I get extremely excited when bird hunting season comes around. I get to go chuckar and grouse hunting before the big game seasons start and I also get to get back out there for more upland game after the big season closes.
Like any hobby, I enjoy buying the gear that is going to help me enjoy my time in the field and make the experience more comfortable.
Here are some ideas I wanted to share in case you are looking to add to your gear collection for bird hunting this season.
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Bird Vest
A good bird vest is the centerpiece of the upland game hunter. Bird hunters rely on this piece of gear because it serves multiple functions when bird hunting. The first is that it has big pockets in the front to carry your shotgun shells, and a big back pocket to carry any birds you get.
All this helps keep your hands free to carry your shotgun and keep hunting unfettered. There are 2 main styles here. A traditional hunting vest, and then what I will call a hunting “rig”. The rig serves the same purpose it is just a cut-down version of the vest with less overall material.
Traditional Vest
A traditional vest like the Gamehide Upland Vest below is a great choice for upland game bird hunters. It has all you need. The orange colors allow you to stand out for safety reasons, with two pockets up front for your shells and 2 bigger pockets behind that for other miscellaneous items or small birds.
In the back, you will have a large pocket to place your birds that get down.
Strap Vest (Rig)
A lot of upland bird hunters have opted for a new and improved style of this upland vest.
Something like this NICA Upland Strap Vest.
Vests like this strap vest offer a variety of small yet substantial changes that a lot of upland bird hunters like such as:
- Less overall material. It’s better for hot days.
- Waist support. Unlike the traditional vest, it offers a waist belt which can help secure the vest to your body and lighten the load on the shoulders
- Water bottle holders. It gets out there in the early season.
Pants
A serious bird hunter will surely appreciate a special pant that is made for walking through thick brush and wicking water away. A good bird hunting pant will have a thick patch from the mid-thigh down to the bottom of the leg to ensure there is no wear and tear on the main material. They will also be water and wind-resistant.
Something like these Browning bird hunting pants are perfect.
Boots
As upland game hunters we spend a lot of time on our feet. Any bird hunter is going to need a good sturdy pair of boots that is not only tough but comfortable at the same time. While there are many good options out there, I think Irish Setter has bird hunters covered in this arena.
The boots look cool and are waterproof. They come in various heights and models, just be sure they are waterproof for those late-season hunts where there is a lot of moisture and cold temperatures.
Gloves
From late October on, it can get cold out there in the field. When bird hunting you want to keep your hands warm but at the same time, any gloves you put on might be too bulky to able to operate your shotgun.
Thats certain industry leaders like SITKA have come up with an elite model of glove that allows for maximum protection from the elements and soft enough to still be able to operate your firearm when a bird flushes.
These Sitka Gear Gunner Windstopper gloves are an excellent piece of gear for any bird hunter to have in their arsenal.
Get all geared up for this upcoming season. It only comes once year so make the most out of it.
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