Mossy Oak
Mossy Oak is an American outdoor brand known for hunting camouflage, clothing, equipment, and related outdoor businesses.
Last updated August 21, 2026
Overview
Mossy Oak is an American outdoor brand overseen by Haas Outdoors, Inc. It was founded in 1986 in West Point, Mississippi, by Toxey Haas, an avid outdoorsman who developed the brand around camouflage inspired by the natural materials of the woods, including twigs, leaves, and dirt. The brand's original concept was to make printed fabric that would visually blend with hunting environments rather than use a simple repeating geometric pattern. Haas initially had limited capital and sought a textile printer willing to produce a small run. Crystal Springs Print Works in Georgia made an exception to its normal 10,000-yard minimum and printed approximately 800 yards for the fledgling business. This initial production run helped establish Mossy Oak as a specialized camouflage brand serving hunters and other outdoor users. The brand's business has expanded beyond camouflage fabric into outdoor clothing and equipment. Mossy Oak products are associated primarily with hunting apparel, camouflage garments, and hunting-oriented gear. Apparel operations were acquired by Russell Brands in 2000 for an undisclosed amount and became the Mossy Oak Apparel Company, which produced clothing under license from Haas Outdoors. This arrangement separated the apparel manufacturing operation from the broader brand stewardship and licensing activities of Haas Outdoors. Mossy Oak has also developed or supported adjacent businesses connected to land management, outdoor recreation, and sporting-dog culture. Mossy Oak Properties, a real-estate agency, was founded in 1999. Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries was founded in 2007 in West Point and grows and sells trees for landowners. Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Kennels breeds and trains Labrador Retrievers in West Point, Mississippi; Bill Gibson is identified as its Director of Gun Dog Operations. The brand's positioning is rooted in practical camouflage, hunting culture, land stewardship, and an outdoors-oriented lifestyle. Its identity is closely connected to the American hunting market and to the use of branded camouflage across apparel and equipment categories. Haas Outdoors remains the organization identified with oversight of the Mossy Oak brand, while licensed and affiliated operations have allowed the name to extend into apparel, real estate, forestry-related products, and sporting-dog services.
History
Mossy Oak was established in 1986 in West Point, Mississippi, by Toxey Haas. Haas drew inspiration from the visual textures of the woods, collecting examples such as twigs, leaves, and dirt while considering how fabric could be made to blend into hunting environments. Rather than treating camouflage as merely a military visual language, the new brand focused on the practical needs and surroundings of hunters and outdoor users. The first Mossy Oak fabric was produced by Crystal Springs Print Works in Georgia. Haas had enough money for only about 800 yards, while the printer normally required a minimum order of 10,000 yards. The company made an exception, allowing the young brand to begin commercial production at a much smaller scale. This early manufacturing decision was important because it enabled Haas to test and distribute a nature-inspired camouflage concept without the capital normally required for a large textile order. Over time, Mossy Oak developed from a camouflage concept into a broader outdoor brand associated with hunting clothing, outdoor equipment, and hunting gear. Haas Outdoors, Inc. remained the organization overseeing the brand. The name was also extended through related businesses. Mossy Oak Properties, a real-estate agency, was founded in 1999. In 2000, Russell Brands acquired the apparel operations of Haas Outdoors for an undisclosed amount. Those operations became the Mossy Oak Apparel Company, which manufactured clothing under license from Haas Outdoors. The brand later expanded into land and wildlife-related activities. Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries was founded in 2007 in West Point, Mississippi, and grows and sells trees for landowners. Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Kennels operates in the same community and breeds and trains Labrador Retrievers. Bill Gibson is identified as the kennel's Director of Gun Dog Operations. Mossy Oak's development therefore combines product branding with a wider outdoor-business platform. Its core identity remains tied to camouflage and hunting apparel, while its associated activities connect the brand with outdoor property, land management, trees, and sporting dogs. The available reference material does not establish a separate public listing, detailed financial history, or a complete chronology of later product launches. Mossy Oak is nevertheless presented as an active brand under Haas Outdoors, serving an outdoor and hunting-oriented market.
