Introduction

My personal opinion of having a hide or camo net is to get ‘away’ from the subject rather than ‘get close’. This is because: 1.Somehow the subjects do know u are around. Just that they do not feel threatened. 2.Getting close to use a shorter lens will alarm them. This may cause young birds to ‘jump nest’ or the birds to fly away. 3.Hence defeat the purpose of seeing them doing their activities of eating, bathing, courtship, fighting, flying etc 4.More over, you will need a distance to anticipate movement / actions 5.Getting real close will only allow you to have portrait shots 6.Also u are not mobile once u are in a hide but subject are. It is better to do your home work and allowed them to come to u instead of u chasing them in a hide … 7.So even if u do not take photographs, it is already a privilege to watch them

A sample with the camera gear within. Taken in a garden.

This camo net which I made has the following advantage:

1. It is porous, hence less hot
2. It does not restrict your peripheral vision
3. Cheap n custom made
4. Allow you to stand up
5. As compare to wearing a camo suit, I can slipped on and out easy without having to wear and take out. I am sure most of us do not want to take bus or drive in a camo suit.
6. Light and easy to carry. Also when wet, it is quick dry n not adding weight. Can be compressed. Here I used a black bag and measure with a ruler. It can be compressed further

However, the disadvantage are:

1. It is not a full hide
2. It does not keep u warm or protect u from rain

Material

• Pieces of camo ( can get from beach road, $4 per piece) … hmm … some may need more depends on your size

• Piece of polyester nylon material (can get from beach road, $7 per m)

• Thread and needle

How to

Let’s say the white papers are the camo net

1. Sew area mark 2 together. Noticed that I allowed more material in front. Leave a gap at 1 for your lens
2. Sew pieces of camo material in random over the net. Cut them is irregular shape n strips
3. Sew more strips on front n side
4. At area 3, it is where your head is. Leaving some space without the camo material for un-obstructing vision
5. After using, come back to modify or add the camo stripes

Few points to note when using:

1. Wear neutral colours i.e brown, green to compliment the net
2. No big movement inside the net. U are not ‘invisible’
3. Beware that if light is directly behind u, your silhouette will show up as net is porous
4. Best if you position yourselves in shade and among vegetation

Please feel free to correct me.

Have fun n do remember the welfare of subject is important!
website for imported camo material / fabrics or even ready made blinds (US based)

Rockywoods [1]

Cabelas [2]

Basspro [3]
Photographs and article are copyright of starrynight