Women's First Lite Merino Wool Base Layers Review

By Andrea Haas

When I first started hunting about 10 years ago, my hunting attire consisted of bulky men’s camo over a couple pairs of long johns as base layers, depending on the weather. Needless to say, that system just didn’t work for me and I was happy to see that soon women’s hunting apparel companies started to appear, like SHE Outdoor Apparel and Prois. But one thing was still lacking for me: good quality women’s base layers.

Base layers are crucial when the temperatures really start to drop in the winter and can either make or break a hunt. I spend hours in the tree stand and need to be able to withstand the elements, rather than being forced to pack up and head home at prime time because I’m too cold. This happened to me last season and cost me a very nice 9 point with my bow.

Thankfully in 2015 First Lite came out with new Merino Wool base layers specifically for women and I was able to put them to the test. Over the years I have tried a few other brands of base layers but I feel none of them performed as well as the First Lite base layers did in regards to thermoregulation, scent control and moisture wicking ability, which is exactly what Merino Wool is known for. They were soft and comfortable without any itching like what you may think of when you hear the word “wool”. Not only did they perform well in the cold, they did just as well in temperatures over 80 degrees by wicking away moisture; I didn’t sweat at all while walking to my tree stand. I was extremely impressed!

Base Layer Options

Lupine Crew Top and Larkspur Full Lenth Bottoms in Sage Green

The top layers consist of the Lupine Crew Top and Artemis Hoody, and the bottom layers consist of the Larkspur Full Length Bottoms and the Syringa Short. If you are considering purchasing the base layers, I would at the very least, recommend the Lupine Crew and Larkspur Bottoms.

The Syringa Shorts can be worn underneath your full length bottoms as undergarments, or can be worn alone as a base layer in warmer weather under your outer layer pants.

The Artemis Hoody can be worn as a base layer top, or over the Lupine Crew top as a mid layer.

Artemis Hoody with Lupine Crew Top underneath, and Syringa Shorts

Sizing/Fit

I used the sizing chart on the First Lite website to determine what size I needed based on my measurements. I am 5’3”, 110 pounds and I went with an XS in the Larkspur Full Length Bottoms and the Syringa Short, and a Small in both the Lupine Crew Top & Artemis Hoody. I originally ordered an XS in the Lupine Crew top but it was just a little smaller than what I like so I ordered a small instead and it fit perfect. 

I found that the bottoms fit best when I went down a size smaller than what I would normally wear, and that the tops fit best when I went up a size larger. The bottoms seemed to stretch out just a tad after being worn a time or two, but shrink back to normal after being washed. I love that the waistband on the bottoms stretches with you and does not dig in too tight on your hips or mid section, creating the dreaded "muffin top". Both of the tops have thumb holes in the arm cuffs for added warmth and concealment, and helps keep them from rolling up whenever you put on your outer layers. 

These are available in sizes XS to XL.

Color Options

There are 3 solid colors available (Black, Golden and Sage Green) and 4 camo patterns (ASAT, RealTree Xtra, RealTree Max-1 and First Lite Fusion). I ordered my base layers in Sage Green and the Artemis Hoody in the new First Lite Fusion camo pattern. 

Artemis Hoody in First Lite Fusion

First Lite Accessories

Talus Fingerless Merino Glove in Dry Earth

There are several other First Lite apparel items that have became my hunting staples, the Talus Fingerless Merino Gloves, the Mountain AthleteCold Weather Sock and the First Lite Beanie. The gloves have open fingers, which I prefer for bow hunting, and have worked great for me all season long. In late season when it gets colder, I recommend either a full glove, or adding a hand muff for added warmth. The socks work great to wick away sweat which is great for both warm and cold temperatures. The beanie is fairly lightweight & what I like to wear during early bow season when it is still pretty warm.

