie Suit and watched as a guy drove up, stopped and got out, set up his targets, and got ready to shoot. When he got his gun out, I figured I'd better let him know I was there, and when I stood up, he looked and said: "Gee, I never saw you sitting there!" :chuckle: Animals don't see things the same way we do. They rely more on smell, hearing, and movement, so I think anything that breaks up your outline is more important than the pattern. :twocents:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: RadSav on February 08, 2014, 01:48:09 AM: I'm a part time hunter attempting to get inside 50 yards of full time prey. If camo and patterning helps me only 5% more than jeans and plaid...I WANT IT! If 2% better chance to get me inside of 30 yards I WANT IT EVEN MORE!!!

Problem is the better performance clothing companies have all decided they need something more scientific than the turkey and whitetail hunter (Well that and they are hoping for those big licensing checks Toxey and Jordan get). This great modern clothing designed for sheep hunting where the mountain tops meet the sky is good stuff for that purpose. I've spent a day moving across 3,000 yards of open space in view of bedded rams with nothing but the occasional rock to hide my approach. And it worked! Then I have tried to use the same stuff sitting against a stump in the middle of a clearcut and had elk poke their heads out of the timber and look right at me like I was a 240 pound white cougar in a field of black.

I'd say Mountain Mimicry and Mossy Oak Break-up have proven themselves the most versatile of the patterns I've used. Vias and Optifade probably the least versatile I've ever used. I believe it has more to do with tone or brightness of the colors than the pattern or color itself. The best function of the top clothing brands hands down would be Kuiu and Sitka. So I tend to do a lot of compromising. And I expect I will until someone starts making Sitka or Kuiu quality in Mountain Mimicry or Mossy Oak (preferably for me Mountain Mimicry). But, by the way things have been going I'll probably be too dang old to get out of the truck by then >:(

I primarily wear Sitka Gear because I'm too dang pudgy these days to wear Kuiu. Each year it's getting more difficult to find the Sitka items I would like to be wearing in the more versatile westside friendly Opti-Forest. Kuiu is starting to have more of the Verde pattern available and if I was 21 again I'd likely leave Sitka for that pattern/shade/tone (whatever you'd call it). But I don't expect KUIU is going to start producing "Stout" sizing for my current physical shape any time soon.

I'd really like to give Sitka 100% of my business. I really really like the fit and finish of their products. And no one has a line as complete and sensible as does Sitka. But I am left each year buying thousands of dollars in their competitors clothing in an attempt to find a versatile camo pattern that will give me the clothing performance of Sitka. So far it's a mythical creature...that combination just doesn't seem to exist. If W.L. Gore would buy Mothwing and give me back my Mountain Mimicry I think I would re-write my will and ask to be buried in it :chuckle:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Jack-Fir on February 08, 2014, 02:13:36 PM: Sitka! Not just for the pattern but for the comfort. They have all different
Designs for different weather elements from core clothing to heavy outerwear. It's expensive but your buying quality gear! It stands the western weather from dry to wet. Customer service is unreal and anything That has a Sitka logo is a LIFETIME warranty. No questions asked. I own it all.. Okay and the pattern is pretty sweet..
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: sagewalker on February 08, 2014, 03:35:02 PM: What I wear usually depends on where I am hunting. I think every camo has a great advantage to different terrain!
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Cylvertip on February 10, 2014, 05:15:20 PM: I am a big fan of Realtree Max-1 for the Wet side, and I would guess it handles East pretty well too. Wish it was more widley available though - hard to find any good pants in the pattern :bash:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: sagewalker on February 10, 2014, 06:15:41 PM: Quote from: Cylvertip on February 10, 2014, 05:15:20 PM
I am a big fan of Realtree Max-1 for the Wet side, and I would guess it handles East pretty well too. Wish it was more widley available though - hard to find any good pants in the pattern :bash:

Core4Element offers some good stuff in Max-1 as well as Russel :tup:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on February 10, 2014, 06:38:23 PM: I have trouble finding camo I like, still wearing my Wayne Carlton "Vanish" western camo T shirt...
Most patterns are too brown for early season on the west side, Turkey Camo has oak leaves and branches.
What we need is Blackberry bushes and stumps, a little yellow grass on the legs, maybe a fern or two...
One reason why more animals have probably been shot in Western Washington in faded Carharts and Dickeys than camo is the colors are different than where the manufactures live/work/hunt.
These guys look like a cool pattern, but first run will sell, then when they don't sell as much after the first year will be discontinued.

http://www.pureviewcamo.com/ (http://www.pureviewcamo.com/)

