Next fall will be my first season hunting deer, and hunting in general really. I'll be bow hunting. I figure I should start looking into camo and boots now. What do you recommend for what I'll be doing?

Thank you,

Drew

Depends on where you plan to hunt... Realtree AP works pretty well for this side of the mountains. If you're planning to hunt the dry side, Realtree Max 1 is the way to go, IMO.

One thing i have ofetn overlooked, but the deer haven't, is my face. Make sure that somehow the face and hands are covered; the blovk of one color has been easy for them to see, at least on me.

Drew, ALL camo looks cool up close, think about what it will look like at 50 to 100yds. Most dark patterns just blob up at those distances and you stand out against a lighter background and visa versa. I've found in general, that a pattern with large areas of light and dark work better to break up you outline both up close and farther away. Good luck.

Perfekt Hunters by Meindel at Cabelas. Best boot ever!

Shoot just noticed the new thing under my avatar. Corkies under a float do in fact rock!

Drew, dont know about hunting around here but I know the danners never let me down while in afghanistan. So I figure if they can handle 8 months of the hunting season there, they would be great for here.

This is good. I wear brown wool fingerless gloves while hunting. Pale skin shows up well in the woods and your hands move a lot. I also usually wear a full brimmed hat to shade as much of my face/head as possible. My lucky hunting shirt is a gray fleece that zips up to cover my neck.
Most camo is intended to fool hunters into spending their money.
Count me as another Danner fan for boots.

+1 on Danner boots & EE width, much more comfortable.


And be sure to get GOOD socks, I like Smartwool.

For camo I like the Vanish, and then for all around the Radical 452 in GTX 6"


c/22

I'm rockin' the 452's as well.
Not "real" Danners but I like 'em a lot. They're light, but for super wet, muddy conditions I would use something else. Mucks are nice.

Favorite socks these days are REI Expeditions....non-itchy wool, no hot wash and drip dry only ! They are my everyday go-to for work and play.
Warmth plus the all-important cushion, not cheap.
Buy one size larger.

Camo...so many choices these days, depends on your terrain.

I was looking at some of the camo options at outdoor emporium the other day. Seems like a big part of what makes some camo better than others is the material it's made of. Noticed a few brands that looked and felt like wool or something. I'd assume camo like that would be very quiet while walking which would be to my advantage while bow hunting. I'm also looking for stealthy boots, that will be quiet. I'll be getting pretty close and just don't want to get busted by the buck I'm tracking.

Thanks everybody.

"I'm also looking for stealthy boots, that will be quiet."

Never really known a boot to be loud.... Most of the time, it's the stuff that you are walking on that's loud.


"I'll be getting pretty close and just don't want to get busted by the buck I'm tracking."

For a newb bow hunter, you seem pretty confident

Confidence is key. I fish the same way and catch fish.

Funny. I thought stealthy boots and camo was the key....

Looks like little Jake is wanting an internet argument for Christmas.... Looks like he'll just have to go wanting....again.

(dfnw)

Can we keep the content of this thread aimed at my original questions please? I'm not into pissing contests.

(SD)

Okay, sense "I" some how started a pissing match, I'll try and get your thread back on topic....

Have you decided on what side of the mountains you plan to hunt? would help narrow your decision.

Also, if you're in the market for a bow, look into the Mathews z7 or Hoyt CRX

Yes! I am a big fan of the predator print pattern. It looks a little funky up close with its angular presentation but flat out vanishes in the woods at a distance.

Also, you asked about materials. If you are bow hunting it will most likely be hot as hell and most bow hunting requires a lot of hiking. I am a fan of light cotton in long sleeve. also a tougher cotton based pants, quiet , breathable and light.

don't get too caught up on gadgets and gear. focus on your shooting and scouting as much as possible!

I'll be staying on the west side for deer.

Westside camo hardly matters. If you are trying to "sneak up" on a deer on the Wetside, there is bound to be plenty of cover to hide in and behind. Also the brush on the Westside varies so much that you can't really go wrong with too many patterns. Just pick one that isn't really dense. If you feel like you are standing out where you are, move 3 feet and blend into something different.

I do recommend a mask though. I like the mesh ones they trap your breath less. The thicker material will force your breath out of the top of the mask and fog your glass. I found that the deer will stare at you for a few more ticks on the clock when they don't see eyes/nose/mouth combo.

If you are going to be using a tree stand, then camo be more of a consideration.