Cabela’s Bowhunter Extreme Ghil Leaf Fleece top and pants.
Take a shot at hunting season fashion this fall
BY ALIESE WILLARD
Every year, autumn fashion trends brighten and wither with the falling leaves. But there’s one group of people whose clothing is never out of style: hunters. The fall hunting season triggers thousands of enthusiasts to don the most jarring shade of orange for safety during their wilderness escapades. Unfortunately for the fashion-forward, the orange is required by law (see breakout), but luckily there are plenty of safe and comfortable clothing styles to choose from.
Boyd Wild, owner of Archery in the Wild in Longmont, and Tyler Eberhardt, an experienced hunter and sales associate at Sportsman’s Warehouse in Loveland, gave these tips for dressing the part when hunting.
Lay it on Thick
Both hunting gurus recommend wearing layers of clothing for the hunt. Begin with a base layer, such as long underwear or a spandex material worn next to your skin. According to Wild, the base layer will wick moisture away from the body and keep you warm. Invest in a base layer appropriate for the time of the year and where you’re hunting.
Next is the mid layer. This can be as simple as a long-sleeved T-shirt or a flannel worn over the base layer.
“The key is movement,” Boyd says.
Now for the fun part: the outer layer. There are two options for serious hunters: blaze orange or camouflage. In general, if you are hunting for big game, such as elk, during a rifle season (even if your weapon is not a rifle), you must wear at least 500 square inches of solid blaze orange material on your torso, and your head. Sporting goods stores carry a wide range of the bright orange clothing, including jackets, vests, hoodies and hats.
Archers, small-game and turkey hunters don’t have to wear the orange, granted their seasons don’t overlap with rifle hunting. For these sports, camo clothing is ideal. Boyd says camo conceals your appearance, making your movement less visible to animals. According to Eberhardt, you can buy camo clothing that matches the environment you hunt in.
“The patterns depend on what kind of hunting you’re doing,” he says.
Happy Feet
Both Boyd and Eberhardt suggest finding durable boots, with a strong tread on the bottom, and appropriate insulation to keep your tootsies toasty. Look for brands that are water-proof as well. Eberhardt also likes a Merino wool sock to wick away sweat and let feet breathe.
It’s Raining, It’s Pouring
This is Colorado. If you’re a long-time resident, you know that our weather is as unpredictable. Bring some rain gear, such as plastic ponchos. And for that matter, you may as well bring snow clothing and hot weather attire.
Scent of a Woman
What would any good outfit be without some sort of appealing scent? For hunters, no scent is key. “You want to cover human body odor,” Boyd says. “The animals can smell you before they see you.”
Boyd likes to buy pine oil, mix it with water, and spray it on himself with a mister bottle to mask his scent. As for Eberhardt, he preps his clothes with human deodorizers, such as Scent Killer before he hunts.
“Put everything you’re going to take in a closable box, like a Rubbermaid,” Eberhardt says.
Finally, the key to safe hunting is experience. “If you’re new, hunt with someone who knows what they’re doing. And check out a pro shop,” Boyd says. Where you can talk to experienced hunters and stock up on blaze orange gear.
