What is everyone's opinion on leafy jackets? I've never used one. I'm curious how those who use them feel about them.
I don't go in the woods without one of mine.
NMG brand
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I wear mine a lot. I don't think it's necessary however I do think it gives me an edge in the camo department. If it gets hot i shuck it and it T shirt alone.
I have a leafy suit but rarely use it other than in very specific conditions or if I am just in a "leafy-suit mood". :D
Having said that, I am sure there are some folks here that swear by them...especially if they tend to set-up on a gobbler in a certain way...that is, the old "sit with your back against a tree" mantra (I don't generally follow that theory). My theory is if you set up properly, wear something that somewhat blends in with the surroundings, and don't move when you are not supposed to, you don't need leafy stuff.
One problem with the leafy garments I have found is that if you are hunting in a place that has a lot of "grabby things" such as vines or thorny-type brush, you will spend a lot of time trying to dislodge yourself from those during your hunts...that is, if you are moving around much at all. :D
I tried one, and didn't care for all the grabby things trying to attach itself to the suit as GobbleNut said ....
So just wear some regular camo and go hunting ...IMO
camo can be miss / matched etc.... Camo can be overrated also....
I wear a leafy suit from NMG, with their leafy hat and facemask. Is it a necessity? No, but the concealment really blends into the surroundings that I hunt in. I've had my suit for 5 or 6 years now and the leg zippers began to fail last spring. I contacted them to see if they could replace the zippers, for me, at my cost. They sent me a nice E-mail and said they were sending me a NEW pair of pants at No cost. Great Customer Service IMO. The only thing I don't like about the suit I purchased, and this was my choice, is I bought the solid non breathable suit. If I had to do it again, I would spend a few extra bucks and get the breathable suit for sure.
Quote from: Upfold99 on January 01, 2025, 10:17:40 AMI don't go in the woods without one of mine.
NMG brand
:agreed:
Never step into the big woods without the 1/4 zip NMG pullover. The kangaroo pocket is perfect. Between it, cargo pants pockets, no more vest.
Quote from: paboxcall on January 01, 2025, 12:24:40 PMQuote from: Upfold99 on January 01, 2025, 10:17:40 AMI don't go in the woods without one of mine.
NMG brand
:agreed:
Never step into the big woods without the 1/4 zip NMG pullover. The kangaroo pocket is perfect. Between it, cargo pants pockets, no more vest.
X2 here. The Northeast woods is barren early season. Leafy jacket breaks up outline of strange creature sitting against tree...
I wear the pants all the time. Wear over regular pants, saves money on camo.
I have used North Mountain Gear top and bottom for the last several years. Had the zippers replaced with metal ones last year. Mine is breathable.
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Be still and save the money. People been killing gobblers for years without. I do see a pattern though with all these new road warrior turkey hunters. They all have the same look about them and leafy jacket is a MUST
I wear one and have had good luck with it. It's the mesh type so no additional unwanted warmth. I generally just wear the top w/hood but once, while wearing the bottom as well, a group of hens were wandering my direction scratching their way along. I could have reached out and touched a couple.
Love my NMG 1/4 zip. I only wear the top so not problem with snagging. Kangaroo pocket very handy for quick storage. If it is really warm. I can wear a cotton T shirt under the mesh but still get camo and bug protection. IMO, the hood provides more forgiveness for subtle head movements.
Thanks for the input. The comment about the hood concealing head movement is a great point that I didn't think about.
Quote from: arkrem870 on January 02, 2025, 06:43:39 AMBe still and save the money. People been killing gobblers for years without. I do see a pattern though with all these new road warrior turkey hunters. They all have the same look about them and leafy jacket is a MUST
We've all heard of "TDS" for Trump Derangement Syndrome. But you clearly have the "YTDS" YouTube Derangement Syndrome. ;D
I'll say one thing about the leafy jacket I have. It has a built-in, full headnet (no holes) attached to the hood and when I hunted WI a few years back, the mosquitos were so bad that the jacket, hood, and headnet saved the day for me. Things were pretty miserable regardless, but without that headnet on the jacket hood, it would have been intolerable.
As one who mostly hunts where biting insects are not an issue (as least not in apocalyptic-level swarms), hunting up there was a real eye-opener for me in terms of covering all of the bug-repellent bases.
