The problem with hunting is you’re sitting on ass when you arrive at your set. You won’t be moving around like those psychos slinging crab traps and long lines. If it’s below freezing, it’s going to be tough to have enough clothes on not to get uncomfortable or in a dangerous situation, and it not weigh 50lbs wet, and you still be functional.
I shot a buck last year sitting in the hybrid, in 45-50 degree temperatures, with monsoon rains from 2pm till I got the last piece of him in the truck around 9pm. 10mph steady breeze with gusts.
i was wearing a merino wool base layer, and a king of the mountain wool shirt jacket. Merino base bottom and a somewhat water repellant pant. The pant didn’t matter because the water ran down and soaked my groin from up top. But my feet stayed somewhat dry(weird).
Was I dry? Nope. Was I warm? Eh. Was I comfortable? Not particularly. Was I in danger of dying? Not close.
I sat from 2 until I shot the buck at 5pm. I could’ve sat another few hours I think. At some point I would’ve wanted to move around. As soon as I started packing him to the truck, the rain was mixing with sweat. It wouldn’t have mattered how wet I was prior.
I think a lot of it comes down to how willing you are to be wet. You can get clothing that will keep your body temperature in “alive” and “comfortable enough to not have to walk around” if you’re above freezing. But it’s heavier, and as comfortable as other options.
I’ve come full circle on this and dumped a lot of my name brand fancy camo for wool. I didn’t save any money in the process. But I’ve got much more versatile gear.
the king of the mountain wool shirt jacket I bought from
@Vtbow has quickly become one of my most indispensable pieces of gear, for hunting, and life in general. That shirt, paired with a merino base layer(thick or thin depending) can get me down to 35-40* no sweat.
I can’t recall sitting in anything below 40* soaking wet, but I’ve made dozens of hunts there or above soaked. It was far more enjoyable with a quality wool setup.
