As a turkey hunter, choosing the right camouflage is critical for success. While turkeys have excellent vision, their eyes are specially adapted to detecting movement and subtle shade differences on the ground. Wearing the wrong colors or patterns can make you stand out, alerting wily gobblers to your presence. To avoid spooking your quarry, it’s important to blend into the environment by wearing camouflage in appropriate autumnal colors and avoiding certain hues that turkeys can easily spot.
Why Proper Camouflage Matters for Turkey Hunting
Turkeys have incredibly sharp vision that allows them to detect even the slightest motions or irregularities in their surroundings. Their eyes possess a higher density of cone photoreceptors compared to rods, giving turkeys visual acuity similar to humans. They also have a wide field of vision spanning about 270 degrees when their heads are upright. This gives them a huge visual advantage for noticing potential threats.
Additionally, turkeys can see color in the red, green, blue and ultraviolet spectrums, even better than humans can. This allows them to differentiate between subtly different shades and patterns. They are particularly sensitive to UV wavelengths, which stand out brightly to their eyes.
These adaptations allow turkeys to inspect their surroundings in detail, looking for any signs of hunters hiding in wait. Their sharp vision is one reason turkeys can be so wary and difficult to hunt. Wearing camouflage in the wrong colors or that doesn’t blend well into the environment can cause you to stand out, scaring off gobblers before you even have a chance to draw your bow.
Best Camouflage Colors and Patterns for Turkey Hunting
To maximize your concealment, choose camo clothing and gear that mimics the predominant colors of your hunting environment. The best choices are patterns that blend into the browns, greens, grays and dry grasses of autumn. Some specific colors and patterns that work well include:
- Browns: Shades like rusty brown, chocolate brown and lighter beige/tan blend into tree trunks and dried leaves.
- Greens: Opt for olive green, sage green or muted forest green colors that match vegetation.
- Grays: Look for patterns incorporating slate gray, charcoal gray or ash gray to mimic rocks and tree bark.
- Dried Grass: Yellowed, brittle grass hues help disguise your silhouette.
- Leafy Patterns: Go for realistic camo mimicking scattered dried leaves on the forest floor.
- Bark Patterns: Blotchy grays, browns and black printed in abstract bark-like shapes make a good choice.
In general, the best turkey hunting camo has a muted, earthy appearance that blends into the woods and terrain. Stay away from anything brightly colored or with strong visible patterns.
Colors to Avoid When Turkey Hunting
Just as important as choosing the right camo is avoiding colors and patterns that can make you stand out. Here are some of the worst shades to wear when trying to fool those sharp turkey eyes:
Blue
Blue is one of the most obvious colors to avoid. Turkeys can see blue wavelengths even better than humans can. Any hint of blue will pop out against an autumn background of browns, greens and grays. Pass on camo incorporating any shades of blue.
Red
Red is another color turkeys can perceive very well. Red hues will create a strong contrast against your surroundings. Avoid any camo using visible red, including popular “fall orange” patterns.
White
Bright white will stick out like a beacon for turkeys. Don’t wear camo with white accents or clothing with obvious white logos. Even small amounts of white can blow your cover.
Yellow
While dried grasses have yellowish hues, bright yellow tends to look unnatural and will easily catch a turkey’s eye. Avoid camo with distinct yellow patterns or clothing with yellow logos/details.
Purple
Purple clashes strongly with forest colors. Pass on camo incorporating purple shades, which are sure to telegraph your location.
Pink
Like purple, pink creates a big visual contrast against woodland environments. Even small pink details on clothing could compromise your concealment.
Black
Black clothing stands out in daylight. Black also reflects more light, increasing your visibility. Use camo with black only in small accents, not large areas.
How Camouflage Pattern and Texture Impact Concealment
In addition to color, the pattern and texture of your camo impact how well it conceals movement. Here are some considerations:
- Avoid big blotches – Large splotches of color can outline your form when you move.
- Irregular patterns work best – Jagged edges help break up your outline.
- Look for 3D textures – Camo with depth and shadowing helps disguise you.
- Mottled patterns are ideal – Mottled means tones blend together, not strongly contrasting.
- Steer clear of strong lines – Horizontal or vertical lines can draw the eye when you move.
The best camo uses nature-based colors in irregular, mottled patterns. This disguises the human outline and makes subtle motions harder to detect.
Face Camouflage for Turkey Hunting
Don’t forget to camouflage your face and hands in addition to wearing camo clothing. Exposed skin stands out, so you need to blend it in with face paint and gloves. Here are some tips:
- Stick to browns, greens and grays when choosing face paint.
- Break up the outline of your facial features.
- Shadow under eyes, down sides of nose and under cheekbones.
- Add dark stripes across forehead and along jawline to break up face shape.
- Wear camo gloves to cover light skin on hands and hide movements.
- Use masks with camo pattern when needed to further disguise your face.
