GHILLIE… WHO’S GHILLIE??

First off, I am not a hunter. I am a city guy and I’m really not an outdoorsman either. Unless throwing a Frisbee to the dog in the park constitutes being an outdoorsman. To my surprise I was invited with some others from the office to take part in some outdoor paintballing. I really wasn’t totally sure what was involved, but because there was a promise of a barbeque and some beer afterwards I agreed to go along. About three days before we were to go, one of the guys said “got the old Ghillie suit ready to go?” Not wanting to appear like a total jerk I mumbled something like “of course! I can’t wait to get out there, you had better keep your head up!” I had no idea whatsoever about what he was talking about.

That evening I did some research and I found out he was talking about a camouflage suit. Apparently he was a regular at this, and the suit was an integral part of his playing the game.

GHILLIE SUITS

Ghillie suits, similar to the ones found offered on www.sportsplayer.net have been around for a long time, originating with Scottish Highlander Game Keepers known as ghillies as a way to hide themselves from the animals they hunted. The suits have developed over the years to the point where they have many modern day uses both for the military and outdoorsmanship, Including to my surprise, bird watching.

Ghillies serving in the First World War used their camouflaged suit experiences to prevent them from being seen by German snipers. Because of this success, the camouflaged suits were further improved during the Second World War. The basic jacket is usually one made of canvass and the camouflage itself will vary depending on the surroundings one wishes to blend into.

MOVING BUSH

Because the paintball excursion was only going to a one-time thing, I was able to borrow a suit from my uncle. Uncle Norm is quite a bit bigger than me, so the suit hung loosely and seemed heavier than it should have been. I must have been quite a sight as I waddled my way to my first hiding spot, pretending to be small bush next to a tree. Never having handled a weapon didn’t help either; I was splattered and hit more times than anyone else out there. Afterwards I realized that the suit is only part of the equation, you have to learn how to stay still until exactly the right moment and then make your shot. Apparently, the guys I was playing against knew that bushes don’t shake.

JAMES PAUL “SPORTY” SPN CORRESPONDENT

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