I just ordered a new Pac Seat from Mr. Waldrop and want to hunt on the ground this year. Living in the South, we have a long time from the start of Bow Season until it gets cool so I am looking for a light weight ghillie with the fabric layers and not string. I would also like one that is lightweight mesh with no heavy backing. Can anyone give me a recommendation, as I have exhausted my search and can't decide. Any help would be most appreciated.
Thank you.
Doug, Iuse two different leafy suits....an ASAT and also a North Mountain depending on the background cover.
Doug, I picked one up at Field and Stream last year for $40. It is a light weight mesh suit (pants and shirt) with hood and face net attached that can be worn or not. It is very durable for the money and was comfortable to hunt in here in PA in the early bow season when the weather was warm. Plus, it kept the skeeters at bay.
Here is a pic of that Ghille suit in action.[attachment=1]
I have one like that above, and for Texas it is good. Pants and jacket. Academy Sports and Outdoors.
I also recommend Allpredatorcalls.com. I have a light and a dark Sapper suit that are very comfortable and lightweight. 3/4 length. Roll up compact in my pack. I carry both to blend for different backgrounds.
Is Bushrag still around? I have light weight synthetic gillie kit that I bought from them. Ended up getting two sets of "leaves" to better blend with my most hunted in area. Easy to but the kit together in a couple of evenings in front of the TV. Drap the mesh over the back of a chair to help. A quick google search finds they look like they are still in business.
I have used a Rancho Safari I bought off an archery classified 20 years ago for a really cheap price. I use it while scouting sometimes but don't hunt with camo so it is just for "bird watching". It is amazing what you can get away with when you have it on. This thing is hot, you can't use it above 60 degrees.
I have the whole shebang, long coat, hat, face mask and leggings but only use the long coat and hat. In this picture I am test shooting and trimming the foliage on my bow arm to clear the bowstring.
I am not personally sure that a full coverage ghillie suit is necessary. I am contemplating taking an Ameristep leafy ponch, cutting it into a cowl, and sewing it onto a shirt. I believe sewing it to a shirt will keep it in place and the outline of my head and shoulders is distrupted. This would also keep the junk out of the way of the bow string. More work... but I think it may work better for archers.
jon
that sounds like a really good idea, i think i'll try something like that with some ghillie material i have left over from when i built my suit
https://i.ytimg.com/vi/PV9kk1axusY/hqdefault.jpg
This is the kind of thing I think would be best.
I like that idea bigbadjon
Tim B
ive got a Rancho safari long coat. cut all the burlap and jute off. cut off both sleeves and cut a slit in back all the way to the waist band. love the Waldrop pac seat as well.
Do any of our sponsors sell these?
Tim B
3rivers sells the Rancho Safari ghillie suits.
I have 2 of the Bushrag Marc Anthony suits, one that I use and one in reserve. If they are still available then that would be my recommendation.
Both of mine are too warm for most Southern applications. They are good for late deer season and early turkey season. One was made by a military guy. My mother made the other one. It was a fun project. She used a hooded bath robe as a guide and made one out of camo fabric. Then camo burlap was cut into strips and attached to the base. It hides you really well. I believe the leafy suits would be better for the hot times, though. I have tried them on, and it seems pretty easy to move around in and handle a bow, but I have not actually hunted in one.
I just wear the top. I have one from Firstlite.
Any gillie suite you get, be prepared to trim it for string clearance. Arms and chest.
:shaka:
Go to Rancho Safari and order the ultralight. It is really a vest but I never wear the long coat or pants anymore. You will need to wear the hood (included)or the separate hat. No trimming needed, packs great, not hot,etc. when I bought mine I had to call them as it was not listed on the webpage but for an archer it is ideal.