Glen Vienneau
Northern News Services

Yellowknife (Oct 09/00) - Hunters and trappers buy it, wear it and depend on it.

And the hunting outfits worn throughout the North varies from hunter to hunter.

"With our boys, you can tell it's been used and abused, and it actually looks better," said Paul Harrington, a member of the Hay River Hunters and Trappers Association.

There's also a bit of tradition involved, he explained, with leather gun cases and hand-made leather gloves passed down through generations of hunters.

Harrington laughs, though, when he sees hunters from outside the NWT -- even those from nearby Alberta -- come North in search of big game.

"They look like typical American hunters, because their suits look like it's just right out of the catalogue."

NWT hunters like Inuvik's Billy Day are far more practical.

Day prefers his parka. He has one for the fall and a heavier one for the winter.

The challenge this time of the year is to stay warm and dry.

Along with moccasin-style rubber boots, one way to stay dry is to keep it simple, like limiting the layers of clothing.

"If you are a sweaty kind of person, lighter pants are better," said Day. "If you are out hunting caribou, it's best not to dress to warm if you're going to be running and working."

For a little more protection, some use Gore-Tex outerwear, noticed avid hunter Bill Reimer.

That is a trend common to both aboriginal and non-aboriginal hunters.

For himself, Reimer likes the fleece vest because "it wicks the moisture off your body; it keeps you drier."

He has seen a variety of footwear out in the bush, but not many sneakers, unless it is a "road hunter" who drives down the highway in anticipation of wildlife within sight of the road.

Common footwear among Hay River hunters are insulated rubber boots, according to Lee Anne Campbell of Work World. She has also seen people wearing insulated coveralls and orange toques.