Ghilli suit reccomendation?

[Gdpolk]

I want to try ghilli suits this fall.  I'm open to commercially available and/or homemade options.  Budget is $300 or less; the cheaper the better though.  Ideally it would not be hot as it will likely be used mostly early season for me and I live in Arkansas.  What do y'all recommend?

[arrow30]

I use the one from red rock, I used camo paint and sneaky leaves to enhance it quite a bit.
 fairly cheap and well made. I cut the hood off and ghillied up a boonie hat to wear with it.

[Steve D]

Bush Rag bowhunter suit.

[OkKeith]

I have the Rancho Safari Shaggie... pants, short jacket and boonie hat. I bought it second-hand from a friend. I have zero hunting experience with other brands but the RS is top notch in my book. I have hunted in it for nearly 15 years and it has almost no wear and tear. I did have to trim some off the inside of my bow arm. I also have to tease out cockleburs or stick-tights occasionally but have to do that with fleece hunting gear as well.

Back when I was looking at getting one I did quite a bit of research on how they are made. The RS that I have is constructed of a good, strong netting base and strips of camo cloth. I read a lot on the raffia and swiss straw type suits and even handled a few. They were heavy (probably hot) and my thought was that they would be terrible in the rain, and they were all pretty stinky. I of course had a preconceived notion of what one was supposed to look like... from movies I guess. Initially the RS suit didn't fit that image until my buddy who was selling it said, "Keith, you are trying to fool DEER, not enemy snipers".

I wash the RS suit once or twice a hunting season to keep the scent down and keep it in a sealed, scent free bag with fresh cedar limbs. I have never been truly busted by a deer or turkey in it (except for stupid things I have done, like dropping my bow). Even when something catches movement they don't ID you as a person.

All this said... if I was to re-purchase, I would go with the Rancho Safari Shaggie Long Coat Bowhunter Deluxe. It has a hood (I am not fond of hoods, they never fit me and I can't see out of them to the sides) but would also get the boonie hat. I wear a camo face mask (thin in the warm weather, fleece in the cold) under the hat and it works great. This is the best option I have found for not effecting my anchor point and having good peripheral vision. If you plan on hunting on the ground while sitting on a stool you don't really need the pants. The Long Coat should drape down around your legs.

The RS isn't inexpensive. I guess it falls in the "buy once, cry once" category. On my first purchase I doubt I would have sprung for the one I have now as a new purchase. I was able to get the second-hand one at a really good price. If my suit ever does wear out or I just want a new one, I would certainly save my pennies and get a second Rancho Safari brand.

I can take some photos of mine if you like.

OkKeith

[Sam McMichael]

Making your own is not difficult, and it is a fun project. You do need access to somebody who can do basic sewing. Also, it is not expensive. Mine was actually sewn by my mother. She took a bath robe and replicated it in a camo pattern. Then we took camo burlap strips and sewed them to the shell. Velcro closures are used instead of buttons.

[1/4 away]

I have 2 light weight premium leafy suits that I bought from North Mountain Gear, one in woodland green and one in brown that work very well and won’t break the bank.

[mjh]

I bought a Bushrag Chamleon kit.  I'd buy it again.  Have used it many seasons.  Trim bow as necessary for shooting.

[carbonflyr]

do a search on this site,ghillie suit, subject only and you will get tons of info on all kinds of suits. if you decide to build your own i might be able to help. good luck either way!

[76Aggie]

I would recommend the Rancho Safari Long Coat as well.  Where I hunt in Texas is also very hot in bow season.  I have done some modifications to mine as suggested in video #4 of the Waldrop Pac Seat videos.  I believe these are excellent suggestions by Mr. Waldrop.  Mine is now sleeveless, slits down each side from armpits to the waist and a slit from the waist the bottom on the back side.  I trimmed a lot of the burlap and it is exponentially lighter now.  Without modifications, I could not possibly shoot a bow with one but have no issue now.

[David McLendon]

I use the Bushrag Marc Anthony Bowhunter suit, separate Jacket and pants. Sometimes I wear both and sometimes just the jacket, just depends what I'm doing.

