Camouflage and Concealment...

[milegajo 595]

The change in the season, as it often does, has brought about a reassessment. Specifically, my clothing.

For the past two years I have lived in two pairs of cheap DPM trousers that have now faded to the point of exuding a pale cream hue, the knees have worn thin, buttons on the pockets long lost and the disruptive pattern not even that disturbing. No wonder my hunting trips have been more challenging and less fruitful!

I didn't honestly expect trousers I work in to also remain effective in the field, certainly not for long. I do have work trousers, but not wishing to upset the washing cycle I often neglected to change in to them.

Even if the above were not the case, it is optimistic to expect predominantly green camouflage to provide concealment in autumn and winter. Whilst the knock off DPM's have been placed in the 're-purposing' bag, and proper heavy duty replacement ones purchased in their stead, still I am conscious that soon the shading canopy above me will disappear completely, and the woodland will be much lighter as a consequence. The basic principles of camouflage and concealment are as follows;

 

 

Shape, Shine, Shadow, Silhouette, Sudden Movement, Surface, Spacings

 

 

Adhere to these and you should succeed in bagging game. Even dressed in Jeans and a yellow t-shirt. Of course, wear the same colour as the predominant one around you, generally green or brown, and you should see improved results. Wear a disruptive pattern in those colours and you should fare better. The other end of the scale is a full blown hide. But lets stick to the context of clothing.

I decided to research camouflage patterns and available products that would better conceal me these next two seasons where foliage and cover are thin on the ground.

There are a multitude of patterns from a wide variety of manufacturers. The selection is greatly narrowed if you consider your landscape and the plant species that predominantly grow in it. Not only that, but I also had the seasons as a criteria.

Now consider this. Many patterns are sold that appeal to the hunters eye, but I don't wish to avoid detection from humans. So lets consider our prey. This is mostly rabbit, wood pigeon and squirrel.

Of the three, the wood pigeon certainly has the keenest sight, so movement (or lack of it) is key with them. Rabbits and squirrels, are a touch more forgiving, but they all have difficulty with depth perception.

As we know, the pigeon overcomes this to an extent by bobbing its head, the squirrel by moving its head up and down or side to side relative to the subject, and rabbits are just plain terrible. Why is any of this of any relevance? Well some of the most effective patterns have what is called a 3D effect to them whereby the pattern includes blurred background and sharp foreground, this all helps in confusing the senses of what is looking at you. The aim and result is that your shape is broken up almost by employing a 'magic eye' optical effect.

What about colour?

Well rabbits can differentiate only between green and blue, seeing shades of light and dark. Squirrels have 'dichromatic' vision comparable to a human with red-green colour blindness and wood pigeon can see the same spectrum as humans plus ultraviolet!

The latter two species make your choice rather important even if they have trouble gauging your distance.

Then of course, there is that very human factor. Price!

 

 

So I have chosen to go with the HSF Stealth Evolution Camo Jacket and Trousers from Stock and Tackle (www.stockandtackle.com)

 

 

I will be testing this outfit and posting a full review soon so watch this space... In the meantime, has anyone else tried this pattern? I'd love to hear your verdicts and experiences.

Edited November 18, 2012 by milegajo

[Roy Williamson 15]

Nice post, camo looks great, but dont look like it will stand up to much daily abuse. You will have to keep threm for Sunday best

[milegajo 595]

Nice post, camo looks great, but dont look like it will stand up to much daily abuse. You will have to keep threm for Sunday best

 

Very true, luckily they are fleece lined over garments so whip on whip off which should keep them at their best. Water and windproof too which is a real bonus.

[Roy Williamson 15]

Not sure what the weather is like where you are, but up in Liverpool its fantastic atm. Just perfect for some shooting at the weekend. Those look like they would keep the old bones nice and warm. I dont have any permissons myself, and have never shot off range. Would love to get the chance to try, but not much available in the middle of a large city, plus getting time off work is not easy, they just keep throwing the overtime at us. I am lucky to get down to my club 6 times a month.

Goodluck with the new camo

ATB Roy

[silentshot1 206]

Had this very same dilemma the other week. I was looking at the Jack Pyke woodland and oak patterns. My wife got sick of my procrastinating about which and went and bought me a set of Percussion jacket and trousers in Realtree APG.

 

Things I've noticed...

 

Apart from the APG camo pattern, in construction, they look identical to comparable Jack Pyke, including pocket cartridge holders etc, but cost a shed load more, some factory in china is doing a roaring trade!!

 

I used to use DPM and have to say that I had reservations about APG as felt the colours would not blend, but no such experience! Using the tried and tested tactic of sitting still, in front of a natural background in both outfits work just as well with my main quarry of rabbits and pigeons, but also deer, badgers, foxes etc.

 

I am now Waterproofed and warm.

 

I did look at HSF and would have bought it if I didn't have an awesome wife with a credit card and the power to use it!

[davyt63 1,845]

hi mike

i see your getting ready to hide from me when i pay you a visit :laugh:

[Tron 173]

I was lucky to have my dear wife buy me a brilliant super camo jacket a few years ago, unfortunatly I took it off in our garden looked away for a few seconds, looked back! and could not see it! FFS! I am still looking for IT!!! :laugh:

[davyt63 1,845]

I was lucky to have my dear wife buy me a brilliant super camo jacket a few years ago, unfortunatly I took it off in our garden looked away for a few seconds, looked back! and could not see it! FFS! I am still looking for IT!!! :laugh:

 

:laugh:

[Daz 7 563]

Go On Davy Give that Young Whipper Snapper a Clip round the Ear :boxing: :boxing:

That's if You can Catch Him First :laugh:

 

atvb Daz 7.

[davyt63 1,845]

Go On Davy Give that Young Whipper Snapper a Clip round the Ear :boxing: :boxing:

That's if You can Catch Him First :laugh:

 

atvb Daz 7.

 

catch him

i have been on surveillance since last week,i know his every move,just waiting to strike back, any time now!!

[prubs_123 4]

Hi Mike try here http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/product/605020e023cc720745759148/HSF+Stealth+Camo+Suit/

 

 

 

[milegajo 595]

Go On Davy Give that Young Whipper Snapper a Clip round the Ear :boxing: :boxing:

That's if You can Catch Him First :laugh:

 

atvb Daz 7.

 

catch him

i have been on surveillance since last week,i know his every move,just waiting to strike back, any time now!!

 

That explains alot! Had a visit from a grey haired fella and a middle aged blond woman so say surveying travellers... so who was the broad.with the ridiculously unsuitable high heeled boots? You or Si?!

 

Looking good fellas! Trimmed down nicely.

 

Though you did seem suspect without a questionnaire on your clip board, your generic unaffliated 'surveyors identity cards' and refusing to provide me with an address of your organisation...

[milegajo 595]

hi mike

i see your getting ready to hide from me when i pay you a visit :laugh:

 

Quite the opposite my darling xxx

[milegajo 595]

Hi Mike try here http://www.sportsmanguncentre.co.uk/product/605020e023cc720745759148/HSF+Stealth+Camo+Suit/

 

Cheers for that, cracking deal!

 

 

 

[davyt63 1,845]

hi mike

i see your getting ready to hide from me when i pay you a visit :laugh:

 

Quite the opposite my darling xxx

 

Darling now!! you have changed your tuned