The turkey tags are purchased, the shotgun is patterned, and your drives now entail practicing turkey calling for the upcoming turkey season. But wait, what are you going to wear? Hopefully, nothing blue, red, white or black, as these colours will only get you into a world of hurt. Well, my fellow turkey hunters, let’s look at how we can go undetected with the best camo for turkey hunting.
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The Colours of a Turkey
First, let’s address why we can not wear the mentioned colours. While sitting still up against a big tree waiting for a turkey to strut by, what are you looking for besides the obvious? What differentiates a turkey from any other bird or animal?
You’re looking for red, the turkey’s head and wattle colour. You’ll also look for blue, which helps distinguish a female hen from a male tom. Since the wattle and snood can change colour depending on the bird’s health, you’ll also look for white. And lastly, the turkey’s feathers are black.
So, if you are subconsciously looking for these four colours, what do you think your fellow turkey hunters are looking for? It’s why you CANNOT wear anything that will make it hard for hunters to distinguish you from a turkey.
How Turkey’s Eyesight Affects Your Camo Choice
Wild turkeys have phenomenal eyesight. They can detect the slightest movement over long distances. By long, I mean about 60 yards. Because they have seven different types of photoreceptors, turkeys can see many colours and are sensitive to UV light. With the ability to turn their head slightly, the turkey’s field of view is nearly 360 degrees. That gives them the advantage of seeing in all directions.
And if that’s not enough, their eyes can scan their surroundings separately, which is cool and creepy at the same time. Turkey, however, does not see well at night, hence the sleeping in the trees.
Here is another fact of equal importance: remember how the turkey is sensitive to UV light. Well, guess what – if you’reusing laundry detergent that brightens or whitens your clothes, then guess who can see you glow!!! These detergents leave a UV residue behind that accumulates over time.
I highly recommend that you launder your hunting clothing with detergents like Grangers or Dead Down Wind. Grangers, which we use on our more expensive hunting gear, is fantastic. However, it is on the pricey side. If you have already washed your turkey camouflage hunting gear, you should consider spraying your clothes with a UV killer.
Facts do not have to be boring, especially if it helps achieve the desired result. Now that we know what these wild turkeys see, which is pretty much everything better than you, the question becomes, how do you blend in with the turkey habitat?
What to Wear When Turkey Hunting?
In short, CAMO! But not just any camo. Here is where your clothing choice becomes complicated. Since these birds can virtually see everything and are skittish to the slightest movement, you must choose the best camo for hunting in forests and fields for the season. The different camo patterns worn in early spring will not be the same as in early fall. Here’s why.
By the way, this post is just about the best turkey-hunting camo patterns. Make sure you are wearing the appropriate layers for the season. If you do take off a layer, ensure that the pattern continues into your underlayer (camo shirts) if hunting in what starts as a cool morning and works into warmer weather. The same applies to an afternoon turkey hunt.
Fall Turkey Hunting Camo: Colors & Styles for Effective Concealment
How to choose camo for hunting turkeys does not have to be difficult. The key is to consider your surroundings. So, let’sstart with the fall turkey hunt.
Depending on the region you hunt, the early fall trees are still leafy. The foliage is already turning, with colours ranging from yellows, reds, and browns to greens. The ground is sparsely covered with leaves.
With this in mind, the types of camo for fall turkey hunting in this environment would be a pattern like the Realtree APX. The APX pattern is a great camo for hunting turkeys in the woods. It has a mix of yellows, browns and little greens to help break up your appearance in the woods. Its pattern consists of tree bark, branches, brownish leaves and pine needles.
For turkey hunting in the fields, a go-to pattern would be the Realtree Max7, comprised of browns, beige and grays. The Max7 design is comprised of reeds, grasses, corn, wheat, etc, which helps you blend in with marshes or open fields.
Shifting into a later fall hunt or early spring when the trees no longer have foliage, you are now in a predominately brown and grey environment. Here is where a ghillie (leafy suit) works very well. Or you can opt for a camo pattern like the Realtree Timber, which helps you blend in with the surrounding trees.
Digital Camo Patterns
If you’re into a more digital pattern like those found on Sitka, Optifade Subalpine would be your best bet for early fall hunts. This pattern will also fare well in the spring as the pattern consists of a combination of brown, cream and green. Sitka’s Open Country camo pattern would work well in a late fall or early spring hunt as its colours are predominantly brown and grey.
Best Camouflage for Turkey Hunting
Below are examples of the above-mentioned camo patterns. For reference, we used Realtree and Sitka, but similar patterns can be found with brands like Mossy Oak, Kuiu, King, etc.
Best Camo for Spring Turkey Hunting: Pattern & Gear Recommendations
Depending on the hunting zone, your spring woods may still be gloomy-looking, meaning no appearance of buds. In this case, a leafy suit (Ie. leafy ghillie suit) is still recommended. If your budget doesn’t permit a leafy suit, find a camo pattern like the Realtree Timber to help you blend in with the leafless trees and leafy ground.
For hunting woods with signs of fresh growth, opt for something like the Realtree Edge camo pattern and colouring. This pattern also works great in the early fall when the leaves change to a yellowy brown.
Gear up for your next outdoor adventure with the Under Armour Brow Tine Jacket. This versatile hunting jacket features the RealTree Edge camo pattern for effective concealment in the woods. Made from durable, quiet fabric, it keeps you stealthy while the inner fleece liner with scent control technology ensures you stay undetected. With water-repellent and breathable properties, this jacket is perfect for all weather conditions.
Essential Turkey Hunting Tips
Concluding the Best Camo for Turkey Hunting
Remember that the turkey’s behaviour and eyesight play a vital role in the success of your hunt. Make sure you choose a camo pattern best suited for the hunting season. That means natural-looking gear! It’s even a good idea to wear a face mask to help blend in. All that’s left is to position yourself by that big ol’ oak tree, grab your slate calls, box calls or mouth calls and wait for that ol’ Tom to eat an acorn. If you see the turkey look in your direction and you move, it’s game over! Remember, you only have a single shot.
I hope you found my Best Camo for Turkey Hunting guide helpful. I would love to hear what your favourite camo pattern is.
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