>Heading to Wyoming Nov 1st below
>Yellowstone for a Mule deer/
>Elk hunt. What external
>clothing do you guys use?
>I have some wool pants
>and a Cabelas whitetail extreme
>parka but they are not
>in the best condition from
>some hard hunting. Going the
>first week in Nov. Suggestions??
>
Chas,
I have not hunted that part of the country, but I do hunt elk the first week of Nov most every year here in SW Idaho. That country can definetely have more extreme weather.
Be prepared for cold and snow. Rain is less likely, but possible. Any Rockly Mtn country can be rough, so don't bring gear that brush can tear up.
Will you be hunting from a main camp daily or backpacking? If you can drive a truck to your main camp than bring many options if you have them, if backpacking then I recommend you invest in some quality gear.
Obviously the basics are layers. Good thermals, light and midweight are what I use and given the weather report I will double as needed. Get quality, but $100+ merino wool in not necessary, but no Cotton Walmart stuff.
Merino socks are worth it though.
At lease one pair of quality weather appropriate pants, I use Cabelas Goretex MT050, which along with my thermals is fine. I throw in an extra layer of good pile or fleece pants/sweats just in case it gets real cold.
For the top I also have the same MT050 gear with a hood, but add in a vest, with the multiple thermals, and a LS lightweight shirt with pockets that buttons. Add one more heavy pile/fleece or down layer for the cold.
In either case, top or bottom, I think you can safely switch a good quality wool jacket or pant for the MT050 type gear as you are more likely to encounter snow than rain and of course Wool can handle some rain.
Be sure you have a layer in their somewhere that effectively blocks the wind. Many fleece layers, wool, and down garments are not designed to block cold wind and loose their effectiveness.
Don't forget good quality broken in boots/gaiters, gloves, and hats. Think wicking/insulating. I have been pretty happy with some inexpensive polypro glove liners and wool beanies and gloves/mittens from Army surplus.
I have been happy with much of my Under Armour purchases, especially the underwear. Gloves, Beanies, and underlayers have been great. Not as spendy as Sitka, Kuiu type gear.
If you have the coin certainly the various new high tech gear is well documented, but sticking with good materials including wool can keep you safe and on budget.
NO JEANS, NO COTTON AGAINST SKIN!