But really, most camo is either too dark, or too light, wearing a picture of the woods on your clothing might look cool, but if I can see a hunter wearing camo from a distance, you know it is not fooling the animal.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Heredoggydoggy on February 10, 2014, 07:19:16 PM: Most camo patterns are made to appeal to human eyes--critters don't see the same way we do.... :twocents:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: STIKNSTRINGBOW on February 13, 2014, 09:32:04 AM: :yeah:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: bowhunterty on February 15, 2014, 08:21:11 PM: I like Sitka Open Country. Killed three bulls wearing it. Walked right at him he didnt have a clue. Wide open country. No cover. Shot two bulls at under 20 yds. Wear my acsent pants sring to fall everytime in the woods. No issues. Buy it now usually sells for 20% and no shilping. Go try some on to get right size before ordering.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: GregE on February 15, 2014, 08:59:25 PM: May favorite pattern is Predator Fall Gray- it blends in with most terrain and disappears in broken snow area. It doesn't show as well against the solid brown cut bank.

The Real Tree top is my Rivers West jacket- I tried several times to talk them into using Predator. Real Tree, Mossy ( blob)
Oak son't have enough contrast to ' see thru' them.

All that said- minimizing movement at the critical times is more important than the camo pattern

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv367%2FKodak45%2FElkCamo.jpg&hash=21beace2f1c7f0173198edd5da256206490fea09)
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: barracuda163 on February 15, 2014, 09:00:51 PM: I wear rivers west digital camo. Great around home out in the weather, but doesn't breathe well if you're planning on moving around a lot. Their washing instructions seem odd but they want you to wash normally and dry on high heat. The heat shrinks all the stitching and makes the waterproofing last. They dont reccommend to just hang to dry so that kind of sucks for guys at elk camp or whatever. http://www.cascadedirect.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=780 (http://www.cascadedirect.net/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idproduct=780)
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: sagewalker on February 16, 2014, 08:13:59 AM: Quote from: GregE on February 15, 2014, 08:59:25 PM
May favorite pattern is Predator Fall Gray- it blends in with most terrain and disappears in broken snow area. It doesn't show as well against the solid brown cut bank.

The Real Tree top is my Rivers West jacket- I tried several times to talk them into using Predator. Real Tree, Mossy ( blob)
Oak son't have enough contrast to ' see thru' them.

All that said- minimizing movement at the critical times is more important than the camo pattern

(https://hunting-washington.com/smf/proxy.php?request=http%3A%2F%2Fimg.photobucket.com%2Falbums%2Fv367%2FKodak45%2FElkCamo.jpg&hash=21beace2f1c7f0173198edd5da256206490fea09)

Well said! :tup:
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: steen on February 16, 2014, 03:28:19 PM: Quote from: Commando on February 06, 2014, 02:29:32 PM
hey guys i was wondering what kind of camo pattern/ brand these days. im really considering getting a new set of under armour . but sitka is always in the back of my head to. thought? if it helps i normally hunt the west side up north
I wouldn't worry about camo pattern at all in you under armour. It is the bottom layer and never seen. Black might be the best if you are sitting in a blind in the early season. I don't believe color is that important but sitting still, and playing the wind is. Unless you are hunting turkeys and ducks!
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: danderson on February 16, 2014, 04:06:23 PM: All good advise, Only thing I would add is have more than one pattern, September on the east side temps can range in the 20s before daylight and can get into the 90s during the day, proper layering is essential, Late hunts require winter camo, rainy stormy weather sometimes a good pair of wool pants is best, have more than one choice to pick from.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: AKBowman on February 19, 2014, 09:18:22 PM: Predator fall grey for most everything. Predator spring green for the rest.
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: RuttinWapati on March 01, 2014, 04:03:27 PM: I vote for First lite merino wool ASAT Camo fall and spring colors...

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Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: RuttinWapati on March 01, 2014, 04:04:49 PM: I vote for First lite merino wool ASAT Camo fall and spring colors...

Sent from my iPhone using Tapatalk
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: .257mag on March 01, 2014, 05:41:13 PM: I recently switched to core4element clothing. Same athletic and comfortable fit as sitka but much easier on the bank
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: Greg Mullins on March 06, 2014, 11:17:45 PM: Waterproof
Title: Re: camo pattern?
Post by: blacktailcody on March 06, 2014, 11:40:45 PM: Go to Goodwill and buy a pair of pants that are dark, quite, comfortable and water resistant. You WILL get wet hunting the westside! It doesn't matter what you are wearing. Get a few cheap, quiet rain jackets from Cabelas and call er good.