Upland Pack Vest

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:28 pm

I started going through reviews and such of some of the upland pack vests available. I really like the Pella Bird N Lite Pack Vest, however, it doesn't meet the minimum requirements for blaze orange coverage here in Illinois. We have a 400sq/in requirement for "upper outer" garment during the firearm deer seasons. Any other time, this vest would be fine.

I like this style over the shoulder strap style. I like the front load feature.

Does anybody know of a similar vest that meets these requirements?

Pryor Creek Okie · Post by **Pryor Creek Okie** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 12:47 pm

That vest does have some orange on the front and back. Could you wear a long sleeved orange shirt/coat underneath and meet the 400 sq/in requirements? Just an idea.

NE Vizsla · Post by **NE Vizsla** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:32 pm

Is that square inch requirement just for deer hunters during rifle season or is that a requirement for all hunters even if your not hunting deer during the firearm season ?

If your looking for a vest just for deer season I really like the plain ol orange vest Browning has come out with. Its a orange cest with a couple pockets in the front and its all blaze orange, I think it cost me like 15 bucks or something. It works great as I only use it for rifle season and thats only one week out of the year. I use a Mother vest for upland.

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:48 pm

The blaze orange requirement is for any hunters taking the field during the shotgun deer season. If we rabbit hunt or bird hunt during this time, we must have 400sq/in on the upper/outer garment. Our only requirement otherwise is a blaze orange hat. I'd like to find something that meets the requirement instead of messing with an orange shirt or coat if I can.

Post by **pear** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:49 pm

Will I'm not sure how many square inches, of Blaze Orange, if any, the Pella has but remember, 400 sq. in., is not as much as you think. Add a billed Blaze Orange hunting cap and I'd bet you'll be close to the minumum requirements. ...."pear"

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 1:52 pm

I emailed Pella and its 209sq/in. I could probably hack up and old cheap vest and sew some or pin some orange onto it.

NE Vizsla · Post by **NE Vizsla** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 2:30 pm

wow, i figured the pella would have had more than that.

How about this vest, I see it comes in all orange and is a strap vest.
http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templ ... 4887&Nty=1

Will · Post by **Will** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 3:00 pm

Thanks for the idea, but I don't wanna lose the "load from the front" feature the Pella has....and I don't know if I'd like the strap style vest.

Chaingang · Post by **Chaingang** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 5:47 pm

Not many manufacturers list the sq/in. coverage on their vests.
Here is one that I'm quite sure is legal though. Below the picture where you see "colors" select hunter orange: LLbean

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 9:57 pm

WA has the same requirement. I am planning to pick this vest up this weekend, I borrowed brother's to test part of a day and love it. I was planning to buy some blaze fabric and have it sewn on the back. I don't know why these companies don't adjust for this kind of stuff.

Terry · Post by **Terry** » Mon Oct 15, 2007 10:00 pm

By the way...I think Orvis has the exact same vest with their name on it, it has more orange on it (The orange is removable.)

Take a look.

http://www.orvis.com/store/product_choi ... ture_id=17

gonehuntin' · Post by **gonehuntin'** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 4:22 am

Take a look at the Mothers Vest; it's tougher than nails and comfortable to wear. Here's the thing with a strap vest, a lot of the blaze orange requirement is met by the blaze shirt that you wear. It's sleeves and front, visible under the vest give you more than 400 inches. As long as you wear and orange shirt.

Will · Post by **Will** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 5:39 am

Ahhh...it does indeed look to be identical except for the extra blaze orange!! And its on sale for about $15 less than what I can find the Pella for. We're making a trip to the new Cabelas near Chicago next week so that'll give me a chance to try some different things on. I'm with you, I'll sew some orange fabric on the Pella or Orvis if necessary.

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:26 am

I don't know if you have made a final decision on a vest yet but here is another one to look at.

This is the most comfortable bird vest I have ever had. The bird loading is super easy and can be done one-handed. I can pack a jacket, food, first aid supplies, more ammo than I need, several birds, and I have a 100 oz water bladder in it.

Here is a link to their website: http://www.badlandspacks.com/gear.php

Addict

Trigger · Post by **Trigger** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:30 am

I also have a badlands pack. Very good packs.

Addict · Post by **Addict** » Tue Oct 16, 2007 9:49 am

If your really worried about enough orange you can always wear this

http://www.foureyesjokeshop.com/index.a ... ProdID=544

Addict

Coach529 · Post by **Coach529** » Sun Oct 21, 2007 12:10 pm

I have the Pella strap vest and am very happy with it....no complaints until I tried on a buddies Mother's strap vest. If I was to do it over I would try one of the Mother's, or check more into the Badlands vest........that looks nice!!