Only time I ever wore camo in Texas is when I was stalking. 95% of the time I am in rip stop style cargo pants, Salamon boots, and layer up in whatever Carhartt, Ariat, or whatever I was given for free. If I was hunting in a place like Colorado or Wyoming I would spend the money on high end gear like Sitka. Or duck hunting which I rarely do

I agree. There's definitely hyperbole in that statement. The point, however, is no less true. In harsh weather, (whether hot, cold, rain, snow, or anything in between) your gear is the determining factor in whether you stay in the field or head to the truck. Your gear manufactures opportunities for success.

dmperch said:

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Bird93 said:

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Camo isn't a requirement. That said, there's no such thing as bad weather. There's only bad gear. As others have said, I'm willing to pay top dollar for the most technical and functional gear available because comfort equals time in the field, which breeds opportunity. The cold hard fact is companies like Sitka, First Lite, Kuiu, etc. make the best gear available. If I'm going to buy gear that's technically suited for hunting, then it might as well have a good camo pattern on it too. Why not optimize every possible advantage.

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I agree with this. I was duck hunting last year and it was pretty cold with a strong breeze. I was in Sitka, unphased, and pretty darn comfortable. My buddy was in a carhartt and a fleece and was miserable. Layering correctly goes a long way, but I don't regret paying top dollar.

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Agree but this goes to my point as well. If your buddy had paid for proper under layering and then added carhartt he would not have been near as miserable and I would argue pretty comparable to your experience.

Your biggest bang for your buck in expensive hunting clothes will always be the first couple layers. The outer layer in my opinion your paying for logo and camo pattern.

The key to better experiences in bad weather is to first understand proper layering, second not sweating or getting heated up on your hike in because it doesn't matter what you paid do this and you will be cold, then third start getting good quality hunting clothing and if you have limited budget start with paying up for the layers closest to the skin and work out.

Camo and Scent are whole separate discussion which in my opinion are not a concern of mine at all if you are doing the rest of your hunting process correctly. ie wind, approach, scouting etc.

Ron White gets it.



Never understood why hunters where everything camo, when y'all are sitting in a blind. When I'm in the blind, I'm wearing comfortable shoes, pants, shirt and relaxed. I don't need hundreds or thousands of dollars worth of camo gear to kill a dear.

Hell... a sgt I work with who bow hunts, wears shorts and flip flops. You would think he's going to the beach.

If you're hunting in a blind, I'd agree with you, but that represents a very small percentage of bow hunters. The OP specifically asked about bow hunting primarily from a tree stand and eventually doing some spot and stalk.

schmellba99 said:

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BlueSmoke said:

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tk111 said:

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I'm not sure I can ever buy camo again after seeing pics in Japantiger's thread of the guide getting within feet of massive African game in a veritable construction site safety vest.

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This is where I'm at. My first "round" of nicer camo all came from Camofire/Black Ovis sales. I stuck with Badlands in a traditional mossy oak pattern because of availability and sizing.

Lately I've learned you 'need' camo hunting birds (turkey & waterfowl) and we "like" to wear it hunting ungulates - so all my new gear are various shades of solids that I can also wear hiking, outdoors, etc.

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I'd even argue you don't need it for waterfowl for the most part. Just don't want to wear blaze orange or anything that really makes you stand out. Millions of ducks and geese were killed by guys wearing run of the mill old school hunting stuff - keep the colors earth tone and relatively subdued and you can be successful.

I bow hunt out of my tree stand in jeans, camo shirt and a boonie with a face net. I have a camo 3d netting type thing that hangs from the handrail/rest down that covers me from mid chest on down. Deer have walked under me more than one time like this.

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Agreed, I was thinking more about those GD, sneaky, frustrating turkeys. All the darker shades/patterns just make you look like a dark blob at distance.

As for the mountain/technical hunting lines like Sitka/Kuiu - most were inspired by the lightweight outdoor lines such as REI, Marmot, HH, etc. My Marmot Scree pants are still the best fields pants for the money that I own.

Quote:

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I have the overpriced KUIU stuff now as well but it's all made for millennial snug fit

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Missed this - too funny!

It is definitely designed for a certain body type. One that is more of a long/lean mountain type hunter, especially the KUIU stuff. One size bigger is ideal for most of us flat land hunters

ttha_aggie_09 said:

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Congratulations on getting into bow hunting!

