Today I saw a new shotgun pattern released by Legacy Sports International. The Outdoor Wire announced the new Yote camo pattern, specifically appealing to the modern predator hunter. This new camo is said to look similar to coyote fur and was developed by champion coyote caller and host of Predator Quest TV, Les Johnson. I'm sure a few curmudgeonly Luddites out there are wondering how this new Yote camo shotgun will be any better or worse than a regular camo, or even black matte finish shotgun in the field.
I couldn't help but wonder myself, with all these new camo finishes, dips and colors coming out, does any of it really make a difference? Now, unless I was to go out on a predator hunt and utilize multiple styles of camo shotguns, I would have no stats to back up that idea; however, in regard to identity I think it can make a world of difference to an individual.
Whether you like it or not, your firearm of choice says something about you. The look, the style, the model…all of it. People utilize their firearms in a plethora of ways that give meaning to that gun, whether it be a memorable hunt, a special day at the range with family or friends, winning top honors at a shooting competition and more. Some young kid who has grown up hunting coyotes with his family, and used a shotgun with a Yote camo pattern will always associate that gun and that pattern with those experiences. These guns essentially become more of a lifestyle representation and a memory inducer.
People ask what my favorite firearm is, and even though each has a special meaning for me, with different memories attached to them, my favorite is my Remington 870 that has a turkey camo. To me it looks like regular camo, but either way this shotgun has been with me on my most memorable hunt, when I killed my first turkey. It's also the first gun I ever felt really comfortable shooting and cleaning, like I knew it inside out. Some people enjoy different dips, finishes and colors, making a statement about who they are or what they like. For me, my Remington represents simplicity, which is something I feel I was lacking until I found hunting. And as for the statement I'm making, I feel that the 870 pairs well with my personality: simple, classic and easy-going.
What does your gun say about you?
