Insect Repellent and or clothing suggestions

[USPENAMC]

since ive always hunted the rifle season i havent had to deal with mosquitos and the like. I would like some info on clothing and repellents that you use or that have worked for you to keep those BUGS away

[Scoot]

Thermacells have been getting rave reviews on all of the bowhunting sites. I finally broke down and got one. Given what I've been reading, I'd recommend one.

[harvey lee]

I purchased a Bug Tamer suit a few years back and it has been a great suit. Very cool and the bugs can swarm around you without you getting all bit up.

One of the best puchases I have made in the last few years.

[BLACKJACK]

Get yourself a good headnet, put it on over a hat with the brim all the way around, because they can bite thru it, you don't want the headnet touching your skin. For my hands, I wear thin cotton camo gloves, with the fingers cut off on my shooting hand. Make sure they can't get up your pant legs or sleeves, they generally can't bite thru, except where the fabric is tight against your skin. I generally end up overdressing to keep the skeets off. Make sure your early season stands will be in the shade and/or out in the open with a breeze.

I do have the Thermacell but have not used it for hunting, just camping, but it seems to work. Will try it this year.

One thing to consider for early season deer hunting is meat spoilage. Number one you have to find your deer in a hurry so make sure its a good kill shot, pass up any marginal shots. Also have a plan to do some butchering, if you shoot a deer Sat night and its going to be 85 on Sunday and the butcher shops are closed until Monday, you need to either not hunt Sat night or have a butchering plan.

[Scoot]

I have a heck of a time shooting with any sort of head net on- do you guys struggle with this too? I just can't seem to find my anchor point right...

[harvey lee]

That does restrict my view somewhat but I will flip it back off my face if time allows and the deer isnt looking at me.

[Gus]

When I shoot with a headnet or facemask on I have to rely more on my peep than my anchor. You have to practice with it on quite a bit to get confortable. My point of impact usually shifts just a tad too. Practicing and knowing how your equipement reacts to any changes is Key. Shoot with the headnet, facemask, nothing, gloves on (both bow hand and release hand), gloves off, Open stance, closed stance, perfect stance, off balance stance, sitting, standing, kneeling....... you have to get comfortable with everytyhing because hunting is rarely picture perfect. Is it September yet????

[chucker34]

Avon makes a "scent free" bug repellent spray that I have used. It works in keeping them away. It does smell some, like slight hint of rubbing alcohol. Not really anything too strong or offensive.

If you're going to use a bug suit, they're great but don't skimp. Go middle of the road or higher. Cheap ones are a waste of money.

I ditto the spoilage. I got one at the beginning of October two years ago and it was nearly 80 degrees that day. What I do is freeze about 5 one gallong milk jugs full of water and keep them on hand to stuff in the body cavity should I connect. Then I pour some crushed ice in around it until I can get it to the butcher, hopefully within a few hours.

[harvey lee]

Thats why I purchased a Bug Tamer, they work great.

[USPENAMC]

since you say they should be OFF the skin a bit should i buy maybe a couple of sizes big?

have you been busted by deer by wearing bug spray?

im going to see what i buy and then go scouting and see how it works.

thanks for all the advice. I usually gut the deer right away and then i butcher it myself in the garage and straight to the freezer it goes.

[harvey lee]

The bug tamer clothes has like a rope under the netting so when the bugs land on the netting they cannot reach your skin with thier drill. With this suit, no need to get one larger in size.

[chucker34]

I hear you harvey lee. That looks like a good suit. I was talking about the really cheap suits like the ones Cabelas sells for $50 and are like light mesh. Those pretty much suck for mosquitoes. They fooled me. Decent camo. Sucks for bugs. That's my review of Cabela's cheapo suit. The Predator silent weave line is nice, though.

[BLACKJACK]

As others have said, you need to practice with the headnet on. I also like to pull the headnet up for that last 1/2 hour of hunting, they get hard to see thru as it gets darker out.