posted
This is what I wear or carry with me in the pack. All put on I can handle almost anything. And there are a lot of possible combinations I can use for almost any temp or conditions.
1) Thin summer camo pants. Mine are a pair of Ol' Tom's that are supposed to be for turkey hunting but are great elk pants bow season. I got them on a sale rack for 25 bucks! I have a thin pair of long underwear to put on under them if its cold AM/Pm or a front moves through and it rains/snows.
2) I like the almost windproof vests. Mine is stretchy and semi tight fitting but moves with you and is comfy. Nice really high collar if you want it up and it stops almost all the wind. ALmost as good as a windbreaker. Mine is Powerstretch by Lowe Alpine.
3) Capaline zip neck undershirt. I like having my neck covered a lot of the time. 4) Technical t-shirt for the hot days. 5) One wool jack-shirt- thin.
I do carry one gore-tex pull-over for the worst. I am willling to carry the weight because I hate being caught in a wet snow 3 hrs from camp in the dark. A dry core=a happy me. Anyway, with this kit I can handle anything from the 70's down into the 30's and wet.
Oh, and a very thin pair of light gloves. A real thankful thing to have sometimes and they weigh nothing to carry.
Later in the season I add a down vest by LL Bean that is "the little toater that could", but weighs onces. It is one of those "packable" types.
Joshua
-------------------- Learn, practice and pass on "leave no trace" ethics, no matter where you hunt. Posts: 1105 | From: colorado | Registered: May 2009
| IP: Logged |
posted
I would get the 1,2 &3 thickness layering system in Capilene they are great for layering and also depending on temp you can switch out plus they pack very well. Also First Lite Wool has some great underwear and tops too. I've used both and I really like both. I believe footwear both boots and socks can make or break a hunt. Don't skimp and make sure your boots are broke in good too. You've got a good list started. Brian
Posts: 414 | From: SW VA | Registered: Jun 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
Don't forget about considering some good quality sock liners, I think they are very important. I personally wear wool pants, and first lite's lightest shirt. On top of that goes my microtex shirt. I like the wool pants becasue I can sit down and not worry about if the ground is wet. When I wore microtex pants my rear-end always seemed to get wet from sitting down. You might also consider raing gear that is designed more for hunting than a poncho.
Posts: 232 | From: colorado | Registered: Oct 2006
| IP: Logged |
posted
While some guys will say never wear cotton, I've used it everytime I've been elk hunting. When its hot, and you're doing a lot of walking, I wear cotton pants,long sleeve T and carry my windstopper lined fleece vest in my daypack, along with a spare T and spare sox(I never use cotton socks). If the weather is cool and/or breezy, I carry a fleece pullover to throw on as needed.
Cooler days I wear poly-prop long johns in a med weight, and if needed I have my favorite hunting pants, wool military surplus pants, a wool sweater, and can layer as needed with the other stuff. i have taken a insulated jacket every trip, and have never used it.
Keep in mind if you are moving and climbing, you'll keep warm. If clothes get wet, they dry out fast in the dry mountain air. I keep 2 or 3 sets of clothes in camp.
If its wet and rainy, leave your cotton clothes in camp. Wear wool if its not too hot out. I carry a light weight set of cabelas rain gear that stuffs into a pouch the size of a beer can. Weighs nothing. I rarely need it, but if I see a storm coming in, I throw it on while it rains.
One thing I am for sure going to add is a set of leg gaitors. They will keep your pants from getting wet below the knees walking is wet grass etc.
Buy the best socks you can get. Same for boots. Always change your socks at mid day, your feet will love you for it. Happy feet=happy hunter.
I have never had a problem with that system, although I am inthe process of upgrading a lot of my clothes, and wool and fleece will play a big part of it. Layering is key.
-------------------- ...stood alone on a montaintop, starin out at a great divide, I could go east, I could go West, it was all up to me to decide, just then I saw a young hawk flyin and my soul began to rise...... Posts: 1370 | From: North Branch, Michigan | Registered: Sep 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
I've never hunted in Colorado, but here in Oregon during late August and early September it's usually hot and dry.
About all I wear that time of year is cotton pants and long sleeve T-shirts. I have a sweater I wear in the mornings and evenings, and it usually ends up in my pack during the day. I have King of the Mountain wool and fleece, but it rarely comes out until November when I hunt Blacktails.
One thing I don't go without is sock liners, I prefer the silk ones I got from Cabela's. I used to get blisters from sweaty feet, even in well worn boots.
In late summer I prefer a ball cap or camo "dew-rag" on my head. The wide brimmed style hats play havoc with my hearing, and my ears are very important when elk hunting.
Usually have 2 pair of gloves (light and wool) in my pack, but seldom wear them unless it's real frosty or windy.
I usually hunt out of a camp next to a road, or from my house. So if the weather gets too wet I retreat for the day and wait for more favorable conditions.
Good luck and have fun!
-------------------- "stickbows, putting the arch back in archery" Posts: 1072 | From: Sandy, Oregon | Registered: Oct 2003
| IP: Logged |
posted
Why is cotton out ? In Colorado, first week of the season, you are more likely to see 90 degrees (daytime) than you are snow.
I wear one pair silk socks and one pair wool socks with boots of my choice. Never had a blister with that arrangement.
I wear a pair of cotton camo cargo style pants, a cotton camo long sleeve T shirt, and a cotton hat. I have a pair of light gloves, more for cover up than warmth. I wear a pack and carry a duofold long underwear top and a wool vest or maybe pull over wool shirt). Walking in the morning will get you hot and sweaty if you wear your stuff in. Save it for when you stop to start glassing.
I also have some sort of plastic sheet for a poncho. I went thru all the rain gear and none are wonderful for all uses.
Be able to carry lots of water (and drink it) or to make water up in the hills. Dehydration gets you sick. Carry a compass and a small flash light. . check out Barry's.. it is awesome.
posted
You also might want to check on some of the lightweight nylon clothing that is on the market. I still hunt in Microtex a lot of the time but after trying some quick drying nylon I can see where it has its advantages in early season in the high country.
Posts: 79 | From: East Waterford, PA | Registered: Oct 2007
| IP: Logged |
posted
I 2nd everything Mr Whip said in post # 3!!
ak.
-------------------- "No citizen has the right to be an amateur in the matter of physical training. What a disgrace it is for a man to grow old without ever Seeing the beauty and strength of which his body is capable." Socrates. Posts: 1889 | From: Mackay,QLD, Australia. | Registered: May 2004
| IP: Logged |
posted
Ditto on the warm weather in September. I've rarely worn anything other than cotton camo pants and long sleeve poly camo shirt, with camo fleece vest in the mornings. I wear thin, stretchy camo gloves, just for the concealment of the hands. One year though it rained for 9 days straight. Full rain gear all day.
My primary input is the importance of a good, higher (not ankle high), well broken in pair of Gore Tex equipped boots with good tread.
I wear a camo waterproof boonie hat, but headgear preference is very personal.
-------------------- BW PCH III
His servant Posts: 605 | From: Colorado Springs, Colorado | Registered: Jan 2010
| IP: Logged |
UBBFriend: Email this page to someone!
Printer-friendly view of this topic
