This last weekend a buddy of mine asked me to help him out with his mule deer hunt in Southern Idaho. I knew we would be hunting in cold/snowy conditions, so I went through my gear the night before deciding what items I was going to wear for the hunt. I knew the plan for the hunt was to drive some 4 wheel drive roads and hike to high vantage points to glass, so layering was going to be key.
1st Layer:
Like every good layering system a good base layer is a must, for this hunt I started with C4E’s Merino Wool Top and Bottom. If you’ve never had the chance to wear Merino Wool give it a chance, I have never hunted in a baselayer that was more comfortable.
2nd Layer: Â
Bottom – Element Pant – this was the last layer I wore while walking but when we would stop to glass or drive on the ATV I would throw on a pair of inuslated gore-tex pants for added warmth!
Top – Assault Shirt – A great layer for added insulation.
3rd Layer:
Top – Element Vest – I am a vest guy all the way when it come to hunting, I love the added insulation for my core.
4th Layer:
Top – Element Jacket – The icing on the cake, the Element Jacket is not a heavy weight garment but when you layer underneath it works great for cold weather. But just like the Element Pant when we would stop or drive I would throw on an extra insulated gore-tex jacket.
Everybody’s body is different so you may need to tweek this system a little but it worked for me this last weekend. I did get a little cold while driving the ATV because snow kept flying onto my face, but for the most part I stayed warm all day.
THE HUNT:
We ended up spotting over 30 bucks but never found the ONE, We did however have a great time and saw some new country.
This buck was one of the better bucks we spotted during the day!
I spotted this buck at 1200 yards, he was a giant 2X2 with a radio collar around his neck!
Deer Country
November 29th, 2011 at 10:11 pm
Ross, did you say Element Vest? I am a vest guy also, that would be great if Core4 offered a vest, love the other layers.
November 30th, 2011 at 5:44 pm
Garald, I did say vest!! It is awesome..I am actually wearing it as we speak. They should be available here pretty soon!