With full camo coverage on your body and face, you’ll stand the best chance of evading those turkey eyes when you’re in the field.
How UV Brighteners Can Ruin Your Camouflage
Today’s camo clothing often contains laundry detergent residue called optical brighteners. These UV-reflective chemicals make clothing appear brighter under sunlight. The problem is that residual brighteners retain their brightness even when you’re hunting. This can make your clothing light up like a beacon under UV rays.
Look at your camo under a blacklight to check for brighteners. If threads glow, wash the clothing several times with a brightener-free detergent like Sport Wash. This removes the chemicals so your camo doesn’t stand out in UV spectrum.
How Movement Impacts Concealment
Even perfectly camouflaged clothing can’t hide the fact that you’re a large upright figure. Breaking up your outline and minimizing movement is key. Follow these tips:
- Use a blind with camo mesh to hide your silhouette.
- Sit with back against trees or in shadowed areas.
- Avoid moving when scanning for birds.
- Shift positions slowly and deliberately when needed.
- Don’t wave arms or shake your decoys excessively.
- Pick camo clothing roomy enough for comfort but not baggy enough to flap around and attract attention.
With minimal movement, your camo has the best chance of disguising you as part of the landscape.
Best Commercial Camo Patterns for Turkey Hunting
Many camo companies offer effective patterns specifically designed for turkey hunting. Here are some top performers to look for:
| Camo Brand | Pattern | Description |
|---|---|---|
| Mossy Oak | Obsession | Irregular branches and leaves in shades of brown, green, tan |
| Sitka | Subalpine | Abstract pattern in browns, greens, grays |
| Realtree | Timber | Photorealistic pattern matching oak forests |
| Under Armour | Ghost Turkey | Muted colors and leaf outlines |
| ASAT | Spring Turkey | Mesh-like pattern of greens, tans, browns |
Look for these or similar patterns from reputable camo companies to stay concealed during turkey season. Always test new camo by checking its visibility from a kneeling position before hunting.
How to Make Your Own Turkey Hunting Camo
You can create homemade camo personalized for your hunting area using paints, fabric, burlap and stencils. Here is a simple process:
- Buy a neutral colored base layer jacket and pants in brown, tan or green.
- Collect leaves, bark, twigs and other samples from your hunting terrain.
- Use the samples as guides to mix paints matching the area’s colors.
- Cut up burlap strips and glue them to fabric to add depth and texture.
- Use stencils with abstract shapes and paint over them to create an irregular pattern.
- Spray over some areas with transparent paint to enhance the layered effect.
- Seal colors with a waterproofing spray when finished.
The advantage of homemade camo is you can tailor it exactly for your specific hunting grounds. With some simple materials and creativity, you can disappear into the foliage.
How Proper Layering Enhances Turkey Hunting Camo
Layering clothing beneath your camo outerwear can help reduce movement and noise that spooks turkeys. Follow these tips:
- Wear wool or synthetic base layers to wick away sweat.
- Choose soft fabrics that don’t swish when brushing vegetation.
- Add an insulating mid-layer depending on weather conditions.
- Select a roomy camo jacket and pants to layer comfortably underneath.
- Use knee and elbow pads to prevent brush from snagging layers.
- Change out wet layers as needed to stay dry and avoid chills.
With smart layering under your camo, you’ll stay comfortable while maintaining stealth when chasing gobblers.
How Silhouette Reduction Can Enhance Camouflage
Besides color and pattern, disrupting your outline is key to fooling a turkey’s vision. Use these strategies:
- Sit or kneel when scanning for birds instead of standing.
- Cover knees with a camo “hat” to disguise joints.
- Break up head outline with camo cap, facemask and mesh over hat.
- Use a fan of fake foliage behind your back when seated against a tree.
- Choose a blind with irregular outline and camo mesh covering.
- Pick ground positions with brush piles or fallen trees to hide outline.
Blending into the shapes and shadows of your surroundings will prevent your form from standing out.
Mistakes to Avoid When Using Turkey Hunting Camo
It’s easy to make errors that defeat the effectiveness of your camo. Be aware of these potential pitfalls:
- Wearing colors that clash with environment
- Choosing whites or bright hues that stand out
- Having camo that’s too matchy or symmetrical
- Allowing gear to make noises that draw attention
- Moving too frequently or awkwardly in your blind
- Failing to blend exposed skin or disguise face/hands
- Picking cheap camo with weak durability
- Neglecting to wash out brighteners so camo shines under UV
Avoid these missteps, and your camo will keep you concealed when hunting gobblers.
Conclusion
Choosing the right camouflage and wearing it effectively are critical for getting close to spring turkeys. Opt for subdued colors that match the woods, avoid hues that turkeys see well, and use realistic patterns to disguise your outline. With the proper steps, your camo can help you disappear right before a big tom’s eyes instead of announcing your presence. Apply these tips during turkey season, and your success rate is sure to soar.