First Lite Beanie and Lupine Crew

Success In The Field

The First Lite Women’s Base Layers have played a crucial role in my hunting success this season. I’ve been able to hunt more comfortably in both the cold and the heat, and have even noticed a big decrease in the amount of times I have been winded by deer thanks to the merino wool’s natural resistance to odor. I highly recommend these for any female hunter looking to extend their time in the field!

Pheasant Hunting: I wore the Lupine Crew & Artemis Hoody

Rifle season doe: I wore the First Lite Lupine Crew top, Larkspur Bottoms & Talus Fingerless Gloves

Duck Hunting: I wore the Lupine Crew, Artemis Hoody and Larkspur Bottoms

Smothered Pheasant In the Dutch Oven - Recipe

By Andrea Haas

Sorry I didn't take better pictures while making this recipe. It was kind of an experiment, but it turned out to be one of my favorite ways to make pheasants. 

The original recipe I found on www.allrecipes.com, titled Smothered Pheasant. I used that recipe and added my own twist to it by adding different spices & seasonings. I also added the chopped green chiles, which I feel really made the recipe. You could also use mushrooms instead. Either way would be great! 

The original recipe calls for 6 pheasant breasts and 2 cups of half and half. I only used 3 breasts and I thought the 2 cups half and half was perfect for that amount. 

Ingredients

-6 skinless, boneless pheasant breast halves

-garlic salt and black pepper, to taste

-1/2 cup all-purpose flour

-1/2 cup butter

-2 cups half and half cream

Directions

-Preheat the oven to 325 degrees

-Add flour to a plate or bowl and mix in garlic salt and black pepper.I was pretty generous with the garlic salt. Press the pheasant breast into the flour until completely coated. Shake off excess flour and set aside.

-Melt the butter in a cast iron Dutch Oven over medium heat. Cook the pheasants in the hot butter until golden brown on both sides, about 5 minutes per side. Careful not to overcook.

-Pour in the half and half and bring to a simmer. Add chopped green chiles.

-Cover the Dutch Oven and bake in the preheated oven until pheasant breasts are tender and no longer pink, about 1 1/2 hours. I baked my 3 breasts for just an hour and they were done. 

Heritage 1865 - Hunting Outfitters and Lodge Review

By Andrea Haas

If you're looking for a great place to hunt upland birds, turkeys, or whitetail in Iowa, Heritage 1865 is the place to go! My husband and I went on an upland bird hunt there in October and were extremely impressed, not only with the hunting guides and the amount of shot opportunities at birds, but the amenities available at the lodge and the warm, friendly atmosphere as well.

Heritage 1865 is a family owned and run outfitter in south central Iowa, near Promise City. The lodge sits on 6,500 acres of prime hunting ground that is abundant with wildlife and has been managed to provide the best habitat for pheasant and quail. It's in Zone 5, which has been known to produce Pope and Young quality bucks and record-breaking eastern turkeys as well. 

The Heritage property is owned by the Ewing family and has been in their family for 150 years, passed down from one Ewing generation to the next since 1865. When we arrived at the lodge we were greeted by the owner, Travis Ewing and his grandmother Judy and could smell dinner cooking on the stove! Grandma Judy made us home cooked meals and desserts each day that were honestly the best we've ever had. We felt right at home and were treated like family!

Our guide, Tad, was very knowledgeable and familiar with the land. His hunting dogs Diesel, Hammer, and Dale didn't disappoint us either! This was our first time hunting with dogs, but it was clear that they knew what they were doing and were very well trained. We got multiple shot opportunities at quail and pheasants and the dogs were able to find and retrieve each bird that we shot.

I could not have asked for a better experience than at Heritage 1865. My pictures and review just do not do this place justice! Please check out the video on their website to see more, or better yet, book the lodge to see for yourself! The rates are all very affordable and there is a good variety of hunting packages available to best suit your needs.

Visit their website (www.heritage1865.com) for more information and to read up on some of the interesting Ewing family history that truly makes this place one of a kind! My husband and I look forward to returning there year after year to hunt and to visit with the family!