Some thoughts on hunting clothing.
Posted: Fri Sep 22, 2006 10:12 pm
I have long been of the opinion that we under value the importance of a good hunting jacket in this country. I suppose it's because most Australians would say, "who needs a jacket when it's so hot, a t-shirt is all I need". It's a hard stance to counter, I suppose, but there are times when a carefully chosen jacket will do almost anything you need when it comes to hunting apparel.
What are some of the requirements expected of your hunting apparel, particularly those the fit your upper body? Well, for a start I would be looking for something that won't stand out too much to the game I'm seeking. I would probably go for a camouflage pattern that would blend in with most of my hunting environments. I quite like the pattern known as "Advantage Timber". I believe it's a Cabela's pattern. I like the way it's predominately brown shades blend in well to the under canopy of a typical Australian bush scene, plus I like the way the brown shades also blend in very well to dry arid areas, common in inland Australia.
Of course there's much more than the colour of a jacket to worry about. The amount of noise it makes as you walk through heavy brush is extremely important. Most of the US marketed jackets designed for bowhunters are excellent in this regard, they usually have a velvety external finish that makes very little noise.
So far, if you bothered reading this far, you may still be thinking, "well, so far, he hasn't said anything that might make me change my mind from believing that the good old t-shirt is the best all round option for me". T-shirts are great. I often wear them hunting, but there's two areas in which they can be deficient. Firstly, they don't have pockets, apart maybe from one pathetic little one. I don't know about you, but I need lots of pockets. It seems I need more and more, as I buy more and more stuff to carry around with me, things like my mobile phone, digital camera and GPS. These things won't all fit into your trouser pockets and having to carry some sort of pack is a nuisance on a short trip. My hunting jackets have lots of huge pockets, plenty of room for everything.
Another good thing about jackets is that they are nearly always made of some strong material, not like your average cotton t-shirt that will tear on just about anything. Some jacket materials are very strong indeed.
I bet you're still thinking, "yes, but a jacket is going to be too hot to wear in the hottest months", and you are right. Sometimes even the lightest thinest jacket will be too hot to wear, but what I'm trying to say is, there's plenty of other times when a jacket isn't going to be too hot. If you buy an uninsulated and unlined jacket, it can be worn virtually as a shirt. If it's a little cooler, you can wear a t-shirt underneath. If it's a little cooler again you can wear something like a polar fleece t-shirt underneath. If it's bloody cold you can layer up underneath it with thermals and full fleecy tops. A jacket is nothing if it's not versatile. It will meet a host of different hunting requirements and scenarios and it's only just one piece of clothing.
Who doesn't hate to have to buy petrol when all geared up in their camo outfit? I refuse to. With a good hunting jacket, all you have to do is whip it off, leaving your more acceptable clothing underneath exposed and go about your business.
Jackets can become like an old friend. If you wear one enough, you will become attached to it. If you become attached to an old t-shirt, it's probably out seen it's life span and is ready for the rubbish. A jacket will last for many many years.
A jacket is just so versatile. My favorite jacket is even pretty waterproof, having some silicon impregnated into the fabric. It still "breathes" beautifully and is much like a lightweight shirt to wear on a hot day, yet it's still serious gear (with the appropriate clothing underneath) when it's wet and cold. A typical hunting jacket is short, it only comes down to your waist, but this means they don't get in the way, they don't catch on scrub or barbed wire fences. They allow much freedom of movement. They can be washed just as easily as any other clothing.
I'm totally amazed that jackets aren't a common fixture in the Australian hunting scene. I know they aren't, because how often do you see blokes wearing them in photos? Hardly ever. Maybe it's time for you to genuinely think about using one. I know you will end up loving it (if you get the right one).
Mick
PS, sorry about the long rant, I got bored.
What are some of the requirements expected of your hunting apparel, particularly those the fit your upper body? Well, for a start I would be looking for something that won't stand out too much to the game I'm seeking. I would probably go for a camouflage pattern that would blend in with most of my hunting environments. I quite like the pattern known as "Advantage Timber". I believe it's a Cabela's pattern. I like the way it's predominately brown shades blend in well to the under canopy of a typical Australian bush scene, plus I like the way the brown shades also blend in very well to dry arid areas, common in inland Australia.
Of course there's much more than the colour of a jacket to worry about. The amount of noise it makes as you walk through heavy brush is extremely important. Most of the US marketed jackets designed for bowhunters are excellent in this regard, they usually have a velvety external finish that makes very little noise.
So far, if you bothered reading this far, you may still be thinking, "well, so far, he hasn't said anything that might make me change my mind from believing that the good old t-shirt is the best all round option for me". T-shirts are great. I often wear them hunting, but there's two areas in which they can be deficient. Firstly, they don't have pockets, apart maybe from one pathetic little one. I don't know about you, but I need lots of pockets. It seems I need more and more, as I buy more and more stuff to carry around with me, things like my mobile phone, digital camera and GPS. These things won't all fit into your trouser pockets and having to carry some sort of pack is a nuisance on a short trip. My hunting jackets have lots of huge pockets, plenty of room for everything.
Another good thing about jackets is that they are nearly always made of some strong material, not like your average cotton t-shirt that will tear on just about anything. Some jacket materials are very strong indeed.
I bet you're still thinking, "yes, but a jacket is going to be too hot to wear in the hottest months", and you are right. Sometimes even the lightest thinest jacket will be too hot to wear, but what I'm trying to say is, there's plenty of other times when a jacket isn't going to be too hot. If you buy an uninsulated and unlined jacket, it can be worn virtually as a shirt. If it's a little cooler, you can wear a t-shirt underneath. If it's a little cooler again you can wear something like a polar fleece t-shirt underneath. If it's bloody cold you can layer up underneath it with thermals and full fleecy tops. A jacket is nothing if it's not versatile. It will meet a host of different hunting requirements and scenarios and it's only just one piece of clothing.
Who doesn't hate to have to buy petrol when all geared up in their camo outfit? I refuse to. With a good hunting jacket, all you have to do is whip it off, leaving your more acceptable clothing underneath exposed and go about your business.
Jackets can become like an old friend. If you wear one enough, you will become attached to it. If you become attached to an old t-shirt, it's probably out seen it's life span and is ready for the rubbish. A jacket will last for many many years.
A jacket is just so versatile. My favorite jacket is even pretty waterproof, having some silicon impregnated into the fabric. It still "breathes" beautifully and is much like a lightweight shirt to wear on a hot day, yet it's still serious gear (with the appropriate clothing underneath) when it's wet and cold. A typical hunting jacket is short, it only comes down to your waist, but this means they don't get in the way, they don't catch on scrub or barbed wire fences. They allow much freedom of movement. They can be washed just as easily as any other clothing.
I'm totally amazed that jackets aren't a common fixture in the Australian hunting scene. I know they aren't, because how often do you see blokes wearing them in photos? Hardly ever. Maybe it's time for you to genuinely think about using one. I know you will end up loving it (if you get the right one).
Mick
PS, sorry about the long rant, I got bored.