Ok this is a serious question. Cos I take my hats seriously. How do you guys shoot with Fedoras and cowboy style hats? I've got a fedora style hat (Australian Akubra) and my string hits the brim when I draw. The only hat I've ever been able to wear is a baseball cap.

Is the answer a soft brimmed hat that gives a bit when the string comes in contact?

Cheers, Scott.

I have several, but with the fedora style, the soft brim is the wy to go. It will just fold in if you contact it. With my 58" recurve, the string won't touch it anyway; with the longbow, it will, but the brim will give easily. It's something you need to get used to since it can be distracting. I usually wear a ball cap as well, and when it's cold, the Stormy Kromer.

I think I can out ugly BOX CALL. Old birds of a feather maybe.

It'll make you sad but I too cut down my Akubra (bought it in Australia). I knew I would never wear it out in the woods if I kept it in its original Snowy River glory...

You could also shape your lid like GFA's. He has a permanent upwards roll in the brim right where his string would hit.

Bucket hat (in OK weather). Shades eyes better than sunglasses, protects ears from skin cancer.

For example:

http://www.lancasterarchery.com/lancaster-archery-supply-flex-fit- bucket-hat.html#fullDescription

Got mine at REI...no advertising on it.

Can't remember when I received my Stetson Open Road but it wasn't new then & that was over 3 decades ago. Today, it's the only hat I'll go into the woods with, though it's been repaired a bunch. Doesn't leak though & when the cold rain drips everywhere other than down your neck, you realize just what a friend it's been. Back when the short brim was so stiff, I just tilted it back a bit to keep from worrying about the string. Most bowhunters WILL make friends with one hat over another. Choose wisely...but whatever you choose will be right in time.

Can't remember when I received my Stetson Open Road but it wasn't new then & that was over 3 decades ago. Today, it's the only hat I'll go into the woods with, though it's been repaired a bunch. Doesn't leak though & when the cold rain drips everywhere other than down your neck, you realize just what a friend it's been. Back when the short brim was so stiff, I just tilted it back a bit to keep from worrying about the string. Most bowhunters WILL make friends with one hat over another. Choose wisely...but whatever you choose will be right in time.

OK guys the hats would of been more then sufficient. :-))

I hunt with a wool felt fedora. Its crushible so its soft brim. I think Its 2" brim.

Otherwise I wear a stormy kromer when cold or a mad bomber if its crazy cold near or sub zero.

I have crocheted at few beenies for guys and they like them. May make one for myself since I recently got my hand on some wool yarn.

I'm a fan of the venerable boonie--it's not a fashion statement because they'll never be fashionable. I have half-dozen so far. The two latest additions came this summer, one in an ASAT pattern and the other a blue-camo (intended for carp shooting). Two more and I'll have one for every day and a clean one for church. ;-} Until this thread got me thinking about it, I'd always thought a boonie and a bucket hat were the same thing. I did a search, and I guess they're not. This explanation is from a site called DadsHats.com

"A bucket hat is a soft hat with a wide and downwards sloping brim which is worn by both men and women. The brim offers shade from the sun for the eyes and face. They are usually made from heavy-duty cotton fabrics such as denim, or canvas. Two metal eyelets are commonly placed on each side of the hat so that it is cool to wear on hot days. They are also favored by competition archers, who require their aim to be unimpeded by glare, and their drawn bowstring to be unimpeded by a wide-brimmed hat. A boonie hat is a form of wide-brim hat commonly used by militaries. Its design is similar to a bucket hat but with a stiffer brim. Often a fabric tape band of 'branch loops' is sewn around the crown of the hat. The crown may be vented with rivets or mesh panels. Snaps may also be provided with which to fix the brim in the style of a bush hat."

I guess now I know...

The Stormy Kromer, that's a neat looking hat! Gotta get myself one of those. ;-)

Hey! I resemble that remark Whittler. ))

Mr. Young seemed to have little trouble whit his big hat and long bow.

Hat's, hat's and more hats. I got a closet full not counting my Marine Corps covers. I have to cut my hat brims to two in. as well. Bought this real nice hat, nice brim, ventilated at top. Was hoping it would be the answer to a summer hat. When I pull the bow string to it the arrow is gone. No matter what I do not to think about it that arrow is on it's way as soon as the string hits the brim. So I push it back when I shoot with it on. Trouble is that motion has not set into my feeble mind yet.

