While occasional rain cannot ruin a hunt, rather objectionable weather is the constant wetting of cuffs, leakage around zippers, or (worst of all) the seepage of sweat into the insulating layers to warm and then chill later. A good clothing system to hunt in repays in comfort on long weekends of hunting such as in western Kentucky bowhunting, by preventing the majority of these 'failures' and thus allowing the hunter to concentrate on ensuring a safe and ethical shot, rather than being harassed by wet clothes.
Start with a dry-system check before leaving
Inspect all of your clothing for water resistance prior to leaving for your hunting trip and fix any problems before you leave. Lay out all of your gear and inspect areas that get the most use: shoulders, seat, knees, cuffs, pocket openings and the hood. Look for any signs of peeling seam tape, cracked finishes, stretched elastic, open snaps and non-functioning zippers.
Take the garments outside to check for any signs of water penetration in a simple test. Pour or sprinkle water all over the outside of a clean hunting shell. If the water beads up and runs off the garment then it is likely to be OK, but don't assume that it must be 100% waterproof. It will soon show up any weaknesses in the face fabric, finish or membrane.
Inspection also includes checking the inside of clothing for signs of moisture, musty smells, or sticky places. If you find any of these characteristics, don't pack that clothing hoping that things will clear up before your hunt. Instead, go ahead and repair, wash, or replace that clothing before it becomes the critical middle layer that the rest of your clothing depends on to stay dry.
Treat sweat as an early warning sign
Sweat can cause your base layer to become wet. Insulation that you wear on the hike up to the tree can be very hot. As you stop to set up your stand and get into position the moisture in your base layer can start to cool and form into wet patches. The outside of the layer may look and feel dry but between the layers can be wet and cold.
Opening a vent, removing a midlayer, or loosening off a neck before excessive sweat is released is ideal for the ascent. Store the removed layers safely to ensure they remain dry i.e. don't stow them under a wet pack cover or against a cold damp tree trunk.
Clamminess anywhere on your body means that you're sweating and losing warmth. Damp cuffs or a wet waistband all mean the same thing: your sweat is not evaporating from your clothing and you're getting cold. Remember, if your hands are to be of any use for the bow and for release aid then they must be warm and dry.
Build breathable layers around the forecast
Now, to build a hunting clothing system for varied weather, start with a simple and dry system to hunt in and layer up for colder moments of inactivity on the move. Base layers are to move moisture out of clothing to keep you dry. Insulating layers are for times of low activity. Outer layers keep you dry and protect from wind and rain. For base layers, avoid clothing made of cotton that holds moisture against your skin and choose breathable synthetic or wool layers that allow for good moisture transfer to keep you dry when hunting and moving. Also, look for layers that do not pull or constrict in any way to allow for full draw of your bow.
Again, do not dress for the coldest moment of your hunt, but bring extra layers of insulation for warmer periods of the day or cooler moments at sundown. In a dry bag or a sealed pack liner these layers are better than being stored in your hunting gear.
A 'waterproof' outer layer that is too warm can be as bad as no outer layer at all. Check out how any vents and pockets are going to work for you whilst shooting a bow. Make any necessary changes to your choice of outer layer before the wet weather arrives. You don't want to find out that your outer layer is no good when you're already in your tree stand.
Protect the openings where water gets in
With clothing many a problem begins with the seams. Rain can run down into your sleeves when your hands are up in the air. Wet earth can seep up into the bottom of your trousers. Rain running down the back of your neck from your hood can be particularly uncomfortable. And, strap pockets on backpacks can allow water to seep through and run down your back.
Wear your cuffs down over your gloves. Make sure your rain shell hood up extends down below your neck in order to completely cover your neck while standing or sitting with your back against a tree. Make sure gaiters and rain pants do not get in the way of climbing trees or walking through the woods, as well as being able to shoot comfortably.
Bring small absorbent materials (towels, chamois, etc.) and store them in your pockets. These come in handy for cleaning off your binoculars, reading glasses, bow grip, release, etc. Don't use your inside layer to wipe off these items as you will just transfer moisture to them.
Use rain protection without creating new problems
While a pack cover is a very good protection for the clothing in your pack's main compartment, the back panel and lower section of your back might still get wet. And most pack covers don't offer sufficient protection for items stored in the side pockets. To give your insulation a second layer of protection, use a liner in the main compartment. And pack your wet outer layers on top of your dry clothing, not the other way around.
If hunting from a tree stand or blind, organize your gear so that rain gear can be accessed prior to rain arriving. Keep hood, outer shell, and seat pad within quiet reach. Try not to have to unzipped, open, or pull closed too many times while trying to remain quiet once animal has arrived. Attempting to avoid all sound is unreasonable. Just avoid adding more noise than necessary.
Not all rain garments are created equal. Be very wary of ponchos. While they may offer good protection, there is a strong likelihood that they will catch on your trekking pole or even worse get in the way of your bowstring. Test it out before you head out on your first hunt wearing it. And if it does get in the way then don't take it with you.
Dry, inspect, and reset after the hunt
Make sure that all clothing has been hung up to dry with space between each layer. Make sure all of a garment's pockets have been opened and that any insert or liner has been removed before washing. Only wash clothing in accordance with the clothing manufacturer's instructions and never use wash clothes to dry items. Also, do not use heat to dry clothing as the coating, adhesives or elastic could be damaged.
The clothes that you use on your last hunting trip of the season should be cleaned and stored for the next season before they start to smell or develop stubborn stains. Also, pay close attention to seams, and do not wash clothes with abrasive detergents or with materials that may leave residue on clothing. Also, body oils and field dirt can impair the water repellency and breathability of clothing.
Inspect your clothing for sweating and for places where moisture appeared after a rainy weekend's hunting. Find out how long it was before you began to sweat. Note the areas where it was difficult to quietly reach for various pieces of clothing for hunting.
Before you head out for each hunting season, check the current hunting regulations and safety information for Kentucky from official sources. Though dry clothes can't save a hunt that's suffering because of bad judgment, poor equipment control in bad weather, or lack of balance, it's best to call it a day if the circumstances of nature are starting to get the better of you.