What is the Best Camo Pattern for Turkey Hunting?

Turkey hunting requires stealth, skill, and patience. Unlike deer, turkeys have incredibly sharp eyesight and are wary of anything out of the ordinary. Choosing the right camouflage can make or break your hunt by allowing you to blend into the surroundings seamlessly. But with so many camo patterns on the market, it can be tricky to determine which is best for turkey hunting. In this article, we’ll break down the top camo patterns for disappearing in the spring turkey woods.

Why Camo Matters for Turkey Hunting

Turkeys have some of the most acute vision in the animal kingdom. They see in full color, have excellent depth perception, and can detect the slightest movements from over 100 yards away. Their vision is actually better than humans in some respects.

This extraordinary eyesight allows turkeys to identify danger quickly. If a tom spots something as small as a boot sticking out from behind a tree, he may hang up out of range or avoid the area altogether.

Camouflage breaks up your outline and allows you to blend into the surroundings. Matching your camo to the predominant colors and patterns in your hunting area is crucial. A wrong choice of camo can make you stand out. The right camo helps you become part of the landscape so you can draw in wily gobblers.

Matching Camo to the Terrain

To choose the best camo, you need to match the pattern and colors to your specific hunting environment. What works in a Georgia hardwood bottom will be all wrong in a Texas cedar thicket. Consider the following terrain variables when choosing your camo:

• Season: The woods look very different early in spring compared to late season when trees are fully leafed out. You’ll likely need different camo for opening day versus the last week of the season.

• Elevation: Higher elevations may still have snow cover early in the season. Lower areas will green up first.

• Habitat: Open fields need a lighter pattern than dense hardwoods or mature pine forests.

• Time of Day Shadows and changing light conditions may alter how a camo pattern looks.

Ideally, have a few camo patterns on hand to adjust to changing spring conditions. Next we’ll examine the top-rated camo patterns for turkey hunters.

The Best Camo Patterns for Turkey Hunting

After extensive field testing, reviewing expert opinions, and surveying die-hard turkey hunters, we’ve identified the following camo patterns as the best for spring turkey seasons:

Mossy Oak Bottomland

This classic pattern resembles shadows, trees, and dirt with its dark browns and earthy greens. Bottomland works anywhere east of the Mississippi River and excels on overcast days or in low light. It’s perfect for early season before leaves emerge. Many hunters never take off their Bottomland gear.

Realtree EDGE

Realtree EDGE features branches, bark, and realistic leaves to mimic vegetation in the Eastern woods. It has the right mix of greens without going overboard, so it’s great after the first hints of green emerge but before the forest canopy is full. The lighter tones also work well when hunting in sunlight.

Sitka Optifade Cover

Sitka’s Optifade Cover camo uses specialized pixelated patterns to blend into the lush, dense vegetation of the Eastern hardwoods. The greens match perfectly with wetlands, agriculture areas, and river bottoms. It works later in the season when everything turns electric green.

First Lite Fusion

First Lite Fusion incorporates algorithms to mimic patterns found in nature. The complex fractal patterns disguise outlines. The lighter colors excel in open terrain out West. Fusion confuses a turkey’s vision unlike traditional camo.

Mossy Oak Obsession

Obsession is Mossy Oak’s late season spring gobbler camo. The neon greens and mottled patterns blend perfectly in fully leafed out hardwoods. When the foliage is at its greenest, Obsession is the ticket.

TrueTimber Strata

An affordable option perfect for hunters on a budget, Strata has similar earth tones as Bottomland. It works well in the early season and remains effective as some green enters the landscape. The differences in texture help break up outlines.

Tips for Choosing What Camo to Buy

With so many camo patterns out there, it can be confusing trying to select the best options for your needs. Here are a few tips for making the buying process easier:

• Stick with reputable hunting brands you trust like Sitka, Realtree, Mossy Oak, and First Lite.

• Buy versatile patterns like Bottomland that work across multiple seasons and terrain.

• Ask fellow hunters in your area what works for them. Local knowledge is invaluable.

• Try layering clothing in different camo patterns for added effectiveness.

• Don’t go overboard buying every new camo release. Stick with what’s proven.

• Make sure the camo adequately breaks up your silhouette when motionless.

Matching your camouflage pattern to the environment and season is essential for success when turkey hunting. Following the expert recommendations and advice above will have you sporting the most effective camo for your hunting area. The right camo coupled with woodsmanship skills will put more gobblers within range this spring.