I don't own a camo gun, never felt a need for one. I don't even own a gun with a synthetic stock. To me a firearm is a work of art. Deep bluing and a hand checkered walnut stock is an art form suitable for a future family heirloom. My furniture is leather and quarter sawn oak. I wear wool instead of fleece. I drink real ale and single malt scotch. Maybe I'm like a fiddler on a roof, but I cling tenaciously to tradition. I do not get offended when called old fashioned. Perhaps the most sensible reason why I don't own a camo gun is that I would surely lose it in the woods if I were to lay it down.

I have a fully camoed Mossberg 835 for turkey hunting, but I don't think there is a great deal of need for full camo on long guns. Mostly, you are going to be shooting at a distance where the game won't see the gun, and if you don't have a shiny finish on your gun, you should be fine. I think it's pretty much a gimmick. Having said that, in a close up situation like turkey hunting, there may be a small advantage in the camo, and I need all the advantage I can get, so I'll use it.

Ive a freezer full of birds that didnt make the connection either or.And Id like to think, the last thing my turkey saw was my ugly yeller teeth behind my black as coal 1187. Both grinning to beat the band.Just a matter of personal preferance,and $$$$.

I think for turkey hunting it would be useful. Other than that, I think it's overkill. For rifle hunting, it's just plain silly. My old 870 is getting a bit shiny but I can still to very well with it. I'm aware of it and make sure its down and concealed as much as possible when I'm bringing in the honkers. For years I have wanted to do something about that dopey chrome plated shell feeder on the underside. That really was a stupid design element. Ocassionally I see some black ones advertised on Ebay. I'm always having to put my hand over that thing to keep it covered up. For waterfowl hunters who park their butts in blinds I can see no purpose in having camo shotguns. A shiny gun might even help. When that gun comes up I'd just as soon the birds flared. I often have to waste the first shot to get them flared if they're coming straight in to the deeks.

Well lets go back to the age old question for deer. Camo or blaze? Well, if you're in a stand, it doesn't matter. But we don't want to look like a noob wearing blaze. Same thing with camo guns. Nessecary? No. Awesome? Yes. And it feels awesome to blend in (or feel like you are) instead of sticking out like a carrot. And, if you look down at a camo gun, you feel a whole lot cooler.

It doesn't matter as long as it's non-glare. All thats gonna set an animal off is something shining in the sun.So don't go out with some shiny skeet gun.

It's a factor for turkeys and coyotes, and some waterfowl situations, but obviously people did just fine before we had camo anything.

Good comments Dave!

A friend of mine bought a camo Browning Hi-Power. What an atrocity! I assume the previous owner had it dipped (who was the dip here?). I still have my Hi-Power that served me well and despite the several pits, scratches, and wear; it is still far more attractive than a camo one! I confess that my 870 Super Mag has a custom (mine) camo paint job for turkey and waterfowl hunting. All my other shotguns are blued steel and walnut stocked. I don't drink much these days but when I do it is good scotch, Tennessee Sour Mash, or a good IPA. No more Budwipers or Old Tennisshoe bourbon for this old boy.

It depends on what you are hunting. If you are laying in a cut corn field trying to call in geese it helps a LOT. Geese and ducks can spot a shotgun in a flash if you are not completely concealed in a blind. In that situation camo not only helps; it is mandatory. I also feel a little better turkey hunting with camo because they get lots of time to look at you before getting close. However, I don't think it is as important there because they are usually looking right at the business end of my shotgun. I like the looks of a blued finish for all upland bird hunting and clays though so I just use camo tape when I need it.

Its a nice asset to have but personally i've killed just as many birds with my wood stock guns than my buddies with camo stocks. Its up to you whether spending the extra 50 bucks is worth it or not.

What idiot would dip a Browning Hi-Power? Give that boy a blindfold and a cigarette. What a crime!