how difficult is it gettiing use to hunting in a ghillie?? are they overly hot??? what about string catching the ghillie???
if ya have pics please post 'em
thanks
i have made 3 ghillie suits in my life,and i would never recomend them for archery,there pretty much only good for guns
I hunt in a Ghillie all the time. Usually by the time season opens it's bearable to wear in the mornings and evenings.
Of course in the cooler part of the season it provides extra warmth.
A little trimming of the bow arm sleeve and left chest and you are good to go. No problems at all.
I use a Rancho Safari.
I've taken a bunch of critters while hunting in a Rancho Safari 3/4 length "Shaggie Suit", including several spot-you-in-a-heartbeat Eastern longbeards. They ARE effective IF you take the time to get use to shooting with them on. You will discover that some trimming will be necessary, plus there is a trick to slipping through the woods with one on, especially in the thorn infested places where I hunt.
Here's two photos of my Shaggie setup. The B&W image was taken while hunting a natural salt lick in the KY portion of Land Between the Lakes. I had a mature doe walk within 5 feet of me as I sat on a stool next to that blown down. The color photo shows how I've trimmed the areas around the armpit for string clearance.
(Note: Hit the F5 key to refresh the page if the photos fail to download.)
(http://logsdonstudios.com/shaggie1.jpg)
(http://logsdonstudios.com/shaggie1.jpg)
I cut the sleeves off at the elbows on the one i built because I got tired of it catching on my bow string.
After that I had no problems at all, and the critters don't seem to mind!
I am also looking into getting a ghillie...will keep an eye on this one
(http://logsdonstudios.com/shaggie2.jpg)
i got a question for you guys are they noisy when your are stalking in on a big stag eg. you are stalking on your hands and knees?
I purchased one of Big Jim's "Bush in a Bag." It is great for warm weather. It is based on some mesh material. Last fall when it was hot I hunted in shorts and a green tee shirt covered by the bush in a bag and stayed nice and cool. I had several does near me and they never knew I was there.
I have a bush in a bag also and love it.
The bush in the bag also rolls up nice and compact. Easy to carry to your stand.
I've got a bush in the bag on the way.....any advice for best using/modifying it other than trim bow arm/chest area if needed?
I made this with a Dickey's shirt, volleyball netting, jute and camo cloth. Haven't killed a deer yet while wearing it but have had a squierrel jump on me.
(http://i214.photobucket.com/albums/cc157/pactac/100_0326_opt.jpg)
I made one last year and used it, but here in NC early season was pretty hot with it on. Like stated above you better trim the hound out of it and practice, practice, practice so you are used to it. They can be fun to use but i never got comfortable hunting on the ground and had to resort to treestands some. I will give it a shot again this year and try to learn from last year and go from there. Good luck Chris
I have one. It is a Bush Rag model.
Already has the sleeves pre cut,is washable, and is made of a polyester mesh so it is very cool and lightweight.
I stalked almost 40 yards in broad daylight in an open field standing upright to within 25 yards of 5 feeding does in a TCS outfit from Cabelas. took 2 hours to move that distance. I was so excited about my stalk I shot under the deer.
Bottom line: stay down wind, break up your silouette and don't get caught moving.
Rancho safari here as well. Love it, hot, but love it. Wouldnt still-hunt without it. Turkeys seem to be especialy oblivious to it. Stalked to 8 yds on a flock last year and got my first bird with a bow(granted it was the perfect storm of events in some thick stuff). When I started thinking back, I've a had all sorts of close stalks on turkeys with it on. They dont seem to spook out of the county either. Just kinda feed away if they dont like you. Trim the arm, use an arm guard, and wrap a cord over the back of my neck and then under my armpits, around my back and tie on my chest. I think the samurai used to do something similar to free up some range of motion and keep the sleeves up on the arms.
As a bonus, I tie it around my rail(and let it hang down in front of my legs) on my treestand. If a deer picks you up, it is way less likely to spook if you dont move (in my experience).Great for those trees that you know are too visible but are too good to pass up. Guess they think its just a big ugly squirrel in his big ugly nest.
