The Story Behind AVES Refuge Camo
The Ultimate Waterfowl Pattern Built From the Sky Down
In the heart of waterfowl hunting country, where marshes meet forests and rivers carve their paths, an evolution was taking place in the world of hunting apparel. When we first envisioned AVES, we had no idea that the journey would lead to developing a truly game-changing camouflage pattern. Our mission was clear: create a camo that not only worked but blended perfectly into the various environments where waterfowl hunters spend most of their time.
The Quest for the Perfect Fabric
Our quest began with the search for the ideal fabric. Partnering with Toray Industries, renowned for its high-performance fabrics, was a significant leap forward. Toray's fabrics, known for being lightweight, breathable, waterproof and possessing exceptional warmth-to-weight ratio, set the stage for AVES' innovation.
Having already built a relationship with them, it felt like a natural fit. But there was a challenge: Toray’s water-pressing technique, which is how they apply camo patterns to fabrics, is limited to just six Pantone colors. That meant we couldn’t license an existing camo pattern—whether from major brands or other companies—because it simply wouldn’t work with their color limitations.
The water-pressing dye technique was important to us, as it has two great benefits we wanted to capitalize on. A traditional heat transfer type coloring process actually damages the face of the fabric, where a water-press will maintain all the integrity of our carefully selected materials. Combine that with the super dull matte finish produced with water-pressing, and we knew creating our own camo to accomodate Toray's high-tech dyeing process was crucial!
So, we set out to create our own.
The Spark of Inspiration
It all started on a deer hunt in Ohio with a buddy who had never hunted ducks before. After a long day in the field, we ended up at a bar, and I was showing him some of the digital camo patterns I had been working on. I was explaining the logic behind each one, trying to get feedback. That's when he casually asked, "Isn't a hen mallard pretty hard to spot in the marsh? I mean, if you dropped one in the sage grass, wouldn't it just blend in?"
I looked at him and thought, "You know, he's absolutely right." The hen mallard is naturally camouflaged—it’s built that way by nature for protection, blending perfectly into the marsh, grasslands, and wetlands.
That’s when it hit me. Instead of trying to invent some new, abstract pattern, why not simply mimic the natural camouflage of a hen mallard? It was a perfect fit for the environments we were hunting in. Why reinvent the wheel when nature has already perfected it?
Armed with this vision, we embarked on a meticulous process.
“I don't care what I look like 30 yards across the swamp from my buddy, I want to know what the bird sees and, more importantly, I want to create something the bird can't see.”
- Rhett Strickland
Bringing the Idea to Life
The idea was simple, but bringing it to life wasn’t. I remembered the first duck I ever shot as a kid: a hen mallard. It was so significant to me that I had it mounted. So, we took that mounted hen mallard, snapped photos of it from every possible angle—head, wings, breast feathers, back—and began building our camo pattern using those photos.
Using a digital camera, we captured high-resolution images of each feather and layer. We then imported them into a computer, where we started layering them in a way that resembled how a hen mallard’s feathers naturally lay on her body. The result? A detailed collage of feathers, precisely arranged to mimic nature’s design.
Then, it was time to bring this concept to Toray. We had to work within the constraint of just six Pantone colors, which meant we needed to carefully digitize our camo design to match the color palette. Once we were satisfied with the final design, we had Toray print it onto a 4x4-foot fabric sample.
Testing in the Field-And the Sky
Once we had the fabric, the real testing began. We didn’t want to just look at it from a human perspective—we wanted to know how it would appear to birds. So, we took that fabric out into the wild, across different terrains—timber, marsh, riverbanks, sagebrush—and we didn’t just observe it from the ground. We brought in a drone.
The idea was simple: we wanted to see how the camo would break up at different distances. So, we wrapped the fabric around our bodies, sat in the field or the marsh, and then sent the drone up into the air, mimicking the flight of a bird. We recorded videos from 50, 60, and even 70 yards away, watching closely as the drone swooped down to see how effectively the camo concealed us.
