Is there really any need for camoflage?

[mick91]

Of course there's no need for camo gear unless you are stalking hapless wildlife. But nor is there any real need not to. There are far more intimidating sights in the country. If you are of a nervous disposition you should follow nature and just move around in large, colourful, often noisy herds. Join the Ramblers.
Having said that I was once rather worried by one DPM'd individual I chanced upon when walking down a country village lane approaching dusk. The biggest concern on that occasion wasn't so much the clothing, more the fact that he was carrying a powerful torch. On this occasion duct taped to a double barreled shotgun.
Turned out to be harmless, but it was one of those times when you really don't like someone shining a torch right in your eyes.

Lampers can be intimidating I would imagine. I lamp rabbits myself (with permission of course I loathe poaching) definitely have to be sensible with a lamp people see one, assume the worst and occasionally phone the police. That's why now if I'm going shooting I phone them and get a log number. Anyone duct taped anything to one of my shotgun barrels though we would fall out very quickly lol

 

[NikDarkwood]

I dont wear camo apart from an old DPM Goretex I bought for a tenner. Most military kit is heavy and a bit pants to be honest. I do bikepack and do a bit of wildcamping so Ive a lot of earth colour, Green, and non-DPM Camo (real tree, digital, flecktarn etc) bags, covers and stuff to be as discrete as possible. For instance my mtn bike is white so has a bit of camo tarp to tone it down. If Im somewhere technical I have a hi-viz rucksac cover and survival bag in case I fall.
There are times when its good to be discrete and other times when you need to be seen.
In the woods I want to blend in and see the wildlife, if Im unconsious at the bottom of a scree slope I want to be seen.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Hi,
this has been playing on my mind for quite a while now, so I thought I'd just get my thoughts down and see what everyone thinks.
I'm new to this forum, but not new to bushcraft and life outdoors in general, having worked as a gamekeeper in England and Scotland and guiding wilderness treks in the Himalayas. Still have much to learn though. Everyday's a school day after all.

My problem is this: ex army gear. Now, I should say straight away that I understand perfectly why it's popular, Christ knows I have enough of the stuff myself. It is after all cheap, generally fit for purpose and readily available, but I can't help but think what first impressions would a member of the public have (i.e. a dog walker) if they bumped into someone in full DPM in the woods. Probably not favourable I'd bet. I have friends in who's mind bushcraft is linked, wrongly, with survivalism and sociapathic tendencies. I consider it part of my hobbby to change their opinions, but I have been on meets where people have trucked up in full camo, head to toe, camo tarp, camo mug, camo knife, probably camo underwear to and I can't help but think that these people are coming at this all wrong. After all, I'm there in a battered old tweed, nice thick wool jumper, home made waxed cotton bivvi and bog standard enamel crockery, and we are just as comfortable and well prepared as each other.

It's not as if we NEED the camo gear, unless of course we are doing some poaching (naughty, but when I was a keeper I had no real problem with people taking a rabbit or two for the pot, and camo isn't needed for it either) or are camping without permission (naughty, but we've all done it. Well, I certainly have). So what I guess I'm really saying is why not ditch the camo, maybe even some of the olive drab, and go out and about in something altogether more civilian. I'm not saying that we should rush out and buy day-glo goretex rambling gear, but there mush be a middle ground, mustn't there?

And then perhaps we won't scare the bejeezus out of the couple with the spaniel or the family on the bike ride

That's all.

(Mods, feel free to move this, I'm not sure if it's in the right section. Ta.)

I find myself asking would the couple with a spaniel be more alarmed by the sight of our Weekend Woodland Warrior's camo jacket, neck knife or forest axe?

 

[Tonyuk]

Nothing wrong with a bit of the old dpm kit, or another pattern for that matter. But i wouldn't say there's any "need" for it, more than likely it may work against you if something goes wrong.

Tonyuk

 

[Bywrongun]

This story just made my evening, it would seem common sence goes a long way.

 

[Bywrongun]

I'm ever so slightly less annoyed by that one. I can at least not have them in my photos (take multiples as they move, and stitch together as if a panorama). But a tent doesn't move, you can't do that. Bright coloured tents are right up there with littering IMHO. About the only bigger wilderness sin is to bag up dog poo and hang it on a branch...

