One thing to remember in the NW - Cotton Kills! Try to avoid cotton at all costs in the PNW when wet weather is upon us. Early in my hunting career I wore a lot of cotton because it was durable, quiet and archery seasons were generally hot and dry. After a few close calls when temps at altitude dropped without warning from mid 90's to 50's will hail, wind and lightning I learned real quick...leave the cotton at home.
A buddy of mine who found himself with no job, four kids and a steep mortgage also joined me in cutting it close on an Oregon back country hunt. After a few days in a hotel room recovering from the damage of severe leg cramps he headed off to Goodwill and found some dress slacks made of some very fine knit wool. He may have looked out of place, but those pants were sweet! Perfect cut, just the right color, wore like iron, attracted very few burrs and amazingly quiet! We hunted together for the next three years and even after his financial situation took a change for the better he continued to wear those pants. And kick my behind in the animal harvest totals.
The last time we hunted together we were calling coyotes. He made one of the best ghillie suits I've ever seen from an old wool sweater he found at Goodwill. He took a crochet needle and knitted in strips of acrylic yarn
(also from Goodwill) in different colors to blend well with the terrain we were hunting. He said the whole thing cost him about $8.00. At the end of two days of calling almost 48 hours straight I was a sore frozen mess while he was looking and feeling pretty good! With a little creativity and planning you don't have to have a deep wallet to perform your best in the PNW. You just have to be smarter than the average pipe fitter
