SIOUX CITY | A productive hunt requires more than just a top-of-the-line gun. Being prepared with proper dress and equipment is key to having a successful hunt, according to the experts at Scheels in Sioux City.
“The No. 1 thing we try to get people into is a good pair of socks,” said Todd Pick, shotgun manager at Scheels. “Nothing ruins a hunt like cold, wet feet.”
There are a variety of types of socks that differ in fit and thickness depending on what type of hunting will be done.
Boots are also important element to the hunt. There is a large assortment of boots with different heights, support and warmth.
For the more serious hunter, Scheels carries remote control heated insoles to place in boots for added warmth. The insoles, which have settings for no heat, medium and high heat, have an internal rechargeable battery. The insoles are also good for people who spend a lot of time outdoors in the cold, Pick added.
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Waders are another vital purchase, especially for those hunting waterfowl and walking through bodies of water. Neoprene waders are waterproof and will help hold in warmth. They also don’t require washing besides the occasional hosing.
“They are very minimum maintenance as far as longevity,” Pick said.
When it comes to clothing, hunting manager Warren Jensen stressed the importance of layers.
“Layers are the secret to everything,” he said. “You don’t want heavy, bulky gear, but you want to stay warm and comfortable.”
Jensen said to look for fabrics that say “wickable,” which means it pulls moisture away from the skin, and Gore-Tex, which allows sweat to come off the skin, but rain cannot come through.
“If a customer goes out hunting and is dressed inappropriately, it will make for a bad experience and we don’t want that,” Jensen said.
Hunters also need to follow laws that specify how much blaze orange needs to be worn. Turkey and bow hunters are not required to wear orange as they are typically solitary hunters, but all other hunters are required to wear one visible, external article of clothing with at least 50 percent surface area solid blaze orange, according to the Iowa Department of Natural Resources.
Bow hunters know how important it is to minimize human smell so that deer will come close. This can be achieved through special clothing or, for the more tech-savvy, Ozonics. Ozonics destroys human scent through ozone molecules, which reduces the number of deer that can pick up the scent and become aware of human presence.
Trail cameras are another piece of equipment that allow for easier hunting. The almost undetectable cameras start recording when they sense movement in their area allowing hunters to see what game is around and in what direction it is heading. Certain models will send pictures to cell phones for an almost instant viewing.
“When I first started, you tied a thread between two trees and if it was broken, there was a deer,” Jensen said. “If you could tell what way it laid, you’d know what direction it went. It’s amazing how technology has changed things.”
