Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

How many Elk hunters wear wool clothes, for example for 2nd rifle season in Colorado at about 10,000 foot elevation? Is wool clothing a good investment for Rocky Mountain hunting, or is this more applicable to Washington/Oregon hunting where rain may be more common?

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool is always a good idea. I love my woolies. If you don't need them You will think it a waste. But, I gaurantee you that if the weather turns bad you will be more than thankful to have them.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Yup, I wear woolies in the fall and the spring for high country elk, shed hunting and spring bear.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool is one of the best materials to have when it come to hunting in mild or cold weather.I wear my woolie's through out hunting season.There have been plenty of times I was glad to have it.
BBJ

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I don't leave home without'em.
Check your local army surplus store. You can get good pants with ankle buckles and good heavy or lightweight sweaters for NOT alot of $$$$$$$

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

WOW, i am going to agree with shato, and bbj, both on the same post!:D
woolie's are the best outerware u could use, it is very quite, warm even when it gets damp, and it drys rather quickly. u will be glad u have a set!;)

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Also check your local salvation army and goodwill stores I pick up alot of my wool sweaters there for les than 1.50 a sweater.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool is great! Lots of warmth with little bulk, it cuts the wind better than fleece too. Check out sierra trading post for the technowool that is washable. Great stuff.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I don't care when you go to the high country, you can't count on bluebird weather. I remember a July west of Eisenhower tunnel, with the snow flyin' and the tourists wearin' summer clothes. Take your woolies, and any other warm stuff you own.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool here also-----but I also use polar fleece. Cb

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool is not your best choice for cold weather conditions in the Colorado mountains. You sweat in wool. Eventually, you get cold. The best setup is as follows:

1. Next to your skin. Polypropelene or Capeline long underwear. Underarmour "Cold Gear" for really cold conditions.

2. Over That: Quality Polar Fleece. Various layers if it is really cold. A vest is nice to have as well.

3. Shell: Gore-Tex parka and pants. Uninsulated with mesh lining. Good for all conditions.

4. Boots: Gore-Tex with Thinsulite. Polypro liner socks under whatever level of cold is dictated for the insulating sock layer.

I have skied and hunted in Colorado since Richard Nixon was president. This is your best outdoor clothing choice.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool is one of the main things I put on a list for people coming out hunting with me.Every one thinks wool has to be 30 oz. There is some very good thinner wool out there.I have a 9 OZ VEST I would not go hunting with out.

I would never wish a elk hunting trip with a Gore-tex rain coat on.Gore-tex pants get tore to bits and are to noisy.And the 1st time you fall in watter,or hunt in a rain polar fleece sucks.Even with a full rain coat on YOU STILL GET WET.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I actually use both fleece and wool depending on the condition. If I am going to be on a hunt where I know it is going to be wet and rainy, I will usually opt for the fleece. Fleece simply dries faster than wool. I wore fleece on my Kodiak bear hunt this spring.

If I expect it to be drier and windier (say like Colorado or above the Artic Circle), I like the wool better because it cuts the wind better than fleece.

As for gortex, I use it, but it will NOT keep you 100% dry if you are out say ten days in constant rain (which I have been before) tent camping with no chance to dry it out. Eventually the pores will get saturated and some moisture will wick through. You won't get wet, but you will get damp. The flip side is pvc type rain gear like the Helly Hanson stuff the commerical fisherman wear. It will keep you dry no matter what, but you will sweat, so you end up damp. The bottom line is if it is raining constantly for days on end, and you are in a tent, you are going to get damp no matter what. Best bet is to pray for a sunny day and take the time to dry everything out.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool and Goretex.. two greatest materials out there and wool tops the list since it's natural and proven forever. I hunt the high rockies and never leave home without Wool/Goretex. They are also the only 2 materials I will spend my hard earned money everytime to get them.

I grew up in SW Wyoming in the snow and -40 degree weather. Wool was the #1 choice of the ranches, cow hands, etc. .. well.. that and their Carharts! :D

The trick with wool -- as mentioned above -- is layers. Just layer it or at least have a layer available. When hunting in the snow, I only use wool pants, etc. but be aware they can get heavy fast, etc.

The sheep seem to be doing fine wearing it! [:@] Dang things out populate Wyoming residents!!!!

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

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.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I guess I dress old fashion.I have never bought or owned a gortex-or rain suit in my 20 year hunting span.
I wear a layer of silk long johns under a long sleeve under armor shirt,followed by a wool button up shirt,then over that a wool sweater,then a wool vest,then my hunters orange.I wear a fleece type long john bottoms and wool pants over the top,with moister wicking socks and a heavy duty pair of wool sock covered by my 400 gram Danners.Now this is if it is realy cold,if it is 30-40 degrees out then some layers are not worn,but always pack a extra wool shirt and wool socks.

