Make your own Ghillie Suit?

[jlouis976]

Have any of you guys ever made your own Ghillie suit for hunting?

I was thinking about trying to make one for bow hunting.

 

[Bumppo]

Yes, I have, but remember less is more and to keep your drawing arm unencumbered. Also, loose strings can tangle in your bow string. Blinds might be more practical and comfortable for most.

 

[KEmSAT-Survival]

Don't need a bushrag for hunting.

Just stay down wind and don't make any sharp movements.

 

[coaldigger]

KEM is right...no need for the Rags...Move low & slow & wear natural earth tone colors (prefer a mix of brown colors) & you will do just fine

 

[PrimitiveMan]

And whether or not you are being hunted

 

[8541SS]

I went through Marine Scout Sniper school in 95'. We were taught not to make the Hollywood suits with too much burlap. We used shorter burlap and stuffed more natural vegetation into the suit depending on where we were operating. Since I got out of the Corps I have actually not shot rifles hardly at all as I began to bow hunt. The hunting industry makes more money on camo and accessories than they do bows or rifles. Of course the pros will use the latest camo because they get it free! I try to spend my money where it really matters. If I were as slim as I was I would still be wearing my old BDUs. My wife wears them now. For bow season I wear Dwight Schuh microtex shoes that look like camo Chuck Taylors. They are light and dry super fast. It is still smoking hot here when I hunt in October, so I am more concerned with being cool than dry. This year I may just wear my green dickie carpenter pants and a long sleeve camo shirt. No matter how much camo you wear if you are not disciplined and still you wont get a shot with a bow! There are some great technical camo outfits that I would definitely buy though if I had more money.

 

[jlouis976]

Well heck, this was way more helpful than I thought it was going to be.........and not at all in the way that I was expecting.

Thanks guys. I appreciate it.

 

[jlouis976]

Is this true even if I am hunting from the ground?

 

[Bumppo]

Keep it simple! And pay attention to the others here. I have done it, but don't do it anymore. It is worth trying though, if for no other lesson than to learn there are better ways.

 

[8541SS]

Honestly! The only ghillie type suit that would be good for bowhunting would be something like the leafy suits at Cabelas or Bass Pro. They are great for hot weather because they are mesh. I myself hunt up high with a tripod in West Texas and ladder or climber here at home in East Texas. I have used a portable ground blind with several successes, but you have limited view and they are hot where I hunt. If you hunt off the ground you need to make a good ground blind. Now if your intent is to stalk and shoot with a bow, more power to you. Any experienced bow hunter will tell you that the success rate is much lower. But if that is what you want to do, don't let anyone stop you. The point is that you enjoy and learn what ever style you choose.

 

[stingray4540]

I've made one before, but I made it for paintball. I did use it on a bow hunt though, and 3 deer came within arms length of me. Only problem is that I either had my bow leaning against the tree because I was eating lunch, or they came up behind me and I didn't know it until I did something that spooked them, which effectively spooked me!

In my opinion, the most important part, if you do decide to make a guillie suit is the head, shoulder, neck area. The human bust is pretty much what gives you up as a human, if you can build up and break up that area, the rest of you doesn't need to be as dense. It also helps to make your suit in the woods you plan to hunt, and occasionally check to see how well it's blending in. And of course, use fresh vegetation from the area you set up in to augment it.