Whitetail System

We strive to work with you to build a system that will cover all of your hunting needs. Every part of the system is important and every system is just a little different. Here we will go through the Gear we use to create your system Base Layers to Raingear.

Base Layers

Merino wool is the only thing we wear on our skin. If you look around you will see that every gear manufacturer, company, group etc. has started using merino. There is a reason for that. It is amazing. It works as advertised. We’ve been using merino wool for years, we’ve used alot of the available makes and models. We are big believers in the First Lite line. This year Sitka will be in the merino business and odds are good this line will be great also.

We use the same Base System year ’round, everywhere we go this is the beginning of our system. Alaska to Arizona, treestand to mountain perch.

Llano – The Llano long sleeve crew is the ultimate first layer shirt for any hunting situation. Inspired by whitetail hunts in the Texas hill country, this shirt can be worn just as easily on a September elk stalk in the Rocky Mountains. This shirt is your foundation for those days when it is 30 degrees at dawn, 85 at 11:00am and back down to 40 at sunset – the ultimate comfort in all situations.

 

Chama – The Chama shirt provides for either a very comfortable, nonitchy first layer or it can be layered with our Llano long sleeve crew to create a breathable and insulated combination for all day comfort. Whether you are spending the day high in your stand or high in your favorite mountain basin, this midweight layer will provide the warmth and comfort to get the job done.

Red Desert – Slip on the First Lite 100% Merino Red Desert Boxer Short for the most comfortable and breathable experience you can find for those days when you will be on the move or the temperatures won’t require a full length bottom. You will be amazed at the Merino’s ability to control odor and regulate temperature on even the warmest days.

Alleghany – Our Allegheny is the ultimate first layer in your hunting outfit. Once the leaves are off the trees, these midweight bottoms will provide warmth, breathability and odor control all day long, day after day. Also a great layer under your waders for those cold mornings in the duck blind.

Sitka Gear Merino Layers will be here June 2011. We will have them in the field ASAP and give a full report. We are very confident that these will be great pieces. But, we will not sell the customer gear that we don’t use or believe in. Stay tuned.

For all of those who wear the Scent Lok, Scent Shield type gear, these merino base layers are the perfect compliment to them. With this merino underneath, you won’t get that clammy feeling and YOU won’t stink when the hunt is over!

Intermediate Layers/Add Ons

Traverse 1/4 Zip & Hoody- The Sitka Gear Traverse tops are your expedition weight compliment to the merino base layers series. The wind resistant and durable face allows the Sitka Gear Traverse tops to be worn in all technical situations, while the soft lofted inside will hold in heat and silver will ward off odor causing bacteria. The Sitka Gear Traverse tops have thumb loops on the extended sleeve cuff, a welded chest pocket, and a deep chest zip.

Contrail Windshirt- Lightweight and packable this windshirt may be all you need for an outer layer during an early season day hunt. 4-way stretch, water resistant, extremely breathable and highly wind resistant to retain body heat. In GORE® OPTIFADE™ Open Country™.

Outer Wear

In 2010 Sitka Gear developed a line that focused on the whitetail hunter. In 2011 they’ve enhanced that line and they have some great ideas for the future. The entire whitetail based Sitka line comes only the Forest Optifade pattern. Several pieces of Sitka’s line come in both colors. In our opinion both colors work ideally in the stand and on the ground.

We primarily put together 4 combinations that seem to cover all the needs of the whitetail hunter. Several more combo’s exist and arranging a custom system for you is what we do, so please call if you would like to try something different than discussed here.

90% Jacket & Pants- The 90% series is designed for the active hunter. Both pieces are constructed of a durable, breathable, 2-way stretch, DWR treated material. All that put together means, it’s comfortable, it breathes well and it is effective in light wind, rain or snow. This lighter Outer Wear is perfect for mid-season and with a little layering will take you deep into the season.

 

Sitka has developed 3 series of Jacket/Bib combinations for the treestand hunter. Each series has it’s own unique characteristics that set it apart from the others. The Stratus, Fanatic and Incinerator combos.

Stratus- When the temperature starts to drop and the wind begins to wind up, the new Stratus Jacket is your go-to top. Built with a lightly brushed, mid-weight WINDSTOPPER Fabric, for quiet, close encounters, the Stratus Jacket excels. Patterned for minimal bulk and full range-of-motion, the mid-weight piece fits the bill for mid-season sessions on stand. Layer up underneath and you’re ready for the worst of weather conditions. A fully-featured hood with a seperate stand-up collar, coupled with key hand and chest pockets give you all that you need from a minimalist feature set perspective.

