Long trousers?

[Red Leg]

I loathe ticks. One nice thing about hunting almost anywhere else in Africa other than the RSA is the absence of ticks. Tsetse flies are no fun, but I'll deal with them in squadron strength rather than a single tick. In Mozambique I have stood in the downwind smoke of a greenwood fire battling gazillions of malaria ridden mosquitoes awaiting the cruiser back to camp. I would do it again in a heartbeat to avoid a pepper tick assault.

 

[rookhawk]

I have switched back and forth between wearing long trousers or shorts, both have their pro's and con's. The last time I wore long trousers it was in the rain and it was terrible, they got wet and heavy and flopped around the ankles. But then I have also worn shorts that got my legs scratched and of course I picked up ticks.
So I am thinking about longs again, but done properly, which for me is elasticised waist but also with a belt, and high boots with puttees. Plenty of folks on here have spoken of gaiters for snake protection, well puttees do that too but are far more comfortable to wear. They also get rid of that floppy trouser problem and help keep the trousers up.
You need longer boots so I am considering a pair of Courteney Jamieson's, do any of you have these?
What do you think?
View attachment 521889View attachment 521890

The boots above were my invention. More than ten years ago I discussed this with Gale and explained that I wanted more leg protection and ankle support than a Selous, and more durability than a Patrol model.

At the time, we jokingly called it the ”Roosevelt”. (American version of Selous)

After 14 safaris and owning three pairs of this design, I can say I’ve never needed gaiters, nor have I ever had a tick get on me in the bush.

I wear cargo shorts made of cotton so they are much longer than Rugby shorts that PHs wear, but between the tall boots and the long shorts, very little leg is exposed to the jess.

 

[rookhawk]

 

[375Fox]

Are ticks a big problem in the eastern cape of SA in may?

It really depends on the area you are going. The coastal areas where it never freezes they can be extremely bad. In the Karoo where it gets hard freezes you won’t see a tick. You’ll have to ask outfitter about area.

 

[375Fox]

Curious is there a tick season in Zim or SA? In the states we only have ticks bad May-July

May-July is in Georgia? In NW Pennsylvania our ticks are worst when it’s warm in day and near freezing at night at night. Late March-May and late October/November. They use to be nearly non-existent 20 years ago with colder winters.

 

[JimP]

Are ticks a big problem in the eastern cape of SA in may?

On my first safari our outfitter took us down on the coast west of Port Elisabeth and told us to douse ourselves with bug spray because of the ticks. Two of us went the first day and had zero problems with ticks, we had soaked our clothing in Permithin. The next day the other hunter and his wife went down to the same area. They used some bug juice but when they got back to the lodge they both found hundreds of those little pesky pepper ticks around the belt line of their clothes. They didn't use any Permithin. That little excursion made me a believer in Permithin.

On another outing where I was hunting kudu we took a long hike and then came back to a nice opening where we could sit and watch. There was a rock in front of me that I kicked over with my boots and as I sat there I noticed ants all over both of my boots, but they didn't go any further than the top of my boots. I had Permithin on my socks and pants which stopped them cold.

This was from the middle of May to the end of May.

 

[Neil Molendyk]

So there's these two guys walking down the sidewalk and on the other side of the street they notice this old dog just lying there and licking his balls. The first guy says to his buddy, "Don't you wish you could do that?"His friend replies " "Sure do, but do you think he would let me?" Maybe its time for a new hunting dog IvW.

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

The boots above were my invention. More than ten years ago I discussed this with Gale and explained that I wanted more leg protection and ankle support than a Selous, and more durability than a Patrol model.

At the time, we jokingly called it the ”Roosevelt”. (American version of Selous)

After 14 safaris and owning three pairs of this design, I can say I’ve never needed gaiters, nor have I ever had a tick get on me in the bush.

I wear cargo shorts made of cotton so they are much longer than Rugby shorts that PHs wear, but between the tall boots and the long shorts, very little leg is exposed to the jess.

Thank you for your invention Rook, I will be getting a pair for sure.

 

[Dr Ray]

Must tell you an amusing story

Years ago I was hunting red deer

I’m standing in long grass and decided to have a wee

Five minutes later I had to go again

Put my hand down and it was covered in blood
A leech somehow latched on to my penis

Let’s say Mother Nature was well and truly friendly for quite some time
Still horrifies me even after 20 years

 

[IvW]

What poison do you use please?

