I've got a 10 day backpack elk hunt coming up. I've got a couple mesh long sleeve camo shirts to hunt in as well as a couple UA heat gear short sleeve shirts. I have no qualms about puttin a stalk on with the long sleeves but I worry about stalking in the short sleeves. Anybody hunt in short sleeves in the early season?
Camo - Short sleeves?
- Thread starter 307Wapiti
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jenbickel
Veteran member
Elkcrazedfrk
Active Member
- Feb 21, 2011
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I've often though about it but have always stayed in long sleeve.. I kind get maybe even a little to stealthy when sneak'n in on a critter. Heck I dont know if it matters..good question.
sjsmallfield
Veteran member
wolftalonID
Very Active Member
Shoot, last year I even took my dear wearing blue jeans!!! Camo isnt all it is cracked up to be. Humans hunted for centuries without it and survived just fine.
If it makes you more confident to wear long sleeves then do so. But honestly, your movement is more important (lack of it actually) than what you are wearing.
If it makes you more confident to wear long sleeves then do so. But honestly, your movement is more important (lack of it actually) than what you are wearing.
T43
Active Member
If you're that concerned about it use a little face paint on your arms to break them up. I tried it yesterday while antelope hunting, not sure it worked as I didn't get close enough for a shot but that may have had more to do with the fact there was no cover. I've never had much of a chance to hunt with short sleeves as it's usually to cold but a unique situation presented it's self yesterday and the best option was short sleeves and paint. The fact my wife and daughter got to poke fun at me when I got back to camp was an added bonus.
thinkin6X6
New Member
Never been a fan of short sleeves in the woods. Forearms get chewed up from the prickly stuff and I prefer to keep the sun off my arms at higher elevations to reduce sunburn.
I also wear light weight breathable clothing that wicks moisture real well and allows the wind to move through and it keeps by core well regulated.
I also wear light weight breathable clothing that wicks moisture real well and allows the wind to move through and it keeps by core well regulated.
RUTTIN
Veteran member
I watched a hunter one day from a ridge away that was wearing a shot sleeve shirt, and it was amazing how his forearms seemed to stick out and almost glow compared to the background. Ever since then I have always wore long sleeves and gloves.
Elkcrazedfrk
Active Member
- Feb 21, 2011
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jenbickel
Veteran member
The way I see it, if you can wear fluorescent orange while rifle hunting, you should be able to wear short sleeves..but I also antelope hunted in my bra because it was too hot.. lol I'm not a fan of being super hot.
CrimsonArrow
Very Active Member
RUTTIN
Veteran member
HuntinFool
Member
I think camo may help, but it not nearly as important as being quite and keeping the wind in your face. Last week got within fifty yards of a 25" 4 and an 18" 3 point three different times, but I just couldn't get a clear shot. I was in a white tee shirt and blue gym shorts.
walleyed
New Member
I am sure you can kill in shorts / blue jeans / and short sleeves, but I feel that wearing camo (pants and long sleeve) MAY give you just those few extra seconds to make a shot. Whether this is true or not, I don't know. But I like to believe that when I jump a deer and he runs then turns back it may take him just a tad bit longer to realize what I am if I am wearing all camo compared to non camo or just a camo short sleeve t-shirt.
This year in our great A zone (temps in the 100's) I wore a long sleeve enduraskin t-shirt. I don't think I would have been any cooler wearing just a short sleeve-t and I truely believe it made the difference with the buck I killed as he walked right to us and even stopped to look our direction for a few seconds. If I was wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt there is a good chance he would have picked me off standing out infront of a bush.
This year in our great A zone (temps in the 100's) I wore a long sleeve enduraskin t-shirt. I don't think I would have been any cooler wearing just a short sleeve-t and I truely believe it made the difference with the buck I killed as he walked right to us and even stopped to look our direction for a few seconds. If I was wearing a short-sleeve t-shirt there is a good chance he would have picked me off standing out infront of a bush.
MT backcountry hunter
Active Member
I tend to hunt in shorts and S/S shirts in the early season. Call me crazy but it beats wearing pants! Off topic but I have also started wearing light weight Inov-8 trail running shoes instead of hiking boots. Feet stay much cooler not begin in leather boots, watch out for cactus though!