What colour should your hunting gear be?
When choosing the right hunting gear, there are several factors that need to be considered, such as function, season and type of hunting. The clothing also plays an important role. When should you wear signal coloured camouflage and when should you wear green camouflage? We have put together a guide to help you choose the right colour for your hunting clothes. Mainly it depends on what kind of animal you are going to hunt.
Camouflage must haves
Camouflage
When it comes to successful hunting, camouflage is an essential element that can make the difference between a successful hunt and returning empty-handed. The primary goal of camouflage is to help the hunter remain unseen by blending into the surrounding environment, reducing the likelihood of detection by animals that rely heavily on their vision.
The camouflage pattern should match the specific environment where the hunting takes place. Different patterns are optimized for various terrains such as forests, wetlands, or mountainous regions. Selecting the appropriate pattern helps in blending with the specific vegetation, terrain, and season, making the hunter less noticeable to wildlife.
Hunting often involves long hours outdoors, where temperatures and weather conditions can change rapidly. A good camouflage system should allow for layering, enabling the hunter to add or remove layers as needed to maintain comfort and mobility. Loose-fitting garments that can easily be worn over other clothing provide flexibility in adapting to different conditions.
Signal colour
Signal colour should be worn as a safety measure. If there are several people hunting at the same time, it is advisable to wear signal garments for extra clear visibility. During moose hunt and battue there are usually several hunters at play, therefore signal colour ought to be included in the clothing. If you are a dog handler, a dog handler's vest or jacket in signal orange is recommended.
How visible you want to be is up to you. Either you can go for a complete hunting outfit in signal colour, or only a hat or jacket with orange details. Several of our jackets and trousers have pockets with integrated safety straps, meaning you can deploy an orange signal strap around your arm or leg if needed. If you’re battue walking, safety is essential, and you should wear a lot of orange in your clothing.
It is said that animals cannot see orange, except for birds. Signal colour is therefore strictly advised from when it comes to bird hunting. Instead camouflage without any orange features is preferred to mask yourself. An exception to this, however, is grouse hunting. Since grouses lie on the ground, you are not as visible to them, and the signal colour will not necessarily reveal you. Therefore, it can be wise to wear an orange headgear if there are several of hunters on the mountain.
Signal coloured camouflage
But what is the purpose of signal coloured camouflage pattern? It is said that animals cannot see the colour orange, it is only worn to signal your presence to other hunters. Although some surveys done today says that the red deer may see the orange colour, but that our most common game such as moose, fallow deer, hare, fox and wild boar do not. If you wear orange camouflage pattern, it makes you less visible to the wild breed than a plain orange garment because you break up the contrasts of yourself and the clothing.
Monochromatic
With monochromatic clothing, you are appropriate for all kinds of hunting. It is suitable for stealth hunting where you need to blend into the environment, and if visibility is needed, you can supplement with a signal headgear or fold out the signal tape into the integrated security pocket if you have one. Monochrome colour is also stylish for after hunt activities.
Monochromatic clothing, characterized by a single, uniform color, is highly versatile and can be suitable for various types of hunting. This approach to camouflage is effective in environments where blending in with natural surroundings is key, particularly in settings with muted, consistent colors such as late autumn forests or snowy landscapes.
Benefits of Monochromatic Camouflage
Stealth and Adaptability: A monochromatic outfit is ideal for stealth hunting, as it allows the hunter to blend smoothly into a range of environments. If conditions require more visibility for safety, this can be easily adjusted by adding a brightly colored headgear or using an integrated signal tape from a dedicated pocket, ensuring both discretion and safety as needed.
Style and Functionality: Beyond the hunt, monochromatic clothing remains stylish and practical for post-hunt activities. Its simple and clean design makes it appropriate for social gatherings or everyday use, offering a seamless transition from field to casual settings.
Versatility in Diverse Conditions: Monochromatic gear does not restrict the hunter to a single type of terrain or season. This neutrality makes it an excellent all-round choice, suitable for different landscapes and conditions, from dense woods to open fields. It provides a foundation that can be complemented with additional elements for specific needs, like contrasting accessories for higher visibility when required.