While fire-arms continue to advance and improve; what about camouflage? The hunter’s awareness to the advantage of camouflage dates back to the Stone Age. His existence depended on intelligence to make up for both his physical and sensory limitations. In addition, consider the countless variations of species’ habitats and behavioral patterns, the landscape and seasonal changes hunters have encountered through the centuries. The quest to find the game and have it succumb to the hunter’s skills remains the ultimate goal. In other words - outsmart the prey. Of course, it requires attracting as little attention as possible if you hunt for game. This art of creating decoys, disguises or clothing that blend with the landscape has appeared in different forms over the centuries. Are we straying too far from natural instincts and traditions now that hunting has entered into the 21st century?

Early in the 19th century earth tone colors were prevalent for the hunter. However, the emphasis was more on style and an elegant nature for a gentleman seeking social recognition rather than being suitable for a stalker. The popular fitted pattern in its time was completely devoid of comfort or practicality. However, legitimate hunters distinguished themselves from the woodsmen who conceded to fashion in order to display their status in society. They demanded that the clothes be loosened regardless of style or their social status. By the second half of the 19th century, the focus was more on a comfortable fit and materials offering protection from the elements.

Research in the 20th century told us with certainty that many animals do not see or register colors the way man does. The size of their eyes and many other factors determine the way they see. For example, the deer is a grazing animal with night vision. Their heightened visual senses at dawn and dusk make them perfectly capable of avoiding obstacles while running through a timber in the dark. This might also suggest that bright colored clothing is entirely appropriate and decreases the risk of hunting accidents. But don’t forget, if the camouflage garment contains UV brighteners, you will not increase your chances of taking one home.

If you have the opportunity and good fortune to hunt for bighorn sheep, consider a few tips during the planning stages of your trip. You will need functional, lightweight equipment including a good pair of binoculars. Mountain sheep have vision several times sharper than man and they maneuver with ease over treacherous terrain. The best chance for a trophy is to approach covered completely in camouflage. What does nature have to offer in this situation?

Advances in technology give us sophisticated weapons, night vision binoculars, GPS, computers, video cameras and a wide selection of earth tone colored and camouflage patterned outer wear made according to a certain standard or safety requirement. However, as state regulations are enforced to make this activity safer, it is logical to assume that UV brighteners and man made materials are not really camouflage at all and possibly provide a false sense of security.

Do you still think of our hunting ancestors as primitive? After all, they needed an advantage and one intelligent solution gave them an edge – camouflage. It might have been as simple as smearing ashes or mud on their faces or hiding them behind leafy twigs. Even in the earliest days, the hunters must have been mammoth specialists. Spears chipped from stone found among the bones of these animals support this theory. We also know that bones were used as weapons along with the element of surprise and various ways to lure their prey into traps. None the less, our ancient ancestors were very good at what they did. After all, where would we be now without their expertise? How will the art of camouflage evolve into the 22nd century and will it have a positive or negative effect on the hunter?