Hunting Apparel

In most ways, the clothing needs of hunters haven't changed much since Homo sapiens first began hunting. Hunters need to stay warm and dry, and have used both natural and synthetic materials to do so. But one significant advantage modern hunters hold over their ancestors is how advanced modern hunting apparel has become.

Modern hunting apparel materials

In order to be effective as hunting clothing, a material should provide several things:

Synthetics such as ballistic nylon and Gore-Tex are often used to make hunting clothes, but wool camouflage and cotton camouflage remain the most popular forms of hunting apparel.

One of the drawbacks of wool as a hunting clothing material has been how relatively porous it is. But at the 2007 Shooting, Hunting, Outdoor Trade Show & Conference, aka SHOT Show, Columbia Sportswear unveiled a waterproof wool created through the use of nanotechnology. Water remains beaded on the surface of the wool, permitting hunters to take advantage of wool's natural warmth paired with the dryness of synthetic materials.

Hunting apparel tips

No matter how advanced their hunting clothes are, hunters still need to take precautions to avoid alerting prey to their presence. Scent is of major importance. When not in use, hunting apparel should be stored in unscented or odor eliminating bags. Scent wafers and scent sprays can also be used during and after storage.

Another important tactic is to wear hunting apparel only when you're hunting. Hunting clothes can pick up odors in a vehicle, so it's best to change into your designated hunting apparel after you've reached your destination.

Finally, a hunting outfit should include durable accessories that keep out wind, water, and cold. Impermeable, rubber-soled hunting boots are recommended, along with flexible and double-lined leather gloves.