A Callout to Hunters

[cgbigbasshunter]

I'm 14 and looking to start deer hunting. I really need some advice to find where is the best place to get some clothes. Places like Gander Mountain charge a little too much for my pocket. Anybody got a secret website or something they go to? I live in Indiana and I'm gonna need some fairly heavy clothing. Any other tips you want to give a rookie, feel free to put them below.

[GotstaFish]

Try CheaperThanDirt.com or SportmansGuide.com

[Fogy]

I know this isn't going to help you right now but stay on the lookout for sales.  Watch Wal-Mart, BPS, Cabela's, Gander and so on things are in demand now but won't be for very long.  As you are 14 I assume you are not done growing so get things big.  That way you can put on layers underneath to stay warm and they will still fit in a year or two.

Best investment IMHO is good boots, you want to be dry and comfortable nothing worse than cold feet other than cold feet that hurt from bad/cheep boots.

Consider the type of hunting you do most before running out and getting high-end camouflage mossy oak isn't going to do you a lot of good if 90% of you hunting is in snow.  

Good luck
Ron

[Beagle]

I like ur thinking. Check out goodwill and also see if you have an military surplus store. Take Fogys advise and get a good pair of boots though. Also, if you are hunting in cold weather, a good insulated hat is a must.

[mohunter82]

cold weather huh. like beagle said a good hat. another thing. dont put to many layers on. your skin needs to breath. i use to make that mistake. good boots are a must like Fogy said. and i think good gloves are just as important.
but just look around and check out ebay and craigslist as well to find some good deals.

[RoddyRude]

http://www.wingsupply.com/shop/Scripts/factory_closeouts_page.asp?p=250

[goliac7]

I always check out the clearance rack at BPS when i'm there.... they really mark down some certain items.  I bought a new pair of Redhead insulated hunting pants for $60 off the original price.My coat I bought at Walmart about 8 years ago.  Woolrich insulated parka.  Man that thing'll keep ya warm.  25 bucks.

[OutdoorFrontiers]

The advice that the others have given you has been pretty good so far.  I'll add a couple things.  First of all, you don't NEED the latest and greatest in the super-dooper high-tech clothing.  The deer you kill won't be impressed that you're wearing a $600 hunting outfit.

If I were you, I'd look at Goodwill or Salvation Army, and also don't forget garage and yard sales.  There's a lot of people that bought hunting clothes for  their kid that now won't fit.  You can get some great bargains if you're willing to look for them.  I know when I moved, I sold a lot of my kids outgrown gear for pennies on the dollar at our moving sale.  And if I did that, others have too.

You need drab clothing that is soft, quiet, reasonably warm and most important (if you're going to deer hunt) is that it's scent-free.  At age 14, you've got a lot of growing to do and what you get to hunt in this year most likely won't fit you next year if you're anything like my son was at that age.  

For warmth, avoid cotton clothes, especially for the layer next to your skin.  Polypropylene or some of the synthetic fabrics will wick moisture away from your skin, helping you stay much warmer.  100% wool also does a good job of keeping you warm and dry.

Layering is best, as long as you're not putting on so many clothes that you end up looking like a wood tick!  A good pair of poly long johns will cost about $30 and that first layer is going to go a long way toward keeping you warm and dry.  The outer layer, providing that it helps break the wind, is quiet and drab will work.  "Cool" camo patterns will only help you so much, deer will spot movement, even though you're wearing the latest and greatest camo pattern much quicker than they'll spot you if you're wearing an old Army fatigue jacket and sitting still.

A warm hat is important to reduce the heat loss through your head.  There's a lot of blood vessels in your scalp, close to the skin and without a hat, that blood gets chilled, and in turn, you get cold.  Good boots too will be important, because once your feet get cold and wet, you're going to be miserable, and if you're uncomfortable, you won't be able to sit still.  If you can't sit still, your chances of getting a deer in range just went down immeasurably.  Get some thick poly or wool socks (about $10) and make sure when you try on boots, to use those socks.  You don't want your boots to be tight, because your feet will get colder, quicker with tight boots.  But loose, thick, heavy boots are great to sit in, but hard to walk in.  Consider doing what I used to do.  Walk in to your stand wearing sneakers or uninsulated boots and light socks.  I carried my thick socks and heavy pac boots in my daypack.  Once on stand, I changed into the heavy (and dry) socks, then put on the warm boots.  My feet stayed dry, and most importantly, they stayed warm.

Another thing that will help you stay warm is get a good THICK foam sitting pad.  I had one that was almost three inch thick, dense foam and I stayed a lot warmer sitting on that than on the ground, and I also stayed dry.  The foam also gave me something comfortable to sit on.  If you're hunting from the ground, it's hard to sit still with a rock or tree root poking you in the behind.

I also got some polar fleece fabric, two chunks, one in basic camo, one in Blaze orange.  I had my wife double it and sew the edges to make a thick blanket, just big enough to cover me from my shoulders to my ankles.  When I was hunting from a make-shift ground blind, once I was seated comfortably, I'd pull that from my day pack and cover up with my rifle lying across my legs.  It helped trap a little body heat, it helped keep the wind and snow off me and kept me nice and toasty.

Does this help at all?

Steve

[mohunter82]

Great advice Steve.

[cgbigbasshunter]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm still looking around but my time is running short. About the whole growing thing, I don't really know what to expect, I have already hit about 6' 2" and around 170lbs. So when I do go out and buy something it is probably already gonna cost a bundle and I'll want it to last. But I will definetly keep in mind the boots, hat, and gloves. I've learned that from just standing at the bus stop. I thank all you guys for posting and I would appreciate if anyone else has something to add, that they need not hesitate. 

[fisherboy_01]

check out walmart, im 16 and just got a coat for duck huntin there. its nice and its warmer than my winter coat. it only cost me with taxes in $133 and change Canadian. so it would be cheaper for you. they also had pants there but i didn't need a pair. i think they were around $70 CAD.

Dave

[OutdoorFrontiers]

Thanks for all the advice guys. I'm still looking around but my time is running short. About the whole growing thing, I don't really know what to expect, I have already hit about 6' 2" and around 170lbs. So when I do go out and buy something it is probably already gonna cost a bundle and I'll want it to last. But I will definetly keep in mind the boots, hat, and gloves. I've learned that from just standing at the bus stop. I thank all you guys for posting and I would appreciate if anyone else has something to add, that they need not hesitate. 

LOL, boy, If you're 14 years old, 6'2" and 170 pounds already, you've still got some growing to do.  You might not grow UP, but I can darn well guarantee that you're going to grow OUT!

So don't spend a bundle on clothes this year, wait until you stay in the same size clothes for at least two years.

Steve