10 Tips To Camouflage Movements And Evasion

Here are a few tips regarding camouflage and movements during evasion or otherwise…
Add you own tips to the list below:


1. Avoid being directly seen by ‘the enemy’ or detection devices. Be aware of direct lines of sight between you and ‘the enemy’.

2. Shape, shadow, color, texture, and patterns can give you away. Be aware of how this relates to your current appearance with relation to the environment that you’re in.

3. Movement can give you away. You might be appropriately camouflaged, but when you move, it ‘might’ be seen. Our vision/brain is good at detecting movement.

4. Remove jewelry, patches or anything else that would attract attention.

5. Be aware of your body outline and adapt accordingly (e.g. camouflage clothing, hoods, dirt or make up on skin, charcoal ashes, berries, foliage, etc..). Don’t forget to treat your equipment to the same.

6. Don’t move against a skyline (tops of hills or buildings). Be aware of your silhouette.

7. Change overall camouflage color or texture to match your surroundings.

8. Be aware of straight lines and angles (with regards to you, your shelter, your equipment), things that are not ‘natural’ in nature or your environment (which might be different than ‘nature’).

9. Be aware and careful of leaving tracks – especially in snow and mud. Movement during bad weather can be to your advantage though.

10. Avoid camp fires / cooking. The smell may travel for a long way.

Note: A-TACS and MultiCam are the leading two patterns in military operations today.

MultiCam on Amazon

A-TACS FG on Amazon

A-TACS AU on Amazon

Note: I’m sure that you can think of alot more tips, so lets hear them…

53 Comments

  1. Be aware of your gear. A sling swivel on your rifle or an aluminum cup in your ruck could do you in as easily as a glint of light of your glasses…

      1. I have all of my rifles prepped for potential ‘security patrol’ and have taken precautions with some of them which made a bit of noise while in movement. One such example is an old Mossberg 500 shotgun which I’ve converted to tactical… well the actions in all those old shotguns rattle like crazy – but I managed to stop it from rattling while using a bit of stick-on velcro in a few specific spots. Worked like a charm…

        Good advice regarding NOISE… you want it (and yourself) to be quiet…

        1. Isnt it ironic that most of us have lived all our lives in peace but now find ourselves contemplating tactical movement or concealment, worlds gone crazy

        2. @ Nailbender

          That’s because we want to keep living in peace. Not only that, it gives this old fart something to plan for, such as retirement and fishing so the fish can’t see me…. YA do know those little suckers have GREAT eyesight…???
          :-) :-) :-)

          NRP

        3. @Nailbanger, Yes indeed. I can feel the fact that people (around the world?) are taking sides. We have been pushed to one side or the other and there’s little wiggle-room in-between. There are so many examples and reasons that it would require a series of posts just to scratch the surface. Suffice it to say though that it does feel like the world has gone crazy. Not sure where it will end up, but the acquisition of practical, tactical, and self-sufficiency skills may prove to be a good thing…

        4. Definitely there on the self sufficiency, ever since reading Atlas Shrugged a few years ago then following it up with Matt Bracken’s “Enemies” series then taking a good hard look and much pondering our country etc i have been on that quest to get out the way,,,,
          Not so sure on the tactical, think im more the scorched earth style like the jihadis,,, we will see when we see,,,,

    1. Hi,
      I am just going to jump in here.
      I know from personal experience and many “stake outs”; that TV and movies get it WRONG.
      Cat burglars are shown in tight black from head to toe.
      A moonless night is not black – it is shades of gray.
      A person dressed in black, (or a black cat), can be easily spotted, against the varying shades of light to dark grays, as it travels.
      Medium dark grays or dark denims are much more difficult to spot. Especially, if the attire is loose and somewhat bulky, to help disguise the human form, not the form fitting clothing portrayed for cat burglars. I have successfully entered yards, businesses, etc. Completely undetected!
      Also, conceal the human form, (outline),further, by shifting body position from upright, to a crouch, traveling full forward, then a sideways,(“crab like”) movement.
      Working as loss prevention officer, for a major chain, I would stand perfectly still in any Dept. of the store. People would shop lift, not 10 feet from me! I blended with the manikins, wall displays and the other “fixed” marketing distractions, to become invisible.
      As for Infrared/Thermal detection…
      Fabric stores, sell products by the yard, to make windows more energy efficient. It has a layer of mylar, (or a heavy “aluminum foil” type layer), to reflect heat, quilted in to it with quilt type batting.
      Used on Windows or as a personal covering, it would prevent, (or very severely limit), IR equipment from registering body heat sources through windows.
      I hope my personal experience and knowledge of sewing, makes this information interesting, useful and fun!
      Cheer,
      Sneakyblonde

