Adding Camo to an Air Rifle

[Scythe13]

Just a really quick thread to see if I'm the only weirdo adding camo gear to my air rifle (I'm really into my air rifle hunting at the moment, for some reason).

The reason behind the camo is, I'm looking to remain as hidden as possible when hunting. Certain quarries have fantastic eyes, and any sparkle or glint of metal or shine, can startle them or scare them off.

My camo gear is pretty simple really. Barrel cover, scope cover, stock cover, and rifle sling. From overhead, this will provide plenty of camouflage from an bird's eye view situation, while still hiding the protruding parts from a lower perspective.

From a lower level, my gloves and the alike will hide most of the rest of the rifle. Which means I should (in theory) be able to get away with being a bit more relaxed with the rest of my concealment (I did say, in theory).

Would be good to get some other perspectives from this.

Does anyone else look into concealing their equipment when out hunting? If so, how do you do you? If not, why not?

There are no wrong answers to this. Just different situations and perspectives.

[Talon]

I used to just tie pieces of Hessian to my HW80. Not a large amount, just enough to break up the straight lines of the rifle,it did the trick and was easy to put on and remove .I didn't use a scope much when I was younger.

I'm currently trying to source a HW77 as I need to get back into it.I'll be adding a scope this time round as my eyes aren't what they used to be.

[Mortblanc]

The only species I worry about camo for it our native wild turkey.

They have 10x telescopic vision and see color.

It takes full camo, gun and all, including face net and gloves even if one is using a blind.

Any hint of movement and they are gone. They have been known to sot the human eye blinking inside a blind and have a quick reaction to light reflecting from any surface.

Add to this the laws that stipulate that they must be taken with a shotgun using no larger than #BB shot, limiting effective kill range to 60M.

I rely on a full length camo sock. It covers the entire gun, is easy on and off and can be moved from one gun to the next.

[Tartar Horde]

I've always considered effective camouflage/concealment essential for UK air rifle shooters. The most common type of quarry you are likely to take will be a variety of birds. Birds are really Avian Dinosaurs (dinosaurs didn't die out) and have excellent eyesight and Mort is right about being spotted. I have shot a lot of Crows and I have the greatest respect for their ability to spot the smallest "giveaway", anyone who shoots knows how wary Crows are. I would seriously recommend a full face veil and gloves like Mort said Scythe, then get your Rifle covered. If you really want the best camouflage then you should convert your DPM jacket/smock, and pants into a "Ghillie suit" using the natural vegetation of your area as a supplement. There are lots of helpful articles on the web how to do this. You could also buy one, but it will never be as good as one you make yourself using local materials. The best manufactured "Ghillie suit" I have seen was called "The chameleon" although you would need to "tweak" the colour blend again to meet local conditions. Making your own can be time consuming, but that shouldn't matter to you as the more effort you put into your suit the better it will be. Ghillie suits can be a bit of a "geeky" subject and scoffed at by a few shooters who are quite happy to use DPM all their lives, and the results they get using it. If there is a down side to using a Ghillie suit it is in the added weight, and they can be hot in Summer months. They are completely useless if you are moving around, people who think you can walk around in one and still be concealed are wrong(mainly paintballers) they don't work like this. Ghillie suits were invented by Scottish gamekeepers to catch poachers, and only work if you remain motionless. Another advantage is that you can change the background colour with the seasons. For close range Air rifle shooting they give you the highest level of concealment possible.

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http://www.ukmcpro.co.uk/field-kit/camo-...etail.html

[Jace]

I concur about the ghillie suit. Years ago as a cadet, our unit was tasked with making effective camo outfits. Took a while to make (attaching heshian etc to DMP trousers and tunic), but was great for concealment.
As stated above, they were heavy to wear and carry though, and no-one took them on exercise again after lugging them about for a weekend. One bloke did have a lightweight version, which was basically a 2-meter long 1-meter wide length of scrim netting with strips of DPM fabris sewn on, which had velcro loops used for attaching to his arms and legs and around his neck. Unlike us others trying to get about in the full suit, he was still able to easily run, plus it could be rolled up quite small and stowed in his bumpack (whereas ours were all too big and heavy and had to go in the main pack).

[Scythe13]

I'm thinking more along the lines of adding camo gear TO the air rifle. Not myself.

A ghillie suit carrying a gun will look a little odd. If the ghillie suit is there and a gun sat beside it, then really the gun will be standing out. While wearing the suit, the gun isn't always concealed. Furthermore, when taking a shot, the gun will be visible.

So, going back to my original question, which some people have answered, how do you conceal your EQUIPMENT (not yourself) when you're out hunting?

The idea of a ghillie poncho is appealing, as that would add good cover to myself and the gun, but I'm looking more towards just the equipment, as I am already kitted out.

[Tartar Horde]

Just do the same to your rifle Scythe, the point I'm making is that concealing yourself is the first priority, then your rifle, quarry will spot you, rather than your Rifle.

[Scythe13]

(23 April 2014, 11:33)Tartar Horde Wrote: Just do the same to your rifle Scythe, the point I'm making is that concealing yourself is the first priority, then your rifle, quarry will spot you, rather than your Rifle.

That's fair mate. I was thinking at those lines too, but was wondering what other members found most effective at hiding their gear.

Great info though. Cheers.

[Devonian]

Loads of Camo Gun Socks on ebay:

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/HUNTERS-SPECIA...0521833208

http://www.ebay.co.uk/itm/New-Jack-Pyke-...1260134221

[Scythe13]

I did look at the socks, but they're more of a 'safe carry, no scratches' kind of thing. They definitely have their uses, and I have thought about modifying one, but for camo use, when out and about, I'm not going to be using one of these though.

Have you ever tried to shoot while you're gun was all socked up?