Info for Hunters and Paintballers

In an item as low-tech as camouflage netting and ghillie suiting, who would think that quality is rising even as the price has dropped? Here are some factors to consider when looking at ghillie wear and camo netting.

 The original ghillie suits were made by Scottish gamekeepers to help them catch elusive wild game for the table. These portable hunting blinds were made from burlap sacks. The suits smelled bad, were heavy and were flammable. In the past few years, new fabrics and finishes have changed these garments and netting radically for the better.

• If you want the natural fabric -- jute or burlap, choose one with fire retardant (some kits include sprays, so you can renew the retardant qualities of your suit).·        

• Where will you be wearing these suits?  Real burlap suits are better suited for areas with colder weather. Some burlap/jute garments have been reconfigured so they are cooler to wear (Netting and suit information tags will notify you if the garment has this quality.)·            

• Ghillie garments with FAUXLIAGE,™ offer a durable fabric that  breaks up the human outline without the ghillie suit bulk or noise.·            

• One of the newer innovations is the renewable Scent-Lok fabric. Garments made of this fabric keep your scent out of the wind for up to 40 field hours before it needs to be reactivated (in a dryer). These are useful with game (especially deer and elk) that rely on their sense of smell to avoid detection. 

 Why do I know enough to talk with you about ghillie suits? Certainly I’ve never worn one and cannot imagine ever doing so.  Before you take my advice, you just might want to know my credentials.

 When ghillie suits cost over $300, my husband came to me with stacks of burlap sacks and suggested I take on the ultimate sewing challenge:  Make a 6’ 3” tall man disappear in a tangle of burlap strips.

 In a fit of idiotic exuberance, I agreed. By the time I finished my masterpiece of hunter’s (or paintballer’s) disguise, $300+ seemed to be a pittance to pay for a ghillie suit.

 The sewing is straightforward; the burlap bag cutting is not. By the time I had a four foot tall mound of burlap strips, hives covered all 67 inches of my body. Without too much deliberation, I decided that this was not going to be a laugh-a-minute exercise.

 If there’s anyone left in America who wishes to create a ghillie suit, here is the supply list: scissors, thread and lots of burlap sacks. Purchase all of the anti-itch cream, spray, lotion and IV supplies you can find. Purchase thick boots, thick socks, thick pants, long-sleeved shirts, full-face mask, gloves, etc., and pray for cold weather! Make sure your new “terminal itching” insurance policy is in force. Kiss each of your children, “Good-bye.”

 Yes, this is tongue-in-cheek expose on ghillie suit sewing is a little over the top. My husband, Richard, did say that his ghillie suit was especially successful with turkeys. These large fowl depend on their very sharp eyes, not their sense of smell. Richard was able to get close enough “to see the whites of their eyes.” (We will try to answer the burning question, “Why would anyone want to look at the whites of turkey’s eyes?” in a future, thrilling episode.)

At www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com , we carry a variety of ghillie suits and camo netting. Fortunately, these garments no longer cost $300 – and we have discounted them further. Check us soon!  

Marylouise is the business name of Jerry Jares, Licensed Professional Counselor. She owns the website: www.EasyOnlineOrdering.com. A variety of items are available online: personal safety  and home security devices, as well as (hard-to-find) camping and hunting products

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