I want to get on the ground for some close encounters and will be purchasing the Rancho Safari longcoat. Besides the fact on trimming the inside of your bow arm, I was more or less looking for some tips on how to hunt in them. Should I put a tree in between the deer and myself? Do I need to still make myself a ground blind? Basically anything that you more experienced folks can suggest that would help this green horn out!
Make sure you play the wind right, keep face and hands covered, have good background cover and move ever so slowly.
Play the wind and keep movements slow... you'll be amazed. Have confidence in the Shaggy. You'll be invisible to the deer.
Three things: the wind, the wind, the wind.
Have the cover behind you, not in front.
Trim the bow arm sleeve, then go back and cut the rest of the dangly stuff off. You can cut every bit of the camo strands off the inside of your bow arm and still be invisible.
Practice shooting with the suite on. The face mask takes some getting used to, but it really helps make you disappear, so wear it.
I like to set up a deer trail ambush with a Torges tree seat. Deer absolutely can not see you unless you move suddenly.
I don't wear the supplied face mask. I have a lighter weight cloth camo half mask and it has worked fine.
I have found that I don't really need to even be hidden. When the leaves are down and only the oaks still have leaves, just standing in a wood lot had deer walking right past me. Yes. Trim almost everything off the darned bow arm sleeve (inside sleeve).
Also, Practice shoot with the hat on. I have found that leaving hangy down stuff on my right side is OK, but not on the left side ( I am right handed). I found that by sticking the drawstring from the hat behind my left ear, it keeps the hat turned around so it does not keep creeping and getting hangy downs in my way.
I have also found that by wearing lightweight waders under it (I hunt a marsh and some wading is required) It SEEMS to keep my scent down to nothing. I have had so many deer right up my butt this year I can't believe it.
I need to practice picking a spot again however...
ChuckC
Best advice you can give any still-hunter is SLOW DOWN...I don't care how fast you are going---YOU ARE GOING TOO FAST. Yes, you are still going to make some noise, but the idea not to sound like a human.
I stalked with 12 yards of a doe and a fawn the week before last...it is all about playing the wind and taking your time!
Might want to trim those shaggies at your chest. Mine get caught in the string too often for me to actually take hunting...but I'm working on it.
Just move slow and you are fine... Cover at the back is Always best (imho-the human silhouette is what the ghillie breaks up besides giving depth to camo...)... but if I can have a tree in front and back, I get away with a lil more...
What suits are you guys using, Home made, or is there one you would recommend.
As i want to do it on my next trip back to the Dark continent.
Thanks James
Don't be afraid to trim. Trim that stuff from the chest area, it doesn't hurt the effectivness of the suit. If in doubt, cut it off. You never know what sort of position you'll be in at shoot time and you don't want that stuff causing a miss or wound.
I actually cut away ALL the material from inside my bow arm except the cuff. (that is covered by my arm guard. What I mean is that I cut a big chunk of the sleeve completely away leaving a big hole in the arm from the armguard to above the elbow. Works great and no more string hangups.
They are very effective but they'll still see you move and you won't fool their nose.
It's also fun to scare the crap out of your buddies! :)
We need some pics of your suits guys. Ive been looking on the internet and to many types to choose from.
I wanted the Rancho Safari but I see they are having problems....I dont know what to do! :knothead:
If they are still in operation, I would like to purchase a second suit, in green camo.
ChuckC
Bush Rag makes a good one that has been recommended to me. I'll be getting This (https://www.bushrag.com/store/catalog/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=30) one before next turkey season. They also offer kits.
Guys : I could recomend a suit at half the cost of the bush rag . Pm me if you want more info :0) Drew
Got one from cheaperthandirt.com for about $69. Pretty decent for the money. Tried it a couple times thus far. All I can say is, don't get in the briar bushes.
I'm waiting for Rod at SafariTuff to get his finalized.
QuoteOriginally posted by wtpops:
We need some pics of your suits guys. Ive been looking on the internet and to many types to choose from.
I am a make my own type of guy... It's just easier to buy one... I however like that mine has the inside of the sleeves open (but I wear an arm guard as some hangs down... It's actually pretty cheap to do... but a little time consuming... I did mine in the off season after deer and before turkey...
I need to take some pics and if weather permits, I'll get my chief woodlands photgrapher (my 9 y.o. son) to accompany me into some woods so I can show some field shots...
But the best info I found was more towards military snipers but it is a treasure trove of info for those considering it...
GHILLIE WEB PAGE (http://www.geocities.com/stalker217/ghillie/)
I know nothing except I followed the guide lines for mine cept, I left the inside of arms bare and trimmed a lil off the chest... With and arm guard, it works great and I couldn't be more pleased with the effectiveness... I think it allows me a lot more movement when good set ups lack good concealment...
