Camouflage patterns come on everything from ground blinds and clothing to ghillie suits, gun wraps, and more.

So What Makes a Good Camouflage Pattern?

For most hunting situations, how the pattern breaks up the silhouette is more important than the pattern itself, and contrast between light and dark areas is more important than color. In paintball, airsoft, and military use, however, color and pattern are more important, since you are disguising yourself from humans rather than animals.

Most experts will tell you to choose the camouflage pattern that most closely matches the environment you will be using it in. So what do you do if you hunt in a number of different environments? Or what do you do when the environment changes—for example, the leaves changing color in the fall or seasonal vegetation changing the landscape? That’s a lot of camo patterns to buy. Not to mention the variety of hunting blinds, clothing, ghillie suits, or other gear you’d need.

How Do I Choose the Best Camouflage Pattern?

Does your camouflage clothing
blend in this well?

Ironically enough, a pattern that might look wild and intimidating up close can become completely invisible at a greater distance. The choice many hunters make is to select a camo pattern based on how attractive it is. Unfortunately, attractiveness has nothing to do with how effective a camouflage pattern will be.

Loose patterns often work better than complex, detailed patterns. Also, patterns laid out over an open or neutral background help break up your profile no matter where you are hunting.

Look for contrast between light and dark. If the pattern is primarily dark and complex, it will blur into a solid color and pattern from a distance.

The best camouflage pattern is one that breaks up well in a variety of different environments. Choose your camouflage wisely, and it should work well for you in almost any setting.

Looking for the best hunting blind for you? Here are some guidelines on what to look for when you’re ready to shop for a portable hunting blind.

Size and Dimensions

The Turret XL Blind is large enough for two hunters or for bringing the kids.

If you hunt with other people, is there enough room for more than one hunter, including all of your gear? Tight quarters can cramp your shot.

Size also affects your profile. A low-profile blind is better for use in areas with low-lying vegetation. In the woods and areas with taller vegetation, a high profile is easy enough to hide.

Camouflage Patterns

Ground blinds come in all different camouflage patterns. Most are an “all-purpose” camo to blend in with a variety of the most typical hunting areas. Others are specific to the landscape, such as grasslands or prairie, desert or dry areas, and snow. Match the camouflage to the natural vegetation of your area. Then customize the camo pattern by brushing in the blind with branches, grass, and local vegetation.

The 360 Hunting Blind eliminates blind spots with visibility all the way around.

Visibility

Some blinds (such as a chair blind) are designed with windows on three sides. These are best when you only need to see out the front and sides. Other blinds have visibility on all sides with a combination of large mesh windows, slotted windows, and portal windows. A few blinds even have a zippered roof hatch for waterfowl hunting and improved ventilation. The coveted 360 ground blind has one window all the way around the blind for an obstructed view in any direction.

Weight

If you pack in to your hunting spot, consider the weight of the blind you’ll be carrying, along with the weight of all your hunting gear and supplies. You can easily find a hunting blind under 15 pounds. Look for one that folds into a backpack or carry bag for hands-free carrying.

Hide from the turkeys with a chair blind!

Why Use a Ground Blind?

There are a lot of benefits to turkey hunting from a ground blind. Sitting in a blind is much more comfortable than lying on your stomach in the field or leaning against a tree. Plus, it’s never much fun to sit in the rain or the cold wind, but with a hunting blind, you can stay out in the field while other hunters head home to escape the bad weather.

Stay Hidden

Set up some decoys near the blind and fill the stubble straps with nearby vegetation to distract the turkeys from your blind. Some hunters say that unlike deer, turkeys will strut within inches of their blind without paying it the least bit of attention.

Bring the Kids

Ground blinds are also great for taking kids out with you. Younger kids have the freedom to move around or take a nap inside the blind. Ground blinds are also great for using video cameras. You can easily film the hunt from inside the blind.

Make sure the hunting blind is
completely dry before storage.

As soon as you get home, take the blind back out of the bag and set it up in a sheltered but well ventilated area (such as a porch or under a large overhang) and let the blind dry out completely before putting it away. If you set the blind up outside, make sure it is secured from gusty winds that could blow it away.