J

I totally agree, a tent is really something that does not have to be intrusive. And as for dog poo hung up on trees, maybe the owner hung up next to it would discourage some what?

 

[Robson Valley]

Big game and bird hunting is very active in my district. Most everyone going out for anything wears camo.
Mine ranges from clothing to a ghillie suit to NatGear snow camo. It works.
Not considered tasteful for camping or shopping for groceries in the village. Just gives the wrong message of intent.
But, there's a few that wear camo 365. Always will be.

I get a kick out of the fashionable pink camo. Savage even makes a pink camo .22cal bolt action!
Cabela's sells women's camo underclothes for those who have something to hide, I suppose.

If SAR had to haul my sorry ar$e out of the alpine, I'd rather have an orange or red tent to make location easier for them.
No objections to blues and greens for tents and packs, either.
Most snomobile clothing is basically black. But the factories do market some wild & colorful clothing as well.

 

[stone monkey]

Does it matter if there is a need for camo, if you want to wear it, do so, if you do not want to wear it, don't, it's up to the individual

 

[Darwen]

I think there are certain times when camouflage is appropriate:
- All you can afford is surplus gear, it's better to be out there wearing it, than inside dreaming.
- You need it for concealment whilst hunting.
- It is your uniform for work.

Any other times I kind of put it in the same league as wearing webbing instead of carrying a rucksack whilst hiking in the Lakeland fells; it's impractical, unnecessary and gives off a certain impression - I'm not a judgemental person, but of course many are.
Friends of mine who are in the forces always wear civvy kit (apart from their boots, which tend to be their most broken in, comfortable footwear) when not at work, as it performs better and is more comfortable.

 

[nic a char]

"dog poo hung up on trees, maybe the owner hung up next to it would discourage some what?"
Very much so! I find many, not all, dog-owners very selfish.

 

[Klenchblaize]

Even the ones in camo??

I thing you have posted in the wrong thread!

 

[Bywrongun]

Even the ones in camo??

I thing you have posted in the wrong thread!

Is not all dog poo camouflage?

 

[boney gumbo mcgee]

Is not all dog poo camouflage?

Whilst walking the greensand ridge with my daughter, we saw a lady dog owner let her dog curl one out, her response was to kick leaves over the top of it, so that poop was most certainly camouflaged. It was a section of the greensand ridge that was a narrow foot path with a fence one side. Oh forgot to say I personally have no problem with people wearing cammo, not for me, but if it makes you happy.

 

[knifeman]

I wear a camo and army surplus not because I think I'm Rambo but because it's cheap and durable!!


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[dungokunyet]

just depend on area, if there was dangerous area, i'll use camoflage if not i just use what native done.

 

[superc0ntra]

I mostly don't use camo. But I'm addicted to my DPM Windproof Smock which is as close to ideal bushcraft jacket as can be for me.

 

[Loch Erne Prepper]

Having read a number of peoples views on the subject of wearing camo, i feel it is entirely up to the individual whether or not to wear camo, is your own preference,
Me personally i like camo

 

[crwydryny]

unless you're out hunting there's not much need for DPM, but that said a lot of guys I work with (especially ex army guys) often wear camo simply because it's comfortable and practical for the job, and they'd still wear it even if it was bright pink as long as it does it's job. I've bumped into more than a few people while out in the woods wearing camo and most people don't even bat an eye lid at it.

 

[Arya]

Personally I don't have any DPM kit, but, like many other members, my wardrobe does have a bias towards greens and browns. I don't see much of a problem with wearing bits of camo gear, but I think head-to-toe can be a little intimidating.

Hey! That´s high end fashion! I have one of those

 

[pysen78]

People around here sometimes use the new brightcolored camos for hunting. According to the egg-heads, most animals don't perceive colours the sam way we do, so it's the sama as regular camo to the wildlife, but with the added bonus of being hi-viz for other shooters, so minimizing the risk of being taken for a wild boar while crawling around looking for chanterells.
http://www.amazon.com/Gamehide-Deerhunter-Parka/dp/B00EO3JONI

I personally wouldn't want to be found dead in it. I think it looks awful. Most of the time I want to hide from other people anyways, so usually wear subdued colours like OD and brown. '
Which ironically possibly increases the risk of me being caught dead in the first place!