Fieldcraft Ghillies for hunting

[sdb777]

Was wondering if anyone would like to share pictures of their ghillies that are used in the field for hunting 'animals'(not the two leg type)?

I generally bow hunt from trees in Central Arkansas and I only have the one suit(consists of a jacket and half leg pieces). As a combat ghillie needs just the back{well mostly the back} for concealment, the tree hunting guy needs to be covered front and back.

I am planning on another build soon, but would like to find something that not only blends with a hardwood/pine tree. But would help more with the sky? Some of the best trails I've seen would put me in a tree that has very little structure hanging. In other words, I'd look like a big bump on the side of the tree! Not cool!!

Question to the crowd:
#1: What could be used on the side of a tree to help blend the suit into the background(sky)? Remember, I need to be able to draw a bow and not contact the string during the shot!
#2: I use bags for carrying duck decoys as a base to make the suit(super lightweight and breatheable-try it)....is there anything that looks the same, but weights less?
#3: Burlap/jute....who has the best deals on about 15lbs of jute?

I'll get a picture of what I'm using now posted by tonight.



Scott (what do you use) B

 

[brutus1776]

Re: Ghillies for hunting

i just built a g suit like you are describing for my father in law for bow season. he gave me a pair of some sort of commercial/hunting camo'ed uniform and i covered it front and back. that thing is going to be WAY hotter than any standard sniper style suit. i made sure to keep the burlap short for him, even though he wanted it long. i told him he would thank me when he isnt hanging on everything in the woods getting to this stand. we'll see how it works out though.

i dont have pics. personally think a g suit is over kill for deer. my family used to wear nothing but flannel shirts and bib overalls hunting in the southern mountains their entire lives.

best deals on burlap are at walmart or joann fabrics. a 40-50% off coupon helps at joann fabric. 3 yards is usually enough a trad. sniper style suit on med bdu's. maybe 4 or 5 if you put it on super heavy. but i like it light.

 

[Ghillie Zen]

Re: Ghillies for hunting

+5 on what Brutus said. A full cover suit can get freakin' hot in a hurry, not to mention that frontal coverage for bow hunting can be problematic from a functional standpoint.

The other thing to consider is texture. Jute and burlap work really well on the ground, but in the trees, the appearance of jute strands can look out of place. If you do choose to go with jute coverage, take Brutus's advice and keep the length short, really short.

Not big on synthetic suits, but for your application, something like the Cabelas leafy camo is going to be far more visually effective in the trees and a hell of a lot lighter and cooler.

 

[bwatson8541]

Re: Ghillies for hunting

I just saw something at gander mountain last weekend that might suit your needs. it was a leafy suit tops and bottoms, and the base material was like mosquito netting. very light weight, breathable and compact. Just throw it over what ever you got on and change base layers depending on the weather.

 

[He Shoot Me]

Re: Ghillies for hunting

I'd love to use a Ghillie for hunting simply because it blends in so well....BUT....With all the yay-hoo's out there hunting these days there is no way in God's green earth I'm putting one on during deer season. LOL, I can just hear the thoughts of some a-hole who sees me walking back too the truck...."Look Jim Bob it's Bigfoot....Quick shoot'em and we'll be on the TV Box...ahhaahaahaa.

-Pat

 

[sdb777]

Re: Ghillies for hunting

Thanks for the replies, and the advise.

I currently hunt private ground and no one else is going to be there other then a lifelong friend. We'll be in radio communication during the hunting hours. Luckily, bow season is seperate from muzzleloading/highpower rifle, or I could see the whole Bigfoot thing happening.

What, if any, way is there to lighten up the fabric to better match the sky? I'm drawing a blank.....



Scott (I'm ugly, but no Bigfoot) B