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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: Chain2 on January 03, 2012, 04:36:00 PM
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I have hunted in Montana and Wyoming with a rifle. I have worn carhart or when it was very cold heavy wool pants. The carhart pants will probably be too noisy. What are you elk hunters wearing to crawl around the bush in? Thank you
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I just wear a pair of asat cotton pants. I wear longjohn if its cold in the mornin/night and take off during heat of the day. I also have a light pair of rain paints to pull off if the weather gets wet. Good luck.
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Do yourself a huge favor and get a pair of the Kuiu attack pants. This fall's elk hunt in Sept temps ranged from 70-25 degrees, sunny to snow, and never once was I uncomfortable. Only guy in Kuiu and the other three were wet/cold/too hot, whatever. I hunted hard for a week at 10000ft. and it was like you took the wind, temperature and precipitation right out of the equation.
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Depends entirely on where and how you hunt. I hunt in extremely rugged country and camp high. I prefer Sitka Ascent pants or even their 90% line if the temperature really drops. I cannot speak to wool pants for the high mountain hunting situations I generally find myself in, although I would have to imagine they are quite hot. If you are hunting lower elevations during September or are sitting at water holes, I am sure the wool pants are fabulous. I cannot speak to Kuiu, although they should perform similarly to the Sitka which lends them my vote.
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Kom bunlight handle any weather from hot to snowy,you breath too.If it is too much cold add some long johnS!
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Cotton pants for hot with thermals and a light rain pant for cold and wet days. If I was hunting out of a back pack Kuiu or Sitka would be more of a priority.
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Sitka Ascent pants are perfect for any early season hunting where climbing is involved. They wick moisture, dry incredibly fast, and stretch with you as you climb.
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WOW !
"and it was like you took the wind, temperature and precipitation right out of the equation."
If only they had a guarantee to match that...
When are the wool guys going realize there is a huge demand for light weight wool shirts and pants? Lots of early season hunters out "West".
Bob
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I wear carharts early season and also late season. Merino wool longjohns underneath. If I get warm, I can take them off and put them in my pack. Right now hunting bulls in January, I am wearing 2 pair longjohns with some lightweight cotton snow camo pants. Dang, yes I am wearing whites for this late season hunt. (I don't have any white plaids, yet) (I hate camo)
Spending a couple hundred bucks for a designer pair of pants make no sense to me personally.
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Originally posted by NBK:
Do yourself a huge favor and get a pair of the Kuiu attack pants.
x 2.
That's what I wore pretty much all of Sept. this year and they were great.
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I wear Sitka mountain pants they work great
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You might consider German wool knickers and knee high knitted wool socks!
I've used it several times when getting sheeps down from the mountain in the autumn.
It is easy to get wet on the lower part of the legs and instead of walking around in wet pants you just change the socks!
It's lighter to carry a extra pair of socks than pants. And wool will keep you warm even when wet!
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If weight is not an issue, old army wool pants work well: cheap,tough, warm and quiet.
The Sitka and Kuiu that I have handled is too noisy for bow hunting unless you have windy conditons to muffle the rustle IMO. I think these materials are a tradeoff in quiet qualities to get lightweight and water/wind repellant features.
The problem with cotton is that it is no good if wet and cool, much less cold temps. If you are going to be near camp, then this is not an issue as you can go back and change.
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I not a big fan of cotton unless I'm close to the truck and it's warm and dry. I like something that will wick moisture away from the skin. I like a poly synthetics or wool depending on how cold it is. Most of the time I'm going pretty lite but keep layers handy because you can get temps from 20 to 90 that time of year. I have had good luck with cabela's micro fiber on warm days and a good fleece/wool when wet and cold.
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I don't mind cotton outerwear when I have merino wool longjohns. I have been quite comfy with my clothes set-up hunting in some -23 degree mornings up to +30. When the snow is that cold, you don't get wet. If you want to spend $200 plus on a pair of pants, go ahead. They won't help you kill an elk.
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Microtex and 200 wt.merino on/off as needed mostly. Heavy wool pants(24-27 oz.)are usually too hot in Sept. when hiking until you wished you had them when the mid Sept. snow hits every year...
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I appreciate Shedrocks input- I have yet to be able to justify even $100 for a pair of pants. With that said- though my elk experience is limited with three CO elk hunts and a few mule deer hunts in WY; all had me wearing fleece with back up long johns when necessary. I found them to work really good. The fleece stretches, dry fast, and keep you warm. Though they may be a little warm when it gets hot- but I am not usually moving around much in the heat and I use my top as my thermostat anyway.
Good hunting
Dan in KS
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kuiu or first lite gilas
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Originally posted by Smithhammer:
Originally posted by NBK:
[qb] Do yourself a huge favor and get a pair of the Kuiu attack pants.
[/b]
x 2.
x 3 and I own both kuiu and sitka ascents. The kuiu are superior in every regard.