At first, we were surprised at how much of a human outline was visible at 70 yards. But that’s when we knew what needed to change. We adjusted the macro patterns—the large, broad shapes—so they would be more effective at breaking up the human silhouette from a distance. And then, when we got up close, we refined the micro patterns within those macros, adding further detail to help disguise our form from closer range.
The Result: AVES Refuge Camo
Through a lot of trial and error, a lot of testing, and a few minor adjustments, we arrived at what we believe is the most versatile waterfowl camo ever created: AVES Refuge Camo.
What makes AVES Refuge Camo so unique is that it’s not built for just one environment—it excels in all environments. Whether you’re hunting in flooded fields, buckbrush, timber, sage grass, or cut cornfields, the pattern’s versatility and depth allow it to break up your silhouette no matter where you’re hunting.
We've tested it in rice fields in Arkansas, on riverbanks in the Midwest, and in deep timber, and it’s performed incredibly well in every situation. The key to its effectiveness is that we didn’t design it for one specific type of terrain—we designed it to adapt and blend into multiple environments. That’s the real power of this pattern: it’s not about matching one particular background—it’s about blending into every background.
Why Choose AVES Refuge Camo?
If you’re looking for camo that’s not just designed for the hunter but designed for the birds, AVES Refuge Camo is the solution. It’s built to break up your silhouette at all distances, from far-away bird’s-eye views down to up-close encounters. With our combination of macro and micro patterns, AVES Refuge doesn’t just hide you from the birds—it keeps you concealed no matter where you are or what kind of terrain, blending innovation, concealment, functionality and style.
The proof is in the hunt. If you’re ready for the next level in waterfowl camo, look no further than AVES Refuge. It’s the camo that truly works—and it’s ready to help you stay hidden when it matters most. From the marshes of North America to the wetlands of Canada, hunters now have a tool that not only conceals but elevates their outdoor experience.
Designed for Every Condition. Built from the Sky Down.
FEATURED REFUGE ITEMS
Drifter Jacket
This soft-shell waterfowl jacket will quickly become your go-to piece, no matter which flyway you drift to. We specifically designed this duck hunting jacket to be extremely versatile as a stand-alone outer piece in the mid-season temperatures into late season by adding layers underneath.
The Drifter Jacket is developed with Toray Primeflex 4-Way Stretch Fabric which allows the jacket to move with you without restriction. Coated with Toray Kudos XR DWR and it's micro-fleece backer, you will stay dry, warm, and comfortable no matter which flyways you hunt.
Drifter Pant
We specifically designed this pant to solve the problems we have all seen in waterfowl hunting pants. Using Toray Primeflex 4-Way Stretch Fabrics, we have been able to develop a pant that truly moves with your body. No longer will you have to worry about your pants riding up, binding, or pinching while duck hunting. This is the perfect soft-shell pant for dry field hunting or layering under your waders. With its bonded micro-fleece backer, it will keep you warm during the mid season waterfowl hunts and into the late season by adding layers underneath.
Stratum 50 Half-Zip Hoodie
The Stratum 50 Half-Zip Hoodie is designed to be an early–mid season outer piece or a late-season mid layer. This hoodie has all the features you need as a stand-alone outer piece for the early waterfowl season when temperatures are in the low 50s. When the temperature drops during the late waterfowl season, this hoodie serves as an amazing mid layer keeping you extremely warm without the bulk.
Hybrid Elite Blind Bag
The Hybrid Elite Blind Bag was specifically designed for the needs of hunters. We documented the feedback that you all submitted for a “little brother” version of the Hybrid Elite Pack and implemented these new visions into its development.
The Hybrid Elite Blind Bag was created for the hunters who need to save a little space or cut down weight without compromising on quality, innovation, functionality, or organization.
Have Any Questions?
We are here to answer all of your queries