Important Things to Know Before Buying a Hunting Jacket

The clothing you go hunting in can be a huge factor in the success of your hunt. Being comfortable and properly camouflaged are two of the most important aspects when you’re out looking for your prey in the harsh Australian weather. And one of the most important hunting clothing pieces that add to your comfort and sneak game is the hunting jacket. Hunting jackets that are made for the Australian climate should be lightweight, breathable, easily maintained and durable.

Hunting Jacket
Source: Grandcoteau

How to Pick the Right Hunting Jacket

Just like when shopping for any other kind of hunting clothing online, you need to be aware that the hunting jacket you buy will primarily be used in rough outdoor conditions. This means that you’ll come across thorns, thickets, branches and many other obstacles that can easily ruin the jacket if it’s not made of a robust fabric. Make sure the material of your hunting clothing is strong enough to withstand the elements and the harsh environment it will be put through. You’ll probably have to hide in bushes and maybe even crawl around, so the jacket needs to protect your skin. Additionally, the weather can be unpredictable, and you may end up sitting in the rain because you blindly trusted the weather report on your phone. With that said, you should always go for a weather-resistant jacket (waterproof and water-resistant).

The jacket should also provide decent camouflage for the type of prey you’re hunting. Big game, like deer, have stronger senses, so it may take a lot of effort, craft and blending in the environment to get them. You basically want your clothing to break your silhouette from your surroundings. Blaze orange is a commonly used camouflage pattern, as orange isn’t an identifiable colour by most animals, yet it’s visible to other hunters, preventing accidents.

Some other features the jacket should include are pockets to help you carry everything you need when hunting. While many people would argue that pockets aren’t important simply because you’re likely to have a backpack on you anyway, retrieving something from your pockets creates much less noise and requires far less movement than taking it from your backpack.

hunting clothing
Source: Thespruce

How to Maintain and Clean a Hunting Jacket?

Since you may end up getting a ton of dirt and even blood on your jacket, you’ll need to clean it as soon as you get home. Standard fabric detergents and softeners usually have fragrances that are easily detectable by animals. In fact, these fragrances are far more detectable than the human scent, so washing your jacket with them is a big no. Instead, you’ll want a detergent that’s free of UV brighteners and fragrances. Take your time to find a detergent that’s specifically made for hunters or military use. Furthermore, clean your washer and dryer thoroughly to remove any previous scent, which you can do with the detergent you bought for your jacket. Alternatively, just use the tub or sink and hand wash the jacket. Adding a cup of baking soda can help get rid of any odour. When you’re done washing the jacket, air-dry it on a clothesline.

Storing your jacket properly
Source: Mossyoak

How to Properly Store Your Hunting Jacket?

Storing your jacket properly is a huge part of maintaining it. If hunting season is over and you want your jacket to keep its efficiency for the next hunting season, you need to get a vacuum storage bag that’s meant for storing sporting goods. Put everything in a tightly sealed storage container to prevent unwanted scents and to keep away pests. You can add some Cedar chips to give the jacket a natural scent. Keep aerosol sprays away from your hunting apparel and equipment. You may not notice the scents yourself simply because you’re used to them, but they will definitely alarm animals.

You can use most of this information when you’re shopping, caring for and storing hunting pants and other hunting clothes as well. Doing so will ensure you get the best product for your needs and make sure it lasts for many more hunting seasons. In other words, you’ll have peace of mind knowing your money is well spent and the products you buy will provide you value in the long term. You can find a wide range of hunting apparel and equipment online from various Australian retailers and have it delivered straight to your home. Just make sure you do your research on the brand and vendor you’re buying from, and shop around to get the best price. And keep in mind that when it comes to buying hunting clothes, it’s worth paying the extra buck initially so that you get the comfort and convenience you deserve when out in the wild.