Hunting Washington Forum
Big Game Hunting => Elk Hunting => Topic started by: Parasite on December 31, 2024, 12:47:18 AM
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What do you think is the best rain gear for the following scenarios for elk hunting in SW Washington:
Early Archery season down in areas such as Long Beach, Long Island, Bear River, Williams Creek.
Late Archery season in the same units.
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Early season archery no need just skeeter repellent, late season I use Sitka thunderhead rain gear
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:yeah:
The thunderhead is tough to beat for an all around archery jacket. Pretty good rain protection and the quietest in the category i have found.
I prefer to think of it as "moisture mitigation" not "staying dry" keeps my expectations realistic :chuckle:
Wool is your friend, especially late season.it will keep you more comfortable when you get wet. Period.
Wear a good gaiter regardless of whether you wear rain pants ( I rarely do) they will do wonders keeping your feet dry.
The ambient temperature during most early archery season in those areas is high enough that if your in rain gear and moving, the interior of the rain gear gets just as wet as the exterior. Most of the time the rain is pretty intermittent. Usually, I find that light, fast drying pants and light merino tops work best, as rain generally blows over and then I can dry quickly on my own power. If it's looking like all day rain I will gaiter up to keep my feet dry, throw a dry top and light rain jacket in my pack and just don and doff the jacket as needed. Change the top mid day if it gets soaked.
Late season, is similar but temps are usually cool enough that wearing a rain jacket all day is not an issue. I don't like rain pants except in the most torrential of rain or serious brush busting. I usually wear solid wool pant, gaiters and a jacket as needed.
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Light rain I'll pack a Sitka Cloudburst set, moderate to heavy rain I'm using Kuiu Yukon. Down pours and glassing I use lightweight rubber PU gear from Grundens or Vallation.