Go Undetected With the Best Camo for Turkey Hunting

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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Turkey Colours

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 colour of the turkey’s head and wattle. 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? This is why you CANNOT wear anything that will make it hard for hunters to distinguish you from a turkey.

Eyesight

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’re using 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 pricer side. If you have already washed your turkey camo, you should consider spraying your clothes with a UV-Killer.

See, 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, what do you wear?

Further Reading: The Top Turkey Hunting Gear Every Hunter Needs

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 dress according to your hunting environment. 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 camo patterns for turkey hunts. Do 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 hunt. 

Fall Turkey Hunting

Let’s start with fall since the fall turkey hunt is just around the corner. Always think of your surroundings. Depending on the region you hunt, the early fall trees are still leafy, but the foliage is already turning. These colours range from yellows, reds, and browns to greens. Some leaves have fallen on the ground. 

With this in mind, a camo pattern like the Realtree APX can fare well in such environments. The APX pattern has a great mix of yellows, browns and little greens and will help break up your appearance in the woods. 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.

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.

Some General Camo Patterns

Here are some general hunting camo patterns worth considering. Your choice should be based on the time of year and your local surroundings.

Spring Turkey Hunt

Depending on the hunting zone, your spring environment 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 that will help you blend in with the leafless trees and leafy ground. If the hunting woods have signs of fresh growth, you can opt for something like the Realtree Edge. This camo pattern is also great in the early fall when the leaves change to a yellowy brown. Just make sure there is enough green in your turkey-hunting camo to help you blend in with the new growth of your surroundings.

Further Reading: Top 8 Wicked New Turkey Hunting Gear For 2024

Turkey Hunting Tips

Further Reading: The Dos and Don’ts of Hunting Safety

Concluding the Best Camo for Turkey Hunting

The bottom line for your next hunt, depending on the particular time of year, make sure you pattern yourself with the best camo for turkey hunting for the environment in which you are hunting. That’s natural-looking gear! It’s even a good idea to use a face mask to help blend in. Then position yourself by that big ol’ oak tree, grab your slate calls, box calls or mouth calls and wait for that ol’ Tom to come to eat an acorn. If you see the turkey look in your direction and you move, it’s game over!

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