Hunting Noob- Clothing / Camo

[P11]

Hey fellas. A few weeks back I participated in my first pheasant hunt on a game farm and now I am hooked lol. I want to eventually get into waterfowl, turkey and deer at some point.


In any case for the pheasant hunt I basically put together a bunch of layers that I use for construction and managed to stay warm. I have nice insulated waterproof underarmour boots that kept me warm and dry.

However I was looking to invest in some proper camo and layers that will last me a few seasons. I was checking out the sitka system builder and it is awfully nice but expensive. Any insight or recommendations would be welcome.

 

[Van Isle]

Keep using your construction stuff as much as possible and save your money for gas and ammo. Keep a piggy bank going and when the sales come up and you know what you want to buy you can easily upgrade a piece at a time. Each different type of hunting activity can require different clothing if you get right in to it so it’s wise (unless you’re rich!) to see what you enjoy the most, and wait and see where your money is best spent to help you enjoy the activities. Lack of time and gas money seem to prevent more actual success in the field than camo clothing, though of course it is nice to be warm, dry, and safe in the field.

Good luck!

 

[P11]

Gas is no issue neither is ammo. Im looking for gear that will keep me warm and DRY!

Just not sure what to get what is the most necessary or most widely used

 

[Jahnj0584]

Crappy tire just had their Realtree Hoodies on sale for 13$ from 50$. It's a good deal at that price.

 

[obsessed1b]

Are you mountain/ backcountry style hunting? Sitting?still hunting? In sub zero? Deep snow? All these will have different clothing requirements. In my area temps can be any where from +25 to -30 during hunting season. Obviously clothing requirements change drastically. My 2 cents is build a system based on layers start with wicking materials close to skin and build wind/cold layers further out. Wool is your friend. Stay away from loud scratchy clothes even if they have a camo print on them...... you really need to give a lot more info before anyone can make 100% recommendation...
It would suck to drop 3-400$ on a pair of pants just to find them way too warm to wear during a hard hike hunt or spending $$$ on a coat that just doest keep you warm sitting a cut line at -30......

 

[Butcherbill]

Gas is no issue neither is ammo. Im looking for gear that will keep me warm and DRY!

Just not sure what to get what is the most necessary or most widely used

Worry about base layers and an outer layer that’s wind/water resistant as well as quiet above all, merino wool has become all I wear for base layers. Honestly if camo turns your crank, find one you like and run with it. Lots of deer have been shot in Carhartt’s and jeans, so if you have something that will keep you dry and out of the wind use it. The way I look at it all the hunter specific camo is meant to take your money, earth tones do just as well to break up your profile when sitting still. If your on the move it won’t really make any difference, this is coming from a guy that likes camo. Look for milsurp patterns if you want to keep the price down or watch for crappy tire to put their real tree crap on sale.

 

[Ribstaylor]

Big bill wool pants, and a nice wool shirt. With a synthetic underlayer (synthetic will wisk the sweat away).. Knee high wool socks. If you need more then that add a jacket. I've switched to Wools for winter and late fall. Then for spring and summer, early fall I'll be wearing a base layer of merino wool, and synthetics on top.

I got a cheap but Brand new in bag surplus Canadian army wool shirt from army issue surplus. Some surplus Canadian army polypro under layer, that has worked great, and a few pairs of the army issued knee high socks. I added a pair of Big bill Wool pants from gostwear and it's been the warmest I've been in a few years while out. I literally don't plan on buying any more camo clothing. From now on it's wool, and if I need extra concealement I will put a leafy suit over the top.

The nice thing about wool is it naturally doesn't smell. It's really durable. It sheds water up to a point of saturation, but will keep you warm even if soaked. It keeps you insulated well. It's silent and it does not make noise like a lot of the synthetics do when moving. And it will last a long long long time as long as your not putting it in a dryer or shrinking it by mistake. If you want to clean wool, get a size bigger then needed, and cold tumble in washer with no fabric softener. Hang Air dry, but I wouldn't recommend that on items with zippers. Normally though it's just dry clean.

Since changing to this system I don't ever plan on going back to what I was doing before. Which was buying cheap camo pants and jackets etc.. at places like cabelas or Canadian tire. Then just layering clothes that would fit underneath, like a pair of jogging pants, some long socks, and like 3 or 4 shirts. I was cold and it was too much stuff. Now that I'm just wool socks, poly underlayer, sometimes 1 shirt, then my wool shirt on top. It's been easier to manage, the cold and I now deal with bringing less clothes with me.

Army suprlus thread on the wool shirts: https://www.canadiangunnutz.com/forum/showthread.php/1625843-Canadian-made-heavy-wool-shirt

This guy knows his stuff, I learned a lot from this video.

[youtube]bGs0cqwJh8E[/youtube]

Another good video
[youtube]dBWF8O5c-Qs[/youtube]

 

[shoota]

I wish I would have saved my money and bought just a plain old black puffy winter columbia jacket for sitting in the blind deer hunting. Probably warmer than the hunting jackets I own and a fraction of the cost. Same with the pants I am sure snowpants are just as good.

 

[robocop]

I wish I would have saved my money and bought just a plain old black puffy winter columbia jacket for sitting in the blind deer hunting. Probably warmer than the hunting jackets I own and a fraction of the cost. Same with the pants I am sure snowpants are just as good.

I have Walmart hunting clothes all the way up to sitka clothes and will take the sitka any day of the week. Best bang for your buck however is under armour and great sales on right now!!

 

[DGY]

I’ve never hunted with camo, never had the need for it, wool canvas and plad is all I need, a good rain jacket and pants and you are in business!!

 

[iroc22]

I wish I would have saved my money and bought just a plain old black puffy winter columbia jacket for sitting in the blind deer hunting. Probably warmer than the hunting jackets I own and a fraction of the cost. Same with the pants I am sure snowpants are just as good.

I've often thought the same. I see Columbia and Eddie Bauer down jackets go on sale cheap all the time. Some even come in green or brown type colours which is close enough to camo. Not sure why I spent so much on name brand hunting camo.

 

[Ribstaylor]

I've often thought the same. I see Columbia and Eddie Bauer down jackets go on sale cheap all the time. Some even come in green or brown type colours which is close enough to camo. Not sure why I spent so much on name brand hunting camo.

I've all ways cheeped out. This year Went for wool. Think I spent around $400 on everything but in the end I think it's going to last me longer. All the cheap stuff I purchased from the likes of Cabelas, and Canadian tire fall apart one or two seasons in. Or when washed, they loose all of their dye. I've got camo clothing from Canadian tire that last one season, before looking like I've owned it for 10 years, with how much it has faded.

I'm just going to start using Leafy suits when I need ultimate concealment. So I'll be adding another $150 to $200 into the hunting the setup but I've watched a lot of videos and the leafy suits do a fantastic job of breaking up the shape of you and blending you into the environment.