Filson Upland Hunting Gear

The Right Gear for Upland Hunting

December 21, 2024 | By | Product Guide, Apparel, Gun Gear | 8 minutes of reading

Upland Hunting is Like Golf for Outdoorsmen

Golfers have their Peter Millar polos and TaylorMade hats. They have their bags, clubs, and accessories. They have their own etiquette and lingo when on the golf course. Finally, they have their history dating back to 1520s Scotland.

Upland game hunters also have their own attire, gear, lingo, and history. If I were a betting man, I would say upland hunting is even more of a vibe than modern golf with its polyester pants, carbon fiber clubs, and bad tan lines.

Upland Game Hunting Origins

Upland hunting has been around since ancient times; however, most of us think of England when we hear upland hunting. Records mentioning pheasants date back to the 1000s AD England.

The sport of pheasant shooting began to gain popularity in the 16th century, but it wasn’t until the mid-19th century that it really took off. The invention of the breech-loading shotgun in the 1850s revolutionized the sport. This allowed hunters to kill a larger number of birds in a shorter time.

More effective shotguns led to the development of driven shoots, where birds were flushed towards a line of guns. By 1875, driven pheasant shooting had become firmly established as the leading fieldsport throughout much of England and Wales. 

The sport reached its peak during the late Victorian and Edwardian periods, with many large estates hosting grand shooting parties as important fixtures on the social calendar.

Credit to Fieldsports Journal

Traditional clothing included a tweed jacket or coat, usually made of wool. Underneath, hunters wore a checked or striped shirt with a tie, often made of wool in bright colors or featuring hunting-related prints. A waistcoat or shooting vest was commonly worn over the shirt.

For legwear, plus fours (short trousers that extend 4 inches below the knee) or breeks were the traditional choice, made of tweed to prevent snagging on vegetation (the OG capris). These were paired with tall brown or black boots, often reaching up the calf, with matching garter straps.

Headwear typically included a tweed flat cap, but some hunters opted for velvet caps or even top hats in more formal settings.

This ensemble was considered a mark of respect to both the host and the quarry, especially in formal driven shoots. It’s worth saying that this traditional attire was more common in British hunting culture and differed significantly from the more casual, camouflage-based attire that became popular in America.

Credit Tatler

While today’s upland hunters may not don formal tweeds and top hats, the sport’s rich heritage influences modern hunting attire and equipment. Contemporary gear blends traditional functionality with technical innovation. An example of this can be seen with Orvis x Barbour apparel.

Why Having The Right Gear is Important

Having the appropriate gear for any niche activity is priceless. Would you go skiing in jeans? Maybe if it is 65 degrees in the late season and you never fall. However, for most of us, we are going to wear insulated water-resistant ski pants or a ski bib.

The same goes for upland hunting. Wearing shorts while walking through sagebrush isn’t going to be fun. Neither are tennis shoes when you are on a rattlesnake’s home turf.

Most of these items may be obvious to you, but I hope at least some of these points provide value. I have read multiple forums, watched many YouTube videos, asked fellow upland hunters, and reflected on my past hunts, to share which gear creates the best setup for the price.

Shotgun

Browning Maxus II

Common gauges include 12, 16, 20, and 28 for upland hunting. This leaves you with a broad selection of shotguns to choose from. You can go traditional with an over-under or double-barrel, or you can go with a semi-automatic. Whatever you want to choose.

I recommend focusing on a 16 or 20 gauge if this is a dedicated upland gun (be mindful of 16 gauge ammo availability). A 12 gauge semi-auto that can fire 3” shells is going to cover all of your bases. If you think you are going to be saltwater waterfowl hunting then I highly recommend getting a camo dipped gun to protect against rust.

If you don’t have a shotgun already, my biggest tip is to go clay shooting before going on a hunt. This is so you learn how to move with the gun while being aware of your fellow hunters’ safety. Don’t be like this guy.

My second biggest tip would be getting a shotgun you can carry in a ready position for an extended amount of time. A 9 lb shotgun is going to feel like 30 lbs midway through your hunt.

