Gear Up for the Hunt: A Crane’s Guide to Essential Hunting Apparel

There’s a special kind of quiet that only exists in the woods on a cold autumn morning. As the sun begins to filter through the trees, every rustle of the leaves, every snap of a twig, sounds like an announcement. In that moment, your success and comfort depend on more than just your skill—it depends on your gear. Ask any seasoned hunter, and they’ll tell you: what you wear can be the difference between coming home with a story and coming home empty-handed and frozen.

Getting your apparel right isn’t just about buying a camouflage jacket. It's about building a system that keeps you warm, dry and hidden from the elements and your quarry. Here at Crane’s Country Store, we’ve helped generations of hunters gear up for Missouri seasons. Consider this your friendly guide to choosing the right hunting apparel to make this your best season yet.

What to Look For in Quality Hunting Gear

Before we get into specific items, let’s cover the three foundational principles of great hunting gear:

1. Silence is Golden: Deer, turkey and other game have incredible hearing. Your clothing shouldn’t betray you. Look for fabrics with a soft, brushed or fleece-like outer surface. Avoid noisy materials like stiff nylon that will swish and rustle with every move you make. Test it right in the store—if it’s loud there, it will be a foghorn in the quiet woods.
   

2. Built to Last: Your apparel is an investment. It needs to stand up to thorny thickets, snagging branches and repeated washings. Look for reinforced seams, durable zippers and tough fabric in high-wear areas like the knees and elbows.
   

3. A System, Not Just a Coat: The single most important concept in hunting apparel is layering. The weather on a full-day hunt can swing wildly from freezing at dawn to mild in the afternoon. A layering system allows you to adapt by adding or removing pieces, keeping you comfortable no matter what the day throws at you.

Dressing for the Season and Location: The Layering System

Think of your hunting outfit as three distinct parts working together.

• The Base Layer (Your Second Skin): This layer sits directly against your skin, and its only job is to wick moisture away. Sweat is your enemy in the cold; if your base layer gets wet and stays wet, you’ll get chilled to the bone. Look for materials like merino wool or modern synthetics (polypropylene). Avoid cotton at all costs! Cotton absorbs moisture and loses all its insulating properties, a dangerous combination in the cold.
  

• The Mid-Layer (The Insulation): This is your warmth layer. Its job is to trap your body heat. The thickness of your mid-layer will depend on the temperature. Fleece jackets, down vests, and heavier wool sweaters are all excellent options. Fleece is a great choice because it’s quiet, warm, and still insulates even if it gets a little damp.
  

• The Outer Layer (Your Shield): This is your shell, your primary hunting jacket and pants. This layer protects you from the wind, rain, and snow. It should be your toughest, most feature-rich layer. Look for something that is, at a minimum, water-resistant. For hunts in wet or snowy conditions, a fully waterproof (but still breathable) outer layer is a game-changer. This is also your primary camouflage layer.

Camo vs. Blaze Orange: When to Wear What

This is one of the most critical parts of your deer hunting gear, and it’s all about safety and regulations.

Blaze Orange: During firearm seasons (deer and others), most states, including Missouri, require hunters to wear a certain amount of fluorescent or "blaze" orange. This is non-negotiable. The reason is simple: it makes you incredibly visible to other humans, preventing tragic accidents.

But won't the deer see it? Luckily, deer are red-green colorblind. To them, blaze orange appears as a dull, muted brownish or grayish color that doesn’t stand out. So, you remain hidden from your quarry but highly visible to other hunters. Always wear your orange vest and/or hat as required by local regulations.

Camouflage: During archery season, when the woods are quieter and you need to get closer, full camouflage is key. The goal of camo isn’t to make you look like a tree, but to break up your human silhouette. Choose a pattern that matches your environment. Here in Missouri, that usually means a woodland pattern with a mix of browns, grays and greens for early season, and patterns with more gray and brown tones for the late season after the leaves have fallen.

Gear Up at Crane’s: Our Top Picks

Putting this all together, here are a few workhorse items we carry that represent the core of a great hunting apparel system.

1. The Versatile Outer Layer: Drake MST Synthetic Down Hooded Jacket This Drake jacket is a perfect example of a smart outer layer for Missouri hunting. “MST” stands for Mid-Season Technology, meaning it’s designed for the variable conditions you’ll face right when the action is heating up. The synthetic down insulation is a huge advantage, as it continues to keep you warm even if it gets damp. With a protective hood and an effective camo pattern to break up your outline, this hunting jacket is a fantastic choice that can be layered up for cold days or worn with just a base layer on milder afternoons.
   

2. The Foundation of Warmth: Waffle Knit Thermal Crewneck Never underestimate the power of a classic. A waffle knit thermal is a staple for a reason. The textured "waffle" pattern is brilliant at trapping small pockets of air, using your own body heat to create a warm buffer against the cold. This crewneck is the perfect mid-layer or a heavy base layer for those frigid mornings in the deer stand. It’s comfortable, durable and a simple, effective piece of gear that does its job without any fuss.
   

3. The All-Important Foundation: Dry Shod Nosho Gusset XT Boots Your hunt ends the second your feet get cold and wet. That’s why your boots are arguably the most important piece of deer hunting gear you own. The name "Dry Shod" says it all—these boots are 100% waterproof to handle muddy fields, creek crossings and unexpected downpours. They are insulated for warmth during long, stationary sits, and the aggressive outsole gives you steady traction on slick terrain. The adjustable gusset ensures a snug, comfortable fit to keep warmth in and cold out. Investing in great boots means you can stay out longer and focus on the hunt, not your feet.

Building the right collection of hunting gear takes time, but by focusing on a versatile layering system and prioritizing safety, you’ll be prepared for whatever the season holds. Join generations of successful Missouri hunters who trust Crane's for their gear needs. Whether you're a seasoned pro or preparing for your first hunt, our team is here to help you succeed!