The hunting blind should be free of debris (no sticks in the stubble straps, etc.) before storage to prevent rips and tears in the ground blind material or mesh. Store the ground blind inside the carry bag in a clean, dry place.

Set up the blind with your back to the sun for the best view through the mesh.

Some hunters swear by the camouflage provided by shoot through mesh and others prefer to hunt without it. The shoot through mesh on most blinds, including KillZone blinds, is removable, so you can hunt whichever way you like or switch in the middle of a hunt.

When using the shoot through mesh, it’s best to set up your hunting blind so that your back is to the sun or your blind is in the shade. Direct sunlight shining on the mesh can make it hard to see outside, especially during sunrise or sunset.

If you’re shooting with a firearm, leave a corner section of the mesh open to allow room for the gun barrel to stick out the window. (Note: Some blinds also include horizontal slits in the mesh for gun barrels.)

Never shoot through the mesh with a firearm. It’s a fire hazard and will easily destroy the mesh. It also fills the blind with smoke.

Bowhunters can shoot directly through the mesh, except when using mechanical broadheads. These types of broadheads can open prematurely, mess up the accuracy of the shot, and leave gashes in the mesh. Only shoot through the mesh with fixed broadheads.

One of the best things about hunting is passing on the tradition to the next generation. Hunting with kids might not be the most successful hunt you’ve ever had, but it could very well be the most fun. Here are a few pointers to remember in order to make a kid’s first hunting experience a good one.

Gear Up

Get a hunting blind large enough to bring the kids along.

Bring extra gloves, socks, and other warm gear in case the weather is colder than you expected. Hand warmers and toe warmers provide a quick warm-up after sitting still for so long. You might even want to bring a sleeping bag along for them to wrap up in if it gets too cold.

Pack plenty of activities to keep the kids occupied. Make sure you pack enough water, snacks, books, coloring books, crossword puzzles, and other quiet activities.

Throw in a flashlight, along with a pair of binoculars and a camera. Put all of these items in a small backpack and let the kids carry it to make them feel like they have their own hunting gear.

Choose a Location

Most hunters find that ground blinds are the best way to introduce kids to hunting. A ground blind provides shelter from the wind and rain, makes the hunt more comfortable, and hides movement when the kids get antsy or excited. It’s also much safer than a tree stand or elevated hunting stand.

Choose a location that typically boasts plenty of action, even if it’s just birds and squirrels. You can’t guarantee that you’ll see game, but do your best to set up in a spot where lots of animals are likely to pass by. Squirrels, birds, and other animals keep the hunt exciting for kids, even if you don’t see bigger game like deer or turkeys.

Make the Hunt an Adventure

Make the hunt into an adventure and a learning opportunity. On the walk to and from the hunting blind, teach the kids to identify animal tracks, birdsongs, plants, and other parts of nature. It’s also a great time to start teaching them about safety in the outdoors and in hunting.

When you reach the blind, gently remind the kids why they need to keep quiet and fairly still, and make it into a game rather than a command, so as not to spoil the fun. Teach them to use their “deer voices” when they’re in the hunting blind. Most kids will naturally settle down and catch on to the anticipation when the hunt begins.

Involve Kids in the Hunt

Let the kids be the ones to spot game first, even if you actually see it before they do. They’ll feel more involved in the hunt if they feel the excitement of spotting the first deer or turkey or even birds and squirrels. Even if the kids aren’t ready to shoot yet, you can give them an active role in the hunt by bringing along an extra pair of binoculars so they can help spot game or just explore nature up close from inside the blind. Another way to involve kids in the hunt is to bring a camera and let the kids take pictures or video to record the hunt.

Even if the kids are a little too noisy or squirrelly for a good chance at any game, the most important part is the time you spend together in the woods and the memories they form (hopefully positive ones!) of their first hunt.

The Turret Pop Up Blind by KillZone Hunting is one of our most popular ground blinds. It’s incredibly easy to set up and take down, plus it’s got all the must-have features, including carbon scent protection, shoot through mesh, and big windows all around the blind.

