hunting apparel

SDhunter05

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Nov 2, 2016
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Hey guys, curious question regarding clothing. i primarily hunt d16 in the east county area for deer. Im constantly hiking the rugged terrain. That being said i know theres a big move into cammo pattern. Does anyone recommend any patter for d16 or is unnecessary. Im in need of new gear so I'm keeping a open mind going into this. Any help would be much appreciated.
 
Definitely a can of worms regarding what camo pattern works best. I would concentrate more on comfort than color. I hunt with a friend every year (who shoots a lot of game) and he wears REI tan or grey colored synthetic pants, layers his tops (dull colors) and wears a blue Padre hat. After hunting with him over the past 5 years, I came to the conclusion that camo patterns need to satisfy you and don't worry about the game.

Haha - I like the KUIU Vias.
 
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I also agree that pattern is likely irrelevant other than to satisfy the customer's desires. If you are moving the animals can see you regardless of what you are wearing. I do however believe that fabric does make a big difference to the hunter. For example Kuiu makes the tiburon fabric which is fantastic for hot weather hunting. Most of the pants that they make have a side venting zipper at the hip which also helps with heat management. Their are several hunting brands that are making stuff like this now. Pick the one you like and/or can afford.
 
I think camo clothing for deer is way over rated....I know most the guys like the newer stuff....IMO....It's way over priced....I also like cotton. So for me there's tons of options (Dickies pant, SCH t-shirt, & hoodie)....Camo is fine, but any natural hue works....Deer see in black & white.

Like most guys, I have "hunting" cloths....They get washed in no UV brighteners and odorless detergent....Which I think is more important than colors....2 cents

.My 2013 buck #2.JPG
 
yup to all of the above. Most of my family as always hunted in blue jeans and t shirts. I HATE jeans.
I like cool moisture wicking clothes that keep me dry and cool or warm when its cold. Pattern doesn't matter. this weekend my wife and i took 2 of my grandchildren (8 and 9) out for rabbit hunting in the high country. we were sitting quietly about 200 yards from a water tank watching a small game trail when all of a sudden 3 does and a bunch of fawns comes walkiing by. we were NOT in camo the kids had orange hats on we had green and tan pants on. we were still and down wind. they walked within 20' of all 4 of us. never flinched an ear. Sunday morning in the same area a nice sized bear walked within 40' of us and never noticed us. (at least he didn't show it)

work the wind, be still, be comfortable. If it happens to be super cool camo all the better.
 
Deer are more likely to bust you if (1) they smell you or (2) they see/hear you move, rather than decoding your camo pattern. That said, who doesn't love wearing camo on deer opener.. it's part of our hunting culture right? But yeah, more important than pattern is comfort. Moisture wicking, stretchy materials are what I like. I remember seeing old pics of my grandpa deer hunting East County in the '50s-60s wearing red flannel and blue jeans...
 
i have always found shorts, tshirt and work boots to be a good combo.
2352C195-3BBE-4C63-9A00-023D2B7D3896-2028-000000F02628D543_zps672fdf86.jpg

but sometimes a nice sweater is just what the game needs

20131028_183149_zpsdc037445.jpg

its not the camo!!!!!!!! just go hunt and use natural cover be quiet and move super slow
 
Gotta fall in line with Sprig, Gsp S&H , Aeon, NBK and Kellen, In my opinion (and you all know I have one) It's all about scent, wind direction and detectable movement. That being said comfort is just as important and a lot of the modern hunt gear offers just that and can work better than the older tried and true formula's and that's not to say the old stuff is obsolete. For many years I've been a Carharrt double lower pants guy to avoid abrasion and punctures with a synthetic upper to wick perspiration and avoid stink (and I still think it works well in the moderate southwest climates where I do most of my hunting), however I will be transitioning to Kuiu in solid colors completely when the time to hunt comes and the budget allows. Bottom line use what you can afford and works and do your best to keep yourself concealed from your presence to the wildlife
 
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511 is good stuff. My stepson who is an eod guy in the AF uses it for some of his non combat duty gear and likes the easy wicking and quick dry affect it possesses in humid and hot environments.
 
I would agree with most of the guys here. I just stick to earth tones. No specific pattern, matter a fact most of the time I am wearing my blue dickies from work that day
 
Here's the other upside to solid colors, You don't get the hateful stares and reactions when you walk into a public environment with solid colors on as opposed to camo where the pc/libs quite often take offense (not that I really care what they think). Where I live my closest big town is Ramona and we see military service folks in duty camo all the time and for me it's an opportunity to thank them for their service and interact. Lots of non service folks up that way that wear camo as well.
 
productImage6263w592MAR.jpg productImage6235w592MAR.jpg I just bought sitkas new line. Called subalpine. I will be the first to admit I over payed for what caught my eye. The camo looks amazing. Making a difference while hunting? Probably not. Breathable, stretchy, light, abbrassion resistant and comfortable. I'm not at all ashamed for paying close to $230.00 for camo. Come on lol, does look badass lol. In all honesty I think there great for hot weather hunting and extremely comfortable.

.
 
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Isn't the whole point of hunting so you can wear camo and carry a gun or bow??? hahaha

I mainly dog hunt so I usually just wear solids in earth tones and I like the 511 pants and I have some First Lite stuff too. Really too expensive but I just like how they use merino wool for a lot of their stuff. The Kuiu and Sitka stuff from what I have seen and touched is probably the best stuff on the market if you have a budget for it.

My buddy who is an avid turkey hunter (mainly bow) and deer hunts too did tell me his opinion that with deer unlike turkey the color is not important but breaking up your pattern can be.

Any opinions about it when turkey hunting?

Oh and PS,
You don't get the hateful stares and reactions when you walk into a public environment with solid colors on as opposed to camo where the pc/libs quite often take offense.

Snake charmer that's my number one reason FOR wearing camo lol Take care and happy hunting
 
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