Anyone here work for Sitka?

[Will.284]

I have switched from Sitka to Stone Glacier for technical clothing. SG does not have a "camo" pattern they push. When I see or hear guys arguing about which camo patters is best, I ask them the following, "What camo pattern did Fred Bear use? That usually ends the conversation. DD62 P.S. I am showing my age referencing Fred Bear. You young guys Google Fred Bear and learn.

I totally agree with you DesertDweller62: I love my Stone Glacier gear and don't give a d_ m _ about pattern. None of my camo matches and seldom wear more than a camo jacket and yes I know ho Fred Bear is without using google

 

[Flatbow]

Who is Fred Bear?!
Actually only a couple of these are Bear bows but U get it.

 

[Will.284]

I totally agree with you DesertDweller62: I love my Stone Glacier gear and don't give a d_ m _ about pattern. None of my camo matches and seldom wear more than a camo jacket and yes I know ho Fred Bear is without using google

Who is Fred Bear?!
Actually only a couple of these are Bear bows but U get it.

Dang nice collection I have a Fred bear a black widow and several I have made in my collection

 

[Flatbow]

The five on the left and one on floor plus a few not pictured are ones I built. I owned and built customs for about ten years a while back.
Life happened and I sold the business and now just hunt with them!!

 

[chav0_12]

Sorry to hear that Sitka possibly cancelled your order. I'm currently making a transition away from First Lite because of terrible customer service and I'm buying up a bunch of Sitka and Stone Glacier stuff. None of which any of it has been camo in any way. Stone Glacier has had excellent service over the years that I've had their gear.

The only time I even bother wearing camo anymore is when I'm waterfowl hunting. For me it's all solids.

 

[mightyman]

I am 70 as of 10-31 and wear camo when i hunt. It is all mixed up stuff bought over the years

It simply feels good and keeps me warm. Columbia Gallatin Wool bibs, and who knows shirts and under garmets.
I know it matters not to deer… as i am not going to a fashion show..

But the truth is… u can wear whatever to hunt.. as long as it is clean, dont smell
I used to put my jeans and jacket in a box of pine needles and leaves for the off season… and store in our shed.

Here is a pic of me, my dad (passed) and best friend when i was 16 getting my 1st Turkey on VA… during Deer season… NO camo
Im n the middle… still have that ole Gray Wool Donkey coat!

 

[Philward]

Here is a "pro-tip" to everyone.
If you are even close to being in the market for good water resistant (I say resistant because no clothing in 100% proof) clothing then buy it sooner than later!
The government is banning the use of a key element that is used in the production of water proofing and so far the company's that make it have not found a replacement that works as well.
I heard this on a podcast from someone that works for Sitka.
The ban starts in 2025!

You talking about the DWR coatings with FPAO and PFAS stuff or something like that?

 

[Will.284]

The five on the left and one on floor plus a few not pictured are ones I built. I owned and built customs for about ten years a while back.
Life happened and I sold the business and now just hunt with them!!

What was the name on your business I might know it

 

[Hard H2O]

If you work for Sitka, I get to hunt for one week a year. Sitka, you are about to ruin my week by forcing me to turn elsewhere as time is running out to have the gear I am looking for. I will wait for you to act on this until Wednesday.

Rant over.

I work for an outdoor retailer. I use Sitka gear. I sell Sitka gear.

This week in MN is always people coming in last minute for boots, clothes, and gear for the whitetail firearms opener. Many are surprised when we do not have their size. Many are annoyed that the cheap gear is gone and they might have to spend a bit more. We had a run on youth clothing and boots for the youth season and now for the firearms opener people are perplexed that we do not have much left in youth sizes.

I had a customer Saturday asking for some inexpensive bibs. I showed him some Gamehide and a couple of others. He called them garbage. I would not call them garbage but on a scale of good, better, best they are the good option. He wanted to try on XL when he was definitely an XXL. He did not like any of the options I showed him. I said OK let me show you what I wear. I took him over to Sitka and had him try on the Incinerator bibs and parka. He love it. Great ergonomics, side zips are great, light weight and not bulky. Then he looked at the price. He was a bit ****ed off. I showed him what his perceived budget would get him and what a bit more money would buy. He said he was tired of being uncomfortable in the woods. He left without buying anything. He was going to try to find something at the price he had in his head that matched the Sitka quality. I do not think he will have much luck. He does not need Sitka. He just needs to realize that the cheaper options are not garbage. If he wants to pay what he wants to pay he will have to temper his expectations as to how far his budget will go.

Respectfully Sitka is not the one to "ruin your week". You waited until the last minute.

You could go to a retailer and see what is still available and then plan ahead a bit better next year.

I love my Sitka stuff. I run with the Incinerator bibs and parka. Probably will not need much layering for this opener. Should be warmish.

 

[Hard H2O]

Sitka, kuiu, first light....Whatever is on sale. Prefer kuiu. The coues in my avatar didn't care that I had a sitka shirt and kuiu pants on. Having camo that doesn't match will never ruin a hunt for me.

I read a long time ago and I forget exactly but one theory on camo is to not have matching tom and bottom. I forget but one should be darker. I forget if was the top or bottom. Something about shadows and the way the body looks when you are sitting.

I buy the utility and quality of the gear first. I do not worry too much about camo pattern.

 

[birddog 68]

I have switched from Sitka to Stone Glacier for technical clothing. SG does not have a "camo" pattern they push. When I see or hear guys arguing about which camo patters is best, I ask them the following, "What camo pattern did Fred Bear use? That usually ends the conversation. DD62 P.S. I am showing my age referencing Fred Bear. You young guys Google Fred Bear and learn.

 

[Citified]

Like a lot of older guys, I hunted for years without camo. Now I have a bunch of this stuff that doesn't match. The newer stuff is nice in that it blends with the environment and is able to mask human smell better. Does it matter? Probably not. Sure is a fashion show though!

 

[Lakotah]

It seems customer service is lacking at most companies now. They seem to have gotten so big they no longer care about the individual customer

 

[Hard H2O]

Like a lot of older guys, I hunted for years without camo. Now I have a bunch of this stuff that doesn't match. The newer stuff is nice in that it blends with the environment and is able to mask human smell better. Does it matter? Probably not. Sure is a fashion show though!

There are a lot of things that might not matter on their own. You start adding them up and they still might not mean you will kill an animal but all together they do not hurt. They might make an animal pause or not think you are human for just enough time to make the shot or to get ready for the shot.

Yes biggest thing is putting yourself in the right place ready to shoot. Keep quiet and still. But a bit of camo that helps you look like not a threat, a bit of scent control, playing the wind... it all adds up.

With gear, having clothing that is comfortable and helps you stay still. Having pockets that put your gear where you need it for less movement. Gear that will keep you cool when on the move so you are not perspiring or will handle moisture yet keep you warm enough so you are not shivering and fidgeting.

It all adds up.

Yep, you can hunt in jeans and a wool button up shirt. How itchy were those old shorts compared to what we have now? How well do jeans shed moisture and how much stretch do they have?