Columnist Paula DelGiudice: New hunting clothes are worth the wait

Paula DelGiudice

Thursday, April 13, 2000 | 11:29 a.m.

Paula DelGiudice's outdoors notebook appears weekly. Reach her at PDelGiudice@compuserve.com.

Now that it's time to apply for big game tags in Nevada, hunters' thoughts inevitably turn toward fall. Those who like to plan ahead will be thinking about the gear they need to add to their collection to make this season the most productive yet.

If new hunting clothing hasn't appeared on the shopping list in the past few years, this is the year to add it. The improvements made in apparel lines in the past few years is stunning.

Columbia Sportswear, makers of all types of outdoor clothing, is one company with products that will make hunters fork out the money for new threads. They have capitalized on the skyrocketing popularity of fleece apparel and developed a waterproof version called Silent Rain. The fact that it's durable yet quiet hasn't been lost in today's market. Hunters have been searching for such a product for years.

Browning has developed its own waterproof fleece product line. Called Hydro-Fleece with Cordura Browning, the company has teamed with partner W.L. Gore to offer a re-invented technical fleece for the year 2000. Browning insists there is not a stronger, more tear resistant fleece fabric that is waterproof, breathable and quiet as Hydro-Fleece.

The new fleece technology has been employed in another line of Browning clothing called Hydro-Fleece with Scent-Sorb. This fabric doesn't use Cordura but activated charcoal to suppress your scent.

As if the new Hydro-Fleece line wasn't enough, Browning has made good use of new suede-like fabrics to produce Hydro-Suede. What sounds like the ultimate in clothing comfort features a Hydro-Suede shell fabric with Gore-Tex lamination, Tekna fleece lining and Scent-Sorb in the collar and under the arms.

The Hydro-Suede fabric is waterproof like Hydro-Fleece and is supple and breathable like Hydro-Fleece but has a shorter nap making it resistant to picking up burrs and other tagalongs.

The items can be used independently during mild weather or combined during colder weather to maximize protection. Bibs and pants are also available in Hydro-Fleece and Hydro-Suede.

For waterfowlers, Browning offers its Marshland Gold line featuring Gore-Tex X.C.R technology -- a three-layer, waterproof laminate.

"The real news in the hunting apparel market is the new fabrics," said Dodd Clifton, marketing director of Jordan Outdoor Enterprises, makers of Realtree and Advantage camouflage patterns.

John Sjoberg, NDOW supervising fisheries biologist, said plans call for catfish to be stocked monthly in the ponds through the warm weather months. Rainbow trout plants from Lake Mead Hatchery will resume in the fall when water temperatures are cool enough to allow them to be stocked.

Anglers 12 and older are required to have a Nevada fishing license when fishing in the park ponds. The daily and possession limits are three game fish.

Applications must be received by mail at the office by 5 p.m. on Monday. All applications received after that will be rejected.

Applications and regulations brochures may be obtained at most area sporting goods stores and NDOW offices, 4747 W. Vegas Drive in Las Vegas and 744 South Racetrack Road in Henderson. They are also available on NDOW's web site at www.state.nv.us/cnr/nvwildlife.