Best Clothing for Hunting the Rut

Cody from Ohio asks,

Hey Bill, What camo gear do you prefer to use for hunting the rut and cold weather? Any recommendations on base layers as well as outer gear? Thank you for your time!

Bill responds,

Topic: Best Clothing for Hunting the Rut:

Cody,

I answered a question similar to this recently so I will cut and paste that here with a few minor changes.

You really need two systems of outerwear because the temperature changes so dramatically from late October through the end of the rut. It is hard to get one system to work throughout that entire time.

Base layers: 

I am a fan of wearing three layers under my outerwear: Layer one should be thin and really good at moisture wicking – wear a top and bottom. The second layer is thicker insulated layer such as a nice modern wool like merino wool or even a fleece.  It is really hard to beat Cabela’s a good source for base layers.  Third layer is a thin fleece vest. You can change the thickness of layer two as the temperatures change.  On those odd warm days, you can likely cut it out completely. I like my bottoms to be something I can wear to the stand – like a fleece or a sweat pants design.  That way I can carry my outerwear and put them on at the stand.

Outerwear:

Moderate temperatures: I like an uninsulated (or very lightly insulated) bib that I carry to the stand and slip on over my hunting pants and one base layer.  Top should be some kind of lightly insulated jacket or parka, something that will work over your base layer (or base layers – depending on temperature).

For cold weather outerwear, coveralls are ideal because they eliminate the gap between upper and lower and thus eliminate the cold spot. Insulated is good, of course, for  cold days during the rut and for late season. As ugly as they are, coveralls are the warmest thing you can wear. Cabela’s usually carries good insulated coveralls, but not sure who carries uninsulated versions. I would carry them to the stand and put them on once you get there (to keep from sweating). That’s why I like a base layer bottom that I can wear almost like pants.

If you are trying to stay away from coveralls, I would go with thick bibs and a parka.   I have had good success with products from Cabela’s and Drake Non-Typical. Again, it is ideal to have outerwear that cuts the wind so if they are listed as waterproof, they will be windproof too.  That allows a thinner garment to keep you as warm as a thicker one.  But, the downside: some of those waterproof/windproof garments are noisy when it is cold out.

Wear a facemask and a thick warm hat to keep your head and neck warm (a very important step). That, and some warm boots (when it gets really cold the best I have found are the Cabela’s Saskatchewan boots) should keep you comfortable on really tough days.

I carry the outerwear and put it on when I reach the tree or blind so I don’t get sweated up.  Good luck (12/16/21)