Proof camo pattern isn't critical

[mcw3734]

Nobody doubts that camouflage is beneficial to turkey hunting. Most all of us like getting camo'd up for the hunt, with some going to great lengths and costs to have guns dipped, wear a specific pattern, and ensure all possible items on their being are camo.  But I'll guess most experienced turkey hunters will honestly admit that anything that breaks up your outline, combined with being absolutely still, can be enough to beat an incoming turkey's eyes.

This is my buddy's first bird that I called in for him. He was sitting against the grey tree on the right of the photo and is standing where it was killed. And he's a 6'-3" ginger. This photo makes me giggle every time I see it.

Anybody else have kill photos of a hunter with non-traditional camo outfits to prove that camo pattern isn't THAT critical?

[Happy]

I have some of my buddy's Tom from last year but I ain't gonna throw his picture up without his permission. He typically wears the old military woodland camo. Also I have seen video footage of Ray Eye killing them in blue jean bibs and brown carhart bibs. If the set-up is right camo is not required. In my opinion it definitely helps to wear camo of some sort though.

[Happy]

Here. I cropped his face out.

[GobbleNut]

Unless you want to look like a total Goob in the eyes of your fellow turkey hunters, always wear the latest and greatest camo patterns!  If you do not fully coordinate your camo on all exposed parts and accessories, you will most assuredly be looked down upon. You will be scoffed at if you do anything less than that! Personally, I can immediately spot a wannabee in the turkey woods by the camo he wears,...regardless of how big the gobbler he is carrying is!    

[Tom007]

Here. I cropped his face out.

I think that old woodland camo is great, it is making a comeback on some of the new vests.....Ol Tom in particular...

[Happy]

I am toying with the idea of wearing these 2 sets this year. I have killed turkeys in the set on the left. Both of these sets are probably over 20 years old. I gave my buddy in the picture all of the camo he owns. He even has a set of original treebark i gave him.

[Happy]

Unless you want to look like a total Goob in the eyes of your fellow turkey hunters, always wear the latest and greatest camo patterns!  If you do not fully coordinate your camo on all exposed parts and accessories, you will most assuredly be looked down upon. You will be scoffed at if you do anything less than that! Personally, I can immediately spot a wannabee in the turkey woods by the camo he wears,...regardless of how big the gobbler he is carrying is!    

Well aint I the poster child for high fashion!!

[Bowguy]

Camo is over rated. Can't hurt but obsessing isn't necessary. I haven't worn anything but old woodland camo in years. Guys the fella wearing the brand new fangled camo, carrying a great big knife, prob has a brand new fly fishing vest neatly on a hanger as well in his Range Rover and started it all last week. Playing the part and being the part two dif things.
Who would ya all talk Turkey with? The fella wearing the faded woodland camo or the kid with the newest fad?
My daughter never wore a face mask, she hated them. Often wearing whatever hoodie she had in her closet sticking out of jacket. It never once mattered. I've said it before. Twice I've kee Keed birds in wearing red plaid jackets just to prove to a buddy it was possible

[Gooserbat]

I wear clothes according to function not style.  Just so happens most of my newer things are obviously in the latest pattern.  Now to address the op and his post in regards to his friend's ASAT.  That's probably one of the best camo patterns you can wear. 

[Dtrkyman]

Set up is more important, so long as you have dull colors.  THP had a guy on the other day killed one in thick cover, wore all green, no mask or gloves and solo bird.

Problems arise when multiple birds come in ahead of the tom and linger around!

[wvmntnhick]

I wear clothes according to function not style.  Just so happens most of my newer things are obviously in the latest pattern.  Now to address the op and his post in regards to his friend's ASAT.  That's probably one of the best camo patterns you can wear.

Agreed. The more open patterns are better at "blending" than the crap we're buying now. They just blob out in the end.

As for camo, I don't much care. Old army stuff, real tree, mossy oak, etc. All the same to me. Heck, I've started deer hunting in red plaid. And the turkeys don't seem to mind that much either.


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[Paulmyr]

Heres a pretty good article on turkey vision and how they determine threats.

https://www.wideopenspaces.com/eyes-turkey-gobbler-sees/

[GobbleNut]

Now to address the op and his post in regards to his friend's ASAT.  That's probably one of the best camo patterns you can wear.

I find it curious that some folks swear by that ASAT camo, but to my "human eye" it stands out like a sore thumb.  Having said that, it is what the "game animal you are hunting" eye sees that matters.  Of course, it also depends on the back-drop in any hunting situation.  One camo pattern that looks fantastic in one setting (to me, at least), looks completely out of place in another. 

As we repeatedly say in these matters:  It's all about blending into your surroundings to a degree, and staying still, regardless of what pattern one uses. 

[Cowboy]

The best camouflage is DON'T MOVE.

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[StickString96]

From all of my deer hunting experience, camo catches hunters. As long as you break up your outline and sit still, you'd be surprised what patterns you can get away with. Now a turkey's eyes might be more keen, but I think that still applies as a principle. I'll still do everything I can to camo up and beat a turkey's eyes, I do believe every little bit helps. But sometimes I think hunters pass the point of diminishing returns in camo.