S.R. Crawford
.270 WIN
Most of us here use camo for one purpose or another. Many of us hunt, some of us like looking awesome at the range, others are fully prepared to wage a guerilla war if necessary. Whatever the reason, it can be cool and useful to have.
Here in the state of California we have a somewhat diverse climate, ranging from the driest desert in the world to the Redwood Forests in the North Coast. Naturally this calls for several types of camouflage in different areas.
I've collected surplus since high school, and as such I've ended up with quite a few camouflage uniforms. Some of these are more vintage but I do own several to use. Seeing as I have an afternoon free today I want to take some time to discuss some of my favorite patterns and the various parts of my state I use them in.
I've created a map of some of the larger zones in California and labeled them according to which type of pattern I would use in that area. This is only meant to be a very general overview for each area, and is geared more toward the winter months.
I live in the LA area and Southern California is where I do most of my hunting. There's a bit of variety here but for the most part I can get away with wearing deserts pretty much anywhere. I have two desert patterns that I use, they are:
-6-Color Desert
-3-Color Desert
I only have MOPP gear in 6-color, but I like the pattern so much that I'll be getting a fatigue set for general use. The Mojave Desert is very rocky and the 6-color does very well there. The details in the pattern also help it to hide in drier woods in the summer. 3-Color Desert has been my go to for a long time and works well in grassy areas in the mountains.
I find these patterns useful in these areas:
-Mojave Desert
-Low Sierra
-Foothills
-Some parts of the Transverse Ranges
-Coast
-Urban Areas (3-Color Desert)
The mountains in SoCal are very brown at lower elevation and I usually use a desert pattern. Higher up they turn to evergreen forests where I'll use woodland patterns, but I'm rarely ever in those areas for hunting. Woodland patterns are definitely more useful further north. I do have a few woodland patterns however:
-Flecktarn
-AOR2
-M81 Woodland
AOR2 is my current go to for deer hunting in the San Gorgonios. The lighter colors blend very well in the grassy areas around the river. M81 has also been a long time favorite of mine, however I don't own any currently. I only have research experience with flecktarn, however I think it will do very well in some areas. I have a flecktarn parka on the way, I figure anytime I'll need to wear a jacket I'll be in woodlands anyway.
Woodland patterns are most effective in these areas:
-Coastal Mountains
-High Sierra
-Transverse Ranges
-San Diego/Palomar Area
-Northern California
-Bay/Sacramento Area
I'm curious to see what kind of camouflage the rest of you use, post your patterns here.
Here in the state of California we have a somewhat diverse climate, ranging from the driest desert in the world to the Redwood Forests in the North Coast. Naturally this calls for several types of camouflage in different areas.
I've collected surplus since high school, and as such I've ended up with quite a few camouflage uniforms. Some of these are more vintage but I do own several to use. Seeing as I have an afternoon free today I want to take some time to discuss some of my favorite patterns and the various parts of my state I use them in.
I've created a map of some of the larger zones in California and labeled them according to which type of pattern I would use in that area. This is only meant to be a very general overview for each area, and is geared more toward the winter months.
I live in the LA area and Southern California is where I do most of my hunting. There's a bit of variety here but for the most part I can get away with wearing deserts pretty much anywhere. I have two desert patterns that I use, they are:
-6-Color Desert
-3-Color Desert
I only have MOPP gear in 6-color, but I like the pattern so much that I'll be getting a fatigue set for general use. The Mojave Desert is very rocky and the 6-color does very well there. The details in the pattern also help it to hide in drier woods in the summer. 3-Color Desert has been my go to for a long time and works well in grassy areas in the mountains.
I find these patterns useful in these areas:
-Mojave Desert
-Low Sierra
-Foothills
-Some parts of the Transverse Ranges
-Coast
-Urban Areas (3-Color Desert)
The mountains in SoCal are very brown at lower elevation and I usually use a desert pattern. Higher up they turn to evergreen forests where I'll use woodland patterns, but I'm rarely ever in those areas for hunting. Woodland patterns are definitely more useful further north. I do have a few woodland patterns however:
-Flecktarn
-AOR2
-M81 Woodland
AOR2 is my current go to for deer hunting in the San Gorgonios. The lighter colors blend very well in the grassy areas around the river. M81 has also been a long time favorite of mine, however I don't own any currently. I only have research experience with flecktarn, however I think it will do very well in some areas. I have a flecktarn parka on the way, I figure anytime I'll need to wear a jacket I'll be in woodlands anyway.
Woodland patterns are most effective in these areas:
-Coastal Mountains
-High Sierra
-Transverse Ranges
-San Diego/Palomar Area
-Northern California
-Bay/Sacramento Area
I'm curious to see what kind of camouflage the rest of you use, post your patterns here.