how many of us use ghillie suits?

I'm looking into the construction of a bushrag/ghillie blanket type rig. I want to be able to put my head through it and also use it as a blanket for goose hunting. I've heard good and bad things about them. Lets get some pics up
 
Got to say over the last 45 years I've went from blue jeans to a camo shirt and slip over camo pants. Had an interesting experience a couple of years ago. Set up at one of my favorite calling spots and began blowing the rabbit call and this guy in a complete ghillie suit stood up about 20 feet from where I was calling.

I don't think he much liked me butting into his calling and I didn't make it much better when I laughed at his getup. I'd been calling this spot for near 15 years with pretty good results. He said this was his third stand with no coyotes yet. I offered to leave or take him with me to a few more stands.

We ended up shooting that day together and he took two nice coyotes calling with me. The last stand he left the heavy ghillie suit in the rig. I got the feeling that it was the end of that outfit for calling.

I suppose if I was hunting country like out in Eastern Colorado where there was simply no place to hide it might be OK, but It's like a camo gun, it might make you feel better, but really doesn't do much for the coyotes.

I see the Sportsman's Guide has a complete outfit including the headgear and rifle cover for 79 bucks for those looking for them. I think I'll stick to a good camo shirt and hat and just keep killing coyotes.
 
I just bought a rancho safari and I really like it. It is light and breathable, but fits easily over my warm clothes. I was optimistic about using it in the snow, even with zero white in it my buddy had a hard time picking me out. This is definitely a year round rig. It rolls up and packs small with the attached straps. I can wear whatever I want, and when it is time to hunt I just slide this baby out from under the seat of my truck.

There are some down sides. Barbwire fences are difficult at best. If I know I am going to cross a fence, then I simply pack it in and put it on after I cross. Another problem I have had is fogged glasses. I hiked in a mile through about 18 inches of snow (uphill both ways of course) and by the time I sat down down I was huffing and puffing. The air was already pretty humid as it was snowing a real wet snow. I finally took my glasses off and called without them. I called one in on that set but he came from behind and hit my trail where I had come in. He got about 15 yards from where I was and headed for Canada. The third thing that bothered me was what I call "ghillie suit vision". Your peripheral vision will suffer as well as any forward vision that is blocked by the strips of material that seem to always fall forward. This means that in order to see more area, you have to turn your head. Also, Things that are in your pockets become difficult to retrieve. I simply let the bandit remote hang around my neck, and I have one hand call that I keep readily available.

This suit is all cotton, and has no jute or burlap to it. I am sure though that if I decided to play in the campfire, I would burn in seconds. Probably end up on You Tube.

Weaz
 
I wear mine, depending on the terrain I'm hunting. the one I wear is the light weight jobby that isn't much for insulation, BUT I don't feel out of place when I sit down in the middle of no-where eastern CO!
I call mine the "snag rag" BUT not too many things to snag on in these parts.
 
I use mine in the growing season. More leaves on plants in summer & fall and I think it blends better. It is a light weight, and I need warmth in the winter, so I don't use it then. Looks really cool though, and I do think I am better hidden in some terrains. Getting the attention to the decoy is important to me. I have had them comeup and notice me but also notice the decoy and eventually keep an interest in the decoy, but hang up.
Those that don't notice me go right to the decoy. I don't know how many that I don't see because they have seen me. I expect that it is quite a few. I rationalize that if I am better hidden, I will eventually see more before they see me.

Pack
 
I wear either Realtree or Mossy Oak camo. Then on top of that, I have a piece of leafy cut camo blind material about 5' by 10' that I wear like a poncho. Light wgt and you can become a bush in a fence line in about 10 seconds. When not in use, folds up into a small bundle ans is easy to carry in a small backpack or whatever. Have my rifle and shooting sticks camoed in scraps that I cut off blind material as it was too long at 12 ft. Got the blind material at Wally World a couple of years ago after hunting saeson for about 4 dollars. Tony
 
i love mine.. i have the cabelas lightweight ghillisuit...
it weighs about 2lbs at best with all 4 pcs.. really works good for the hunting i do..
 
