Last year we decided to have a booth at the 2006 Texas Parks and Wildlife EXPO.  We had a great time, learned a good deal, and met a variety of people from several interesting public, private, for-profit, and non-profit organizations.  Our neighbor at the EXPO was CrossGear Outfitters Outdoor Apparel.  As any good neighbor in Texas, we quickly introduced ourselves and learned about each other's products and services.

If you read no further - your take away is the following - It Works!

Trial #1
The first test we decided to do was while visiting the rugged Hackberry Ranch in the Hill Country.  The purpose of this test was to video a series of standing, sitting and walking activities at different distances.  We wanted to simulate a Spot & Stalk style hunt and capture how well I was able to blend into the natural surroundings.  This was also to be a dress rehearsal for a real hunt using the "IT" Suit. 

 Click here to see the "IT Suit Field Test" video.

Trial #2
The second test we decided to do was during a Dove Hunt at the Freeborn Ranch near Orange Grove, Texas.  Having hunted Dove on this ranch in the past, I was confident that we would be able to find some wild hogs around the edge of the food plots, especially near an All-Seasons Deer Feeder that was set up for the pending deer season.

  Click here to see the "IT Suit Shotgun Hog Hunt" video.

Trial #3-5
The third, fourth and fifth tests with the "IT" Suit were after Axis, Aoudad, Hogs and Rio Grande Turkey.  I was very impressed with how close I was able to get to Axis and Aoudad (within 30 yards) without them noticing.  A neat moment was when a coyote walked by and didn't notice me sitting like a bush.  We were able to harvest several more hogs with my Great-Grandfather's Winchester Lever Action .30-30.

Hog Hunt with Frank Stabile and Jason Parrish at Kennard Land & Cattle, Ltd.

A funny moment that happened.
We were hunting Axis Does and Whitetail Buck at the Hackberry Ranch.  We had been hunting for five days and I was very, very tired.  It was middle of the acorn drop, 80 degrees, and almost a full moon so we were seeing very little animal traffic in the daytime and no traffic around the feeders.  We were hunting near water, in the groves of hardwoods where we could see heavy foot traffic, with lots of nuts on the ground, hoping to catch sight of an animal right before sunset.  I set up against a bush where I had a good line of sight down several animal trails.  I was very comfortable in my "IT" suit laying against the bush and fell asleep to be awoke by an Axis doe walking 20 feet from me - towards me - along the path.  Yes, we both scared each other and I went home empty handed.

Information about all parties involved:

Product Manufacturer

• Name: Michelle Shad
• Address: 7721 A Central Park Drive
• Waco, Texas, 76712
• Email: michelles@crossgear.com
• Phone: (866) 464-4327

Product Tester

• Name: Jason Parrish
• Email: Jason@TexasHuntFish.com
• URL: http://www.texashuntfish.com

On Location At:

• Hackberry Ranch, Real County, TX
• Freeborn Ranch, Jim Wells County, TX
• KLC Ranch, Houston County, TX
• Live Oak Creek Ranch, Pecos County, TX

If you want a great, light-weight method of making yourself camouflage in the wilderness, this is a great product.  If you are hunting game with good eyesight, this is a great product.  My only warning against using this product is if you are hunting in an environment where you want to be able to hike through dense brush, if you want to stalk in crouching position or if you want to be able to crawl on the ground, then the reality that you are wearing a "poncho" means that you might step on the bottom of the skirt or catch the material on a limb.  However, in this case, I kept the "IT" Suit in my bag, and instead of putting it on properly, I used it as a blanket.  Once situated and planning to stay seated for a period of time, I would then put it on.  Although the product has a great hood, if you wear glasses, you might want to keep a separate face mask that you know fits well with your eyewear and not wear the "IT" Suit hood.

For less than $100, I would recommend the product and feel comfortable giving it 4 out of 5 Stars.

Images and Files: View all 5 photos / videos here.