Believe it or not, quail season is opening at quite a few plantations down this way. The fun part: it’s still warm outside. All that walking and the high sun make for a sweaty afternoon. Nothing wrong with the sweat and strain, but it isn’t time to break out the waxed cotton. Yet.
I’m all for getting out in the field and want to dress appropriately. You’ve all got your shell bags, your field bags, and other what-not, so here are some warmer weather options. Lighter fabrics. And as always, beware of the snakes and low birds:
From Top Left:
1. Ball and Buck Sportsman’s Shirt: 100% cotton and a mid-weight cotton poplin. PERFECT for this time of year. These shirts are built to take a beating and bring a little style to the field.
2. Ball and Buck Blaze Orange Trucker: A mesh trucker is a must this time of year. There will be sweat.
3. Marshwear Clothing Wheeler Field Jacket: Fight off the early morning chill with a light jacket. The Wheeler from Marshwear is just right for this time of year. And it won’t be too shabby off the field as well.
4. Ray Ban Outdoorsman Sunglasses: Eye protection is a must, and the ear wrap will keep them from slipping down your nose.
5. Orvis Missouri Breaks Field Pants: My favorite field pants on the market. Just the right weight, and a straight/slightly slimmer fit vs. the old FULL fit pants. Very comfortable for a good day chasing Bob.
6. Duck Camp Reversible Dry Down Vest: Super lightweight but functional. The Dry Down from Duck Camp is serious. It’s a GREAT filler if you aren’t looking for ski-slope action. I love it.
7. Hook + Gaff Field Watch: A GREAT field watch for the actual field. The design is built to be worn while shooting or casting, and not get in the way.
8. Tory Leather Shot Shell Belt: The OG. No description is necessary.
9. Surefire EP5 Ear Plugs: The best $12 you’ll spend during hunting season. Roughly 5% of what the fancy ears go for, and arguably 80% effective. Do it.
10. Winkler SD1 Knife: I love having a good knife in my field bag, for the ‘just in case’ scenarios or if it’s a hunt where I’m expected to breast birds. It’s hard to beat a Winkler, and their SD1 has the perfect trout/bird blade.
11. Tom Beckbe Gun Sleeve: I’m on season four with mine, and it’s only getting better. Tom builds a good product.
12. Russell Moccasin 2024 Zephyr Boots: Russell redesigned the Zephyr in 2024 for an updated fit, and it’s absolutely fantastic. A bit smaller toe box, better fit around the top of the feet, and in premium leather. Worth it.
What did I miss?
A Holland & Holland O/U 28ga is what you forgot
What are our thoughts on having knee-high snack boots for the danger noodles?
Dove hunts I’m always wearing 8″ Bean boots. Never understood the guys who wear tennis shoes and shorts. I have 12″ snake boots from a big box retailer that I’ll occasionally wear when quail hunting. In my 15 years of upland/ bird hunting, I’ve seen my fair share of copperheads, only seen 2 rattlers, and have never (thankfully) stepped on one. Guess it depends where you are.
For Quail/Duck in Louisiana – wear Waders or pants with Rubber boots. Not many guys go the fashion forward point for leather boots/snake boots/etc. Its normally wet or muddy so it helps for that as well. You see snakes and hogs all the time so carrying a judge or other side arm is a basic necessity.
Saw a fair share of calf-length leg gaiters over hiking boots/shoes to protect from snakes and such. Pretty kewl. A lot of the frontiersman, Native Americans and longhunters back in the day wore leggings to protect their legs from snakes and briars in the woods. I know the concept was revived in WW2 and in the Vietnam War by MACVSOG operators. History nerd over here.