Quote from: GobbleNut on January 02, 2025, 01:35:04 PMI'll say one thing about the leafy jacket I have. It has a built-in, full headnet (no holes) attached to the hood and when I hunted WI a few years back, the mosquitos were so bad that the jacket, hood, and headnet saved the day for me. Things were pretty miserable regardless, but without that headnet on the jacket hood, it would have been intolerable.
As one who mostly hunts where biting insects are not an issue (as least not in apocalyptic-level swarms), hunting up there was a real eye-opener for me in terms of covering all of the bug-repellent bases.
Amen my friend, I use my leafy Shannon's Bug Tamer jacket when those flying critters come out late season! Can't beat the hood/head-net...
I use my north mountain top all the time - not crazy about the hood I rolled mine inside and tied it up- I do believe sitting still prevails but the suit does break up the outline tremendously when you get circled or caught unexpectedly
Quote from: CALLM2U on January 02, 2025, 12:18:28 PMQuote from: arkrem870 on January 02, 2025, 06:43:39 AMBe still and save the money. People been killing gobblers for years without. I do see a pattern though with all these new road warrior turkey hunters. They all have the same look about them and leafy jacket is a MUST
We've all heard of "TDS" for Trump Derangement Syndrome. But you clearly have the "YTDS" YouTube Derangement Syndrome.
I've had it for many years now. I was the original YouTube hater. Was called jealous, selfish, among other things along the way.
Pains me to say I was correct. Wish like anything I wasn't but I'd seen it before in Arkansas duck hunting. So I had the test key.
But like I've done for decades. I'll be in the spring woods without a leafy suit. Hunting gobblers from one end of the country to the other. Killing gobblers and telling only my dad and a couple buddies... Because I love to turkey hunt. Loose lips sink ships.
1. If you are making easy money
2. If you heard a gobbler
3. If you saw a big buck
4. If you nailing a fine piece
Keep your mouth shut and enjoy or you'll have company.
I've had a Cabelas TCS ghillie jacket for 20-25 years. It's mesh fabric with strips of fabric sewn in that drape down, so it's not exactly leafy.
It gets snagged on briars but I just rip through them and keep on hunting. With the hood up I've gotten away with ridiculously close encounters with birds.
I have the quarter zip and like it because it's breathable but an extra layer. That being said I also wear a regular olive green hoody about half the time and haven't ever had an issue. Camo is over rated. If you sit still when they're looking you'll be fine. If you don't, then you won't.
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I don't think most of them are leafy enough, so I never bothered.
Have considered a ghillie top but never bothered, I've not had much issue getting busted.
Quaker boy had a vest back in the day with a leafy too built into the back, it stowed away while on the move and you just pulled it over you head when set up, cool concept!
A friend of mine has sewn a bunch of leaves on his vest shoulders to break him up a bit.
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I do most of the time, jacket only. I like the breathable jacket over a short sleeve t shirt in hot weather.
I have difficulty wearing a hood. Anything that restricts my vision bugs me.
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For those of you who have the north mountain gear top. What size would a guy who is 190 pounds and 5'10" need?
Quote from: redwad on January 04, 2025, 01:58:15 PMFor those of you who have the north mountain gear top. What size would a guy who is 190 pounds and 5'10" need?
Large if you hunt warm climate with nothing heavy under it. XL if you hunt colder ares and want to add layers under it. Good luck..
Quote from: Tom007 on January 04, 2025, 05:56:17 PMQuote from: redwad on January 04, 2025, 01:58:15 PMFor those of you who have the north mountain gear top. What size would a guy who is 190 pounds and 5'10" need?
Large if you hunt warm climate with nothing heavy under it. XL if you hunt colder ares and want to add layers under it. Good luck..
^^^
Agreed
North Mountain has great customer service. I had a small issue with a jacket and they took care of it promptly. Can't go wrong...
I have not been on here for some time but felt I should comment on this. I bought a lightweight leafy suit many years ago and still never go into the turkey woods without it. I use only the jacket and a leafy ball cap. I never liked the pants so I don't wear them. I also have a leafy turkey vest. This combo really breaks up the human outline. I feel it has helped me bag some good birds over the years, but the best camo is to just sit still, very still Ha!!
I have tried a couple and tested them in my woods for the long-distance "blob up"... the one that does best where I live is the first lite one in the Cerca pattern. But, I don't have turkey eyes so who knows. Either way, I'll never turkey hunt without one.