Cattle dip with 12.5% Amitraz diluted 1 to 500

 

[Kevin Peacocke]

Is this permithrin a spray, or do you dip your clothes?

 

[JimP]

Is this permithrin a spray, or do you dip your clothes?

At most of the stores where you can purchase it at it comes in a spray bottle that is ready to use. Just spray it on your clothes and let it dry, I usually give my clothes two applications.

I just get the spray bottles off of Amazon, or a Walmart store. But last year at this time my local Walmart didn't have any so I went with a couple of bottles from Amazon.

If you have a farm supply store near you they may sell the concentrated liquid where you dilute it yourself. If you do it this way you can mix up a bucket of it and then dip your clothing into it and then hang to dry.

 

[rookhawk]

Is this permithrin a spray, or do you dip your clothes?

Either. They even sell clothing in the States that comes pre-treated with Permethrin that is viable for 50 washes. Brands of clothes that offer this including Ex Officio and Orvis. The trade-name for pre-treated fabric is called “bug off”.

 

[Foxi]

I love shorts in the bush.
I would collaps in an overall.

I always used Nobite clothing (2% Permethrin)
and sometimes Nobite skin (50% DEET)
But I had better experinces with Nobite clothing on my skin.
For the 10 days of Africa hunting, my body will probably endure without damage (hope so

 

[Desperatezulu]

Is this permithrin a spray, or do you dip your clothes?

Kevin, you can buy Bayticol in SA - looking it up, I see its active ingredient is "flumethrin", which is from the same family of compounds as permethrin. It's an aerosol that you can spray your socks, gaiters and lower trouser legs with. I've found it to work well in SA - I've never tried permethrin so cannot compare.

Regarding trousers, naturally it comes down to personal preference. While I occasionally wear shorts if hunting in very warm climes, I do find that sunburn and thorn damage can be a game-changer. So mostly wear long trousers. I have a pet peeve about noisy fabrics - virtually all synthetic fabrics, no matter how fancy, are super noisy in the bush - swishing noise when walking and loud scratch noises when thorns scrape them. Soft, well worn cotton is hard to beat for stealthiness. While long trousers may catch on thorns, I find that tearing fabric is usually a lot quieter than tearing skin

I've settled on a local el cheapo brand which works great: Jonsson work wear (see the olive option - the perfect bush colour.
The trousers are lightweight, have a semi elasticated waist so very comfy, straight-leg so no flapping legs to catch everywhere, and not too bad if they get wet. I see on the label they are 65/35 polycotton - so I guess partly synthetic... but they are very quiet. The best part is they are available for R150-200 (call it $10) in most co-ops and outdoor stores!! I bought a bunch years ago with the view that I'd use them hard and ditch them, even if they lasted for just one trip. I am still using the original pairs a good 8 years on. The oldest pairs are showing a few small rips but otherwise going strong.

 

[rookhawk]

If anyone is curious about the pre-treated clothing, this is the brand that is most popular in the States. Ex Officio. What I love about their clothing is the sleeves run long (catering to fly fisherman).

https://www.exofficio.com/bugsaway/men/

 

[CBH Australia]

I rarely wear shorts, I did in Africa to look the part but my Lilly white legs got scratched.

The boots above were my invention. More than ten years ago I discussed this with Gale and explained that I wanted more leg protection and ankle support than a Selous, and more durability than a Patrol model.

At the time, we jokingly called it the ”Roosevelt”. (American version of Selous)

After 14 safaris and owning three pairs of this design, I can say I’ve never needed gaiters, nor have I ever had a tick get on me in the bush.

I wear cargo shorts made of cotton so they are much longer than Rugby shorts that PHs wear, but between the tall boots and the long shorts, very little leg is exposed to the jess.

@rookhawk I new I had read about these being made special order.

Just as COVID hit I had some interesting email between Gale Rice and myself. Having ordered 2 pair of Courteney boots through the Australian agent I got in contact with Gale directly.
I wanted exactly that but they assured me it had not been done. I mentioned I knew it had.
They found the pattern and agreed to make me a set with the new design larger toe box. Freight was an issue and I had not transferred funds so they sat in limbo and when I followed up that set were no longer around?
I realised later they are now a standard offering.
My first set (Selous) I wore from my home for the duration of my travel and hunt in S/A, and on return travel.

