First lite fusion reports from the field???

[Desk Jockey]

Anyone using this stuff yet? What are your thoughts and experiences?

I have ordered a few pieces that I plan to start wearing scouting and for bow season next month.

 

[Hillbilly]

I hunted in fusion last year for a couple of days. Nothing extensive though. The bulk of my hunting last season was in predator's high plains series brown deception. Good camo, less than perfect clothing. Returned it mid season an purchased FL north branch top/bottom in fusion. It's effective, but I don't have a "the deer walked right past me and licked my ear" story if that's what you're looking for. Same as the better camo offerings deer seem to look your direction if you make a mistake, but can't seem to pick out what you are. Same as always, wind and movement are key. Camo just gives that last bit of advantage in bow range, IMO. It looks better in a tree than I thought it would. Hunt with confidence

Ryan

 

[Jarrod Renaud]

I've had mule deer smell me but couldnt for the life of them see me twice this season. Once decked out in all Fusion, the other time Fusion pants but my dry earth Halstead fleece.

I frequent the traditional archery forums a lot and a ton of those guys constantly harvest game while wearing solid colors or even plaid. Keeping still seems to beat out any camo, although Fusion looks awesome

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

My kid glassing for bear in the central Cascades last month

 

[AMann]

My DE fleece with the fusion patch on the sleeve rocked this past weekend! I had the bulls in front of me and the wind in my face but was still able to get to my Copenhagen inside my sleeve pocket at 45 yards. Winning

 

[Hillbilly]

That looks awesome against the rocks Jesse!

 

[Jesse Jaymes]

Yup...looks even better with a Filter. He's near invisible. Not really sure everyone sets up ambushes from alpine rock piles......but we like it.

We both have Corrugate pants. Love them. I have older Kuiu Attacks. I'd have to wear them each nearly side by side, but they are very comparable. Most will NOT like the Corrugate fit I am guessing. For me...I am 5'8" and maybe a 32" inseam for a daily jean fit. Waist varies from 33-35. The Large fit me very well. Ankle cuffs are streamlined, love it. Waist is very loose on me. But I don't think I could rock a Medium. New pockets are very SWAT.

Kid has Boundary jacket. Loves it. I have about every other piece but that. Wanted and waited for the Springer vest. I love vests. But this Springer isn't gonna make the cut next time. The new puffy vest I want to try next. And saving for an Uncomphagre. I think that's a much better Bang for the Buck piece of kit. I live in a Chama hoody nearly all fall. Did on this trip as well.

 

[Qfrog]

Damn that looks awesome. Any other photos besides in the rock outcrops?

 

[MAT]

I frequent the traditional archery forums a lot and a ton of those guys constantly harvest game while wearing solid colors or even plaid. Keeping still seems to beat out any camo, although Fusion looks awesome

That's because the surface texture (sheen) is perhaps more important than the camo. Wool is very dull and soft especially at the edges, just like game. How camouflaged is a deer? So why are they so hard to see?

Even the best camo pattern in the world printed on a shiny nylon jacket would suck. This is one area the clothing manufactures have ignored. I use good old predator fall brown in a fleece (wolfskin) and it’s like being invisible.

 

[Rucker61]

Had three hunters walk right by me about five yards away from the trail they were on without noticing me.

 

[Desk Jockey]

I just got in a llano and a pair of corrugated pants.

The pattern is more brown and more complex than I would have thought from the pics. I like it. I do see the variance in the light color between the nylon and wool. One looks sand and the other fde. Doesn't bother me but some might care.

 

[tipsntails7]

That's because the surface texture (sheen) is perhaps more important than the camo. Wool is very dull and soft especially at the edges, just like game. How camouflaged is a deer? So why are they so hard to see?

Even the best camo pattern in the world printed on a shiny nylon jacket would suck. This is one area the clothing manufactures have ignored. I use good old predator fall brown in a fleece (wolfskin) and it’s like being invisible.

While I agree mostly with everything you said, prey and predators do not see the same way. so a deer is actually extremely well disguised.

 

[Highcountry_Hellrazor]

My buddy wore it from head to toe. I could hardly ever find him. Stuff blends in way good in the high country.

 

[Jon Boy]

Its incredible matched up against elk. nuff said

 

[COlineman78]

Had a calf at under 10 yards tonight stare straight at me several times as it came closer and walked right up and started eating right in front of me and then continued on. I was tucked back in some oak brush and the darkness of the pattern plays very well with shadows. Noticed in my spot this morning in the middle of a sage field that out isn't bad at concealment but the motion is more noticeable with a light background.

 

[Desk Jockey]

So I got into the field in this stuff this weekend and I am sold. On two separate days I had close encounters with whitetails and it works. I had a buck look at me from 30 yards and he couldn't see me. I got busted in the open, froze and had a doe walk up behind me to within 15 yards and she couldn't see me at all.

A couple of thoughts:

- The llano stinks like burnt wool after a little bit in a low temp dryer. I will line dry from now on.
- the Corrugate pants are nice and light. zero thorn protection
- So far my favorite piece is the north branch jacket. My only gripe is that the shoulder pocket won't fit a phone or anything of particular use, as far as I can tell.

 

[justinspicher]

I wore the Sanctuary Jacket and the North Branch Pants in Fusion for whitetail hunting last year. I was both warm and dry out here in Kansas. This year I wore the Correguate Pants, Halstead Fleece, Springer Vest and both the puffy jacket and vest in Fusion. Unfortunately, the early season archery elk hunt didn't go to plan as the elk weren't cooperating. However, a bull moose came in at 12 yards and stared at me and my hunting buddy and wasn't really able to distinguish us. I also watched a couple of young 3x3 mule deer bucks fight and snack for about 45 minutes. I was out in the open at about 25 yards and they never noticed me. (no tag for mule deer) I plan on using the Fusion again this year for whitetail.

 

[COlineman78]

Some pictures from elk season this year. Wish I woulda had more examples but hunting was hunting too hard. Had a calf at under 10 yards shortly after the last picture. Came from the upwind side nose in the air, so obviously very good scent control as well.

 

[Qfrog]

Looks good. Nice break up

 

[airlocksniffer]

Cracks me up when somebody posts a picture and everybody comments on how good it looks. Ungulates don't see the same way as we do so a picture is basically useless in determining effectiveness. More important is movement. I've convinced camo is mostly you getting parted from your hard earned money rather than being a more effective hunter. Low sheen solid earth tones are probably at least as effective and many more options available. Just my $0.02. Full disclosure, I purchased a set of First Lite in ASAT last fall. Love the clothes but if I did it all over again I'd go with dry earth or pine and save some money.