Ghillie suit comparison

[sam barrett]

I'm going to pick up a ghillie suit and have narrowed it down to the Rancho Safari Longcoat or the Marc Anthony ghillie suit.  Has anyone happened to use them both?  I'm sure they're both high quality, but not sure which to get.  I like the idea of the one piece "poncho" style of the Rancho Safari, but like the idea of the lightweight of the Marc Anthony suit...just not sure if I want a two piece suit.  Thanks for the help!

[Snow Crow]

Can't comment specifically on those suits.

I can offer an observation:  I've found it most important to disrupt the head/shoulder area; then arms (think drawing motion).  Unless you're a foot fidgeter or need to make a big adjustment, like turning 180 degrees, I've found ghillie pants to be unnecessary.  In some cases they are counter-productive: they snag on everything if you are at ground level.

My next ghillie (DIY?) will be a cape/vest type integrated with hat or hood.


HTH

[Barry Winner]

I have the Rancho Safari Longcoat and love it! The quality is top notch.  I, too, debated whether to get the two-piece or the long coat.  Obviously I went with the long coat and I'm glad I did.  When sitting on a small stool or log, the long coat will cover me to my boot tops.  The long coat slips on like a poncho when I get to my spot.  I like that better than separate pants and coat.  The boonie hat that comes with the suit is amazing once you get used to it and, quite honestly, is probably the most important part for obscuring your predator outline.  

However, there is a learning curve to using one.  You have to make absolutely sure nothing will effect your shot. So I have their long arm guard and wear an archery chest protector to keep the material from interfering with my bowstring.  Also, I never walk around in the suit as it will snag on everything.  I pack it into my spot. For ground hunting, which I do 99% of the time, the suits are great.    Cannot comment on the Marc Anthony suit as I have never seen one in person.

[Pete McMiller]

I use the Marc Anthony and really like it.  I agree with the others that you really can't walk around with the pants on - picks up every twig, leaf, etc.  I have still hunted with just the jacket and that works great.  Even when I think I'm more visible than I would like, the animals and turkeys can't seem to pick me out.  I've had elk at 7 yds., deer at 3 yds, hogs at less than 10 yds. and turkeys at 3 yds.  and was only busted when I moved.  It really is an amazing experience.  It's one of the most important pieces of hunting gear I have.

[David McLendon]

Like Pete in the above post I use the Marc Anthony made by Bush-Rag and am in agreement about the pants snagging everything. When I use the pants I carry them in and wear them when stationary in a ground blind situation.
  Having coat and pants gives you the option of coat only and having the ability to be mobile without being a human ball of Velcro.

[David McLendon]

Double post...   :rolleyes:

[Sam McMichael]

I have two suits. One is home made, and the other was purchased at a gun show, made by a former special forces soldier. Granted, I don't use them often because they are so hot.

The home made suit was made by my mother. Essentially, she took a bath robe and duplicated it in a camo fabric. Then I took camo burlap and sewed strips about a foot or so wide on the suit. These pieces were then cut vdrtically, sort of like a fringe, into strips (after being attached to the "bath robe" base) that varied from 1 2/2 inch to bout 3 inches. These strips were sewn on, overlapping like roofing shingles. All closures are done in velcro. Leggings were also made this same way. I think this one is more effective than my other suit.

The "military" style is a standard two piece construction. All the covering is made of bundles of varying colors of twine. It works well, but I just like the one Mama made better.

If you sit still, you will disappear with either of the suits you are considering. Therefore, in my opinion, with whatever one you choose, you will become invisible. Just make those adjustments needed to handle the bow well.

In my opinion, the ghillie suit is best suited to stand hunting in ambush mode. Any kind of suit will get tangled in the thick stuff as you move around.

[ChuckC]

Rancho also makes a two piece f I recall correctly, so just the top is available.  I like my Rancho and have killed numerous animals while wearing it and watched uncountable more walk by, some missing stepping on me by mere feet.

I like the cloth swatch style, not the string style.  I cut off the entire bow arm ( at the elbow), so long arm guards are not needed.  I trim the stuff close on my chest on the bow side, so chest protector is not needed.

I have had several close calls wearing only camo or plaid while wearing the boonie style hat that comes with the Rancho outfit.  Breaking up my head and shoulders is an important thing I believe.  Maybe THE most important thing.

I think a ghillie suit, well fitted out and trimmed, is the next secret way for us to get close to animals, especially in those areas with few or no suitable trees to hide in.

I can hide in a harvested corn field ( for a while, till I cramp up).   Point is... they work, and they are not dependent upon trees.

[Bill Turner]

Haven't used the Marc Anthony but the Rancho Safari long coat is the Cadillac of guilli suits. I have tried other two piece guilli suits and hated them. The pants are a pain to get on and off with boots on while in the field. I use my long coat for ambush/stand style hunting only much like Sam McMichael above.

[sam barrett]

Thanks to everyone that responded!