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I was fortunate to be able to visit with Chris Bates, owner of Mean Mallard to get his thoughts on some of the new technology that we are seeing these days. Chris said, “I have seen hunting technology evolve along the same lines that computers and golf drivers have. New technology seems to outdate the previous technology extremely fast.”
One of the items that he showed me and elaborated on was camouflage. Now I have always been a fan of the old heavy green wool pants, a wool blend shirt (green in color with the buck on the left pocket for those of you who know me), a hunting coat, and rubber boots. It has always, I thought, served me pretty well. I’ll admit, I’ve been busted by some bucks while wearing this attire, but we’ve all been busted from time to time.
Chris pulled a few of the new camo patterns from Mossy Oak and Realtree off the shelf to show me how camouflage really works these days. He hung them in a line and as we backed away from them they immediately became almost, what’s the word here? Invisible? Transparent? Maybe a little of both.
I was amazed at the 3-D effect that these new patterns provided. My hunting companions and I have discussed on many occasions that we sometimes look like a dark blob in a tree. Many times we have driven the truck to pick up one of our hunters and you could sometimes pick the hunter out from a great distance while he was perched in his stand. I know I have been told that they could see me at times. It’s really hard to explain how these patterns work, but seeing is believing.
As we toured the shelves, we stopped and talked about how to dress for cold weather. Innovations in clothing technology to wick away moisture and retain heat are just as amazing as the camo is. My white cotton T-shirts are the first to go if I want to attempt to stay dry, warm, and odor free. As partial as I am to Gossypium hirsutum, I’ll attempt to dress for hunting without my beloved cotton underneath. I began to think, if the cotton T-shirt retains moisture and affects our comfort in the hunting world, it probably does the same thing in our working world.
Why wouldn’t this apply to our suits and ties that we wear also? Remember, it’s my idea, anyone who capitalizes on this please remember me. Chris showed me the proper way to layer the many new fabrics and textiles to reduce bulkiness yet maximize warmth and comfort. He related also, “As the day begins to warm, the removal of a particular layer will adjust your comfort level.”
As we were discussing the clothing technologies, I was introduced to Tim Renfroe. Tim is in charge of sales and technical service in the archery department. Our discussion turned to this year’s actual hunting season and how it’s been going. He also uses technology to aid his hunting endeavors. The buck pictured was captured first by one of Tim’s trail cameras and then later captured by one of his arrows. Tim has numerous pictures of this buck. The trail camera helped him determine when and where this buck was entering the chicory and clover food plot, where he eventually harvested him.
It was interesting to note how he checks his cameras. “I position my camera, and I don’t return to check it for two weeks. I am trying to pattern a buck, I don’t want a buck to pattern me.” Sorta sounds like what we talked about earlier doesn’t it? The first time he hunted this buck he showed up, but didn’t come within bow range. He let the buck leave the field, and then returned at a later date. The buck got a little too close the second time. Congratulations, Tim, neat buck.
New camo, trail cameras, scent free super warm clothing. It sure seems like a long time till Christmas. Hint, hint. Half the hunting season will be over by then though. I hope I can hide the Visa bill.
Until next time, enjoy our woods and waters and remember, let’s leave it better than we found it.
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