Which Camo Pattern Should You Choose?

by
posted on April 7, 2014
** When you buy products through the links on our site, we may earn a commission that supports NRA's mission to protect, preserve and defend the Second Amendment. **
qa_ah2015_fs.jpg (22)

undefinedQ: There are so many camo patterns to choose from today that I'm not sure which one to buy. Can you help?

A: Despite what you may see in ads, no single pattern is optimal in all environments. The most important thing to think about is matching a pattern to your hunting location and its landscape.

If you are planning your hunt in the American West or Africa, choose an open pattern like Realtree Max-1 or Cabela's Zonz Western. Striped patterns such as Mossy Oak Shadow Grass Blades and Predator 3D Deception work well in reedy and brushy terrain. On the other hand, blotched patterns like Cabela's Seclusion 3D and Realtree Xtra Green blend with leafy, deciduous terrain. If snow covers the landscape, go with something that has a good bit of white in it.

You may want to consider mixing patterns. Turkey hunters sometimes choose one type of camo for their trousers and another for their jacket or shirt. Wearing this combination, their bottom half blends with the ground while their torso matches a tree trunk when they set up to call. For the utmost concealment, don't forget to camouflage your face and your equipment, as both can reflect sunlight.

Latest

First Breach 223
First Breach 223

New for 2026: First Breach Ammo

Hagerstown, Maryland’s First Breach is a new company, based on a father/son team who are passionate about quality ammunition.

Top 10 Bowhunting Items of SHOT 2026

Bowhunting is a gear-intensive endeavor. Make sure you have the very best.

MDT Expands Timbr Core Line with Savage 110 Model

MDT has announced its Timbr Core Walnut Stock for the RH Savage 110 Short Action, expanding the Timbr Core lineup and bringing classic walnut craftsmanship to a modern, precision-focused rifle stock.

Knight & Hale Expands Run N' Gun Vest Line with New Models

Knight & Hale Game Calls has expanded its Run N' Gun turkey vest line. Designed for hunters who demand speed, stealth and efficiency in the field, the new lineup promises lightweight comfort, storage and versatility.

#SundayGunday: Taurus 650

On this week's #SundayGunday, we’re taking a deep dive into a compact wheelgun that’s built to balance power, concealability and rugged reliability. This is the stainless‑steel Taurus 650—Taurus’s reintroduced small‑frame, five‑shot revolver chambered in .357 Magnum. Learn more about it in this exclusive video.

52 Bears Harvested in Florida Season

There were 52 bears harvested during Florida’s first bear season since 2015.

Interests



Get the best of American Hunter delivered to your inbox.