Would military camo be okay for turkey hunting?

Question

I figure the pattern would be fine, but I've read turkies can see into the ultra-violet...do you think military camo would any more or less obvious than regular camo? I'm thinking about buying a set of the digital camo for spring turkey season.

Answer 1

I'd advise you to buy woodland BDU's (also Army-made) over any of the Army digital stuff. Woodland BDU's blend in better with the specific woodland background (the ACU digital pattern is more general purpose) than digital, but the woodlands-specific digital pattern wouldn't be any worse for concealment than woodland BDU's. The big downside to me is that the digital stuff is thinner and, thusly, not as warm or tough as BDU's.

As far as them seeing you via ultraviolet light, just don't wash your turkey clothes. If they get really nasty and HAVE to be washed, there is detergent specifically made for hunting clothes that doesn't contain UV brighteners (those make the clothes more noticeable in the UV spectrum).

My grandfather has hunted for years using Army camo, and has had as good of success with it as from commercial camo. Which is saying a lot. He has killed so many turkeys that he keeps their beards in two shoeboxes, one of which is filled up to the brim, and the other of which is about halfway full. We're talking about over 100 turkeys here.

In my much more limited experience, crows (which can see just as well as turkeys, but are even more intelligent) can't see me with Army camo on either, as well as a hen turkey that walked within five feet of me.

Answer 2

Camo Turkey

Answer 3

Sno-seal makes a product called Sport Wash. It eliminates odor and reduces ultra-violet reflections dramatically. It works very well. However, it is nocturnal or semi-nocturnal animals that see ultra-violet (dogs, cats, deer, raccoons). Turkeys see the same color spectrum that you do, this is why they roost at night, they can't see any better in the dark then you. With turkeys it's usually movement that gives you away, not poor camo. As long as you aren't wearing anything shiny or bright that draws attention to yourself military camo should be fine.

Answer 4

To tell you the truth, I seriously doubt that a turkey would be able to differentiate between types of camouflage. When I go turkey hunting, I hunt in a small, lightweight tent so that it doesn't really matter what kind of camo you're wearing. The tents that I'm talking about are fairly inexpensive, so you might try that method as well as your military camo.

Answer 5

Military camo "bdu's" are all we used to wear while hunting turkey. It works fine.

Turkeys can see color. But they also key in on movement and sound and odd shapes. So sit back in some brush or against a tree trunk and move slowly. Just because you can't see the turkey doesn't mean he can't see or hear you.

Miketyson26

Answer 6

Yes, military camo is great, especially the digital patterns. Get a USMC Boonie hat with it. The circular brim allows you to rotate your head with less chance of the turkey seeing you. I use it myself.

Answer 7

Yeah, it should be fine. my first couple of years that I hunted, I wore that kind of camo, and blue jeans, and I got birds. I've upgraded to Realtree camo, since then, and I've had turkeys walk within reaching distance of me.

Answer 8

military camo would be fine for turkey hunting

Answer 9

I usually hunt in my tan colored carharts and a darker colored sweatshirt over that. I mean seriously, for how long did people hunt before there was even a word for camo or being camouflaged at all?

Answer 10

As long as the camo masks your silhouette it'll serve it's purpose.

And if you're an anti-hunter then go ahead and get out. Stop the harassment.