  2. have not practiced/used Camouflage, but I am thinking one more thing might give trouble – might alert someone you are there

    “smell”

    either too unwashed, or not unwashed enough
    some of the scents added to typical wash products (shampoo/soap/shaving)
    perfume/deodorant scents/aftershave
    scent in laundry soap used in clothes
    smell/scent in fresh polished boots or shoes

    1. colloidal silver will instantly kill all body odor . learn how to make it now and keep a small bottle in bob .

  3. Speaking of smell,those silver dryer sheets work quite well in killing all smell.I use them during hunting season and out both.If I use a scent,I like the earth smell.After all,there’s earth all around you.It doesn’t work so well after it snows though.I also like a few of the animal scents.But,not so much skunk.Noise is a given.If I hear you,your done.As far as camo goes,you can see almost any camo if its moving very fast.So go slow.I have sneaked up on at least 3 or 4 people in the woods that were wearing camo,and they never saw me.Apparently,most people are not as aware as they think they are.So pay attention when out there.Something that is really hard to see is a ghillie suit.It’s hard to see even if your moving,and when standing still,even harder.So,in conclusion,”Stay hidden,my friend.”

    1. BBC: I would use a small drag rag doused with raccoon urine, 2 foot twined to my boot to cover my scent to the blind, then leave it a couple of feet down wind (wicked stinky, carry a zip lock bag). Shot an 8 point that crossed the drag trail, turned around and followed it, animals are curious, also very nosey to check out some familiar fresh scent.

    2. Very good advice! I recommend every prepper obtaining a copy of the Army Special Forces Handbook! Loaded with lots of info you should know!

    1. Knew a guy in the army who was stone cold color blind. He didn’t see all the different foliage colors, but could sure see movement. When he hit the ground, everyone did.

    2. I remember being on a skirmish line, moving along a mountain side, in an oak and sage terrain. I was really looking very hard for the enemy. I thought I was seeing everything. I thought the enemy was not there. Then, an enemy soldier moved his arm to scratch his nose. INSTANTLY, the guy seemed to materialize out of nowhere! He was standing in plain sight, right in front of the trunk of a large tree, less than 50 yards away to my front. The fellow was even wearing a jacket, which had YELLOW patches on it!

      I was startled as if I had just witnessed a feat of magic. Lucky for me, the guy was not looking in my direction, but toward another of my comrades up the hill. This was the only reason he did not shoot me. After that, I was troubled by my inability to see what was so obviously there.

  4. One thing to keep in mind about concealment is there are no straight lines in nature. A straight line will draw the eye when scanning an area.

  5. It is not just the persons movement that gives away your position to an observer. For example:
    1. When firing from a prone position the muzzle blast from your rifle will cause the near by grass to wave violently giving you away.
    2. Also, When there is no grass the muzzle blast will send up a cloud of dust, saying see here I am.
    3. When you can keep the sun behind you, almost blinding your adversary.
    4. Also when being a sniper, do not shoot from a window sill but move far back into a room and set up for shooting.
    Just a few tidbits from sniper school.

  6. I saw a guy in a ghillie suit once.It scared the crap out of me.I thought it was Big foot.Had to check my shorts later,but o.k.

  7. I am not a very smart guy when it comes to camo, and to be honest at 63 I sure as heck hope I never have to learn to use it against/hide-from my fellow Americans. Although those ghillie suit’s, those look really cool and I bet would be hard as heck to see…. Hummm, Maybe, just cause????

    Although I do know how to keep very still and let a 6-point buck walk up to within 5 yards, if that counts? FYI taste just like Chicken…. HAHAHA I will admit sleeping in a hay pile overnight and smelling like 4-way feed did not hurt…..