Good Luck
Nathan
I have one of the rancho safari's. I really like it but can't use it till it gets cold. With a little practice and trimming it is fine to shoot out of.
Funny how you really feel invisible when you're wearing it
I have one of the rancho safari's. I really like it but can't use it till it gets cold. With a little practice and trimming it is fine to shoot out of.
Funny how you really feel invisible when you're wearing it
I Also have the Rancho Safari. Wont hunt with anything else. I have the bdu longcoat with four seasons camo pattern. Had a hunter walk 5 feet in front of me and he never saw me.
I 2nd what Charlie said. They are a little hot, but I usually hunt pop up an natural blinds, I put mine on after getting there lot of the time. I know it helps keep bugs off better. I have had deer within feet of me, was sitting up against a fence covered in honeysucke and brush and a basket 8 pt walked right by me, and had a hen turkey come into a blind with me, looking for acorns she heard fall in, picked one up right between my feet!! I think this is possibly the best camo, ever for deer.
With the new lightweight synthetic materials available, there is no reason to be hot and wear burlap or jute suits.
Even the US army and marine snipers are switching to synthetic ghillies.
Virtually walked right up to this antelope...one of a group of four.
(http://www.tradgang.com/upload/charlie/antelopeclosestalk.jpg)
You fellows have been so helpful. I amlooking into getting one of these animals now, well I have been for some time,just been short on cash, have things to trade, just short on cash....hafta see what I can do.again,Thanks
redeemed,
Here's a link that may help. It's a how-to from Curt (aka GURU), on how to make your own. I'm still working on mine but hope to have it done by this fall to try out.
http://tradgang.com/noncgi/ultimatebb.php?ubb=get_topic;f=2;t=000113
Hope this helps, good luck.
I Made one this summer. Now I need to take the time to trim it.
Thank's for the tips y'all. Tying the cord around the back of the neck/chest is a great tip. It'll be way too hot to use a rancho safari here in Texas I'm sure so I'm glad I got the Big Jim's outfit.
Nice pic Charlie!
I have a asat leaf suit after many washings its still abit nosy for still hunting are the suits above quiet?
cheers
I use Rancho Safari's Shorty version (shortened sleeves, etc.) and trimmed some on the chest and use a compression type armguard with no problem. The abbreviated version works as well, IMO, as the long coat with less weight and bulk. Good hunting!! Todd
I know you did not ask about a leaf suit,
but it worked great for me while hunting Texas last year.
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/yononindo/Bowhunting%20Texas/IMG_2905_2.jpg)
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/yononindo/IMG_2290_3.jpg)
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/yononindo/IMG_2288_3.jpg)
(http://i929.photobucket.com/albums/ad132/yononindo/Texas.jpg)
Daniel
I bought the synthetic string material and tied hundreds of small "bundles" onto a miserable old crappy Leafy Suit... cheapie type. I hunted ground last year and had numerous deer very, very close in a small brush blind.
I bought their pants/hooded jacket combo this year but will need to do work on the chest/sleeve area.
With the pants, I'd never again try to "stalk".
You leave a trail a blind man can follow of material! :) And the amount of duff it collects is like combing out a long haired dog running thru nettles! :(
I now remove the pants and stuff in my pack when moving and just wear the top.
I often wear one very similar to Gary Logsdon's 3/4 length. I seldom stalk in it and mostly just sit on a stool, so the 3/4 length reaches the ground anyway. Mine is also a Rancho Safari but I had him make mine out of a lighter material camo. I chose Mossy Oak's Shadow Grass pattern which isn't as dark as some others. With the jute/burlap added it's an outstanding camo combo in the fall hardwoods, fencerows and weeds. As stated above if you trim up the left chest and sleeve there's absolutely no problem shooting a bow with it. One thing I'll mention is it's my opinion the shaggie hat is the most important part of the suit (plus a good facemask). It eliminates the appearance of a head sitting on a predator's shoulders. I also try to position my ambush spot with minimal backlighting and prefer either a pit, creek or a tree well to keep my profile low. You need to be very aware with the winds but when it all comes together it's a total rush. I'd much rather kill one buck at eye level than four from an elevated position.... well... on second thought.. maybe not. Ha. But it is really fun. BW
I also use the Rancho Safari longcoat. Here is a deers eye view of one set-up.
