How to Choose the Right Camo Pattern

Alyson Rausch // April 19

Camouflage isn’t required to be a good hunter, but it certainly can better your odds. There are hundreds of styles and brands of camo patterns available and it can be confusing to know what you need! Essentially, the point of camouflage is to break out your body’s silhouette and help you blend into your surroundings.

We may all be somewhat familiar with the old-school camo pattern of green, brown, and black blobs. Though this style isn’t seen on many sporting goods shelves, it is a time-honored and effective pattern that is still used by many today.

On a personal note, sometimes you don’t need camo at all. When I first started whitetail hunting, I hunted out of a ground blind. The inside of this blind was all black, and as a result, if a deer were to look towards the blind they would see a window with a black background. In order to maintain stealth, I wore all black (black hat, black sweatshirt, and a black mask or face paint) to directly blend in with the inside of the blind.

However, there are many other options to look into that are a bit more “advanced.”

How to Choose the Right Camo Pattern

Camo Patterns and When to Wear Them

There are also many variations of each camo type. Patterns have turned from grass and foliage likeness to digitalized splotches. Either way, consider the color you need and what will best match the trees, grass, or other foliage around you. You would be surprised at how any slight color variation can make a hunter easier or harder to spot. For example, using a more vibrant green woodland camo in a bow stand is probably more likely to get you noticed than a darker, more brown-oriented autumn woodland-colored camo. Though the pattern may be the same, the brighter tone will be more obvious to your game, especially if you make any movement.

Marsh

This resembles tall golden brown to green marsh grass. This is a pattern often used for waterfowl hunting on/in a body of water and is also good for hunting in harvested cornfields. There are many variations as far as shade (color) and density of the grass itself.

camo pattern

Brush

Brush camo is more commonly worn by plains hunters or those who hunt areas of grassland and is composed of golden/green/brown shades of brushy grass and thickets.

Woodland

Is just that–it resembles the woods! Most common brands include Mossy Oak and Realtree and contain variations of forest patterns of sticks and leaves to help you better blend in with a wooded environment. This is often the go-to for deer hunters who sit in a tree stand (or hunt on ground level).

camo pattern

Read More: The Fun of Wearing Blaze Orange

Snow

Snow camo is very versatile in that there are several patterns of it depending on the terrain you plan to hunt. If you will be in more of an open field situation, there is snow camo that is almost completely white with a few greys or subtle brown spots mixed in to break up the solid white. There is also snow camo that takes on a similar pattern to woodland camo with branches and leaves on top of white for those who plan to hunt in wooded areas.

Above all, the most important thing to take into consideration when buying camouflage isn’t the price tag.

Commonly Asked Questions About Camo Patterns:

What is the most effective camo pattern?

Determining the most effective camo pattern depends on the environment and the season. Patterns like Mossy Oak, Realtree, and MultiCam are popular choices for their effectiveness in various terrains and lighting conditions.

What is the most versatile camo color?

Earth tones like olive green, tan, and brown are among the most versatile camo colors as they blend well in a wide range of environments, from forests and grasslands to deserts and rocky terrain.

How to design a camouflage pattern?

Designing a camouflage pattern involves considering the environment, terrain, and lighting conditions where it will be used. Patterns should incorporate natural shapes, colors, and textures to effectively break up the outline of the wearer and blend into the surroundings.

What is the best camo for grass?

Camo patterns with green and brown hues, such as Realtree Max-5 or Mossy Oak Blades, are well-suited for grassy environments. These patterns mimic the colors and textures of grasses, helping hunters blend seamlessly into their surroundings.

Select a camo pattern that will help break up your body's silhouette most naturally in the environment you plan to hunt.

Read More – How to Buy Hunting Gear: Tips to Find the Perfect Fit

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About the Author

Alyson Rausch

Aly is 23-years old and is from Central Wisconsin! Since she can remember, she has been involved in the outdoors. Even before she had her hunter's safety license, her Dad would take her and her sister duck and pheasant hunting, and she developed a passion for waterfowl and bird hunting. It wasn’t until 8 years ago that she began deer hunting. She fixed up an old Browning compound bow and soon bagged her first buck, EVER. From that moment on, she has not only fallen in love with archery hunting, but the practice and art of archery. Aly also loves to pursue black bear. In addition to hunting, she loves to fish both open and hard water. Ice fishing definitely takes the cake, because there is nothing like the excitement of watching your tip-up pop up and pulling a nice Walleye or Northern Pike through the ice. In short, if it involves hunting, fishing, or the outdoors...she’s in!