Your turkey hunt may come to an unpleasant end if you misjudge a gobbler or hen and have to walk back to the truck or lodge. Movement is one of the worst things you can do after getting a bird’s attention. Unless you have a bird that is gobbling its head off and you know exactly where it is, it is best to stay still. Turkeys are skittish enough, and sometimes they’ll spook even when you do everything right. But if a turkey does spot you, chances are he’ll be gone. Having the best camo for turkey hunting is essential to remaining undetected while pursuing wary spring gobblers.
One spring morning, I was standing against a large water oak in a shaded treeline, my shotgun resting on my knee. I was standing in a place where I had seen and heard a gobbler a few times, making some dejected hen noises, when a hen emerged from the woods across the field at a distance of 70 yards. She slowly made her way to me, and I hoped she might attract a searching tom.
She continued wandering around the field in search of a gobbler, but she never showed up. Eventually, she came to a stop 20 feet away from my setup and turned to face me. I was barely breathing. But when I closed my eyes she gave out a sharp, “Putt!” and stomped away. Even though my camo did its job, that slight movement gave me away. Had I not moved, that hen probably would have walked past me without another thought. This is why it’s so important to hunt turkeys in the best possible camou and to stay still as soon as you enter the woods.
Original turkey camo consisted of military issue fatigues or khakis and a spring-looking plaid shirt. Then, in the middle of the 1980s, Jim Crumley introduced TreBark, which eventually made way for all of the modern hunting and camouflage clothing available today. We had to make do with what we had back then, but today’s turkey hunters have a lot more options, from green swamps and palmettos to dull hardwoods and bottomlands. For western hunters, light-colored mesquite camo gets the nod. The key is to blend in, so the various regions and ecosystems where turkeys can be found are covered by these eight selections for the best camo for turkey hunting.
Turkey hunting is a thrilling and challenging pursuit that requires patience, skill, and the right gear. While many elements contribute to success, one of the most crucial is camouflage. Turkeys have exceptional eyesight, and blending into your surroundings is essential to avoid spooking them.
This guide will examine the significance of camouflage for turkey hunting, examine various camo patterns and their applicability in diverse settings, and offer helpful advice for selecting the ideal camo for your upcoming hunt.
Why Camo is Crucial for Turkey Hunting
Turkeys have extraordinary vision, which enables them to recognize even the smallest movement or strange shapes. Because of their heightened sensitivity to color—especially red and blue—they are acutely aware of anything that stands out in their surroundings.
Without proper camouflage, you become a beacon to wary turkeys significantly reducing your chances of getting close enough for a shot. Effective camo helps you blend seamlessly into the surroundings, making you virtually invisible to these sharp-eyed birds.
Choosing the Best Camo for Your Turkey Hunting Needs
With numerous camo patterns available, selecting the right one can be overwhelming. Here’s a breakdown of some popular options and their suitability for different hunting scenarios:
Early Season (Pre-Greenup):
- Mossy Oak Bottomland: This classic pattern features a blend of browns, tans, and subtle greens, mimicking the drab colors of early spring landscapes. It’s ideal for hunting before the leaves emerge and vegetation is sparse.
Greenup:
- Realtree EDGE Hot Shot: This pattern incorporates bright green leaves and earth tones, effectively blending with the lush foliage of late spring. It’s perfect for hunting when the woods are fully green.
Dry Regions:
- King’s Camo Desert Shadow: This pattern features light and dark areas, replicating the mesquite and scrub found in arid environments. It’s ideal for hunting in deserts and other dry regions.
Snow:
- TrueTimber Tundra: This pattern features a clean white background with a brow-gray textured overlay, perfectly blending with snow-covered landscapes. It’s essential for hunting turkeys in snowy conditions.
Low-Key:
- Voormi Blowdown: This pattern features subtle vertical lines that break up the human profile without being overly conspicuous. It’s ideal for hunters who prefer a more understated look.
Late Season:
- Mossy Oak Obsession: This pattern features bright green leaves and foliage, mimicking the vibrant colors of late spring. It’s perfect for hunting when the woods are fully leafed out.
Budget-Friendly:
- TrueTimber Strata: This pattern features a textured design that resembles tree bark, blending well with hardwoods. It’s an affordable option for hunters on a budget.
Versatility:
- Sitka Optifade Subalpine: This modern camo pattern is designed to break up the human outline at close range and works well in various environments, including timber, mountains, and spring foliage.
Early Season Leafy Suit:
- First Lite Specter: This 3D leafy suit effectively breaks up your outline and blends seamlessly with wooded environments. It’s ideal for early and mid-spring turkey hunting.
Additional Considerations for Choosing Turkey Hunting Camo
Habitat:
The type of habitat you’ll be hunting in plays a significant role in choosing the best camo. Match your camo pattern to the dominant colors and textures of the environment.
Time of Year:
As the seasons change, so does the vegetation. Choose a camo pattern that complements the colors of the foliage and ground cover prevalent during your hunting season.
Personal Preference:
While it’s important to select a camo pattern that will blend in well with your hunting surroundings, individual taste also counts. Select a pattern you feel comfortable and confident wearing.
Budget:
Camo prices vary depending on the brand, pattern, and quality. Set a budget and choose a pattern that fits your financial constraints.
Turkey hunting requires a combination of skill, patience, and the right gear. Choosing the best camo for your specific hunting conditions is essential for maximizing your success. By understanding the different camo patterns and their effectiveness in various environments, you can make an informed decision that will help you blend seamlessly into the surroundings and increase your chances of bagging a gobbler.
Best for Greenup: Realtree EDGE Hot Shot Men’s Camo Performance Shirt
- Blend of bright leaves and earth tones
- Works throughout spring, especially later
- No blob effect at a distance
- Geographic elements help you disappear at a distance
- Natural elements designed in the pattern
- Effective almost anywhere
- Could use more green
When the fields and woods start to turn a shade of green, you want camo that has just the right amount of green in it to help you blend in. If you’re too green you’ll stand out. You want to blend in with the foliage and shadows as much as possible when turkeys are around, and Realtree Edge has an excellent mix of both to make sure you don’t stand out. The pattern could use more green, especially if you hunt in areas where the greenup occurs early, even though its depth works well to break up your outline.
Best Budget Camo: TrueTimber Strata
- Nicely textured, looks like tree bark
- available in a wide range of apparel at Cabela’s and Bass Pro.
- Blends well with hardwoods
- Slightly darker pattern, looks good in shadows
- Printed on affordable clothing
- Stands out against bright green foliage
TrueTimber is a relatively new camo manufacturer when compared to companies like Mossy Oak and Realtree, but it has become more popular in major outdoor retailers like Bass Pro and Cabela’s. The Strata pattern has a similar color scheme to Bottomland, so it matches nicely with hardwood tree bark. It’s slightly darker, so not the perfect choice for an electric green woods. It has a modern, textured pattern (not just sticks and leaves). The best thing about Strata is that it can be printed on a wide variety of clothing at a fair price. If you’re a turkey hunter on a tight budget searching for a simple camo shirt to wear under your vest, this is a great option. —Alex Robinson.
How Important is Camo when turkey hunting
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