[Pete McMiller]

I too have the Bush Rag Marc Anthony jacket and pants.  Unfortunately the jacket has been out of stock for several years.  I'd by a second one in a larger size and in brown if I could.  Also interested in the Chameleon as long as it isn't made with either jute or burlap.

[Gooserbat]

I wear an All Predator Calls Kill Suit.   It's lighter than a traditional ghillie.

[Gdpolk]

I wear an All Predator Calls Kill Suit.   It's lighter than a traditional ghillie.

This one looks particularly nice being made out of all mesh with mesh strips.  I'm definitely going to have to try one of these out.  I may well buy more than one from a couple folks and try a few out before I settle on a keeper.

[Bill Turner]

Rancho Safari long coat. Pants are a pain. Get the special that includes long coat, hat and mask. Practice shooting in it when it arrives. Trim arm and chest area as needed. There are some lighter ones available but for overall quality can't beat Rancho Safari. They run large so talk to Racho Safari direct if possible. They might have size recommendation on their web page. Good luck. Great addition to your ground hunting arsenal.

[David McLendon]

The Marc Anthony suits have mesh strips as well as the jute, when I first got mine I had it hanging outside getting ready to spray it with Permanone. It was sunny and breezy that day and as I was walking out to it I noticed as it turned in the sun and breeze that the mesh strips had some sheen to them depending upon how the sun hit it.
 I stood there looking at it and thinking about it for a minute or so and thought about my Layout Goose blinds, they have a sheen to them too and we mud them and let it dry and then broom them off as needed to dull them.
 So I mixed up a joint compound bucket with a loose batch of mud and dunked that suit pretty thoroughly and hung it out to dry. When it dried I beat it with a broom and shook it out really well, it dulled and changed the whole look of it in the woods. It really blends and I have done it before season ever since.

[Gdpolk]

The Marc Anthony suits have mesh strips as well as the jute, when I first got mine I had it hanging outside getting ready to spray it with Permanone. It was sunny and breezy that day and as I was walking out to it I noticed as it turned in the sun and breeze that the mesh strips had some sheen to them depending upon how the sun hit it.
 I stood there looking at it and thinking about it for a minute or so and thought about my Layout Goose blinds, they have a sheen to them too and we mud them and let it dry and then broom them off as needed to dull them.
 So I mixed up a joint compound bucket with a loose batch of mud and dunked that suit pretty thoroughly and hung it out to dry. When it dried I beat it with a broom and shook it out really well, it dulled and changed the whole look of it in the woods. It really blends and I have done it before season ever since.

Fantastic tip! Thanks!

[MnFn]

I have a Rancho Safari long coat, hat and mask. I modified it by cutting two slits in the armpit area so I can let the sleeves hang empty to the side or use the sleeves.

I have had two very close encounters.  One a nice 4X4 came straight at me and then slightly veered off behind me. When he finally got down wind he stopped about 15-20 yards behind me I could see he was trying to locate me but didn’t see me until I moved too much. So if you have wind in your favor they work amazingly well.

[bigbadjon]

This subject came up a few months ago and gave me an idea. I still think for hunting just breaking up your outline is effective. I took ann Ameristep 3D poncho and trimmed away all of most of the front and about 1/2 of the back. This leaves me with a cowl that covers my head shoulders and arms plus a leafy short cape that would also break up my profile from the side. I also shortened some of the remaining material from the shoulder and chest to clear the bow string. You just have to search your soul to see if you can cut up a $100 piece of gear. With some sneaky leaves added I think this is the ultimate light weight set up.

[David McLendon]

You just have to search your soul to see if you can cut up a $100 piece of gear.

Yep that's a fact, the first few times I went out to shoot  with mine on, the scissors went with me, and then later I tied in some additional material in other areas. It's also beneficial to remember the area where you'll use it, what looks killer in your backyard may stick out like a sore thumb in your hunting area so be prepared to add some material from your chosen hunting area or spot. You don't want to go crazy with that but it does make a difference at times.

[T Sunstone]

I wear an All Predator Calls Kill Suit.   It's lighter than a traditional ghillie.

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