Jacshelter camo hide

[Mexico]

Hi
I've just aquired one of these popup hides for my wildlife photography. I wondered if anyone knew anything about these hides? Who manufactured them? Who sold them? How to put them away again???

I don't know how many of you use a hide of some description? It would be interesting to hear your thoughts on the one you use. I must admit I was rather frustrated when searching the Internet for a hide (or blind, as the Americans call them). There is sooo much choice over in the states and at amazingly low prices. It's the postage that kills that option though.

Thanks,
Mex

[nightshade]

I was recommended the Sniper Ground Blind even with postage it was reasonable
I prefer however to wear my camo! but have used the 12x4 camo nets along with
hide poles which work out quite cheaply

[ron1863]

I also used to trawl the web for photographic hides, clothing etc until I found several sites selling army camouflage tents, clothing etc at a fraction of the price.

Here's one of the sites:

Camo Net, Camouflage Net, Camouflage Equipment Basha Army Waterproof DPM

[Mexico]

Nightshade
Thanks for the tip on the hide. Do you find wearing camo is often enough? I do have camo but don't seem to have too much success with it, even with scrim over my head!

Thanks for the link Ron, I think a new scrim or two is going to be on its way fairly soon!

Mex

[peterjclarke]

I usually wear camo because the stuff from army surplus shops is much cheaper than the equivalent from a hiking/outdoor store. Animals generally don't care what you are wearing as long as they don't see you as a threat. If you are wearing a red shell suit then you will not just look daft but scare away any wildlife you wish to photograph. What you need to do is break up the human form and also conceal any movement. Camo does neither! A hide whether camo or not is the best option. I use a green dome tent bought for £25 from homebase and it works just fine. I also have a 8' x 8' scrim net which was £15 and I use this to hide the hide from curious human beings who might want to speak to the person in the hide/tent. I also use a semi permanent wooden hide which I move about my dad's garden and this works a treat. It's treated with creosote and looks like a small garden shed. I was asked once if I was going to camouflage it, but there is really no point because as long as the birds do not see me moving inside it works just fine. There is a company in the states who markets Scent Lok camo clothing which is supposed to trap your scent but its very expensive and in my opinion totally useless. I have even used a white old canvas toilet tent as a hide and it worked fine for garden birds. Remember most of the companies who make hides and non-military camo gear really just want to sell their products.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by peterjclarke

I usually wear camo because the stuff from army surplus shops is much cheaper than the equivalent from a hiking/outdoor store. Animals generally don't care what you are wearing as long as they don't see you as a threat. If you are wearing a red shell suit then you will not just look daft but scare away any wildlife you wish to photograph. What you need to do is break up the human form and also conceal any movement. Camo does neither! A hide whether camo or not is the best option. I use a green dome tent bought for £25 from homebase and it works just fine. I also have a 8' x 8' scrim net which was £15 and I use this to hide the hide from curious human beings who might want to speak to the person in the hide/tent. I also use a semi permanent wooden hide which I move about my dad's garden and this works a treat. It's treated with creosote and looks like a small garden shed. I was asked once if I was going to camouflage it, but there is really no point because as long as the birds do not see me moving inside it works just fine. There is a company in the states who markets Scent Lok camo clothing which is supposed to trap your scent but its very expensive and in my opinion totally useless. I have even used a white old canvas toilet tent as a hide and it worked fine for garden birds. Remember most of the companies who make hides and non-military camo gear really just want to sell their products.

Hi Peter

How big are the holes that you cut in your wooden hide? I have an old shed in the corner of one of my fields and I intend to turn it into a hide. The buzzard often comes down close to this shed to feed and I want to be able to photograph it.

Kerry

[peterjclarke]

Kerry, The 'hole' is about 50cm by 25cm and this allows me to have the whole of the lens inside the hide and move it very gently to compose the photograph. I often hang a bit of scrim netting inside so that it prevents the birds for seeing me move about and I can still see through the netting. I've built a flap like in an R.S.P.B hide that swings down so that I can close it when not in use to prevent the inside getting wet.

[Kerry]

Originally Posted by peterjclarke

Kerry, The 'hole' is about 50cm by 25cm and this allows me to have the whole of the lens inside the hide and move it very gently to compose the photograph. I often hang a bit of scrim netting inside so that it prevents the birds for seeing me move about and I can still see through the netting. I've built a flap like in an R.S.P.B hide that swings down so that I can close it when not in use to prevent the inside getting wet.

Thanks for this info Pete. I will need to get hold of some scrim netting and put my husband to work cutting the hole.

Kerry

[jasongallier]

Hides are indeed excellent but no one has remarked on "bags hides" which are a middle ground solution that I have had many successes with.

A bag hide is not a ridged hide nor clothing but is more flexible than the former and better at hiding you and your shape than the later.

It is a heavy camo material that is thrown over you and camera. Correct use is important and it is best to set up and sit still in it. Any movement will show up and so it could scare animals/birds away. However if you make yourself comfortable and sit still you can get very close to wildlife. I have had fallow deer approach sooo close that they came within my minimum focus (1.4m)! If things just aren't happening then you can easily move to a new location. You can even creep closer to your subject if you do it verrrrry slowly.

That said I have tried stalking with it and it is all about the approach not the camo and so wearing woodland colours is just as effective.

I bought mine from Wildlife Watching Supplies - Wildlife photography, Nature photography, Photo blinds

Jason

[nightshade]

The first things to be seen on a person are Hands and Face,
these can be seen from almost a mile away.Cover these and
your sucess rate will increase(along with subdued clothing)