As long as you are moving no matter how wet you get wool will keep you warm,and if you are that wet,it's time to build a fire and have some powdered soup and warm up.
BBJ

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Wool breaths good when hunting.So wool should not make you sweat. I beleave most time it is the walking strate up hill that dose that.

Here is what I have found out on wool. How good and for what weather


1 weatherby wool= Is real heavy. VERY VERY good for ice fishing or stand hunting in bitter cold.Not the best for walking the moutains.

2 Sleeping Indian river=Very good wool.Good for all around use tight weave.Very good but costly.

3 Fillson = This is allso very good. I use this one a lot.The camo cost a little less than indian but real close to the same quality.

4 woolrich = Normaly lighter and not as tight weave asfill/indian. Harder to find good camo in it.Good for layering.

5 pendleton= Real close run with woolrich. They make some real nice items[normaly in bright colors].Not much camo dose have many dif waights for layering.

6 codet = No camo that I could find.They do make it in a good green for hunting.The wool seems to be very good,the stiching did not hold up real good. 75% wool blend

7 columbia= Is a cheeper wool. My wife uses it every year.Holds up very well,good camo,eazy to walk in. It is not as tight weave but little wind gets though.The do not use 100%virgin

8 cabelas makes some good wool I have not tryed them.The one with gor-tex I may end up buying some :}

9 army/navy= This wool is allso good. The main deal with it is it is very ichy. Good to layer with but if it tuches your skin and you hav some movmeny you will be sore.They make some real good scarves.Gloves are allso good .

I have #1 3 4 5 7 9 I have pants and coats in them. Out of them I normaly use FILLSON,COLUMBIA and WOOLRICH.
If weather is very cold I go to my weatherby.I did and still do have some army Items.I do not use them any more.I do not find many wool pants in the salvation army stors but you can find lots of shirts.

If I did not use them 30 or more days a year I would buy COLUMBIA. They have very good wool for the money spent.I am sure you would be happy.They have lots pockets,HEAVY nees.

One thing I can tell you is put ZIPPERS in the legs. I buy long zippers and put them in my self.This makes them very eazy to put on,and if you want to have light pants on then put your heavy ones on it is eazy.If you know you will be in a lot of snow toy can put elastic in the lower leg this will keep the pants down and keep snow out.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

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RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

;)

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I like the woolrich techno wool pants. They are not any heavier than a pair of jeans, not overly itchy, and are machine washable. My hunting is usually a combo of hiking and setting still. If I were on stand somewhere all day, I would get heavier wool I think both Cabela's and Codet make a similar pant.

I like heavy wool shirts like the Alaskan Shooting Shirt by woolrich. I usually wear a very light fleece (worsterlorn from Cabelas) shirt and then use the wool shirt over that. If hiking or packing meat, I remove the wool shirt and put it in the pack.


For a backpack hunt, I would bring one extra fleece undershirt shirt, and maybe a some lightweight pants (if you have the weights) in case you score and you want to hike out in comfort.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

Silk undies are nice too. :eek:

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I have the Weatherby wool series, and I am very satisfied. I was able to find some closeouts on this stuff at Reid's awhile back for about $120 each, compared to $180 per item (28 oz. Hooded jacket, 28 oz. pants, 14 oz. lightweight shirt-jac). This line of woolens is great for the price. They are all machine washable, have a windproof micro-fleece lining, and are reinforced at the knees, rear end, and elbows. I layered my wool with a pair of polypro shirt/pants and changed up the weight of my long underwear accordingly. I found this to be very effective. I will take both weights of wool on my late October elk hunting trip in addition to a rain poncho and I should be set. Cannot go wrong with the wool, God knew what he was doing when he made this stuff.

Blessings

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

I must be strange, last season on a caribou hunt I got so tired of dragging those heavy colombia pants around I gave them to the guide and went back to my poly underwear and cabelas insulated camo jean's. in the snow/bitter cold/ rain it felt like I had lost 20 lbs.

RE: Wool clothes and Elk hunting
 

usa
Just asking did you size the legs of the pants down and put a zipper in them?

I allways take alot of the extra out around the legs of any wool pants I buy.I allso put a full zipper down the side.This knocks off a lot of waight and makes them eazy to get though brush,snow. The zipper makes them real eazt to get on and off in a little bve tent.