Predator Extreme Article

A detailed look at how coyotes see camo patterns. Predator Xtreme Magazine - February 2009 The last two issues of PX gave us an anatomical breakdown on coyote vision. Understanding what they see and what they don’t see allows us to draw some definite conclusions as to what camouflage patterns best conceal us. We know coyotes don’t distinguish the color green. That color, depending on its shade will appear to them as dark grey to white. We also now know they have poor depth of field – that is, objects in front of or behind the precise area they are focused on appear out of focus. Move our decoy a distance away from us, and you move into their “out of focus” area – a big plus Their spatial resolution is also poor, making the best camo patterns those that don’t have large, clearly defined images within them.

Subtle patterns with light colors and steaks are the most difficult for them to discern. All of the current camo suppliers offer at least one such pattern, and those with lighter, subtle lines should be your first choice regardless of brand. Darker patterns take on an immediate “dark blob” appearance that stand out as both unnatural and alarming. The darker patterns also amplify movement against any background, while the lighter, muted, non-defined patterns help hide it – an important factor to consider since the slightest movement is quickly detected by canine eyes. Also readily apparent is the bright flash of an uncovered face. These subtle giveaways have no doubt cost all of us many predators – now we know why. A typical day of coyote calling involves many set ups, and set up locations can very widely from dark timber brush to open wheat fields or even elevated rock piles and tree stands. We don’t know where we’ll wind up, so the pattern on our outerwear must perform under all conditions –a tall order. One pattern, the M2D, shows a tendency to change its appearance under various conditions. Shadow Grass has a similar characteristic, as do King’s Desert and any of the available ghillie suits. Take a look at these side by side comparative photos and see how the different patterns perform under a wide range of setups as seen by the canine eye, and factor it into your next camo purchase. Remember, attention to detail puts the tough ones in the truck.