Hunting Hats: A Care Guide For Woodsmen And Trappers
If you own a good-quality hunting hat, you know just how important it is in providing necessary camouflage and warmth when you are in the woods -- in fact, hunting hats are almost as important as your rifle! So you know that it is vital to properly care for your hat -- and that is what this guide is all about.
First of all, we assume that you have selected a hunting hat that is very durably made. Hunting is by nature a sport that gets you dirty (and smelly) at times, so there is no sense in investing your hard-earned bucks in lesser-quality hunting hats that will soon fall apart after a little rough handling.
Should your hunting hat get soiled, it is very important to try to clean it as soon as possible. Although cleaning may have to wait until you have come in from the field, you should not delay cleaning any hunting hats beyond that first day. If you wait, dirt and stains will possibly set, and depending on the fabric, may never be able to be removed.
If you must take off your hunting hat while out in the field, if you decide to keep it in your car or truck, don't put it up on the dashboard, or store it in any area of high heat concentration. Always allow your hat to dry normally. If you expose hunting hats to too much heat, it will shrink and you will no longer be able to wear it! If the sweatband of your hunting hat gets dirty or sweaty, you can unfold it from underneath the crown and gently clean it. Leave it out (unfolded) to dry overnight, then when it is completely dry, turn it back inside the hat. As you know, certain species of wildlife are especially sensitive to scents and odors. Like all the rest of your hunting gear, you can (and should) store hunting hats in a box or bag that will not allow air to enter. This will ensure that food, smoking or household odors will saturate the fabrics of the clothing. Many hunters will store their hunting clothes (including any hunting hats they may own) out-of-doors, where they can be kept dry. That way, over time they will come to absorb the natural odors found outside. Of course, if you need to clean your hunting hats more completely, you will need to follow the manufacturer's directions for cleaning. If you launder your hunting hats at home, make sure that you use a soap that does not contain perfumes - you want your hats to have a 'neutral' odor, not something artificial or man-made. UV Brighteners? Perhaps you have heard about how UV brighteners are a no-no for laundry soaps used with hunting hats and other outdoor clothing. It seems that some soaps have UV brighteners added to their formulations, in order to make certain colors 'brighter.' The problem is that this can make you more visible to animals in the wild - even if you are using camouflage clothing. So you want to make sure that you use a soap that has no UV brighteners at all. Properly cared for, hunting hats will last for many, many years, and give you warmth, protection from the elements and concealment while in the wilds.
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