Predator hunting and the importance of camo?

CheeseBurger

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So a fellow CGN'er has kindly offered to take me out and show me the ropes of hunting wolves. My question is I don't own any real camo as I normally deer hunt in military surplus/work gear. What do you guys do? How important is camo? Any ideas for a university student on a budget? White painter coveralls and some spray paint?

Thanks.

Tyler
 
If you mean those painter coveralls that are a NOISY plasticy material I would not recommend them. The sound of them will be a big disadvantage.

Hunting wolves is not a real easy proposition. Anything you can do to give you an advantage (Good warm quiet clothing) will help. Polar fleece white or snow camo type jacket and pants will be best.

If you have a girl friend or mother or sister who does some sewing they could make you an early Christmas present.
 
i think the thing is to cover your face and hands . the predators seem to see that first.and sit very still.
 
I think I'll head over to the surplus store tomorrow and see what I can scare up.

Princess Auto had German snow camo ponchos for about 10 bucks. Might find a Can. version at Crown surplus. Rib Tor still in business? Used to carry stuff like that. I usually just wear drab colored clothes and seek suitable cover. Good Luck.

Grizz
 
Camo is way over rated. It won't hurt, but it is far more important to remain still than to look like a Real Tree version of a real tree in snow.

Break your outline with bush in front or back, stay still, and you will be very successful, camo or no camo. Camo clothing is for human eyes under store lights and in advertising pictures of perfectly matching plant life. If those patterns were vital to going undetected, prey animals would be wearing them. Look at what a deer wears to blend in to its environment. THAT works just fine for them, so just dress in your "dullest" outfit and then don't move any more than you must.
 
Thanks guys. I have a mesh mask that I use to break up my outline when out for ducks so that may come in handy. Going to hit Crown Surplus tomorrow and see what they have.
 
Camo is way over rated. It won't hurt, but it is far more important to remain still than to look like a Real Tree version of a real tree in snow. Break your outline with bush in front or back, stay still, and you will be very successful, camo or no camo. Camo clothing is for human eyes under store lights and in advertising pictures of perfectly matching plant life. If those patterns were vital to going undetected, prey animals would be wearing them. Look at what a deer wears to blend in to its environment. THAT works just fine for them, so just dress in your "dullest" outfit and then don't move any more than you must.

Agreed. Breaking up your outline and sitting still are far more important than any camo pattern or clothing type.

A coyote's eyes are tuned for spotting movement. Give them no particular reason to be looking in your direction (playing the wind, and the "blending into" the background) and keep your noise and movements to a minimum.


I shared this on CGN last season, and while some folks didn't like to hear that they have been spending money on expensive camo for no good reason, you can't argue with the science.
 
Well some love to bash the camo wagon, but my opinion on this is my own and I have lots to back it up.

Camo patterns help you blend in better and will mask some of your movement, when you need too, that's the whole idea of camo. Snow camo or white just blends better in the snow. If your one that gets excited and tends to move then the camo will only help you. There has been lots of times that yotes come out in a different spot then you expect and you have to move or swing your gun right or left to get ready for the shot. I've had far more yotes come running into my setups then ever running away from them because they seen me and I ware Real Tree snow camo all the time in the winter...
 
I would not even consider going hunting coyotes without camo... I use Real Tree Snow camo most of the time in brush areas... when it is more open, I go with plain white... camo works and it helps. Camo does not mean you can disregard movement and place yourself anywhere... find a camo that complements the area you are hunting and vice versa... Camo is just a tool to "up the odds."
 
I would not even consider going hunting coyotes without camo... I use Real Tree Snow camo most of the time in brush areas... when it is more open, I go with plain white... camo works and it helps. Camo does not mean you can disregard movement and place yourself anywhere... find a camo that complements the area you are hunting and vice versa... Camo is just a tool to "up the odds."

I don't think anyone is saying 'forget the camo'. Its just that it (and brand names) probably gets more emphasis than it should. I wear camo for coyote hunting too, because it makes breaking up my outline easier, and because its just as useful at hiding me from human intruders on a stand.

Tim Titus does a good job of tackling the subject matter here: Camouflage, Concealment and Coyotes
 
I use a desert ghillie year round in field edges, and in wheat/corn stubble. It breaks up the outline, and scrim is easily attached if wanted and they simply don't see you.

As Adrian said, very seldom do you not have to move or reposition the rifle. That's usually the most critical point. If you are camoed properly, own the wind, and have the caller and decoy away from you, you can get away with a little movement.

The coyotes around here are harassed frequently by farmers, sheepmen, etc. and they are extremely paranoid/high strung and up on their tip toes when approaching a call.
 
I use a desert ghillie year round in field edges, and in wheat/corn stubble. It breaks up the outline, and scrim is easily attached if wanted and they simply don't see you.

As Adrian said, very seldom do you not have to move or reposition the rifle. That's usually the most critical point. If you are camoed properly, own the wind, and have the caller and decoy away from you, you can get away with a little movement.

The coyotes around here are harassed frequently by farmers, sheepmen, etc. and they are extremely paranoid/high strung and up on their tip toes when approaching a call.

You're not supposed to let them get close enough to pee on you. :) Last wolf I shot involved a rabbit call and myself, dressed in a kakki colored parka, parked against the near side of a Spruce tree. Two wolves showed up, closest one about 25 yards. Kaboom.

Grizz
 
You're not supposed to let them get close enough to pee on you. :) Last wolf I shot involved a rabbit call and myself, dressed in a kakki colored parka, parked against the near side of a Spruce tree. Two wolves showed up, closest one about 25 yards. Kaboom.

Grizz

Peeing? Is that what they are doing? I thought it was just trying to kick me. lol

It seems like the desert/khaki color does make a difference. The snow camo is a little less hassle in the field however and AJ has good success with it.
 
I once watched a coyote calling video on You Tube of a guy calling in a Santa Claus suit. He was trying to prove that movement and wind are far more important than camo. I know it was the internet and everything can be faked but it did appear that he shot a few coyotes. I personally do wear a polar fleece snow camo jacket and have had coyotes up to 1 foot away from me before they new I was there.
 
I once watched a coyote calling video on You Tube of a guy calling in a Santa Claus suit. He was trying to prove that movement and wind are far more important than camo. I know it was the internet and everything can be faked but it did appear that he shot a few coyotes. I personally do wear a polar fleece snow camo jacket and have had coyotes up to 1 foot away from me before they new I was there.

That was likely to have been Gerry Blair. A legend in coyote hunting circles, and I think his point was made quite clearly. His book, Predator Calling with Gerry Blair, talks about it.
 
Walmart usually has snow camo pretty cheap. If you plan on doing a lot of winter hunting, why not...
 
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