I was wondering if anyone here wears a ghillie suit for hunting? And if so could you give me your opinions on it. I've worn them before while in the Corps and that style wasn't too comfortable. But I had saw several model geared toward the bowhunter and have been considering getting one.
Being in the corp you should be able to make your own... just remember less is best... You will also have to cut smaller pieces where the bow string passes. I'm going to sew some wool cutting to an old shirt to ghillie it up some.
Last year I hunted some wearing a Shaggie Longcoat. I liked it a lot and plan to use it more this year as these old bones don't like climbing trees as much as they used to. Here is a deer's eye view of one of my set-ups.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/jackdenbow/Groundhuntdeerseyeview.jpg)
I got one from Cabelas and after trimming to clear the bow string it works great.
I have a Rancho Safari suit. I hunted in it some last year and during this years turkey season. One doe caught me moving, turkeys didn't notice me at all.
I have the light weight version and it is still too hot to hunt in if the temp is over 60 degrees.
Ok so some trimming will be in order? That was one of concerns.
mysticguido, yeah I have made them before, but I just dont have the time it takes to build one.Thats why I am considering buying one. I need all the edge I can mustersince I'll be on public land this year....lol
Thanks for the replies.
I have the Rancho Safari short coat and found that to be enough, and much cheaper. Yes, definitely trim the arm. I thought I had done enough but missed a turkey this spring when my string caught a strand. Also take in consideration wind. Those strands that are out of the way on a calm day may be reaching into your string when the wind is up.
I had a Rancho Safari that I had used a little last year. Was planning to use it much more this year, but someone broke into my cabin and stole it and lots of other stuff about a month ago.
be careful on state land here in jersey.... if the bears don't get you thinking your there new mate, the non-trad hunters will....
Check with www.arkansasquartermaster.com, (http://www.arkansasquartermaster.com,) they have a light weight one that you can get in woodland and desert camo. I have one of each, one for early season and one for late season hunts. A little trimming and they work great. They are a little cooler as the base is a mesh and no other liner. One hint though, get suspenders for the pants.
Hey Dave,
I have one of the Rancho Safari ghillies (bought it used for $100). It is the pants, top and boonie hat type of set. It is made up of strips of non-cotton (or cotton blend, definitly not 100% cotton) camo cloth. I am pretty tall so the jacket is not as long as I like, but it works just fine.
The non-cotton cloth doesn't soak up in the rain too bad. As far as effectivness, I think it is hard to beat. Even compared to a blind.
I have several spots in the woods where I hunt, that I already have a few dead branches stacked around to sit in. Not a full brush-blind by any means, just a good spot with some front cover and a backdrop. I have done well with this set up.
Here is a picture of my suit in action. This is actually my niece. We were taking turns wearing it and doing a little hide and seek.
(http://i103.photobucket.com/albums/m150/OkKeith/untitled.jpg)
We have one really large field (80 acres) with several little wetlands in it where we hog hunt and shoot a few ducks. The grass is anywhere from knee high to over head high and the outfit works well there too.
I have a buddy who bought one of the cheapy string material type of ghillies, and he wasn't to happy with it (I think it is made more for wanna-be paintballers). It was sparsely made and the jute string is heavy dry, and unmanageable wet.
Guess what all the rambleing adds up to is, they work VERY well for me. I managed to luck into a very high quality set for a good price. After having used one for 3 or 4 years now, would I buy one for full price? Knowing what I know now, you bet!
I think the Rancho ones are the best quality, and (I think) they actually make the Cabela's brand. Another buddie bought the 3/4 jacket so he wouldn't have to mess with pants and has really liked it.
Hope this is type of info you wanted.
OkKeith
Thanks for the info all, I think I am gonna go with a shaggy from rancho safari? But I am not totally positive.
Up here, Maine Military Supply has two models. I finally wore out my old one that I made at Benning, so I'll probably make another for this year. I just hate the thought of "breaking it in". I'm not as young as I was the last time, LOL.
Forgot the link: https://www.mainemilitary.com/productcart/pc/viewPrd.asp?idcategory=38&idproduct=98
They're good folks to deal with and have a LOT of stuff.
I wear a 3D camo leafy suit thing. I like it because it's quiet, by itself it's lighter weight than a pair of jeans (so it's nice for warm weather), I can wear a bunch of warm stuff underneath it, and it costs about as much as any other set of decent camo pants and jacket.
Plus it looks cool. :D
Dave, I have a 2 piece Synthetic Ghillie,
It looks similar to the one in Cabelas, it is made of string instead of burlap strips.
It is a great suit so far, no see-um screen material against the skin with netting sewed to that. Totally bug proof.
The strings are tied to the net.
