First of all--when I worked at one if the big-3 box hunting/fishing stores gun counter. And we we had a new guy come in and say "I want to get into hunting [or fishin] , what do I need?" The guy would always be surprised when I'd say "Sir, guns are cool and all, but I recommend spending $$ on clothing. I csn certainly sell you an $1000 gun, but if your not comfortable, and your wet, cold, or miserable. You and your $1,000 gun are going to be in the truck.
So trust me, spend your $$ on clothes first. It's not as 'sexy' as the newest, hot shot firearm, but it'll keep you hunting longer and be more comfortable and enjoyable."
That being said....
+1 for Sitka Dakota.
Dakota Hoodie is my go-to for 90% of my waterfowl hunting in Southern WI. From downpours to nasty, heavy, wet snow to cold wins days, it's with me every hunt (unless its WARM).
Mountain Archery has it on sale for e $240 which is in your budget:
HOWEVER for the budget minded hunter, I also am impressed with Cabelas Northern Flight 3:1 Parka. It's $250 right now:
And it's a layering system that you can have a big parka with a zipped jacket that you can use on its own, or just the outer shell, or zip them together when the temp drops below 0°
Good camo pattern too. I have a "N. FLIGHT" jacket before Cabelas picked em up and it's been great. 15 yrs ago when my brother and I went to N. Dakota for the first time, I wore the outer shell and my bro wore the inner shell and we hunted in a freaking DOWNPOUR and we were both dry. Tho my brother had to wear his waterproof Beanie and hood on his hoodie cuz the inner shell doesn't have a hood. But he managed to stay dry!
The ONLY other recommendation I have is to check our Rogers clothing:
rogerssportinggoods.com
Often Banded or Drake runs 60-70% off sales through Rogers and along with Rogers personal "Work'n Mans" brand it's no frills clothing that just works at a budget minded price.
Often the $300 Banded stuff will be $100-120.
One yr for Christmas my mom got a Drake mid-weight jacket that I would put on par with the Dakota. My brother and dad still uses theirs and I still have mine at the ready.
Back in my college days, I still have a hodge-podge of Cabelas, Rogers and some knock off baselayers I used for years and it never let me down. I still have the stuff and will use it every now and then when my main stuff is at my brothers or my other hunting buddies and I got off work 2 hrs early for me to jump out to the pond for an evening sit. Even tho it's my "backup" stuff, it still works like a charm!
If ya can't/don't want the Sitka Dakota.
Go Cabelas N. Flight stuff or Rogers. Tons of stuff for $250. You can find A LOT of jacket/parka for even less than that.