    I do have a question though, why is it some of these mucho guys and some Ladies have a need to wear their camo when out and about in public? Is that not a HUGE sign saying “hey I’m probably armed so shoot me first in a Robbery/Holdup” ?????

    NRP

    1. In my little Northern community, at least one piece of camo of some sort or another is considered mainstream, women and kids included. The other day at the local gas station as I was filling up to head to the big city I realized I was the only person at the pumps without any. I must have looked like a real citiot outsider. The only people packing in this utopia are in uniform or covered in bling and don’t know the front from the back of their headgear.

    2. Occasionally I will wear a camo shirt out when I run to the local store. I don’t see it as being macho just it’s a comfortable shirt that I like to wear.

      When I’m in my hunting area and have to run to the store I’m in camo shirt and pants plus camo snake boots. That’s just because why change when I’m going back out to hunt in a hour or 2. I actually blend in with crowd at that time.

      I don’t do it to be macho but I’m sure many do. The most important thing to remember camo goes with everything. It has all the colors in it. Lol. I tell my wife that all the time it drives her crazy.

      Adapt and Overcome.

    3. Where we live, it’s quite normal for people to be wearing some sort of camo clothing. It’s not considered ‘macho’. Interesting though how apparently there are some places where it is considered that way? I suppose in the city that sort of dress would be out of place ;) unless it’s ‘in style’?

    4. Correction, it was 50 yards not 5 yards, at 5 yards I could have killed him with me breath… HAHAHAH

      I guess I’ll try walking to the next school-board meeting in Camo, just to see the reaction… LOL

      NRP

    5. I wasn’t going to speak to this camo discussion, but I tend to agree with NRP and Old Homesteader.

      Modern day “camo” is, in my opinion, more of a fashion statement than a necessity for going unnoticed. All breathing creatures, including humans, zero in on movement. To a lesser extent on out of place colors. Most game animals see in black and white anyway. Multi-pattern camo blends into one color at a distance for humans, as our visual acuity fades at distances.

      When I hunt, I dress in cheap, medium gray, “Jersey” brand, “sweats”. Almost a third of all trees, rocks, shrubs are some shade of gray. When I move, it’s only for a couple of steps, then I remain as motionless as possible for at least a couple of minutes. Motion attracts attention, when a human/animal zeros in on that movement, only to lose sight because the motion went away. Humans and animals tend to have a short attention span. They might stare at what they thought was movement for a short while, but lose interest pretty quickly if they don’t see that movement anymore, and allow their attention to wander again.

      Same when shooting. Make your first shot count. The first shot draws attention. The second shot allows someone to zero in on your location.

      Same in town. Match your surroundings. If it is common to see camo clad folks in your urban environs, by all means wear camo if you feel like it. If camo is not common, it will draw attention. Match your pace and actions to your environment.

      In my old age, I wear “overalls” daily at home and in town. It’s a common garment in my rural environment, comfortable, with lots of pockets. In the closest town about 30 miles away, a city of around 2,000, overalls are worn by about every third male walking the streets. If you see someone wearing camo you can figure them for a “*week-ender”, or a city hunter just visiting.

      *(a week-ender is a person who lives and works in a larger city who has purchased a small parcel of land to visit and relax on out in the countryside on week-ends and holidays.)

  8. Duck hunting, camo head to toe, shotgun also. After 50 years experience, you could duck hunt in a red Union suit and do as well getting duck flights in range, the keys are zero movement until you jump up and shoot, no flash reflections off of surfaces (they are flying with changing perspectives). Every time we putter around in the boat fixing drifted decoys ducks come around to check out the activity.

    So, to chime in, slow or no movement, blend in (breaking up your outline), and use the right camo pattern for your area and season.

    Scanning with a scope or binoculars will pick you out in a heartbeat.

  9. Got me thinking about way back to basic training. When it was time for a drink on patrol we would pass one canteen around and empty it so there was nothing sloshing around on our belts, as well as making sure everything was cinched down tight and nothing left loose in a pocket. Any foliage used had to be replenished before it started to wilt or change color. I found the biggest giveaway to detection was movement, although every other aspect was important, movement will draw attention from man and beast pretty quickly. And yes, be very careful with optics.

