The History of Camouflage
The term camouflage comes from the French word camoufler meaning "to blind or veil." Camouflage, which is also called protective concealment. This means to disguise an object, in plain sight, in order to conceal it from something or someone.
In the late 1800’s, an American artist named Abbott Thayer made an important observation about animals in nature that became a useful tool in developing modern camouflage. After studying wildlife, Thayer noticed the coloring of many animals graduated from dark, on the backs, to almost white on their bellies. This is an important property that is very useful in modern camouflage. This graduation from dark to light breaks up the surface of an object and makes it harder to see the object as one thing. The object loses its 3D qualities and appears flat.
Camouflage, as we know it today, was born in 1915 when the French army created a new unit called the camouflage division. Artists were among the first people the French army called in to help develop camouflage for the use during W.W.I.
Camouflage in Animals
Animals basically use one of two methods to conceal themselves in nature: General Resemblance and Special Resemblance.
General Resemblance
With general resemblance, animals use color to blend in with their environment so that they’re almost invisible. To name a few: chameleons, hares, tree frogs, grasshoppers, and lizards.
Special Resemblance
With special resemblance, animals use a combination of color, shape and behavior to help them appear like something in their environment. They are simply mistaken for something else. The walking stick is a great example. This insect becomes almost invisible due to the shape of its body, its coloration and its slow movement. It looks and acts like a twig on a bush or tree.
Camouflage for the Hunter
Why Camouflage?
Camouflage clothing is very important when hunting deer. When hunting, camouflage is not a fashion statement, it is more important that your camo breaks up your outline. Deer are far more likely to detect movement than they are an uncamouflaged hunter. To explain, a deer is far more likely to notice a camouflaged hunter moving in a treestand, than an uncamouflaged hunter sitting still in a treestand. What I’m trying to tell you, as the hunter, you are far more likely to be busted from movement rather than the camo pattern you are wearing.
After reading that, you might wonder "Why buy camouflage at all?" I’ll tell you why. Camouflage will break up your outline and to help you blend in with your surroundings better. For an example, Camouflage is used to help animals to attack their prey. As a hunter you want to be able to hunt and spot deer without them knowing you are there. Camouflage is allowing you to do that.
To tie the importance of camouflage and movement together I will use an example of the white-tailed deer.
A deer does not rely on its camouflage alone. Even though they are perfectly camouflaged with the colors, black, white, brown, gray, and reddish brown of their surroundings, they are still easily detected with significant movement. When a deer standing still or with slight movement the are virtually invisible.
Camouflage for the Hunter
You, as a hunter, having both (camouflage and minimal movement) will greatly improve your hunting success.
Choosing Camouflage.
When choosing camouflage try to match the surroundings of the area you hunt best you can. Popular patterns are Mossy Oak ™ Break-up, Obsession, Realtree ™ Hardwoods, Advantage ™ Wetlands, MAX-4 and Classic. These camouflage patterns are available in camouflage bedding and baby camo clothes.
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