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John Dudley's Early Season Bow Hunting Clothing and Gear Picks

Curated by

 John Dudley

Ever wonder what a pro packs for a whitetail hunt? From comfy base layers and outerwear to optics to gadgets you may not have even considered, John Dudley has all the answers. Get an up-close look at John's top gear and clothing picks for early season deer hunting so you can learn to pack like the pros!

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Apparel & Accessories
A photo of the Sitka Core Merino 120 LS Crew, a John Dudley preference for hunts.

Baselayer Top

Sitka Gear Sitka Core Merino 120 LS Crew (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Early-season pursuits call for Sitka’s lightest Merino baselayer. This super-comfy crew features an ultra-light merino wool blend that regulates temperature to help you stay comfortable in any condition or activity level, plus it’s naturally odor-res...

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$119
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Image of the Sitka Core Lightweight Hoodie, early season bow hunting clothing concept.

Baselayer Top

Sitka GearSitka Core Lightweight Hoodie (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Better than your average base layer, the Core Lightweight Hoodie is the prototype on which all SITKA systems are built. High-performance polyester construction moves moisture during periods of high aerobic activity while drying quickly during idle ti...

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$129
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Photo of the Sitka Intercept Hoodie, best bow hunting clothes concept.

Outerlayer

Sitka GearSitka Intercept Hoodie (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Stealth is imperative if you plan on getting close to deer and other big game. The Intercept Hoodie was designed to deliver top-notch sound, scent, and sight suppression to help you get into bow range undetected. With an ultra-quiet, odor-resistant, ...

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$249
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Photo of the Sitka Intercept Pant, a John Dudley pick for early season hunts.

Pants

Sitka GearSitka Intercept Pant (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Stay unseen, unheard, and unscented with the Sitka Intercept Pant. The bonded merino wool-blend lining helps you regulate your body temp while wicking moisture, keeping you comfy and dry through start-and-stop activities. <br> <br> The pants have a ...

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$289
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Photo of the Sitka Ambient 100 Hooded Jacket for hunting.

Outerlayer and Insulation

Sitka GearSitka Ambient 100 Hooded Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

A great insulated layer for any system, the Ambient 100 Hooded Jacket features Primaloft Evolve to maximize breathability when you’re on the move and retain warmth once you’re idle. With a durable 20D ripstop nylon face, it can withstand thick brush,...

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$299
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Photo of the Sitka Thunderhead Jacket, best bowhunting clothes for warm weather concept.

Outerlayer and Insulation

Sitka GearSitka Thunderhead Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Silence is key when you’re stalking big game. That’s why the Thunderhead Jacket is designed to be as quiet as possible while delivering exceptional water protection and breathability. The Thunderhead’s 3-layer GORE-TEX fabric has an ultra-quiet brush...

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$359
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The Sitka Dew Point Jacket, John Dudley's favorite bow hunting clothes concept.

Rain Layer

Sitka GearSitka Dew Point Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

The Dew Point Jacket features three-layer construction and lightweight, waterproof GORE-TEX fabric for excellent protection from nasty weather. The 20D nylon ripstop face has soft GORE® C-Knit® backer technology for breathable comfort and packability...

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$349
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Photo of the Sitka Jetstream Jacket, John Dudley's bow hunting clothes for warm weather.

Windproof

Sitka GearSitka Jetstream Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Sitka’s all-time best-selling jacket for a reason. The Jetstream softshell jacket features WINDSTOPPER® technology by GORE-TEX® labs to protect you from extreme winds through the mid and late season. <br> <br> A micro-grid interior fleece provides c...

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$349
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The Sitka Equinox Turkey Vest, hunting gear for early season concept.

Vest

Sitka GearSitka Equinox Turkey Vest (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

The Equinox Turkey Vest combines the comfort and storage of a hunting pack with the movement and organizational needs of a run-and-gun turkey hunt or an early-season deer hunt. With roomy, magnetic-closing pockets for calls and other tools, you’ll ha...

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$269
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A photo of the Sitka Equinox Guard Hoodie preferred by John Dudley for early season hunts.

Bug Guard

Sitka GearSitka Equinox Guard Hoodie (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

Say goodbye to bug bites with the Equinox Guard hoodie, which uses bite-reduction fabric, built-in Insect Shield® technology, and limited skin exposure to prevent contact with insects. With ultra-lightweight, moisture-wicking, breathable fabric, you ...

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$149
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Backpack & Tools
Photo of the Nock On LED Hat Clip 2pk, early season bow hunting clothing and gear concept.

Hat Clip

Nock OnNock On LED Hat Clip 2pk (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

This Nock On LED Hat Clip 2-Pack contains one white and one green bright LED light hat clip. It has a built-in, 15-degree angle tilt, weighs less than one ounce, and easily clips onto any hat brim. Batteries included. <br> <br> • 25 Lumens<br> • 5 su...

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$14.99
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The Sitka Mountain Optics Harness for early season hunts.

Binocular Harness

Sitka GearSitka Mountain Optics Harness (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

A handy tool for big game hunters, the Mountain Optics Harness features a silent, secure, magnetic, one-handed front flap for binos, plus removable, modular side pockets for rangefinders and other accessories for quick and quiet access. It also featu...

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$159
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An image shows the Leupold RX-FullDraw 5 Rangefinder, early season gear pick from John Dudley.

Range Finder

Leupold Optics Leupold RX-FullDraw 5 Rangefinder (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

The most ballistically advanced archery rangefinder available, The RX-FullDraw® 5 uses your bow’s velocity, shot angles, peep height, and arrow weight to calculate accurate distances based on your gear setup, including input velocities as low as 170 ...

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$499.99
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The Leupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 Binoculars, early season how hunting gear concept.

Binoculars

Leupold OpticsLeupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 Binoculars (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

The Leupold BX®-4 Pro Guide™ HD Binoculars deliver excellent performance that won’t weigh you down on long hunts. These binos provide the superb brightness, edge-to-edge sharpness, and contrast that guides demand — all while limiting glare. They’re t...

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$599.99
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Weapon & Accessories
The Nock On Nock 2 It Custom Release, a John Dudley hunting gear pick.

Bow Release

Nock OnNock On Nock 2 It Custom Release (John Dudley Early Season Picks)

With simplicity, comfort, and the ability to adjust groups quickly — There’s a reason the Nock 2 Is extremely popular. This release features a custom two-finger design, an auto-closing jaw for quick and easy attachment to your d-loop, and a wrist lan...

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$254.99
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Pack Summary
Product TypeProduct NameMSRP
Baselayer Top Sitka Core Merino 120 LS Crew (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$119
Baselayer TopSitka Core Lightweight Hoodie (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$129
OuterlayerSitka Intercept Hoodie (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$249
PantsSitka Intercept Pant (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$289
Outerlayer and InsulationSitka Ambient 100 Hooded Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$299
Outerlayer and InsulationSitka Thunderhead Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$359
Rain LayerSitka Dew Point Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$349
WindproofSitka Jetstream Jacket (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$349
VestSitka Equinox Turkey Vest (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$269
Hat ClipNock On LED Hat Clip 2pk (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$14.99
Bug GuardSitka Equinox Guard Hoodie (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$149
Binocular HarnessSitka Mountain Optics Harness (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$159
Range Finder Leupold RX-FullDraw 5 Rangefinder (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$499.99
BinocularsLeupold BX-4 Pro Guide HD 10x42 Binoculars (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$599.99
Bow ReleaseNock On Nock 2 It Custom Release (John Dudley Early Season Picks)$254.99

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