The second set of Patrol were the same size but a generous fit on me, hence the contact with Courteney direct as I had a disagreement with the Australian agent. I have all the emails from both.

I also own a Courteney Buffalo belt.

I think the Jamieson with the Cleat sole and wide Toe box would have been perfect but that didn't happen. I wasn't aware the model had a name at that point.

Anyway these didn't happen but it seems they turned around and added the model to the line up.

I've never made a bad remark against them but didn't have my luck getting my Jamieson.

I would still like a pair and with the right fit they would be a great boot for me and my use. I was also looking for ankle support which I think they would offer.

Add to that I gave the barely worn Patrol to my son who is pretty happy with them.

 

[rookhawk]

I rarely wear shorts, I did in Africa to look the part but my Lilly white legs got scratched.



@rookhawk I new I had read about these being made special order.

Just as COVID hit I had some interesting email between Gale Rice and myself. Having ordered 2 pair of Courteney boots through the Australian agent I got in contact with Gale directly.
I wanted exactly that but they assured me it had not been done. I mentioned I knew it had.
They found the pattern and agreed to make me a set with the new design larger toe box. Freight was an issue and I had not transferred funds so they sat in limbo and when I followed up that set were no longer around?
I realised later they are now a standard offering.
My first set (Selous) I wore from my home for the duration of my travel and hunt in S/A, and on return travel.

The second set of Patrol were the same size but a generous fit on me, hence the contact with Courteney direct as I had a disagreement with the Australian agent. I have all the emails from both.

I also own a Courteney Buffalo belt.

I think the Jamieson with the Cleat sole and wide Toe box would have been perfect but that didn't happen. I wasn't aware the model had a name at that point.

Anyway these didn't happen but it seems they turned around and added the model to the line up.

I've never made a bad remark against them but didn't have my luck getting my Jamieson.

I would still like a pair and with the right fit they would be a great boot for me and my use. I was also looking for ankle support which I think they would offer.

Add to that I gave the barely worn Patrol to my son who is pretty happy with them.

Mine have a lot of miles on them now. Two of the pairs have been rebuilt and resoled in fact. I like the narrower toe box on the combat boot height myself. I'd rather put dubbing on them or lexol and just walk a ton to get a perfect fit. I have a bad ankle with a bunch of hardware so the idea of a very tight boot in the ankle with a well broken in insole is better for me, particularly when climbing gomas and kopis in Africa. It's a personal preference, but something to consider if you have 60-90 days of daily wear before a safari. I start with a thin athletic sock and after they are broken in I go to a proper smartwool sock for additional cushion. They really cut down on edema when you're walking a ton in Africa each day too. Surprised me that they weren't a hot seller ten years ago considering they provide ankle support.

My last pair is my "going to church" pair in elephant hide. Those are REALLY comfortable because elephant tends to yield in all for directions whereas the normal buffalo/kudu version seems to have a directional grain and is a bit more rigid.

The only thing I have to say bad about courteneys is the tractor tread holds a lot of stones in Africa, and is an utter mess picking up dirt and mud in north america. Great for traction, but not so great for cleanliness in a damp (US) hunting climate. The ripple sole doesn't make any mess at all, but also wears quickly and has no traction. I've never tried the lug sole so I can't speak to option 3.

 

[CBH Australia]

I mentioned in my feedback etc the tractor tread picked up a lot of small stone where I used them, including my driveway.I said I was specifically after the ankle support due to injury etc.
The Australian distributor said I was talking a lot of rot and nonsense. That was via the phone though. I suspect he was enjoying a good wine or a good dose of wine.
I really was hoping to get a set of these beling the Selous base in a Patrol length it's a stiff boot with ankle support.
If I was in Bulawayo I would definitely try arrange something to walk out with the perfect fit in the perfect boot.

 

[Philip Glass]

Scratched legs are ok....pepper ticks on the nuts is not.....
Hunting in certain areas dependent on area I hunt with a one piece dark green overall.....all openings sown shut and sprayed with cattle tick dip as soon as I leave the Cruiser....pepper ticks on the nuts are a major problem....I have had tick bite fever so much that I am now immune. However scratching my balls due to these nasty liitle buggers I detest....
I also have a dip bath with my tracking dog if needed when it is a bad tick year....

Sawyer clothing spray is a must for these adventures.