NJ-Bowhunter

I have been reading recent posts about different types of Camo and the theories behind them: ASAT, Mossy, Realtree, Predator, etc. (For the record, I use a Realtree advantage and hardwoods in cold weather and a combination of Realtree and good old military issue &quot;tiger Stripe&quot; in warmer weather). <font color=blue>My question is this:</font id=blue>Why don't more people use <font color=green>Ghillie Suit</font id=green> type clothing (recently some variations can be found in Cabellas). They seem to do the best for &quot;form concealment&quot; and &quot;color blending&quot;. I have been entertaining the idea of getting one for many years now, but haven't committed myself to being such a non-conformist. I'm interested in hearing the pros/cons.

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...owhunter&quot;

Sooner_Hunter

NJ you bring up something I have advocated for some time. Its the best camo out there. Spec Forces snipers use them when their lives are on the line! Why don't they use Mossy Oak? Predator? etc.

I made one last year and found it to be VERY successful! Have had deer move around me when I was in the open. Limited movement is even possible. Have had turkeys step over me.

Best part about ghillies is you can make them yourself. They are very inexpensive this way. Mine cost about $30 in materials and a few evenings in front of the TV.



Edited by - sooner_hunter on 10/18/2002 09:12:04

NJ-Bowhunter

<font color=blue>Sooner:</font id=blue>
Do you have any pictures/ information on how you made it. I'd be interested in seeing it. Are you familiar with the ones in Cabella's?

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...owhunter&quot;

Sooner_Hunter

This may be more than you want to know but here goes:

I learned to make mine from researching ghillie on the internet. They are
quite easy to make. Had to remap my hard drive last month so do not have a
lot of the favorites websites that I used. Did mine with a mix. Before I
give you the sites let me tell you a couple of things.
1). The most important thing is the hat! Suggest an army surplus &quot;boonie&quot;
hat. Use hat not a cap.

2) Some suggest sewing. DON'T. Use a glue gun or better yet an adhesive
you can find in shoe departments or WalMart shoe department called
&quot;Shoe-Goo&quot;. Best thing since sliced bread for this application.

3) Any kind of netting will do. Even an old volleyball net. You glue the
netting on the hat and separately on your jacket.

4) for the jacket I suggest an army surplus BDU or any camo shirt cheap or
not.

5) most folks use burlap. remember there is no right way to do this. they
are individual. you can use strips of clothing, burlap, (I used burlap or
jute packaging twine and died it with cheap rit dye.), or most anything.
THE PRIMARY PURPOSE OF THE SUIT IS TO BREAK UP YOUR OUTLINE AND BLEND YOU
INTO THE SCENERY. Remember my telling about laying in the middle of the
turkeys? There was nothing else around me and turkeys don't smell well.

6) Before starting ask yourself, &quot;what will I use this for?&quot; If its duck
hunting from a blind then only the hat is needed. If you were lying in the
field to goose hunt only the front would need covering. For bowhunting I
covered the hat well, back of shirt well, arms well, and some on the
shoulders and no pants. If I need to disappear I tip the head downwards
slightly and fold my arms across the chest. In my last deer encounter
whenever they would look my way I did this slowly and they did not spook. I
looked like no threat and was upwind.

7) If bowhunting, be careful what you place on the inside of your bowhand
and (if right handed) the left breast. Just ask what the string will hang
on.

8) Have a firm idea of the colors you want. Here in Oklahoma I have
yellow(ever seen dying or dry Johnson grass?), dark green, light green and
some camo strips attached.

9) Remember, this is like painting a room. If you don't like it or the
color is wrong you can add more or take anything off you want. (That is why
I used the dyed jute packaging twine. I simply looped them through the
netting. Anytime I like I can easily remove them cause they are not tied in
a know.) Also don't be afraid to go lighter than you think you will need.

10) Don't make it TOO thick or heavy! You don't need as much as you think.
Get it so you can slip along through fairly heavy brush and not hang every 3
feet.

11) Have fun making it. When my son and I made ours we would work on them
a while then practice hiding as something walked by. IT IS TRULY AMAZING!

12) Remember this won't turn you into the monster from the movie &quot;Predator&quot;
but it is an excellent tool!

13) If you have other questions drop me a line. Send pictures of how it
turned out.

14) This works for fat middle-aged men. Go to webshots and search for Rob's
first bow deer since 1987. There I have on the hat. Removed the top to
drag him. It was 85 that day and rather warm.

15) Remember its to waterproof and fireproof it.

Now some websites!(don't be tempted to buy one cause they are WAY
OVERPRICED.)

http://www.ghilliesuits.com/build%20_own.htm best one and I like these
guys.
http://www.angelfire.com/ma/sniper312/ghil.html
http://pages.zdnet.com/remingtonsnip...club/id20.html
http://www.cabelasoutfitters.com/ghillie_suit-.htm good shot of different
types but don't be tempted and I suggest not using the burlap like here. It
frizzes. Yours will fit you better and cost about $30.
http://www.geocities.com/donshoebrid...hillieSuit.doc
http://www.geocities.com/Area51/Cave...lieconmain.htm
http://www.ghilliesuits.com/


&quot;Size may not matter but it sho IS nice!&quot; [/quote]

NJ-Bowhunter

WOW! Thanks for the help/ insight.

&quot;Measure twice, shoot once <img src=icon_smile_evil.gif border=0 align=middle>
http://www.hunting-pictures.com/memb...owhunter&quot;