The biggest drawback is it HANGS ON EVERYTHING!
Not a great stalking suit if you have thorns or vines.
Check out Miles Tactical online, my suit costs $139.00, they have other models including a bow hunter that has no string material on the bow arm and across the chest.
Hope this helps,
John
Dave,
Miles Tactical web site is www.theghilliesuits.com (http://www.theghilliesuits.com)
John
I bought a Bushrag kit. Go to Bushrag.com Light weight synthetic material mix and match to blend to your location. Kit was eay to put together and of resonable cost. Have used it two seasons now and when ground hunting its my go to set up. Used to use a blind alot but use th Ghillie now.
Just curious. How many have been close to deer and actually shot deer while wearing a gillie?
I've killed 2 deer, while wearing my Rancho Safari ghillie...one at 17 yds, and the other at 10! Plan on killin more this fall with it!!!
hey jack denbow, thats you on the left isn't it? LOL
I killed a buck last year from the ground at 15 yards, he never knew I was there, good wind and good background both are needed. Good luck, you wont be sorry.
T
Thanks again guys..
Now I am stuck I came up with an idea of making one from the kits they sell, but like I said earlier I don't think I have the time....dang decisions decisions.
For you fellas that use'em do you let the suit weather (keep it outside and dirty it up) before using?
If you don't have time to make one, ya cain't go wrong with the Shaggy Longcoat, from Rancho Safari. I hang mine out to air out a couple days ahead of my hunt, but don't dirty it up...just hunt the wind, you'll love it!!!
I have and use the one from Cabelas. It is made of mesh with strands of material so it's not too hot during the early season. I have tha jacket with hood and the pants.
Remember to wear a face mask or if you wear glasses use some camo face paint or burnt cork on your face. Remember to wear gloves or camo your hands with burnt cork or face camo paint.
Move slowly and remember to use the wind in your favor.
I've had turkeys inside of 5 yards from me that knew nothing of my sitting there.
fellas, Ive killed critters from the ground mainly hogs and a few of deer but if this thing works on turkeys like you`ve said I gotta get one. That blind I have works but is not very mobile and is more aggrevating than tote`n a tree stand.RC
i was thinkning about doing a guille build along. if ne one wanted to make their own. it may take a few days to get my jute in but its do able
Dave,
I keep mine in a waterproof dry-bag (like you would use canoeing or rafting) and stuff in some dried leaves and red cedar branches. I also use the little scent wafers with the dirt smell. When I am not wearing it I just stuff it in and seal-up the bag. This keeps it free of bad scents (DON"T put one in wet, let it hang and dry in a tree. They can get really funky!) Once or twice a year I dissolve some baking powder in a washtub and let it soak a while. Dump the tub, refill with fresh water and rinse it out. I let it hang dry in a cedar tree out back then put it back in the sack. I have shot several deer, turkeys and some hogs with mine.
RC,
They work very well on turkeys! When I first started using mine I was letting the birds get TOO close and couldn't draw without spooking them. Even then, they would skitter out a little and turn around to try and figure out what I was. Now, they get within 20 yards, I whack'em. The trick to it is, don't allow your arms to come too far away from your body. This minimizes any "daylight" to highlight your movement.
In the early season when the leaves are still thick on the trees, I will even use the jacket and boonie hat in the treestand.
Recurve 50lbs is right on though, ya gotta have face and hand cover though. A round shiney face sticks out like a flashlight beam. Unless you want to really use a lot of face paint (ears, back of the neck, under the chin, etc.) I would recomend a pull over your head type of face mask. I use one of the tight spandex type so nothing dangles in my face.
OkKeith
I try to have my wife trim mine in the areas which might snag the string...when she's in a good mood, of course :D
I had Rancho Safari make me up one of the 3/4 length coats because I'm not tall and usually sit on a stool when hunting with it.Works great. I had them make me up the lightweight undercoat with a combo of string and burlap and the lighter weight Mossy Oak Shadow Grass pattern material. Some of the other materials appear too dark for me whereas the Shadow Grass is perfect. OkKeith above pretty much has it nailed. Cut away the longer materials from anywhere your bowstring might touch. I tend to sit on a little stool and prefer to keep low, get into a tree-well, make sure you have a good wind obviously and always have good background for no backlighting. I also wear a Spandoflage face mask. And frankly the hat is probably the most important part of the suit to eliminate the head on the shoulders human shape. I've killed several deer, hogs and a coyote with mine. Very effective and fun. BW
I meant to mention, in our original 2 hour version of the Primal Dreams DVD there's a segment of me wearing mine. I'm standing in some brush against a tree. I've had many people comment on how they were blown away with the effectiveness of the camo. It's impressive because about all you see is my bow moving. When considering most game doesn't see color the same as humans, it will give you an idea how effective it can be in the timber if you're conscience of your movement and the wind. bw
Sold my Rancho, I still got made by smart old mama deers and it got hung up on stuff ripping the cloth off the suit, all the dang time.
