Deer vision research suggests the pattern matters less than you'd think, as long as it breaks up your outline and isn't treated with brighteners. This guide covers what deer see, where cheap is fine and where it's worth spending. Sources are at the end.
I'm cheap with my camo. My setup:
- A Ginsco 3D leafy ghillie suit with face mask and gloves
- Realtree overalls and a jacket on cold hunts
- TIDEWE rubber hunting boots, 800g insulation and 7mm neoprene
- Sawyer SP657 Premium Permethrin on my clothes early season
What deer see
- Patterns look like a blob. University of Georgia researcher Brad Cohen told Petersen's Hunting that deer can't distinguish fine detail, so depth in camo patterns doesn't matter.
- Color matters less than pattern. QDMA Canada's write-up of the deer vision research says the actual fabric color is relatively unimportant as long as the pattern blends with your surroundings. It advises against solid, light colors.
- Shiny fabric stands out. The same write-up warns that vinyl or plastic garments reflect light.
UV brighteners
- The UGA finding: deer lack a UV filter in the eye and see short wavelengths much better than people. Deer & Deer Hunting reports deer were about eight times more sensitive than humans at 430 to 440 nanometers, the peak emission of most UV brighteners. The researchers concluded camo shouldn't be washed in detergents with brightening agents.
- A dissenting study: a Pacific University study on brighteners in camo found no sign of a UV "glow" that made camo stand out from foliage under the light levels it tested.
Either way, skipping brighteners is cheap. See scent-free laundry and body wash.
Where cheap is fine
| Item | Cheap is fine? | Why |
|---|---|---|
| Camo pattern | Yes | Deer see patterns as a blob (UGA) |
| Leafy suit | Usually | See ghillie and leafy suits for durability notes on the Ginsco |
| Base layer | Pick the fabric | Wool or synthetic, no cotton, per state agencies. See cold weather layering |
| Boots | Compare comfort ratings | See rubber boots, budget vs premium |
| Carbon scent suits | Check the evidence first | See scent control clothing |
Other good options
- Early season bugs. See permethrin for hunting clothes.
- Blaze orange. QDMA Canada notes camo blaze orange isn't legal in many places. Check your rules if seasons overlap.
Questions hunters ask
Does camo pattern matter for deer? According to the UGA research, deer see patterns as a blob. Break up your outline and match your surroundings.
Do UV brighteners matter? UGA researchers say to avoid them. One other study found no glow. Skipping them costs little.
Is cheap camo good enough for bowhunting? The research suggests the pattern matters less than avoiding shiny fabric and brighteners.
Sources
- Petersen's Hunting, "The Science of Sight: What Whitetails Can Really See": https://www.petersenshunting.com/editorial/science-of-sight-whitetails/272798
- QDMA Canada, "What do Deer See?": http://www.qdma.ca/en/2014-03-27-13-07-39/what-we-do/deer-biology-management/118-what-do-deer-see/
- Deer & Deer Hunting, "The Best Camo for Deer Hunting": https://www.deeranddeerhunting.com/content/articles/deer-hunting-gear/best-camo-pattern-one-that-doesnt-glow
- Pacific University, "The effect of fluorescent whitening agent on hunter camouflage clothing": https://commons.pacificu.edu/downloads/y14yc-e9f78/stamped_c2fc87fe-e40c-4719-860e-f68ecd8377de.pdf