(http://i15.photobucket.com/albums/a378/jackdenbow/Groundhuntdeerseyeview.jpg)
I just HAFTA have one....any for trade or cheap out there....?????
I bought a Ghillie poncho for my wife to go along with her Huntmore chair. I sat out in my back yard and yelled at my neighbor who walked past me twice in broad day light without seeing me trying to figure out where I was. I was just sitting on the Huntmore on my patio cement with my back up against my raspberry patch. They must work. Oh, one more thing, he screams like a girl.
Pavan..too funny, I was fine until I pictured the scenerio, then I almost wet my shorts laughing!!
:laughing: :laughing: :laughing:
:laughing: That would of been a riot to see. Now I need a ghillie suit.
I am going to use mine this season....Sportsman's guide that I modified. I can keep the left sleeve out of the way with rubber bands but hit my left chest. any suggestions? I was thinking safety pins ...
Try the single wrap of cord that I talked about in my post Kuch, I think it'll be just the ticket for you.
Nathan
I love the comradaree on here, you guys are great!!!!!
Toecutter,
I wonder if one of those bino harnesses would do the same thing?
I've been wanting to get one of those harnesses for oh...20 yrs but never spring for it and they just keep getting more pricey...Imagine that! :)
Nathan, I'll try that, especially if it will make me feel like a Samurai
Magnus told me the other day that the bino straps are perfect.....I'm like you Doc....been meaning to get one of them for a long while. Gonna have to do that to go with the Bush headed my way.
I bought one earlier this year. Haven't used it yet plan to this fall.
I need to get it out and trim it up and shoot some with it on. It's just been too hot to practice with it. I bought some extra bundles of material to ad here and there where needed.
Also picked up a bunch of fall colored synthetic leaves in a yard sale which I plan to incorporate into it!
I got the full length poncho it's about a foot too long! Or maybe I'm a foot too short! Oh Well!!LOL!
~HF~
I have used nothing but a ghillie now for 5 years; mine is an army issued one bought at a army surplus store; one just "disappears" when wearing it out in the woods; just wear less clothing underneath when temps are warm;
As far as the string issue, I just cut a sleeve off of a long sleeve camo sweat shirt and slide it over my bow arm; works perfect; the ghille will make a world of difference in your success; good luck this season.............. :campfire:
After reading this I trimmed mine up. I also took the advice here and tried my extra binoc shoulder harness worked like a champ. Even went shoot. One other thing I did was used tie wraps to hold back the strings in front my face. Now I can't wait to try it in the woods on a deer.
Yeah Doc, I think the binoc harness would work great(as a few folks already stated), I just don't have one (read as "too Cheap"). The length of 500 cord was perfect since I have a bunch and like Kuch said, It makes me feel like a samurai!!
One more thing I thought of is to tie the knot over your right chest to avoid the string catching it.
Good Luck all,
Nathan
I sure would love to see a video on hunting with ghillies, how about you guys?
This thread talked me into getting a bunch of Jerry's (Rancho Safari) suits lol (super nice guy that makes these in the USA). I hope they are as good as you all say as i'm keeping one for myself, now i can't wait for Sept 16th!
Really good thread.....hopefully many of us will have ghillie success stories to post up here this season.
Check out Marc Anthony from Illinois.
He is an excellent guy, exceptional mentor to children, and he has completely embraced and excelled immensely at the game of hunting big bucks on the ground with a ghillie suit and a bow.
In fact, he has taken more B&C Whitetail Bucks with a bow than ANY other person in the world.
Yet, he is extremely humble and will have a conversation with anyone.
He is the reason that I started using a ghillie 4 years ago.
