Following camouflage fashion – Ontario OUT of DOORS
As a kid, I was absolutely fascinated with my grandfather Ora Ellis’ hunting clothes. Gramps was a keen deer and moose hunter and dressed the part. He had thick, red wool pants with suspenders that were the most beautiful things I’d ever seen. On top, he wore a black and red checked jacket, which was the typical hunting gear of the day. My grandfather disliked hats, but usually wore a flap-style. As I recall, the one he wore was a shade of orange, but it was a long way from the fluorescent colour we see today. As handsome and striking as my grandfather looked, it is hard to believe that’s what he hunted in.
My first hunting clothing was a bit different than my grandfather’s, but typical of what hunters wore in the late 1970s and 80s. I’m of an age to remember when hunting clothing began to add camo to the mix. The original camouflage patterns came out of the Korean and Vietnam wars and weren’t necessarily great for the boreal forest. Unfortunately, some of the first camo hunting clothes were made of materials that were noisy.
Camouflage chorus
One time, in the mid 1980s, I remember trying to stalk a deer in my new camouflage jacket and pants. Every time I would move, my pants would rub together and make a very loud sound. Anytime I got near a deer there would be a loud snort and the sound of the animal crashing off into the woods. It didn’t take long to retire that clothing.
Fast forward 40 years and the hunting clothing available is radically different. Sure, there are still elements of the old-school hunting clothing around. For instance, you can still get wool hunting clothing and it remains a warm and quiet material. You can still find some old school camo patterns around, although they are more likely to be on clothes found at fashion stores like Old Navy.
The modern clothing game
Hunting clothing in general has changed radically from what my grandfather wore. There are fabrics available that are not only quiet, but warm. Another huge change is the breathability of hunting clothes. If you walked a lot in that old school clothing, you would sweat like crazy, then get cold. Today, many garments help wick moisture off your skin. This is especially helpful in base layer garments like undershirts, long underwear, and T-shirts.
Technique-specific attire
There are types of modern hunting clothing that are meant for specific tasks. For instance, there is literally a camouflage design for every season and every forest type. If you sit a lot, whether it’s in a tree stand or in a ground blind, you can get clothing tailor made for it. If you sit for long periods, you’ll want to wear hunting overalls. Also, if you sit wearing traditional pants, you’ll lose heat up your back and not be comfortable. However, if you’re stalking, you’ll want to have hunt pants with some stretch and a jacket that allows you to be nimble and not overheat. If you’re doing a mix of sitting and stalking, consider clothing that has reinforced backsides and knee pads. These extras allow you to kneel on logs and dirt for longer periods without discomfort.
One huge modern improvement is scent-proof or scent-absorbing clothing. Companies like Scentlok and Blocker Outdoors are leaders in this area, but there are other companies that make scent-reducing products. Some garments use charcoal in the fabric lining to absorb perspiration and your scent as you’re stalking or hunting in a stand. Many of these garments can be “recharged” in the dryer.
One thing I really appreciate about modern hunting clothing is the number of deep and zippable pockets. This is especially important today as most modern hunters are geared up. For instance, I carry ammunition and a compass, but also have a GPS or walkie-talkie, rangefinder, smartphone, and a safety device like a Garmin InReach. Check for pants and jackets that have deep pockets both outside and inside, where you can safely put a wallet, licence and keys.
Modern hunting clothes have also generally adopted oversized zippers. Large zippers allow for easy closing up the garment with gloves. If you are looking at a hunting jacket and it has zippers down the sleeves and down the back, those are for air circulation. That can be a significant help, especially if you’re a hunter prone to overheating.
Keeping your head warm
One welcome addition to modern hunting clothes is the large hood ― one that will go completely over your head. This keeps snow and rain from falling down your neck and wind off your face. Hoods also protect your ears and keep you much more comfortable overall. Keeping the heat in your head is critical. Modern wool caps or toques are much warmer than the old school models. If your head is warm, the rest of you will be warm too.
Hunting clothes are a key part of a successful hunter’s toolbox and there’s a lot of garments to pick from. Choose wisely and shop around before you drop your hard-earned money on new hunting gear. It will be worth the wait.
UPDATE YOUR ORANGE
If your orange gear is faded, you need to get some new stuff to stay legal. Most fluorescent vests and suits made in modern times are quiet and are not the noisy, nylon ones I remember as a young hunter.
Originally published in the Nov.-Dec. 2023 issue of Ontario OUT of DOORS