As the title suggests, which pattern would you choose for spring time gobblers in Michigan? If you're a Sitka hater then it is what it is, I just want guys opinions that have experience with it out in the field. I've been rocking Mossy Oak Original Bottomland for the longest time now, just ready to switch it up with camo and with my profession I get a heft discount on Sitka so I'm not worried about the price of it. I can see benefits to both camo patterns. Maybe I'll eventually end up with both, but starting out I'm just curious what guys with real world experience with the camo are going with. I'm gonna throw the patterns down below for the people who don't know what they look like, thanks!
And again, this isn't a discussion on if Sitka is overpriced or not or to start any arguments. We all like what we like.
Huh? Don't see any examples and never heard of Sitka. I'll Google it . Good luck.
I think Optifade cover is best for the Michigan woods. Good luck..
Camo is more about what kind YOU like. The turkey ain't gonna care one bit.
Just sit still and buy whichever suits you. You can even mix and match.
Did Google it. That's some high end stuff.
I have subalpine, blends well in the green up, earlier in the season I would think the cover is better with the "dirty" look it has, I really think it's not an issue either way.
I have the vest in Timber which I like as well but they don't offer that pattern in the guard series!
I'll probably order the guard hoody in cover!
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I think the optifade cover would work better. I think subalpine has more tan than I would like.
I have a jacket and mountain pants in subalpine. Really like both the pattern and performance. I wear it spring and early fall.
Subalpine is flat out amazing in the woods on the ground. Good buddy of mine has a shirt in the pattern and my decoy bag is printed in it. In my area at least, it flat out disappears.
I wear subalpine here in NY and love it, it is by far better than the tree and limbs camo that most people wear. Once you see it in the woods you will understand.
I mix and match stuff. In the Sitka gear for my area the Timber works really well early in the season. I bought the Equinox Guard pants and hoodie this year and think it will be a great pattern. Edit; I wasn't clear I bought the Equinox outfit in Cover.
I'm not sure the Sub Alpine would be the best choice for Michigan woods. Like Notsoyoungturk says, too much tan after everything greens up.
For clarity to those reading, Optifade is the pattern design, and it comes in 6 colors. Two of those are Subalpine and Cover. See here - EXPLORE OPTIFADE PATTERNS (https://www.sitkagear.com/technology/optifade-concealment).
You can check patterns against different backgrounds on this site - Camo Matrix (https://camomatrix.com/index.php)
Quote from: Timmer on May 09, 2025, 10:47:18 AMFor clarity to those reading, Optifade is the pattern design, and it comes in 6 colors. Two of those are Subalpine and Cover. See here - EXPLORE OPTIFADE PATTERNS (https://www.sitkagear.com/technology/optifade-concealment).
You can check patterns against different backgrounds on this site - Camo Matrix (https://camomatrix.com/index.php)
Sure you can. But turkeys dont see like deer or humans.
The way camo appears to you is nothing like how it appears to a turkey bird
Birds see the world in a much more colorful way thats beyond our comprehension
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on May 09, 2025, 11:25:07 AMYou can check patterns against different backgrounds on this site - Camo Matrix (https://camomatrix.com/index.php)
Sure you can. But turkeys dont see like deer or humans.
The way camo appears to you is nothing like how it appears to a turkey bird
Birds see the world in a much more colorful way thats beyond our comprehension
[/quote]
Yes, that is a good point. The comparison site I shared does have something they call "deer vision," which may be more similar to what birds see. That is if there is any true science and function behind it and it's not just a gimmick.
Quote from: Ihuntoldschool on May 09, 2025, 11:25:07 AMSure you can. But turkeys dont see like deer or humans.
The way camo appears to you is nothing like how it appears to a turkey bird
Birds see the world in a much more colorful way thats beyond our comprehension
Yes, that is a good point. The comparison site I shared does have something they call "deer vision," which may be more similar to what birds see. That is if there is any true science and function behind it and it's not just a gimmick.
Just a dumb rednecks thoughts, but here we go. Nobody has a clue how turkeys see. In all reality, your confidence in what you use probably matters more than anything else. People have been killing turkeys since long before camo was invented. Buy what you have confidence in and go hunting. Play the game right, and you will be fine. A confident hunter is way better than a tentative one.
Quote from: Happy on May 09, 2025, 09:04:00 PMJust a dumb rednecks thoughts, but here we go. Nobody has a clue how turkeys see. In all reality, your confidence in what you use probably matters more than anything else. People have been killing turkeys since long before camo was invented. Buy what you have confidence in and go hunting. Play the game right, and you will be fine. A confident hunter is way better than a tentative one.
Very true. I may have posted this before but, here goes; I was working in my buddies bait shop a few years back and one day a bunch of guys of various ages were talking about camo patterns. An old guy stopped and listened for a minute before he piped in and said "I don't know why y'all are worried about camo when we d@mn near extincted 'em wearing blue jeans and flannel shirts". :toothy12:
Quote from: 10th Legionaire on May 10, 2025, 08:43:32 AMQuote from: Happy on May 09, 2025, 09:04:00 PMJust a dumb rednecks thoughts, but here we go. Nobody has a clue how turkeys see. In all reality, your confidence in what you use probably matters more than anything else. People have been killing turkeys since long before camo was invented. Buy what you have confidence in and go hunting. Play the game right, and you will be fine. A confident hunter is way better than a tentative one.
[/ "I don't know why y'all are worried about camo when we d@mn near extincted 'em wearing blue jeans and flannel shirts". :toothy12:
This is so true. Not to mention using 2 3/4 inch lead loads with fixed chokes and shiny blued barrels.
If you can see another man sitting in the woods in camo you really think a turkey can't?
Ain't too hard to see it's movement that panics them not what kind of suit you wear.