Clothing also can affect your ability to perform safely and responsibly. Select clothing based on the weather you expect while being prepared for the worst.
- In warm weather, wear a hat and light clothing that covers as much of your skin as possible to prevent heat exhaustion or sunburn.
- Cold weather conditions call for clothing that is worn in layers. Layers offer superior insulation. Also, as weather warms up, you can shed a layer at a time to stay comfortable. Layers should include:
- A vapor transmission layer (material such as polypropylene)—worn next to the body; it should release moisture from the skin while retaining warmth.
- An insulating layer—weightier or bulkier; it should hold warm air around you.
- A protective outer layer—available in various weights and materials according to conditions; it should protect the inner layers from water and wind.
- The most important clothing choices are a daylight fluorescent orange hat and daylight fluorescent orange outerwear—a shirt, vest, or jacket.
- Daylight fluorescent orange clothing makes it easier for one hunter to spot and recognize another hunter because nothing in nature matches this color. The orange color of the clothing should be plainly visible from all directions. This is required by law in many states.
- Daylight fluorescent orange is also called blaze orange or hunter orange.
Other Clothing Essentials
- A hat or cap with earflaps and gloves to retain body heat—most body heat is lost through the head and hands; gloves also protect your hands from abrasions and rope burns
- Footwear that is sturdy, suitable for the conditions you’ll encounter, and has been broken in before the hunt
- Two layers of socks—polypropylene against the skin and a wool outer layer