Designed to work in conjunction with the Stratus Jacket, the bib employs a fully articulated knee and seat system to keep you comfortable when sitting on stand all day. Lower leg zips make it easier to pull on over your boots, while chest, hand, and thigh pockets keep you organized and your hands warm. This high bib overlaps nicely with the Stratus Jacket to ensure your core stays warm when it gets cold and windy, but breathes nicely when hiking your stand in, or hauling your deer out of the woods.

Fabric Details: WINDSTOPPER Fabric, DWR finish, lightly brushed face

Fanatic- NEW for 2011! The Fanatic is a key item in the Sitka Forest line that is specifically and scientifically designed for the hardcore whitetail hunter. A unique feature on the Fanatic Jacket is the side zipper design, which allows for a kangaroo pocket to keep hands warm and ready for that next shot. This feature also places the zipper on the hunter’s shoulder and not in front of their chin.

The Fanatic’s fully articulated arms, knees and seat eliminate bulkiness which makes it very comfortable for extended sits. Additional features like a grunt tube slot and range finder pocket make this the ultimate and most versatile jacket for whitetail hunters on the market.

More cool facts about the Fanatic include:

-130 grain Primaloft insulation
-WINDSTOPPER® fabric
-Removable Hood

-Internal wrist gaskets to seal in warmth
-Full side zips on bibs for ventilation and easy on/off
-Cargo pockets for gear

 

 

Incinerator- The power of down, in a GORE-TEX® cocoon. What more can you ask for? The Incinerator Jacket is the epitome of form and function. The Incinerator Series is patterned to fit the body, it’s not built to be layered over a sweatshirt and jeans. Fully articulated to minimize bulk, the jacket fits like a glove. Features abound, like internal cuffs, RIRI waterproof front zipper, drop-away hood design, chest and hand pockets, even a grunt tube slot. The face is lightly brushed to reduce noise. Sized to fit over bibs, the Incinerator Jacket sits between the length of a jacket and parka.

Technology: Down Insulation, GORE-TEX®, Sealon Taping

Fabric Details: 2.5 layer GORE-TEX®, 700 Fill Goose Down, lightly brushed face.

Raingear

Downpour Jacket & Pants- (you’ll be glad you did)

You never know when it’s gonna rain. Bottom line is…if you want to kill deer, you have to spend time in the stand. Stay bone dry when the skies open up by making sure that you always have your rain gear packed in your bag. Sitka’s Downpour Jacket has a lightly brushed face to keep the noise down in the Whitetail woods. It stretches for a full-range-of-motion, and a slightly form fitting shape. A built in hood and minimal pockets keep weight down and critical features front and center.

Completing the Downpour Rain System, thses fully articulated GORE-TEX® PacLite Fabric pants have full side zips to get over your Stratus Bibs when the rain comes down. A streamlined built-in belt keeps things snug around your waist, one rear pocket for your wallet, the rest is a focus on protection from water.

Accesories/Necessities

Sitka offer a myriad of hats and gloves to go along with these epic whitetail combos. We will help you decipher the lingo and figure out which ones are right for you. A few new additions this year warrant a look as they will definitely increase and improve your time on stand.

Merino Liner Glove- It is impossible for me to convey the absolute usefulness of merino in what we do. These liners will enhance any glove you use. Stick them inside your leathers or the Mitts below, they are a must have.

Incinerator Mitt- The Incinerator Mitt is the perfect compiment to the Incinerator line of products. Staying mentally sharp is always critical for success; thinking about how cold your hands are can destroy mental acuity completely. High heat to weight ratio synthetic insulation paired with GORE WINDSTOPPER protection, keeps your hands toasty when the wind chill dips. This technology also maintains the dexterity needed to make the shot of the season and keep you safer as you climb in and out of the stand. Convertible fingers with magnetic stays allow you to shoot your release without removing the whole glove.

Incinerator Muff-Here’s a great new add. Same as the Mitts only in a Muff. Stuff some handwarmers in this puppy, put your merino wool liners on you’ll have the best of both worlds. Again staying warm on stand in the key to success. Quality time in the field will mean quality deer opportunities.