- 2007Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries is founded
Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries began operating in West Point, growing and selling trees for landowners.
- 2000Apparel operations are acquired by Russell Brands
Russell Brands acquired Haas Outdoors' apparel operations, which became the Mossy Oak Apparel Company and continued producing licensed clothing.
- 1999Mossy Oak Properties is founded
Mossy Oak Properties was established as a real-estate agency connected with the brand.
- 1986Mossy Oak is founded in Mississippi
Toxey Haas founded Mossy Oak in West Point, Mississippi, establishing a brand based on camouflage patterns inspired by natural woodland materials.
- 1986First camouflage fabric is printed
Crystal Springs Print Works in Georgia produced an initial approximately 800-yard fabric run for Haas, despite its usual 10,000-yard minimum order.
Products and positioning
A hunting and outdoor lifestyle brand centered on nature-inspired camouflage, practical field apparel, outdoor equipment, land stewardship, and related sporting-dog and real-estate activities.
Mossy Oak camouflage patternsCamouflage textiles1986
The brand originated with camouflage fabric designed to resemble woodland materials such as twigs, leaves, and dirt. These nature-inspired patterns form the visual foundation of Mossy Oak's identity and are applied across hunting apparel and outdoor equipment.
Mossy Oak hunting apparelOutdoor clothing
Mossy Oak hunting apparel is the brand's principal clothing category. It uses the company's camouflage identity for garments intended for hunters and outdoor users. The apparel business has been manufactured through a licensed operating arrangement following the 2000 acquisition of Haas Outdoors' apparel operations by Russell Brands.
Mossy Oak outdoor equipmentOutdoor and hunting equipment
The Mossy Oak name is also used for outdoor and hunting equipment. The available reference material identifies this as a broad category rather than specifying individual products or model names.
Mossy Oak Nativ NurseriesTrees and land-management products2007
Founded in 2007 and headquartered in West Point, Mississippi, Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries grows and sells trees for landowners. It extends the brand into land management and habitat-related activities.
Mossy Oak Gamekeeper KennelsSporting-dog services
Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Kennels breeds and trains Labrador Retrievers in West Point, Mississippi. The operation is associated with the brand's hunting and sporting-dog culture; Bill Gibson is identified as its Director of Gun Dog Operations.
Flagship businesses
- Mossy Oak camouflage patterns
- Mossy Oak hunting apparel
- Mossy Oak outdoor and hunting equipment
Brand decisions
- 2000Transfer of Mossy Oak apparel operations to Russell BrandsM&A
Haas Outdoors had developed apparel operations alongside the wider Mossy Oak camouflage and outdoor brand.
What changed. Russell Brands acquired the apparel operations for an undisclosed amount. The business became the Mossy Oak Apparel Company and produced clothing under license from Haas Outdoors.
Aftermath. The arrangement placed the apparel operating business with Russell Brands while Haas Outdoors continued to oversee the Mossy Oak brand and licensing relationship.
Leadership
| Name | Title | Tenure |
|---|---|---|
| Toxey Haas | Founder | 1986– |
| Bill Gibson | Director of Gun Dog Operations, Mossy Oak Gamekeeper Kennels | — |
Recent events
- 2007Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries is established
Mossy Oak Nativ Nurseries was founded in West Point, Mississippi, to grow and sell trees for landowners.
Other - 2000Russell Brands acquires Mossy Oak apparel operations
Russell Brands acquired the apparel operations of Haas Outdoors for an undisclosed amount. The operation became known as the Mossy Oak Apparel Company and produced clothing under license from Haas Outdoors.
M&A
Sources
Cite this profile: Cite the canonical profile. /brand-wiki/mossy-oak · Editorial policy · How profiles are compiled