camo

[Powder]

We all know it can be difficult to stalk within bow range of a muley or elk. Has anyone ever tried using a ghillie suit? Any opinions about them?

 

[azhunter79]

never tried them, im thinking about trying to make one since the fabric and burlap is alot cheaper than some suites, and itll be catored to me and my hunting style. the benefits are obvious, it really breaks up the human figure and basically makes you a bush. cant get any more camo than that unless you have a "tree suite"! only disadvantage is all the stuff hanging off your arms and head could possibly interfear with the shot, the draw, the release etc. i know sometimes just having a baggy shirt or a thick jacket can hinder the shot. and youd look awfully funny at the range in a gilly suit practicing! good luck
mike

 

[duckfvr]

I thought of purchasing one, but I bought that new 3d leafy camo scent locked lined suit and I love it. It was a good investment.

 

[_droptine_]

I made one this year. I never did get close enough to an animal to use it though. It is cheaper to make one but it takes a LONG LONG time. I tried to do an hour or two every week. I started it in Feb and finished it in August. I plan on using mine for still hunting for elk in the timber and for stalking timberline mulies. After I had mine all done, I put it on and then cut off any stuff that got in the way of the shot.

 

[MartinHunter]

My dad saw a guy bow hunting with one and he said as soon as he hit the trees my dad lost him completly. The only disadvantage I would say is maybe the suit getting in the way of your string when releasing. I like the 3D leafy camo.
Michael

 

[Powder]

Thanks for the replies. I had most of the same concerns/thoughts that you guys had. A couple other concerns I have is that the suit might be pretty warm for hunting in the earlier parts of the season and also kind of heavy for walking any longer distances. I think I'm going to try and make one if for no other reason than to say I did it!

 

[smalls]

It might also get to be pretty heavy to lug up the hills.

 

[azhunter79]

powder, you dont have to go quite as gonzo with the material as you see some on some of the ones in the store. those look like that have 50lbs of material. im sure you can get away with not putting quite as much on and still get the desired effect, that should help keep it light and make it a little quicker to make. also, since itll all be covered anyway, try and use some type of lightwight material. i know a lot of the jogging suites that the major sports brands (nike, addidas, etc) make are specially designed to keep runners cool and would probably do the same for you, plus you can get most of them in black wich would be my choice for a base color to add too with the burlap and various greens and browns you use for the suit.
let us know how it turns out.
mike

 

[_droptine_]

Here is how I made mine. I put a base layer of undyed burlap strings down first. As was said before, go easy on the burlap, I put about twice as much as needed donw on the base layer and had to cut half of it off. Those two steps took a long long time. At that point, I didn't want to mess with burlap anymore so I got some different colored broad cloth (used to make cotton dress shirts) from the fabric store. I then cut this into strips and tied them on. All in all, I thin I used about 12 yards of burlap cut into 18 inch strings and about 7 yards of fabric cut into quarter inch by 18 inch strips. All this were tied on with a double overhand knot. It isn't nearly as heavy as the one I tried on at Cabelas.