  10. With today’s modern technology you may want to seriously consider also camouflaging your heat signature. With thermal optics I have picked out hidden people with ease even when they were perfectly still.

  11. Question for NRP.How do you make a 6 point buck taste like chicken?Interesting.I could use a new recipe.

      1. @ Lauren

        Ok Ok I have my laugh for the week now… HAHAHAHA

        That was good.

        NRP

  12. Saw a good example of anti-camouflage the other day. Urban, of course. Two men, well built, matching puffy jackets on a warm day, strutting like they owned the world, and one with his elbow cocked and his hand right next to his belt.

    It was the matching jackets that got my attention first, then the way they moved. Armed, definitely, and if not looking for trouble still trying to tell the world they’re dangerous.

    Idiots.

    1. Should just wear targets on their backs and ” shoot me first ” buttons on their lapels.

    1. There are some companies now making camouflage that masks your heat signature. I have read that the taliban would cover themselves in layers of blankets and mylar to hide from U.S. helicopters using F.L.I.R. in Afganistan. They would put a blanket or sheet against their body, a layer of mylar, another blanket, another layer of mylar, and finally another lightweight sheet. The idea being the first layer of mylar would hold in the body heat. The blanket in between the layers of mylar would insulate the body heat from the outside layer of mylar which would just remain at the surronding ambient heat.
      Thermal optics CANNOT see heat through objects such as glass, metal, or wood unless you are in contact with them.

      1. Texasprepper said,
        “Thermal optics CANNOT see heat through objects such as glass, metal, or wood unless you are in contact with them.”

        Wrong answer!!!! It all depends on the frequency that thermal optic device is operating on. The Thermal devices sold to the public and LE operate (Think 4th Amendment here) on a different frequency that the military. The military grade thermals can see through obstructions such as walls. Its all about the frequency!!!

  13. Check out surplus shops for a cloth sniper scarf which is cotton netting roughly 3′ x 3′. I prefer to buy mine plain because they are cheaper than ready-made ghillie suits sold in Cabela’s. The ready made suits also have bits of plastic tied on them which is no good because it “shines” especially if it gets wet (from dew.)

    I like to tie strips of burlap to my scarf in order to rough up the texture and break up the outline. I add finishing touches by dragging it in the local dirt several times to pick up the gray-brown of the adobe soil in California. I did some predator hunting on cattle ranches fully suited up with camo cold cream on face and hands, camo tape on my rifle and a bit of women’s nylon stretched over the objective lens of my scope held in place with a heavy rubber band.

    Roughen any fabric edges with a metal flea comb from a pet store and keep a few throat lozenges on your person while tracking or moving. I scared the crap out of the rancher when I stood up to move when he was driving down his driveway. (I was crawling off the road into the shoulder of the road) Getting fully suited up took me at least 1/2 hour. It creeped my wife out when she saw me in the “outfit” as well. (she has an active imagination, watches a lot of horror movies and reads Stephen King novels.)

    Tying the strips of burlap to the fabric takes a lot of time but it will last quite a while once made. Lastly, do not forget the small touches to detail: Put the cold cream on your ears as well as your face and neck, remove your watch and place it in your pocket for duration of the stalk. When using a radio, bring along an earpiece for silence.

    I would advise that if you are suited up in such a manner, do not go into a supermarket or a children’s party. There is nothing listed above that could be called “fashionable” ( Browning brand, Realtree camo, etc.) I made my own ghillie suits years ago and taught many Sheriff’s Deputies to make their own as well. Lots of needle and thread work and kind of relaxing.

    1. CaliRefugee, I think you’re referring to the Shemagh for that scarf. I made one for myself a few weeks ago but it wasn’t for the fright-factor, snipering, or camo reasons — it was to protect my eyes, nose, and mouth against dusts/pollen. I plan to make another for my GHB next.

      Could you elaborate on how you made your ghille suit? I have seen the fabrics used and the prices of those suits. I’d love to have one but can’t justify the price, especially because I can sew. Are you using one piece of cloth that you cut and unravel threads? Or are you using strips that you attach to a base?

  14. To Modern Throwback:

    The base material is loose weave cotton netting dyed green that allows one to tie things to it. It is left intact and not cut. The best source of things to tie to the scarf could be the Gardening Department at your local Ace Hardware for everything from burlap bags to jute twine that is grayish brown in color.

