October found me leaving for Colorado on my first elk hunt. Before I left, I was warned that the only essential other than my favorite rifle and companion equipment would be my clothing. "Bring warm clothing, and bring lots of it," my guide told me. He understood the woman’s sensitivity to temperatures and her proneness to suffering the numbing effects of the cold more intensely than the man. He knew the slings and arrows of the backcountry of Colorado and wanted to prepare me to hunt as hard as ever. Moreover, the big-game biologist I consulted before my trip cautioned me that conditions in this game management unit were unpredictable, and he exhorted me not to let judgment mistakes in my hunting equipment or clothing cause my hunt to go awry.
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n my luggage, I packed Browning’s For Her™ line of Big Game® Outerwear. I brought the Ladies’ Contego long-sleeved heavyweight shirt and pants as well as the Browning Big Game® jacket and bib overalls in versatile Mossy Oak Break-up. I fervently hoped this clothing would go the extra mile in protection so that I could go the extra mile in distance to my elk. Off to the big leagues of a backcountry hunt to see how these garments made especially for the woman hunter would fare…
The conditions on my hunt were very honest and extremely demanding for the fairer sex. My guide and I arose before four; dressing for my hunt that morning, I donned the Contego pants that allowed me to carry my Leatherman and knife at my side with ease. We hiked several miles and found ourselves over 10,000 feet above sea level. In Browning’s quiet outerwear, I was able to maneuver in through the hardwoods and mountains without alerting game to my presence. The Big Game® jacket allowed free range of motion without bulk, and the deep bellow pockets stored my calls and other necessities that I did not want in my pack. The waterproof Hydro-fleece jacket with Gore-Tex® laminate has Thermolite® insulation to protect the huntress from the strongest, most bitter gale. A drawcord waist creates a perfect, secure fit over layers. I had a marvelous time pursuing elk in the mountains on foot with no pack horses to make life easier. That I was able to match pace with my guide can be dually credited to a strict regimen of diet and exercise along with tough gear that protected me well.
We began glassing at daybreak and did not have long to wait until a herd of elk crossed the valley and went behind a ridge past us. Initially, it seemed as though the elk would come within 50 yards of us, and I was glad my gear was quiet when I assumed a shooting position over the ledge. The lead cow, however, had other plans, taking the herd farther away, up the mountain to our right. My guide called twice, turning several cows broadside for an instant. An instant was all I needed. I lowered my crosshairs on a healthy cow and squeezed off the shot. First day of the hunt, first hour of daylight, first elk.
The climate during my hunt was desert-like, cold in the morning with the Colorado sun increasing temperatures quickly at midday. The Contego pants were warm and provided unlimited room for movement. Similarly, the pants’ companion shirt, the Contego long-sleeved button-down, proved to be a wonderful layering garment for midafternoon scouting and shed-hunting expeditions. If you happen to be well endowed in the upper body, I do recommend a size larger than normal for maximum comfort and mobility, as the cut of the Contego button-down is extraordinarily tapered. The 7 oz. twill and action back lend durability and practicality to this field shirt, and the tapered, neat cuffs create a polished outline and do not get in the way while shooting in the woods or on the range. The superb cut of all the clothing offered by Browning for women who hunt creates a flattering silhouette that will complement your movement and give you edgy confidence.
I took these garments back to South Carolina to try during the fall season for whitetails and wild boar. On a frosty November evening, I was able to harvest a sneaky little whitetail buck still in rut. Once again, I was so pleased with the insulating power of Browning’s outerwear that I could never imagine hunting late season without the For Her™ jacket and bib, which kept me warm even when the hour grew late and the temperature plummeted. The Big-Game® bib was truly cut to fit my form. In the past I had been jaded by too many scaled-down men’s smalls leaving so much bulk in the thighs that chafing and overall discomfort were unavoidable, but these garments designed specifically for the woman hunter just spoil me to the max. The quilted insulation contains body heat very well, the side elastic gussets permit comfortable layering, and the calf-length zippers provide ventilation and ease when slipping on knee-high rubber or pack boots. I found, however, that only the single buttoned rear pocket was not enough for me; slanted hip pockets or cargo pockets on the sides would be more practical. Additionally, belt loops are almost essential on bibs if the huntress wishes to carry tools such as dressing knives or shooting sticks at her side while pursuing game on foot. Most commendably, this company takes suggestions from its consumers seriously and always seeks to be a cut above the rest, so stay tuned to Browning for even more offerings for the female hunter.
Every item from Browning’s For Her™ clothing line took me through successful seasons both out west and east. The detailed and versatile Mossy Oak Break-Up pattern blends in well among the varying terrain. From golden aspens on a slate backdrop, to open range peppered with sage, lichens and other vegetation, to the densest of timber and most vast bromegrass fields, I am concealed wherever I am hunting in Big Game® For Her™ outerwear. I was able to harvest deer and an elk to be proud of on two of the most memorable hunts of my hunting career while wearing Big Game clothing. Browning offers impressive gear that weathers the elements as gracefully as the toughest huntress sporting it.
The woman hunter is very much pampered by the outstanding quality, accurate pattern, and contoured fit of Browning’s For Her™ series, made especially for the modern-day Diana. If you are serious in your pursuit of big game, I confidently suggest you consider Browning—America’s Finest Sports Equipment—in your search for performance outerwear that fits and lasts.
Browning, Inc.
One Browning Place
Morgan, UT 84050
www.browning.com
