It will come as a suprise to most if the internet that I am a long time (9 years) turkey hunter. Mostly because no one on the internet actually knows who I am. Only my mom and wife read my blog, but it won’t be surprising to them. So, enough about me.
The HECS suit is designed for hunters, by hunters. Works out well that way. They offer two styles, single colored base layer, or camo based layer that doubles as pajamas. That last part is speculation, but I did spend four days strait wearing them, so yeah. My Dad and I bought the camo jams because they are more versatile in a broader range of weather. We also bought the gloves, because it’s only money.
The fabric is light weight and sturdy utilizing faraday technology to block the electrical signature of the wearer. Sounds like snake oil. And they do cost a fair amount for what appears to just be super pajamas. After a year of multi-season use in the field with them I feel qualified to comment on their effectiveness.
As I pointed out in the beginning (The beginning of the post, not the literal beginning), I hunt turkey. And while they may be rather stupid, they do put forth a great deal of effort to stay alive, of which I cannot blame them. They also have extremely keen eyesight when it comes to detecting movement and florescents. It is also postulated (I may need to put on some smart glasses for the rest of this) that some animals can detect and react to the electrical fields put off by other living creatures. Deer and turkey are among those believed to posses such ninja like skill.
Armed with the knowledge that turkeys have crazy peepers and are keeping their eyes peeled for movement, florescent sparkles, and electric fields, most people head over to the local grocer and buy a butterball. For those of us stalwart hunting folk the thrill is in the chase. Camo clothes and a statuesque technique has won the day for turkey hunters throughout the centuries, but this is the future! If you want to get up close and personal, you need HECS.
I’ll be the first to say that even wearing magic PJs doesn’t make you feel any less like a spotlight while out hunting. To accurately depict the effectiveness of the product I shall tell a tale. In the waning hours of a September day, a handsome and charming hunter was setting up for an ambush on the backside of a cattle paddock. Mr. Hunter Charming decided to position himself up against one of the paddock posts and point towards a turkey path that appeared to get frequent use. As has been the case on previous occasions, the turkey jump our dedicated hunter from behind. With the lead hen perched atop the paddock completely unaware of this dashing hunter not ten feet from her, the rest of the flock wandered right past this flaming ball of charisma and had no clue he was sitting right out in the open.
You can bet if I had any doubt about whether this technology had any merits, this experience confirmed it. Later on in the freezing (literally, I’m not just being a whiner) cold of December I was laying out prone for ten minutes while a flock of turkey stood right on the other side of a fence and ended up harvesting two turkey in one shot. After the shot half the flock flew over the fence and landed right next to me.
I’m not sure why I even bother hiding while hunting anymore. Mostly cause it feels weird to be out in the open. My one disappointment with the suit was the fact that I blew out several seams in the not inexpensive gloves. After both gloves pretty well gave up the ghost with very light use I contacted HECS directly. They replaced them immediately, postage paid, and out of the warranty period without question. They also replaced my Dad’s gloves which hadn’t failed yet but had the same single seam stitching. The replacements had double stiching with a sturdier thread.
PRO tip: the gloves are like a blood sponge. Keep a pair of nitrile gloves on you and put them on after you harvest a game animal. I usally just slip them over my gloves so I don’t lose anything in the field.
Consider this hunter convinced. This is a great company and a great product. I try to get out at least twice to three times a year hunting. With frequent trips into the field the cost is well worth the performance. And as I mentioned, they make for a great set of PJs too.
