Camouflaging your rifle

All photo credits: Aaron Oglesby

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Hunting is all about gaining an advantage over the game that you are hunting if you want to be successful. This is why we use high-powered optics, wear scent-concealing agents, and, most importantly, blend into our environment.

Camouflage gives hunters a major advantage by concealing us in the environment. There are countless patterns of camouflage, all meant to blend into certain terrain and vegetation. It does not make sense to spend money on binoculars, spotting scopes, cover scent, camouflage clothing for your environment, and then be carrying a gun that does not blend into the environment.

Below is an easy way to make a custom camouflaged gun for any terrain.

This year will be the first year that I am hunting in Colorado, after hunting my entire life in the Gila and the desert of New Mexico. This type of change not only requires a change in hunting strategy, but also in camouflage. All of my guns are painted to match the terrain of New Mexico and this will not be effective in the high Rockies of Colorado.

What you’ll need- Rifle- Blue painter’s tape- White Masking Tape- Rubbing Alcohol- Camouflage spray paint- Flat clear coat spray paint- Sponge- Assorted sizes of foam paint brushes- Paper plates

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*The most important part of this step is to make sure paint can't get into any moving parts such as the trigger and the action. To ensure that this doesn't happen, I place a paper towel into the action and tape heavily over it. The trigger guard also gets taped heavily.

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The next step is to wipe down all the surfaces that will be painted with rubbing alcohol. This rubbing alcohol will remove any oil on the painting surface without being as harsh as using acetone or paint thinner. Ensuring that there is no oil on the surface will help with the paint adhesion.

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After you are satisfied with your pattern, use the flat clear coat spray paint to give your camouflage paint job more durability. It is important to get the flat clear coat because it will prevent it from being glossy and shiny like a regular clear coat will do.

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As you can see, matching your gun's camouflage to your terrain can greatly increase your concealment and thus increase your chances of filling your tag. Best of luck out there!