Bill Kregel (@BearTrax)

Choosing camouflage? Don’t start with the pattern. When people begin looking for hunting or outdoor camouflage, one of the first questions is usually: “Which pattern is best?” But there really isn’t one camouflage pattern that wins everywhere. A pattern that disappears beautifully in a lush green forest in June may look completely different among gray trunks and brown leaves in November. Before worrying about the name printed on the tag, think about a few simpler things. Look at your surroundings. Are they mostly green, brown, gray, tan—or a mixture? Look at the size of the pattern. Large shapes help break up the human outline differently from small flecks and fine detail. Think about distance. A pattern that looks incredibly detailed from three feet away may blend into one solid color farther out. Remember that movement matters. Even excellent camouflage can’t hide constant motion. And finally: Choose the clothing for the weather first. If rain is coming, staying dry matters more than whether your jacket has the “perfect” pattern. If you’ll be walking miles, comfort and ventilation matter. If you’ll be working through brush, durability suddenly becomes important. That’s one reason military camouflage is so interesting. M81 Woodland, British DPM, Flecktarn, MTP and dozens of other patterns were developed around different landscapes, different eras and different ideas about concealment. There isn’t one perfect camouflage. There’s the right combination of terrain, season, clothing and knowing how to use it. And learning why each pattern was designed the way it was is half the fun. Bear-Trax.com - Preserving The Spirit® Stay Wild. Stay Free. 🇺🇸