What are you guys using in thick brush? My company moved me to Alabama so I'll be hitting the public land around the Huntsville area and man is it thick around here. I'm used to fairly thick woods in southern Indiana but it's a different world down here. My usual first light pants are getting torn to shreds while scouting. What clothes do you guys like that don't get ripped so easily?
In the early season I roam around south East Tennessee in my old BDU pants, as the season progresses I wear thick long johns under. When that doesn't cut it I go to my insulated carhart overalls. Sometimes I wear typical carhart overalls(uninsulated) out in warmer weather too. They are kinda loud and not camo but they beat brush back and are very comfortable. I'm sure Berne or any other comparable overall with that material would do on a tighter budget.
Hope that helps.
2x ^^^^
I used to live and hunt in the NC and SC piedmont—very similar weather and terrain as Huntsville. In early season I don't think there is a good answer because it's too hot to wear pants that won't get shredded. IMO, unless you want to overheat, I think you just have to deal with it. Early season in the SE is tough.
When I was younger denim during warmer weather, coveralls during cooler weather. I remember with a thick pair of carharts on you could bust through briars during wintertime as long as they were not too thick. These days I wear what most would consider Sunday britches during warm weather, {just a gray, brown or green pair of mud/blood stain slacks} Once it gets colder I usually have a set of wool bibs on. I think you will find that the briars/thickets are easier to pick a route through once it cools off and the green dies back, until that time best bet is to just go around if possible, be mindful of chiggers and ticks. Once cold weather gets here It gets a lot easier but watch out for cockleburs if wearing wool or soft clothing they can cling too. I like a boot that comes up my calves a ways to stuff pant legs in also. Also keep in mind that no matter how well you mark your trail to an area you want to hunt, It is very easy to get turned around in the dark traveling through thickets. Especially if hunting the flat land around the river where you can't use terrain features to guide ya.
I've got 2 pair of Brush pants, and a camo Carhart jacket that fends off the wild rose bushes pretty well
Inexpensive cotton camo hold up well enough and if you tear it up is no big deal. Cotton is quiet and the temps are warm so there's no need to worry about the lack of wet insulation. I would just roll with earth tone jeans and Tshirt for early season.
Kyle
We have very thick scrub oak brush no thorns but it will hang you up quick,,, ive had to belly crawl under the stuff several times to get around it of course the deer love it and the ticks thrive in it.....so you guys know how loud the brush is scraping on your boots and pants when your trying to sneak into your spot,,, get a cheap pair of fleece bottoms its as quiet as you'll get, pull em on over pants and boots then take off at stand or leave on.
For toughness and longevity a good pair of brush pants,, filson tin cloth pants or even carhartt heavy denim work pants.. its what works here.
We used to run coon hounds at night and I can hardly remember a night we weren't going through big green briar patches at least once. We never left the house without brush pants. Always wore them rabbit hunting behind beagles as well.
Good luck and stay safe.
No expert, but I just purchased western chaps for my niece from RODS in Ohio. Don't know if they'd work or not.
I've lived in georgia all my life.I have no clue what you're asking about.As my clothes do not get torn up hunting in the thickets. I'm not sure what material your clothing is made of but it shouldn't get ripped up in alabama either. Han, and any other clothes that anybody else does.And there's not a problem.
No need for new clothing
Find a pair of moleskin pants. Not too hot, very quiet, indestrucable.
I hunt in Central/South Alabama and I wear the Carhart pants from Lowes, and a wool jacket on the top. Sheds the briars pretty well, and inexpensive. Yeah, you'll still get a few briars but they work good. Early season, I will wear a flannel or a T-shirt. You may draw a little blood with the T-shirt.
I hunt hogs in South Georgia. The land is so thick it is a struggle to walk through it. My lightweight Kuiu pants did not hold up well. I bought a pair of Kuiu brush buster pants and the are nothing short of great. They a very light compared to other brush buster pants. Very flexible. Soft. Quiet! I can wear them in hot summer temps without overheating. Give them a look. A bit pricey but worth every penny!
You learn to go around that stuff. If you start thinking of deer as trout in a river and obstacles as boulders in the river and air as water, you'll either start to think this post is pretty weird or a light bulb will begin to glow.
Y'all who use Carhartt should check out Round House. Made in usa and lasts longer. The double front handles briars.