Chapter 5: Outdoor Safety
Importance of Planning and Preparation (continued)
Clothing 
Clothing also can affect your ability to perform safely
and responsibly. Select clothing based on the weather you
expect, while being prepared for the worst.
In warm weather, wear a hat and light clothing that covers
as much of your skin as possible to prevent heat exhaustion
or sunburn.
The most important clothing choices are a fluorescent orange hat and fluorescent orange outerwear—a shirt, vest, or
jacket. Fluorescent orange clothing makes
it easier for one hunter to spot and recognize another
hunter because nothing in nature matches this color.
The orange color of the clothing should be plainly
visible from all directions. This is required by law
in many states.
Cold weather conditions call for clothing
that is worn in layers. Layers offer superior insulation.
Also, as weather warms up, you can shed a layer at
a time to stay comfortable. Layers should include:
- A breathable outer layer (material such as polypropylene)—worn
next to the body; it should release moisture from
the skin while keeping you warm.
- An insulating layer—weightier or bulkier;
it should hold warm air around you.
- A protective outer layer—available in various
weights and materials according to conditions; it
should protect the inner layers from water and wind.
Other Clothing Essentials
- A hat or cap with earflaps and gloves to retain
body heat—most body heat is lost through the
head and hands; gloves also protect your hands from
scrapes and rope burns
- Footwear that is sturdy, suitable for the conditions
you'll encounter, and broken in before the
hunt
- Two layers of socks—polypropylene against
the skin and a wool outer layer
Remember ... Wool is the best all-around choice for
insulation because it can provide warmth even when wet. The best clothing combination in bad weather is polyester or polypropylene underwear and shirt, woolen pants, heavy jacket, and water repellent rain pants and parka. Clothing that is soaking wet can lose heat several hundred times faster than dry clothing. Any type of cotton clothing (underwear, T-shirts, jeans, flannel shirts) is a poor choice for cold, wet weather. When wet, cotton loses its already limited insulating ability and can cause rapid transfer of heat away from the body, increasing the risk of hypothermia.
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