ghillie suits, worth the money??

[jeff4704]

are ghillie suits worth the money in your own opinions? if so what brand do you use and do you put ghillie flag on your weapon?

 

[smitty_303]

i'd say they are they saved my a$$ when i was in the army

 

[bonesarelli]

They are heavy, bulky, restrictive and like to snag on just about everything. Check out Ghillie Skins "Viper Tactical Hood".

 

[davr]

I cannot see where there would be a real benefit where animals are concerned. I know some guys use them, but for me head to ankle camo in a color that's a fair approximation of your hunting area is enough. I've had a coyote at 10 yards stare a hole through me for an entire minute before trotting off. He'd have been in my lap if I didn't stop him with a quiet bark. Can't get much better results than that. That was without a camoed gun too. Imagine that. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/wink.gif

I've yet to have a coyote do a double take at me and take off if I wasn't moving. If they do hone in on movement when I'm getting ready to take a shot, they'll stop and stare for a moment, then continue in, or turn for down wind if they're suspicious.

Nothing will stop them from noticing movement. Besides, those things must be a real pain in the rear to deal with, moving around, in and out of the truck, catching on everything, etc. Too much hassle for little if any gain.

 

[screech]

I know a guy who hunts with one and if the wind is right you can smell him comming from about 100yrds out.

He complains that it is heavy and smelly and really hot.

My theory is that the best camo is to be sent free as best as you can.

As long as you are still!!!!

 

[kirby]

I bought, the "Light-Weight Ghilli,pants,coat,& hat, from Cabela's. They are made of light-weight Polyesther. They cost,total around $240.00. I like it very well. Light weight, but snags easy on brush/twigs. Called in 3-coyotes with it on. None of them seen me, while sitting still.

 

[Redfrog]

davr, I used to think the way you do. Of course I hadn't tried them either. Now I use one most of the time. If I'm calling all day, it goes on in the morning and off at the end of the day. I get in and out of the truck with it, drive with it on and I used it in Globe in the cactus with no problems.
It is just like any other piece of equipment, some suits are better than others. Mine has no burlap or jute to unravel or get wet and heavy and stink.
Can you kill coyotes without one? Of course you can. It is another piece of gear to deal with, but I'm convinced it is worth it. $150

Here's a pic before the suit:

And here's a pic after the suit. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

You decide. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[DonL]

I use a ghillie and yes it is a little heavier and yes it does occasionally catch on bushes. Mine is old enough not to smell. It does allow me to wear less clothes to keep warm. But the best thing I think is that if you have an area with very little brush to cut your outline that's where the ghillie works great. I can sit in a completely open area with no back ground and look like a bush. I've done it many times and the animal knows nothing. Don

 

[danurve]

I have one of those short ghillie suites, its not like the military ones but it has a hood and a carry strap. It's more like a full vest thing, bought it from cabelas. Its not realy heavy, and I like how it breaks up my pattern in the woods we have here. I use it mostly for Turkey hunting but lots of things have walked right by me against a shagggy bark without a clue to me being there.

Almost forgot to add, I think it was worth what I paid.

 

[Elkslayer]

DonL -

Where did you get that suit you are wearing in the picture and about what did it cost?

 

[coyotehunter2]

I have used a ghillie suit for a number of years now. Have had many coyotes look my way and never even saw me. Great for making you just disappear into the landscape. Generally I only wear it when we have no snow(like most of this winter).

 

[DonL]

ElkSlayer, the ghillie is home made. Cost, about $50. Camo cloth from WalMart Sporting Goods Dept. The fine stuff that you can see through. Burlap is from WalMart Sewing Dept. White,tan and dark brown and green. Dye the white for other colors. Thread and needle. I made mine as a pullover. Good Luck, Don

 

[Silver77]

If you want to take the cheap and easy route go to bass pro shop and get the leafy camo bug suite for 45.00 and be done with it!

 

[bobcatX]

I'm not a huge fan of the suits----but they do look nice---however you really don't need it---just personal preference!

 

[nineptbuck]

I have a ghillie suit that I made. It's awesome if you can put a close pin an the nose of the prey you are hunting. They stink like hell. They do a heck of a job of breaking up the outline, But they do stink. Mine is made of burlap, and jute. If you can find one that is made from a scent free fabric it will do wonders, if not dont spend the money. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[t/c223encore]

Love my ghillie suit, wear it all I can. Next I want to get a ghillie type gun cover for my rifle.

t/c223encore.

 

[Bullmastiff]

I can go on and on about the rules of cover and concealment that the Corps. taught me, but that would be overkill. Basically, it is terrain that dictates. I don't think it is as necessary in a thick wooded area as it would be in an open field. You want to break up your outline. If you are sitting up against a tree, in the shade, it probably isn't necessary to use a ghillie suit. But if you are sitting on top of a grass covered ridge with grass that is only 6-12" tall, it would be much more beneficial. And those that complain about the extra warmth or weight, please, wear kevlar in a 120° desert, and the ghillie suit don't feel that bad any more. And as you have seen, it's easy to make one. It is not necessary to spend big money to make one. Do you need one, of course not. Would it hurt to try one, no. Could it help you out, possibly. Besides, it gives your neighbors one more thing to look at you funny for when you go get the mail in it. /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/laugh.gif

 

[bonesarelli]

This is the tip I use to keep the smell down on my clothes and ghillie. I store my gear in a large plasic trash bag with fresh cut sagebrush, small pine branches or whatever plants are present in the area I'm hunting.

 

[Dee]

I have a gillie vest like danuvur but I have to agree with davr. Two weeks ago I called a large adult female into 8 steps distance laying in 4 inch tall winter wheat (in the middle of the field). She came right in and after messing with her a little with lip squeaks I shot her at 20 steps. Camo? Usual camo cloths plus head and hands. That's all. I think its as much about movement and scent as camo.

 

[Curt Barrett]

Bullmastiff said it well. If you are hunting areas with lots of cover and shade then a ghillie isn't that big of an asset. But in areas where there is no cover they can be handy. I hunt some places with ankle deep vegetation and maybe a few scattered bushes. The bushes never seem to be where you want to make a stand. I have been setting up right in the open with a ghillie and I can tell a difference in the coyotes reaction (or lack of it). I feel I've had coyotes come in closer than usual in this featureless terrain largely because of using the ghillie but I've also had coyotes run right at me while sitting in the middle of a stubble field and no ghillie. I don't use it all the time. Mostly just in the real barren areas. Sitting still is more important than what you wear of course. If there is any shade available it will probably work better than any camo or ghillie. The situation I find it handy is for going into some of these open areas where someone has called before me and wised the coyotes up a bit. These coyotes are on guard and much more cautious. This season the ghillie proved a handy tool for going through these wised up areas and picking up some of those PHD coyotes others left behind.

Having said that, they are kind of a hassle at times. If you wear it while traveling between stands and are crossing fences and going through gates a lot, they do snag up. Because of this I leave mine rolled up till I get to my stand. It is another thing to carry but as ghillies go this one is a pleasure to pack. I bought the Rancho Safari lightweight version. It looks like the one Redfrog has on. It is just strips of camo cloth sewn to a piece of mesh that zips up and has sleeves and a hood. It is very light to carry and very cool to wear. In fact in the hot weather it can actually be cooler to wear than regular camo. The smallest breeze blows right though it and the strips of cloth create a shady buffer between myself and the sun. In the cold you will need a coat underneath. And even when wet it doesn't stink.

Good hunting