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.)

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

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.

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