ASIO Raptor Camo

The Story Behind the ASIO Raptor Camo

"The history of the bow and arrow is the history of mankind." — Fred Bear

Bowhunting is one of the oldest practices in human history, dating back over 6,000 years before written language existed. It's an art that requires finesse, patience, and a deep respect for nature. There’s something uniquely powerful about bowhunting: the respect for the game, the thrill of the hunt, and the peace that comes with being one with nature. It’s a sport that connects us with our instincts and ancient survival methods, making it unlike any other.

Over time, bowhunting has evolved with advancements in weaponry and techniques, but one crucial element of the hunt had been largely overlooked — bowhunting clothing, specifically for whitetail bowhunters.

With more than 30 years of experience in the whitetail space, Joe Miles, ASIO Gear’s founder and an avid worldwide hunter, noticed a critical gap in the industry. Existing camo patterns didn’t meet the needs of tree stand hunters across the whitetail range, so Joe decided to change that.

One fall afternoon, while scouting through the woods, Joe witnessed something extraordinary. Two Great Horned Owls were engaged in a fight in a tree. As one of the owls flew to a nearby tree, it completely vanished from sight. Joe approached the tree, only to have the owl fly again, this time into another tree, disappearing once more.

"He literally just vanished in front of my eyes. It was incredible to see," Joe recalls.

And that’s when it hit him.

Owls are nature’s ultimate tree predators, and their camouflaging abilities are truly one-of-a-kind. The patterns on their feathers allowed them to blend perfectly into the environment, making them virtually invisible.

This moment led Joe to dive deeper into research on animal vision. What he discovered was eye-opening. Whitetail deer, like the prey of an owl, possess dichromatic eyesight, meaning they see only two colors instead of three, as humans do. This limitation in their vision made them less likely to notice certain colors — a huge advantage for hunters who are looking to stay hidden.

With this in mind, Joe set out to design a camo pattern inspired by the owl’s flawless camouflage. He worked closely with a high-end graphic artist, perfecting the shadowing, depth, and layout of the design. The goal? To create a pattern that would blend seamlessly with the varied landscapes of the whitetail range.

The first test came in the woods, and the results were immediate. The camo disappeared into the background as soon as Joe put it to the test. That was the confirmation he needed to bring ASIO Gear to life.

While the camo design was the driving force behind ASIO Gear, it was Joe’s passion and dedication to bowhunting that truly set the brand apart. He wanted more than just an innovative camo pattern — he wanted to create the ultimate bowhunting apparel.

Today, ASIO Gear is a premium, high-end camo clothing line, crafted with the finest fabrics and the most advanced features available. Whether you’re looking for a warm, late-season hunting jacket, insulated hunting pants, lightweight camo gloves, or a high-performance camo hoodie, ASIO Gear has what you need to ensure your success in the field.

Through his relentless dedication to quality and design, Joe has turned his passion for bowhunting into a brand that is changing the game for bowhunters everywhere. ASIO Gear isn’t just a clothing line — it’s the result of over three decades of hunting experience and a relentless pursuit to provide the best possible camo for whitetail hunters.