This new video demonstrates the simple process of opening up the pop up blind, installing the support poles, and putting in the stakes. After giving you a quick taste of the benefits and features of this blind, we’ll show you how to tear it down and store it in the hands-free backpack case.

The KillZone Turret Blind is loaded with the best hunting blind features in the industry, including the following:

• Full carbon black-out interior to hide you from game and dampen your scent
• Full-size door (no dwarf-sized slits here!) for easy in, easy out
• Shoot through mesh all around the blind, including a shoot through mesh window right in the door
• Huge shooting windows on all sides of the blind
• Autumn Wooded Oak camo pattern
• Lightweight, sturdy frame design

Find out more about the KillZone Turret Pop Up Blind by watching the video and visiting the Turret product page for more details. Now available for only $69.99! Always free shipping (lower 48 states).

KillZone 360 Hunting Blind

The 360 Ground Blind is the same generous size as the Turret XL. It’s roomy enough for bowhunters and boasts more than enough elbow room for hunting with friends, family, or kids.

Silent, quick release fastenings on the top edge of all windows and mesh allow you to silently adjust the windows or mesh while the game is within earshot. You have complete control over the field of vision, including complete concealment, open all around, or somewhere in between.

The KillZone 360 Hunting Blind features the latest in blind technology, including a scentless carbon black-out interior, shoot through mesh windows all the way around the blind, and a zippered roof hatch for waterfowl hunting.

At a low price of $119.99, this blind is a steal! Get yours now and experience the freedom of 360-degree vision!

Hunting Blind with Shoot Through Mesh

Knowing how to use (and how NOT to use) shoot through mesh can make the difference between a kill and a near miss. Here are some tips on hunting from a ground blind with shoot through mesh.

1. Keep the mesh tight enough so that there are no wrinkles, but don’t make it tight enough to stretch.
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2. Don’t shoot at steep angles. Try to shoot as straight through the mesh as possible.
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3. Shooting through the mesh with a mechanical broadhead may cause it to deploy early and can greatly alter the arrow flight, especially at greater distances.
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4. Fixed broadheads are recommended for use with shoot through mesh. According to an experiment done by American Hunter magazine at distances up to 25 yards, the shoot through mesh will not mess up your shot.
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5. Practice shooting through the mesh to get comfortable with it before the hunt.
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6. Some hunters just don’t like the idea of shooting through mesh. One way you can work around this is to let part of the mesh hang down, or you can always remove the mesh completely.
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7. For firearms, take the mesh off the windows or, if there’s a slit in the mesh, stick the gun barrel through the slit. Don’t shoot through the mesh with a firearm unless the blind manufacturer specifically approves it. It creates a fire hazard, destroys the mesh, and fills the blind with smoke.

Portable Blind with Shoot-through, Removable Mesh Windows

The Hunting Blind Advantage

Using a hunting blind for wildlife photography is a no-brainer when you look at all the benefits:

• The blind hides yourself and your equipment. The blacked-out interior and camouflage windows let you move around inside and stretch out while you wait. The wildlife will never see your movements, and as long as you’re quiet, they’ll never hear you either.
• A well-hidden and “seasoned” blind (no vinyl odor or shiny finish) will fool even the most wary of animals, letting you get a close-up shot with ease.
• The light weight of the portable blind makes it easy to carry over long stretches and into remote areas. Go where the wildlife is, and take your blind with you.
• Most ground blinds have windows on at least two sides. For better viewing, get a hunting blind with 4 windows or 360° viewing.
• Hunting blinds with removable or shoot-through mesh make it easy for you to set up for the shot while remaining hidden.
• Hunting blinds are affordable. You can easily find a quality hunting blind for under $100 that will last through many wildlife photography adventures.

Tips for Using a Hunting Blind for Wildlife Photography

Get a hunting blind that matches the natural environment of where you’ll be hiding out. Stuff the stubble straps with natural brush, leaves, branches, and other natural vegetation to hide the stark profile of the blind.

Follow the hunter’s lead by masking your scent, hiding your profile and movements, and keeping quiet. Then be patient. It may take awhile for any wildlife to show up, but when they do, your patience will be worth the effort.