One person said your peripheral vision is impaired, the response to that is that your side to side head movement is masked significantly when wearing a ghillie suit. You absolutley blend in better with your surroundings when you use a ghillie suit. There is no question there- it improves your margin for error in being noticed VISUALLY by any critters or humans- refrence above IDBob's story about the guy 20 ft away- it sounds like IDBob is an accomplished hunter, probably with a keen eye in the field and yet he did not notice another human 20 ft away from him. The question is- is it worth the hassle of putting one on and possibly getting snagged on things as you enter and exit your stand? Also how tolerant are you to being mocked by your friends and other hunters? Ghillie suits are great for their purpose, but it is certainly overkill when blending in and trying to hide from animals. Also consider that animals can make you with their eyes and tolerate you if they can't exactly figure out what you are while your wearing camo, but if they smell you- which they still can very easily when your in a ghillie- they are GONE. Just something to consider ghillie's are great for hiding from humans who lack an excellent sense of smell, but are not needed when hiding from animals who are more likely to bust you from getting downwind of you and catching a scent
 
Instead of a ghillie, I sometimes use just a 4' square piece of lightweight camo mesh. I just drape it over myself like a rain poncho and good to go.
 
I have the bushrag ultra guillie and have had for years. I love it and find that even at spitting distance the predators look right through you, like you aren't even there, and if you have to move or swing around for a better shot they don't run away, they see you but don't realize what you are. as for snagging on stuff it is attached to my back pack for transport and put on at the calling site or just prior to my calling sight and have found it no more trouble than an e-caller or decoy to fool with. I also just wear the jacket unless I just have to sit in the open then I'd wear the pants to. You don't have to find a bush to sit next to. You are the bush. Just my thoughts. Brad
 
I wear the Rancho Safari ghillie, weather permitting. Most of my buddies laughed at the idea when I told them I was getting one. None of them laugh when they see how it works. It gives me the freedom to sit down wherever I can get the best shooting vantage. I don't have to look for shade or something to break up my outline anymore. I don't have to wait for a coyote to look away or be blocked from me before moving for a shot either. They don't recognize me as a danger.

IDBob might laugh at me when and if he sees me, but not as hard as I'd laugh at a guy sneaking in and setting up 20 feet from me.

IMG_0468-1.jpg


This coyote ran by me at 4 feet while sitting on a stool in the open. She gave me a sideways look when I raised my shotgun.
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I've considered one but being busted from them seeing me is not a problem usually. Typically being windedis much more of a problem. I'll stick with regular camo, I just don't think it's necessary to have ghillie.
 
Quote:
I wear the Rancho Safari ghillie, weather permitting. Most of my buddies laughed at the idea when I told them I was getting one. None of them laugh when they see how it works. It gives me the freedom to sit down wherever I can get the best shooting vantage. I don't have to look for shade or something to break up my outline anymore. I don't have to wait for a coyote to look away or be blocked from me before moving for a shot either. They don't recognize me as a danger.

IDBob might laugh at me when and if he sees me, but not as hard as I'd laugh at a guy sneaking in and setting up 20 feet from me.

IMG_0468-1.jpg


This coyote ran by me at 4 feet while sitting on a stool in the open. She gave me a sideways look when I raised my shotgun.
IMG_0448.jpg





I never considered one until hunting with Jim.
I'm a beleiver! /ubbthreads/images/graemlins/bowingsmilie.gif

2 weeks ago we got out and after I blew a shot on a coyote another came through in front of Jim and he had a malfunction with his mag and had to reseat his mag and cycle his charging handle twice while the she stood and stared at the "bush" moving around and making noise. Never knew what hit her.
BTW he was in the open with no cover.
I will own one soon.
Sometimes you just don't have any cover to setup in. He brings his own.
 


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