    Since this garment is dragged through dirt and leaves prior to use, this would not be good for one with allergies. I have seasonal allergies myself so I bring my own supply of: Artificial tears, Zaditor drops to reduce redness, throat lozenges to reduce or prevent coughs, and Zyrtec to manage my symptoms in the field. The Shemag you refer to is a protective piece of clothe that is used to cover the mouth and nose in event of a sandstorm in desert regions of the world. (and many of our young soldiers are learning about them when they go overseas.)

    The other aspect of “dressing for success” is the camoflage compact that has cold cream in reddish-brown, light green and dark green. camo gloves, rinse and spit with 10% solution of Hydrogen Peroxide solution, unscented soap and storing of clothes and ghillie suit in a hay loft or barn for several days prior to use.

    The biggest reasons people get sniffed-out by critters: hunters that are suited up but have gasoline on the soles of their boots or petroleum products on their clothes somewhere. (ghillie suit being kept with the mechanics stuff in their garage along with WD-40, motor oil, etc. Same can be said of the rifle that reeks of Hoppes, WD-40, penetrating oil or other stuff that was not mopped up prior to going into the field.)

    Use of urine in the field: I bring along an old Gatorade bottle to pee into and do not pee in place as it smells like…human pee. The various urines sold in the stores in the hunting section are either masking scents or attractants using pheremones. In using both, just a little dab will do you. I use a cotton ball tied to a piece of string tied to the insole of my boot for masking scent with only 1 drop per cotton ball as the instructions say.

    Those who splash on the Doe in Heat urine all over their suits will be disappointed. You want enough to intrigue. Not to overpower. (similar to a young lady that uses too much Chanel #5 on her first date as opposed to a mature woman that uses it sparingly) So read those directions on the package. With wild dogs and deer, smell is a big part of their world compared to humans.

    1. Thanks for all the info. I am more interested in ghille suit coverings and ‘tarp style’ coverings to make. From what you’ve shared, I think I can handle doing this. We have an enormous collection of bailing twine, also have plenty of burlap cloth and strips. I will try a tarp covering first and will buy a base cloth, then probably I’ll dye it in earth tones to mimic the woods around here.

  15. Post Script:

    With the masking scents and doe in heat urine etc: Be sure to store these in a new zip lock bag and seal it after use because this stuff does smell bad and you DO NOT want to return to work on Monday with this scent on you and your clothes.

    Bill Heavey of Field and Stream wrote several humorous articles on this very subject over the years.

  16. In my environ,high desert, two types of milsurp are very effective, desert flecktarn, and desert DPM. One is German, the other Brit.

  17. I must concur with sneakyblondeIn urban areas, where there is a great deal of contrasting scenery, it’s best to wear heather blue instead of black or gray. Even a heather maroon is doable and beats black or gray. This only works if the enemy is without any kind of IR and using only the naked eye. The black hole effect is limited when wearing these colors due to the body heat in ones own eyeballs. Human night sight when engulfed in total darkness generally turns to blue tinted gray so black tends to stand out as well as darker grays. People who are color blind can most likely relate to this best, as they can identify colors better at night, or at least that is the current thinking on the matter among optometrists. Lastly, this is not a good idea if the enemy will be accompanied by dogs. It is believed that dogs are also colorblind to a certain extent, however, dogs can definitely see the color blue and gray, so not a fail safe suggestion but that’s where a little bit of luck comes in to play.

    As far as preparing for the worst and hoping for the best, many of you have eluded to when SHTF and it is my belief that some may or may not be aware that the timing and event as it unfolds before you may catch you off guard. It is imperative that you are always aware of what is considered reasonable actions taken by others and what is not. For instance, you may be working in your garage one day when the wrong people show up and as long as it took to read this sentence is how long it will take to know whats happening and that could be all it takes . You are not going to be allowed to hesitate very much if at all when SHTF. You must be preparing for the unexpected because as of now, it will happen right now and if you’re sitting here reading this, chances are good you’re not fully prepared. I’m not recommending anyone keep a pistol in one hand at all times, but knowing exactly where it is at all times will pay dividends when it counts. Drones can see when you’re showering.

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