I have had turkeys nearly walk over my feet with a combo of digital woodland and predator so I see no need to wear the likes of the ghille.
Paul
QuoteOriginally posted by Barry Wensel:
Very effective and fun. BW
Yep and Yep!
QuoteOriginally posted by Barry Wensel:
I meant to mention, in our original 2 hour version of the Primal Dreams DVD there's a segment of me wearing mine. I'm standing in some brush against a tree.
That was You Berry? wow You looked like a big bush...LOL... How You been I hope all is well
Out in the open NO COVER, septin a SHREW
(http://i35.photobucket.com/albums/d171/IronBull_/Gilly_Trial_e_06.jpg)
Guido: Yep.. that was a Berry Bush. Ripe and ready for the pickin'. bw
I own the Rancho Safari "longcoat" ghillie. I killed my first book deer from the ground wearing this ghillie.
It is heavy and way too hot for early season. I usually do not put it on until I get to my ground stand site.
I've had deer within three feet of me on the ground. They work!!!
John III
Rancho jacket, hat and face mask. I think all three pieces are needed to be camo'd. The instructions say you can "trim" the bow arm or do like the guy who makes them and hack every piece of hanging stuff from the inside of your bow arm sleeve. I tried trimming - still sometimes caught the string. Did the complete hack removal and it worked great with no loss of camo effect. Like BW said, the hat is the main piece, wear it even though it cuts your peripheral vision.
Awesome fellas..I really appreciate all the info
I`m sold. I`m gonna start shopping for one.RC
Thanks for the memories Vance.....
I remember last year trying to slip into those mulies before the storm, and that antelope buck walked right up to me even though I was STILL slipping! Too bad I didn't have a lope tag.
Robert....get the light weight version if you can. Much lighter and cooler.
Have had a Rancho Safari vest for about 3 or 4 years and love it. It also has a hood. Aside from the smell (it needs a good hand washing) the only thing I don't care about, but is almost unavoidable, is it's a burr magnet, and briars will tear it up.
One windy autumn afternoon, from ground level, I launched every arrow in my quiver at 5 longbeard gobblers in corn stubble. They'd either jump or duck the arrow...8^) Zipping arrows didn't seem to spook them much in the wind and they didn't even know I was there until swearing aloud while approaching to retrieve my arrows...8^)
I went with the vest because of string clearance. I don't know if he still makes them, matter of fact; don't know if he's making anything anymore. Heard his place burnt last year during the Southern Cal wildfires. Anyone know it he rebuilt?
Iron Bull - The person behind ya taking the picture have one on too?
The hat (boonie) does take a little getting used to. I sewed a smallish snap to the brim just over my right eye(right hand shooter) so I can snap the brim up and out of the way. It doesn't effect the camo with a face mask on and you don't have the annoyance.
OkKeith
My Rancho Safari works like a charm!
(http://www.brothersofthebow.com/othergame10.jpg)
Ive been using my homemade ghille for the last 6-7 yrs, and there's nothing like it for getting close to game....only problem is birds trying to land on you...lol
I made mine with military sniper veil netting and various manmade camo material strips. Its light, doesn't soak up water, and doesn't effect my alergies, like burlap does.
The one I had before I lost it somewhere???? Well, I just trimmed alittle off the chest and sleeve. Then used a leg off a pair of panty hose to keep everything on my sleeve down...
Hint... Don't let your wife find ya digging through her underwear drawer. She looked at me strange for a few days.... :readit:
What about fire retardant? Do you need to spray these down? Where do you get it? How do you get rid of the smell? Inquiring minds want to know!
I don't wear mine around a fire.....and the burlap is a natural smell.....no need to worry about that...if they smell the burlap, they done smelt you....and its YOU they don't like.
zbone... I was the cameraman and yes I had on a Ghillie. We basically walked right up to that antelope single file.
Didn't move when it was looking, but it really didn't do much looking.
Ghillies are majic. Best camo you can use.
Here's a thread on how I modified mine:
http://tradgang.com/cgi-bin/ultimatebb.cgi?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=050843
And the results:
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=1;t=052515;p=1
I can't wait to try it again!
Bill
Thanx Charlie
Just add the Martha Stewart Wreath to your bow and most of your arm movement when drawing is concealed...Doc
(http://img.photobucket.com/albums/v110/tippit/VermontTurkeyHunt.jpg)