I too will be spending time in a Rancho Safari longcoat this year.
Just washed mine in the tub and hanging outside to get the stink off. when it dries,will try the "Samurai sling"
Tried the Samurai sling and the wal-mart stool.Works perfect. I'm ready but still smells. I'm keeping it in a tote with earth wafers 'til it's time to act like a bush.
Heres a black and white one and a color one. I was just sitting in my Double Bull Magnum chair. Its the Rancho Safari Longcoat with Boonie hood and face mask.... A really nice system.
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00063-1.jpg)
(http://i303.photobucket.com/albums/nn125/frassettor/DSC00059-1.jpg)
I scraped up some leaves and dirt with my boots and laid the suit in the depression, then covered it up for a few days. Was pretty grungy, but gave it a good shake and let dry on the line for a few more days (somebody on here gave me the technigue if i remember correctly). Still smelled like burlap to me, but the deer didnt seem to mind.
Had an 8 pointer circle down wind of me and sniff my butt when I was on all fours waiting for him and his ten point buddy to walk by me. I had zero ground cover and no trees larger than 3" around me. They were walking right at me and got to about 25yds before they noticed the odd looking lump that was WAY out of place. So the 8 circled around while the 10 stood in place and he came right up wind and sniffed me. I was pretty damn scared he was gonna stick me on principle for wasting his time. WHen he got a good nose full he took three or four bounds and stopped, then slowly walked away. The 10 followed and never got within 20yds. The funniest part was seeing my green zwickey no mercy, bouncing on the shelf of the bow from being down on my knees and elbows for so long and not being able to move. Pretty damn sure he had to see that as he was looking over my back and shoulders.
I will carry that memory until the very end!
Good luck Kuch, thanks for making me think of this again :)
BTW, I was also using Deer Dander a LOT those days and would have to say that stuff was like magic. Have still bought it the past two years and I notice the aroma is different. Deer dont seem to like it anymore either.
Nathan
I was out practicing in my Rancho Safari today, good tip on the bungee cord Toecutter! It really helped with string clearance. Shot from all kind of positions with a 66" longbow and no snags.
does anyone know where ya can buy burlap by the roll??
im in the same boat as you redeemed.
Try places like hobby lobby in the material section. I bought a kit from ghilliesuits.com and custom picked my colors. I went this route because I didn't want the mess of unravelling then dyeing it. also when I made it I made it to fit how I like and mAde sure my knots were tight.
Thanks swamprat...I been thinking about that, fact is, I been thinking about different ways to do this. I appreciate all you guys and your willingness to help out a fellow-stick-bender!!!!
Ghillie is the way to go- started yesterday and made one up over the course of a couple of days. It is great! Was shooting some today and have no string issues, and man does it work! almost unbelievable how well really- it is outside airing out currently. I wish my dang computer would let me upload the pics I have of it, I would like to share the process here- though I pretty much followed the guide off of the how to section.
L.R.
redeemed! Some of the farm stores have burlap potato sacks you can purchase .Cheap! For Rancho suit for the loose leaves on the chest , use liquid stitching glue,and glue them down.(dress store) For the loose leaves on the arm steal(borrow) your wife's(girl friends)pantyhose trim the leg off and pull it up the arm to retain the loose leaves. The ideas for the glue and pantyhose were my wife's,and they work. Maxx
It took me about 19 hrs to make my suit. That's a lot of knots paw paw.
I am thinking I have 7 hours into mine? 2 days worth, it is only a shirt though, not super long. the front half hangs down to the top of my knees-
L.R.
so, question of the ages..not really I just wanted to get your attention..ha ha
anyway, can I/ will the plastic "burlap" bags work, being that they wouldn't hold the smell??? I see the only problem maybe with dying to the correct color???? food for thought...
If it ain't broke don't fix it. All ghillie suits will be hot, attract bugs, attatch itself to every leaf and twig in the woods. It is getting close to the season. Put together a suit and start Practiceing with it.
I found some camo burlap at ace hardware around my way.