I'm waiting for Rod Jenkins to make me one too. Hurry Rod!! :goldtooth:
Allan
Don't move, sit as low to gronud as possible, and sit amongst stuff that looks like your ghillie suit. :D
About 10 years ago, I made my own ghillie long coat from a camo nylon decoy bag and burlap strips. It is OK, and has gotten me close to some game, but after many kinds of effort, the burlap still STINKS (kind of a funky petroleum odor).
After a LOT of research and reading user of reviews, I am considering investing in this one:
http://www.ghilliesuitclothing.com/product_info.php?cPath=21&products_id=52&osCsid=128b9bc5b3c358bb295bf2e46788162a
It looks to be light weight, scentless, and well designed. There are also a lot of good ghillie info links on this site in the lower right-hand corner.
If Rod Jenkins is closing in on getting a suit into the mix, I'd sure be tempted to wait and see what he's coming up with!!
Sure is an interesting alternative to ladder stands and standing corn...
Daryl
I notice that most of these suits have attached hoods.
The RS longcoat I've used for years does not. It has a seperate "boonie" style shaggy hat. I like this feature much better than the hood. The hat turns with your head so it doesn't ever obstruct your vision. I often just wear the hat and face mask without the longcoat when I plan to still hunt. The shaggy hat alone is pretty confusing to deer. I guess it kind of melts your shoulder/head profile.
I spoke to these folks and got to handle their "suit" at the big Harriburg PA sport show last Feb.
Their "suit" pants didn't have any leg openings at the cuff...which means you can't just carry it into where yo want to hunt and slip it on...without removing boots.
I have an old "leafy suit" that never really did the trick for me...too many gaps.
I've been toying with the idea of buying some of these folks synthetic "thread" for ghillie suits and adding to the leafy suit...
...and the ole leafy suit... it has slit cuffs t slip over boots!
Here's there material page: http://www.ghilliesuits.com/syntheticghilliethread.aspx
Spoke with Jerry at Rancho Safari just yesterday. California wild fire took everything from him in Oct. 2007. His web site is now up but not accepting internet orders at this time. Will be up and running full time shortly. I've played with a two piece leafy suit the last two years. Like the weight and ease of carry in my backpack but havn't really given it an honest shot. Mine has the zippered leg so it is easier to get in and out of, but personally think the long coat would be better. Looking to step it up a notch in 2009. The older I get the less I want to sit in a tree. :campfire:
I bought the Short coat from Rancho just before the fire. I like not having the strips on my leg, although the top does hang to about mid-thigh. Haven't noticed a problem with it yet. I've used it without the hood and just a mask because of hunter orange requirements and had success. Rolls into a small bundle that I carry in over my shoulder using the supplied shoulder strap.
(http://i2.photobucket.com/albums/y37/Talondale/Deer/DSCF5088.jpg)
i dont want to say buying a suit is a bad thing but you can just go to wall mart and buy some different kinds of fabric and stuff liek that for little less than 30 bucks but buying one is good too they are very hott thou keep ya warm
Pics of your ghille suits in action please.
I have a Rancho Shaggy suit and love it. I still hunt through the woods and like everyone has said, slow down and hunt into the wind. I usually scout an area so I know where and when the deer will usually be moving and it usually takes me around 4 hours to hunt 50 to 60 yards. If there is enough wind blowing I will move just a little faster.
Learn how to comfortably stand as motionless as possible for an extended period. I got caught in an open spot (10 feet from some brush) and spotted a big ten point. An hour and fifteen minutes later I finally got a shot and had eight deer wander through the area within 25 yards. It is hard to do when you have a sore back like mine.
I don't get a shot every time but it is a lot of fun. The best time I had was when a doe finally realized she was standing two feet away from a human. Her eyes got real big and then she blew snot on my leg when she went tearing out of sight.
Dennis
check out this Chewbacca one at the bottom of the page
$70 for any of these
http://www.king-cart.com/cgi-bin/cart.cgi?store=apc&product=Ghillie
I made mine long ago.
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/ocala_hunt_010.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/100_0757.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/ocala_hunt_010.jpg)
(http://i292.photobucket.com/albums/mm28/sendero25/ocala_hunt_010.jpg)
This suit works well but as others have said above I wish it didn't have an attached hood, it does block vision and the string material hangs on everything when you walk, if I get another it will be a long coat style.
I use a camo ball cap with the brim trimmed to about 2" to help "lock in" the hood. Make sure you trim any dangling material away from the anchor side of your face.
I wear my ballcap backwards and the bill keeps the hood back away from my face.
As a compromise, the ASAT leafy suit works well for me. Very light, scent free, easy to carry and shoot from.