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For real active hunting between say 25-65 degrees I wear a pair of mesh BDU pants made by Columbia, I shopped around and paid 20 or 30 bucks for them 5 or 6 years ago. They are extremely light, breezy, and tough. I've worn the heck out of them over rocks, crawling around, etc, and still no holes, just popped a button once. When its wet they dry real quick. If its windy or on the cooler end of things I put my rain pants over or put a light pair of capilene long undies underneath or both. Much cooler than above though and I switch to light fleece or wool pants.
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I used First Lite shirts the last few years and really liked them a lot so I decided to pick up 2 pr of their pants for our 2011 Elk hunt in mid-September. I really liked how the merino pants worked but found them not to be the most durable. As you will find out west the dry air turns downed wood into rock hard objects that can tear anything they catch. First Lite stood behind their pants and replaced them so I will be using them this year but being more careful. First lite and merino wool is incredible, I highly recommend it and even better First Lite comes in ASAT Camo....it's like having your cake and eating it too. I also like Day One light fleece in ASAT too but you'll find in CO that burrs that stick to clothes are all over now days and they just love fleece.
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LOVE the Kuiu Attack pants. I have many other pants in various materials including Sitka and wool pants. For cooler conditions the Attack pants are not always as warm as I would prefer, but overall they are my favorite pants EVER for hunting and for daily wear. For what they are, the Attack pants are bargain priced. I would like to see them made in a variety of colors and would buy half a dozen. I like my Sitka pants a lot too, and also my whipcord wool pants. Core 4 Element also makes some nice pants I have that seem to have been "inspired" by Sitka Gear. I also have had good experiences with Cabela's Microfleece. Make sure to have good Merino or poly long underwear too. I prefer the Merino personally, especially for minimizing smell on lengthy hunts.
Allan
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Cabelas microtex. Comes in whatever weight you need.
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Do you need to spend $200 on a pair of pants to kill an elk? The answer is a resounding, NO. However, I think that if anyone with an open mind spent a week hiking steep inclines at elevation in either Carharts, wool pants, or Kuiu the answer as to which was better suited would be just as obvious. To each is own, but my attack pants were worth every penny.
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Here's what I wear 90% of the time for early bow season. Have worn them from 30 degrees with long johns to 80 degrees in the Missouri Breaks. Hard to tell in the pic but they are about a $180 pair of 100% wool dress slacks, from England or someplace, that I picked up at Sierra Trading Post in Cody, WY for about $18. Very comfortable and work in just about any weather.
(http://i709.photobucket.com/albums/ww98/rlbruski/Bowhunting/DSCF0148.jpg)
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Day One's ASAT in buck suede. Quiet yet a light thermal underneath for chilly mornings.
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Thanks for the input. I should have mentioned I have a 36" inseam. Sometimes, that is tough.
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KOM Bunlight
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light warmer wear I have a pair of Kuiu attach pants on order. Layering is the most important thing, you might need to add and take off layers throughout the day. take a pair of good leggings (long john's (or two)light weight and mid weight(merino wool or other high quality material) and a good wind/water proof over pant.
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By all means, wear your September pants to hunt elk :laughing: !
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I wear a pair of pants made for turkey hunters. They are some soft tech fabric that is quiet and drys in a flash, waterproof knees that are really nice if you go down in a swale to call in that big bull. The pockets on the sides are fgreat to carry calls- I think they were desgned for turkey calls but work for a reed call, a folding saw and a couple lengths of para cord.
Early or late I have yet to hunt in cotton. Considering the changable weather (I talked to a hunter this last early season and he told me about one year they had snow every day the second week on though usually its in the 50's) and the choices available in high performing fabrics, I leave cotton at home.
Lots of good economical choices if you don't have to have the very best and latest dedicated "hunting" pant. Lots of sales on very good stuff designed for climbers, backpackers etc. Get a soft, bushed fabric though.
I hunt in light wool pants after the second week. Very veritile.
Joshua
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I had always hunted in cotton BDU's. Last year I wore a pair of sitka ascents, and they were great. Much cooler for mid-day walking and they dry must faster.
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Thanks Huntryx... I was wandering myself what Sept pants were? :) .
I think you can wear anything you want to wear!
1) Quiet
2) Quiet
3) good enough "texture" to pass the 12 yard stare down by a bull that notices you're not a tree.
The rest is personal budget and choice.
I like Microtex for hot weather with silk underneath (warmer than 75). Its pretty cheap and elk look right through you.
However, mainly I like wool pants with silk underneath. We hike and hunt nasty steep country and yes I get warm if I hike in the sun, but we DON'T usually.
Elk don't like hot sunny slopes in sept anymore than I do in wool pants. We spend out time humping mountains before and after dark, and we spend our days on cool damp North slopes WHERE THE ELK ARE. You will love your wool pants when sleeping with the herd mid day on the north face.
PS Between me and my two partners, we have 40 plus seasons and 20 plus bulls on the ground.
PSS And yes carharts are fine! Especially the tan ones if worn by the caller. :)
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It really depends on how you hunt. Typical backcountry elk hunt we will be packed in between 9-12,000' and still need to cover ground to find them so factor that into my preferences.