Can you define what type of bow hunting you'll be doing? I.e, sitting in a tree stand or spot and stalk for elk.

While it would certainly be very OB of me to recommend Kuiu or Sitka, it is serious overkill if you're just sitting in a blind or stand.

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Well we know he won't be sitting in a river bed, thanks Senor Flores!

Bird93 said:

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Camo isn't a requirement. That said, there's no such thing as bad weather. There's only bad gear. As others have said, I'm willing to pay top dollar for the most technical and functional gear available because comfort equals time in the field, which breeds opportunity. The cold hard fact is companies like Sitka, First Lite, Kuiu, etc. make the best gear available. If I'm going to buy gear that's technically suited for hunting, then it might as well have a good camo pattern on it too. Why not optimize every possible advantage.

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Archery season opens September 30th this year in Texas. So I beg to differ.

OP - most of the early season in texas is done in the heat. I really like the wrangler hiking pants. Get pants that are extremely lightweight, and a really breathable shirt.

You can be as scent free as humanly possible and it won't matter if you are sweating up a storm in the tree.

I focus on being cool and bug free. That way I can sit still. Pay attention to where the afternoon sun hits on your setups.

MrWonderful said:

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Bird93 said:

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Camo isn't a requirement. That said, there's no such thing as bad weather. There's only bad gear. As others have said, I'm willing to pay top dollar for the most technical and functional gear available because comfort equals time in the field, which breeds opportunity. The cold hard fact is companies like Sitka, First Lite, Kuiu, etc. make the best gear available. If I'm going to buy gear that's technically suited for hunting, then it might as well have a good camo pattern on it too. Why not optimize every possible advantage.

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Archery season opens September 30th this year in Texas. So I beg to differ.

OP - most of the early season in texas is done in the heat. I really like the wrangler hiking pants. Get pants that are extremely lightweight, and a really breathable shirt.

You can be as scent free as humanly possible and it won't matter if you are sweating up a storm in the tree.

I focus on being cool and bug free. That way I can sit still. Pay attention to where the afternoon sun hits on your setups.

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bug free is high on the list. Any thoughts on the different options for bug free - they all tend to be pretty expensive. Right now I'm dependent on remembering my therma cell

I'm stuck at work but will do this at some point this weekend . Sorry

All good man. No rush.

Glad to know your back, now get out there and mark all the elk for me

Next week. But don't count on next year. Wheels are in motion to move over there. 150% serious.

Big fan of Kryptek. Great quality but cheaper than Sitka. Wait for the sales and you can reliably get 30% off from their website.

That's awesome for you. I wish I was that free

I have dedicated hunting clothes and most of it is camo for the simple reason that I'm going to get it dirty, torn, and if I'm lucky, bloody.

If youre hunting in October you need thin/mesh shirts and thinnest pants possible. Lite and thin or youll sweat and stink. Pattern doesnt matter as much as smell. Get nuts about scent control. Wash camo in scent free soap, bag it up space bags, dont bring it the house around your wifes candles and potpourri. Same with boots, leave em outside. Get some cover scent to wear with you in the field and some scent killer spray for touch ups. And put your stand up as high in the tree as you can, like 15'+, outta the wind. Dont squeeze your bow grip, keep those fingers open and relaxed. Lite em up

Follow your handle literally and buy big aggie t shirts…that are camo…the deer will walk up to you and surrender their lives.

Appreciate the tip

Man, I've grown into a cheap ass over the last few years apparently.

Used to only wear Under Armour camo. Now if I'm hunting in a pop up or box blind it's a cheap long sleeve black tee shirt or Magellan camo tee shirt from Academy. For any hunting spot "not enclosed" I'll throw on a Magellan camo long sleeve shirt (have a lot of the button up collar shirts that they regularly sell for $25 and some of the hooded camo tee shirts that are like $20). Plenty quiet and comfortable and durable in my experience.

If you're still and don't stink, it really doesn't matter what you wear (mostly). I'd rather break the bank on guns or something other than camo.

The bibs and jacket are Large. This set is really warm on those long days exposed to cold. I used them in East TX for a while and now it just sits in closet. The Frogg Togg rain jacket and pants are XL. After this season i will be unloading ALL my gear so be on lookout. Email is in profile.