Thanks for all the good information. I knew about wearing polypropolene long underwear to wick perspiration away from the body. I have used this stuff since about 1984 for backpacking and hiking in the mountains and in hunting in low land areas for deer in November. I wouldn't think about not using it.

It seems there is a pretty strong concensus for wool in the situation I described. Part of the scenario I didn't mention was that the hunting trip would be a backpack trip, which probably points even more strongly to the wool choice -- as multiple changes of clothes are not practicable and escape from a soaking may not be so readily available.

I have been looking at some of the heavy weight woolens. 24 oz wool coat and 24 oz wool pants by Felson, for example. Are these practical garments or is it better to go with multiple lighter weight wool garments? My hunting will probably involve a substantial amount of walking. I haven't considered the army surplus/salvation army route for collecting wollens, but would not disparage this path. I feel no need to be a fashion plate while hunting in the mountains, so if I can assemble reliable, suitable hunting clothes on the cheap in this way I'm certainly inclined to do so.