What Is the Difference between Jute and Synthetic Ghillie Suits?

So Which Is Better?

Although up close you might see minor differences between the two types of materials (jute strands tend to be straighter and synthetic strands slightly curled), synthetic and jute ghillie suits are equally effective at blending in with the natural environment.

Some hunters prefer synthetic ghillie suits because of their light weight and their ability to keep the body cool in hot, sticky climates. Other hunters prefer the traditional choice of jute material. The choice between the two types of material is primarily a personal preference and not because one provides better camouflage than the other.

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.

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.

All of KillZone’s Ultra Light Ghillies are water resistant, rot and mildew resistant, and hand washable!

Woodland Ghillie Camo Suit

Desert Ghillie Suit

Mossy Camo Ghillie Suit

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.

Heavy Duty, Rugged Rifle Case

Five storage pockets on the outside of the case offer plenty of room to store extra ammo, shooting glasses, ear plugs, and other accessories. Use the adjustable shoulder strap or dual carry handles to transport the gun to the field or shooting range.

A small padlock can be used to secure the heavy duty zipper to deter theft and prevent children from being able to access the rifle or shotgun. There’s even an ID slot to make sure your gun doesn’t get mixed up with other rifle cases.

The KillZone Soft Rifle Case is guaranteed against defects for one year after purchase. Designed for shotguns or rifles up to 46 inches long. Now available for only $45.99! Get yours now!

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.

1. Igloo© Ice Fishing Shelter

   Sale Price $124.99 (Regular Price $199.99)
   - Fits 2 to 3 people
   - Heavy duty poly material blocks the wind
   - 4 clear removable windows and shades
   - Blackout interior for superior fishing vision
   - Stakes and carry bag included

a

2. Camouflage Shooting Chair

   Sale Price $15.99 (Regular Price $29.99)
   - Weighs only 3 pounds
   - Full backrest for comfortable support
   - Lightweight and compact design
   - Carry bag included

a

3. Deluxe Brass Gun Cleaning Kit

   Sale Price $24.99 (Regular Price $49.99)
   - For rifles, shotguns, and pistols of all sizes
   - Multiple rods, brass wire brushes, mops, adaptors, and cleaning swabs
   - Universal rod handle
   - 12″ x 8″ aluminum case included

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.

Ideally, you should clean your gun after every use.

Factoring In the Elements

Cleaning your gun is especially important in moist, humid areas or if you shoot in rainy or snowy conditions. Extreme weather conditions can be hard on your gun, resulting in corrosion, moisture damage, rust, and other damage if you don’t take the proper steps to care for your gun. Always dry your gun thoroughly after use if there is any sign of condensation or moisture on the metal parts of the gun.

Preparing Your Gun for Storage

Special care should be taken to clean the gun and prepare it for storage before long-term storage. Storing the gun properly will help to protect it from damage; however, even during long-term storage, you should inspect, clean, and oil your guns every few months to keep them in the best condition.

Taking Your Gun Out of Storage

After a long period of storage, inspect the gun thoroughly and clean the bore before use. Always make sure the gun is unloaded before cleaning and all ammunition is removed from the cleaning area. Follow all safety procedures for cleaning your gun.