These shotguns have been recommended by avid hunters and provide you a good variety to determine what you like:

The Browning Maxus II and the Beretta A400 Xtreme Plus are two excellent options if you are looking for a great do everything 12 gauge. These models have multiple variations depending on if you want it camp dipped or wood and steel.

Shot Load

The gauge of your gun and the game you are hunting will determine your shot size. Sportsman’s Warehouse has an excellent breakdown of shot type.

I typically go for Fiocchi’s Field Dynamics line or Winchester’s Super X. Both haven’t let me down.

Here is quick guide from Optics Planet to set you in the right direction:

Pants

Pants may be the most important clothing item for upland hunting to protect against brush and ticks. Durable jeans work well for temperate days although you may want to consider a technical pant when the weather isn’t sunny and 75.

Best for heritage South Texas vibes – King Ranch Field Brush Pants

King Ranch makes some great stuff including these pants. The only issue I have with these is they are 98% cotton which may get toasty in the early season. The canvas is coated with a DWR finish so you won’t need to worry about dew soaking your legs.

Best bombproof technical pant – Kuiu PRO Brush Pant

These brush pants can take a beating and will keep you cool with hip zips and 100% polyester construction. This pant includes anti-odor technology and DWR water resistance.

Best pant for the price – Cabela’s Upland Traditions Pant

Nothing special here – just really good pants for the price. These are made out of 100% cotton twill with Cordura nylon.

Shirt

A lightweight sun shirt or long sleeve is the go-to for upland hunting. The brand doesn’t matter as much as the material and shirt type.

Here is a selection of styles you can choose from:

Hat

You can rep any brand you want but I would recommend a hat that has some orange in it like this one here. A hat is nice to keep the sun’s glare out of your eyes and to look cool.

Footwear

Footwear can vary depending on where you’re hunting. South Texas you will see mostly cowboy boots or snake proof boots. I have also seen many people recommend Crispi boots.

Protecting against potential snakes and keeping your feet dry are important features to consider. A hunt is not a place to break in your new boots since you will be walking through fields and across uneven terrain. The point is to have fun, not come back with a foot full of blisters.

Gear

This stuff may or may not be the most obvious, but having some decent gear will take your “hunt enjoyability” up a notch.

First thing (in no particular order) are sunglasses / shooting glasses. These are a necessity.

Next is the most important piece of gear, outside of apparel and footwear, the shooting vest or bag. How you carry your shells, game, and miscellaneous items is an important consideration. You don’t need the highest tech option on the market like a Final Rise vest or a ‘luxury’ shooting bag like the King Ranch Armstrong. A generic Amazon vest with good reviews like this one will suffice. A great all around vest which I have seen many people use is the Orvis Upland Pro – might be worth checking out as well.

Bringing your dog? Having a K9 first aid kit is a worthwhile investment for your best friend. The Gun Dog Outdoors kit is straightforward and has the essentials while Gun Dog Supply is a comprehensive trauma kit good to have in your vehicle if you have multiple guides working fields.

Gun Dog Doc is a fantastic site to make sure you’re prepared if your dog takes a stray pellet or injures themselves in the field.

Lastly, consider getting a cooler to store some water / beer and to keep your birds nice and cold for the trip back home. The obvious choice is a YETI, but if you want something your friends will ask you about, then snag a Wet Sounds Shivr cooler with a built in soundbar (this thing gets loud).

Conclusion

Getting started in upland hunting doesn’t require the fanciest gear or most expensive setup. Just like golf, you can begin with the basics and upgrade as you wish. Focus on durability, comfort, and functionality when selecting your initial gear – no need to go with a certain brand. 

Whether you choose to embrace the heritage look with leather and canvas or opt for modern technical wear, the most important thing is getting out in the field, respecting the tradition, and enjoying the hunt. With the right equipment and preparation, you’ll be ready to experience one of the oldest and most rewarding outdoor pursuits.

Blaine
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