I prefer a lighter pant that sheds water. Of the heavier pants; Sitka 90% might work, KOM, SI- just too heavy
Best bang for the buck; Cabelas Microtex or Microtex light- these get better with age and if soaked in "Softshell pruf' by Minwax perform incredible.
I like the Sitka ascent but they rip easy. My favorites are a pant made with Schoeller dynamic[sp?] fabric though non camo
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Cabela's MicroTex is da bomb!
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I'm another Microtex fan. Like others have said temps can vary greatly and how you hunt will make a difference in what you want to wear.
Good long johns to layer when cooler and I use my rain pants over all of it if the cold rain or snow hits.
I've hit more temps in the 80's in early September than I have cold and snow but have had both in the same day before.
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I wear cotton, but in late August and early Sept it's pretty hot! If I had the extra money I'd get some KUIU, but on second thought, I'd save that money and go hunt another state for elk! Mabey with Shedrock :thumbsup:
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The Predator Sueded Warp Knit Pant is quite nice. Polyester so you can stay away from cotton. Light weight and quiet.
I wear the KOM Omnilite stuff most of the time. Between the two I'm pretty much set for anything that happens.
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Dont wear cotton. And bring rain gear.
DK
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Wool. Millions of high altitude sheep cannot be wrong. It was 4degrees first morning of our late season. Army wool from Germany, surplus for 18 bucks, did the trick. We were just under 9000 feet. Pay what you have, get trousers a little large, use suspenders and unzip to cool if too hot. Tighten up when it cools. Military teaches venting top and bottom to regulate heat.
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Cabelas microtex in outfitter camo or Day One in ASAT fleece. Both work great through out the whole season, are light and last forever it seems.
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I killed last seasons elk on the last day while wearing $2.00 Goodwill BDU's and a $3.00 Walmart T-shirt. Weather that week was rain, snow and hail every day with temps in the mid 20's to about 65. Rain pants and a goretex shell are always in my pack but the cheap stuff has worked fine so far.
After 15 seasons elk hunting I might upgrade this year but it's hard to justify spending more on 1 pair of pants than I have in 5 sets of mix and match camo gear.
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Cabelas Micro Tex pants have served me well for the past 10 years or so. Check them out.
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For price: Microtex in outfitter camo. Great value when on the annual sale, and a great camo.
For performance in mountains: Kuiu
For good price/performance in colder weather in mountains: Core4Element
For good price/performance in warm weather in mountains: lightest Sitka (on sale)
For quiet when weight isn't a matter: wool. That Swedish surplus is excellent.
For good price when not in mountains or rain: BDU's
I have, use, and love them all. When you've had thousands of feet of vertical gain and drop in changeable weather, the Kuiu seems like very good value. There are some excellent OD and brown softshell pants available from REI, etc. that you can catch on sale if you bide your time, but the pockets aren't as good. Just watch all the synthetic stuff around campfires...
There was an interesting experiment where a world class mountaineer went high with two sets of gear: trad stuff like the early climbers wore (wool, linen, and Egyptian cotton) and the latest and techiest. Somewhat surprisingly, he liked the trad stuff best. Of course, it was all tailored for him, as it was for the early climbers, and he thought the fit was a very large part of his impressions. Also, he was in true alpine conditions, with no rain and low humidity. I think the cut and fabrics play large parts in why I like my Kuiu and Core4Element pants so much, and am less impressed by my Sitka mountain pants (especially for the money, even on sale).
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I use first lite Gila pants. Super light and I like the asat camo. They are Merino wool with some ripstop for durability.
Brandon
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I hunt every year in west central Montana. Ive hunted every archery season in Montana with plain Jane, cotton BDU pants My base layer seems to be more important than my choice of pants. Merino wool under garments for the win in my opinion. Merino wool keeps you cool in the hot, and warm in the cold.
For late season or high country I wear Columbia woolies (Gallatin if I'm not mistaken). They have served me well from 60 degrees to -30. They are quite, inexpensive, warm and VERY durable.
Good luck on your Montana hunt!
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One other point: it depends a lot on your camp. If you are set up to carry extra clothes or dry out gear, then cotton or wool are different deals than they are on minimalist bivy hunts, where there's one set of clothes, period. Sleeping in or putting on damp or frozen pants in the cold pre-dawn gets a little old, and carrying heavy wet wool around in the mountains is just a bummer. Complete agreement with Riley and Shedrock on the merino underwear, though; that's the greatest technical advance in my hunting gear in decades.
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YOU ARE A TRAD HUNTER NOW! TRAD HUNTERS DON'T WEAR PANTS! Loin cloth for cold weather and a nard strap for sage brush!!!! :p
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Originally posted by The Hawk:
YOU ARE A TRAD HUNTER NOW! TRAD HUNTERS DON'T WEAR PANTS! Loin cloth for cold weather and a nard strap for sage brush!!!! :p
:biglaugh: :laughing: :laughing:
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Is the nard strap leather ? What would one treat that leather with?