Camo Question

[BrentSte]

Planning my first antelope hunt for next year in Wyoming. Being a swamp hunter from the Southeast, all of my camo is geared for those surroundings.

I see lots of kill pics posted with hunters just wearing jeans and other "normal clothes".

Hunting quarry with such keen eyesight that will likely see me anyway, I am curious if "western" camo is necessary equipment? If my camo will suffice, or "normal" clothes, I can use those funds towards upgrading things like optics, rain gear, camping gear, etc.

Taking my eldest son with me, so anything I buy, I have to double up on.... and if successful have to triple up on again for two other kids and a wife the next year! It could be a huge chunk of savings if it weren't necessary.

 

[woodtick]

It's more than likely a mixed bagged kinda deal. Your going to have guys say that camo is required and guys that say a Tshirt and blue jeans is fine. I've hunted in all sorts of clothing, the key is knowing your quarry. They have great eye sight but there depth perception can be thrown off if you stalk them in a certain fashion. I've hunted a few antelope lately in duck brown Carhartt's and a tshirt or jacket in a variety of camo patterns. Read up on your quarry, I think there was a how to section earlier this year in the Antelope section that several seasoned hunters had put together. It'll help you tremendously!

http://www.eastmans.com/forum/showthread.php/7567-Antelope-Hunting-Techniques?highlight=Antelope+Techniques

 

[tim]

as one person put it to me, camo is mens fashion.

 

[Hilltop]

Camo isn't necessary IMO. If your moving, they will see you no matter what your wearing. I use hills and draws to stalk and "pop up" slowly over a rise or out of a draw for my shot. In most cases this can be done in a prone position so antelope don't have much to see anyways. All of that said, I still hunt in camo occasionally because a good portion of my hunting clothes are camo. No need to by new camo- hunt in what you have. I would invest in some knee pads and decent gloves though. You will likely spend some time on you hands and knees during stalks.

Wyoming requires one article of hunter orange so I always choose a hat. I figure my head is the only thing visible most of the time when I am peeking over hills so I want other hunters to see orange if they are there.

 

[Work2hunt]

I use camo because that is what I have that is waterproof, breathable, etc. Do you need camo? No. I come from the East also and I use the same camo pattern here as I do when I go West.

 

[CrossCreeks]

I Agree, Camo is not really needed to Antelope hunt if your moving they will notice you. Wear what's comfortable, if you feel better in camo head to toe then do it. As far as camo patterns the same goes, where what you have or like. You will have fun hunt no matter what your wearing.

 

[Colorado Cowboy]

When I first started hunting antelope back in the early 70's, all I wore was what I had. Everything was non camo, neutral colored. Not much camo available then, mostly military surplus. Your right about movement. I use my spotter, usually a mile or more away and if I see something I want to try to get a shot at, I figure a way to get closer using natural cover.

 

[BrentSte]

Great advice guys. Thanks for the link woodtick.

I appreciate all of your feedback!!

 

[Musket Man]

Spend it on the optics! I have never wore camo to hunt antelope. I try to wear something that somewhat blends in. My brown Carhart has worked pretty well. As others have said use the terrain to conceal you. Get some good knee & elbow pads and gloves. Those ground cactus are really a pain, especially when there is just enough snow on the ground to cover them up.

 

[Gimpy]

I agree that you can save yourself some money for something else. A lot of the public land is leased out to ranchers and there is quite a bit that also has oilfield and other traffic. The antelope are used to seeing people running around in normal clothes and get desensitized to it. When they see people trying to sneak around all camo'd up, they start getting suspicious and spooky.

 

[In God We Trust]

Buy a pair of Carhart pants with reinforced knees for a antelope hunt. They are great for stalking and protect you from the prickly brush and cactus found in Wyoming. I use black Carhart pants and whatever I have for a camo top. Works pretty well. If I am bow hunting them then I use only camo.