We don't need Brad Pitt modeling one to know by now that floppy hats and traditional bows just naturally go together. Baseball caps are for compound shooters who shoot at game too far away,get overly giddy after the shot,spend too much money on their hunting clothes,and worship country music stars.Yeah, I've been listening !!

Here's Ol' Buck, 67" tip to tip, pulled to a tad over 27". My Woolrich coat works fine also. The bow is near vertical and just barely touches front of brim.

Baseball hat and sometimes a face mask mesh to break up outline.

Facemask for real Glenn? That's just weird enough to be cool. But don't go by me, I swim upstream a bunch.

never could shoot with anything but a short brimmed hat, like a radar hat, or Big Jim hat. Im thinking if somewhere wears a big brimmed hat and it doesn't distract you the string hitting it, then you have much better concentration than I, if it doesn't hit, you are short drawing.

The Akubra is too stiff to do the rolled brim thing. Not much give. Here is what they look like cut down

The one I have is a Dorfman Pacific, made in Stockton, California a few decades ago. It has a two inch brim so it really doesn't interfere....and I'm sure not short drawing.

I wear hat everyday that I'm no in the office, and always shoot with one. Have all my life.

The truth is that you have a high anchor and lean your head over a long way you may never be able to wear a hat comfortably. My everyday hat and the one I'm normally wearing when I'm shooting did have the brim cut down to either 3.5 or 4" can't remember which.

$1.97 baseball cap with the brim cut to just over an inch. It holds my bug net just off of my face and stays out of the way of the string when I shoot.

Joe

I use a "Original" "Coups Cap" in the Late fall and Winter. Kent sold out to Two Tracks Archery a few years ago. two tracks uses several different materials including Felted wool to make their hats. The Coups cap has a soft flexible brim.

Go to amazon.com and search crushable fedoras. Most companys make em, even Stetson and Serratelli make em.

I found a nice fedora at Bass Pro, a Red Head brand. It has a short soft brim that folds up when the string hits it. Mine now has a turned up brim on the right side where the string hits. It doesn't interfere with the shot at all.

There are some very complete Youtube videos on shapping/blocking hats.

https://www.youtube.com/watch?v=spGEzKhZtjM

I definitely wear my fedora while shooting as it makes me look like a better shot.

Funny Wispershot!

Speaking of shaping hats, anyone know how to put some starch back into a faded old & worn hat?

I'd like to have a semi-nice Stetson Fedora style or other company. I say semi cause I've seen this style of hat go into the hundreds of dollars.

I just happened to run across a story about the 5 best places to get a hat here in Houston. As you can imagine, there are some incredible hat stores here. They gave prices and the least expensive hats in their stores started at about $75 and went up to, if you can believe it, $5,000! I'd like to see what a $5,000 hat looks and feels like.

I've seen several Stetson Fedoras on Ebay that look really nice. One is a Safari style. I also like those hats made of tin cloth or oil cloth. I think FILSON is the company that makes those.

Barmah with 2" brim. -Azdriheat-

No idea why photo is upside down. Anyone know how to flip it? -Azdriheat-

Well at least you know it will stay on if you need to hang by your feet to take a shot. Someone gave me a very nice leather Arvis semi cowboy hat. When I put a left hand back quiver on, it is trained to pop the brim up on the left front, if I put on a right hand back quiver it automatically pops up the right front brim. I asked my hunting partner, "Does this hat make me look feminine?" She said, "Hell yes."

I wear wool felt fedoras, beanies, Stormy Kromer, Jones- style caps, ball caps

Filson hats are stiff. If you hit the brim, it's not going to give

"Baseball caps are for compound shooters who shoot at game too far away..."

HEY! I slightly resemble that remark! But a wool "designer" baseball cap (birthday present from the wife) combined with long, high, side-of-the-head anchor for Mongolian thumb release & the right sunglasses is always cool, & no problem with the bill.

I use what ever hat the day requires. Still waiting for the day for this hat!!

Grant, I know your heart's right bud, but, your hat is a target! I'd be afraid to get out of the car!

But, my ex-wife is hounding me to take her hunting. So if you have no plans for it opening day...

George, nice look there. You must take good care of your hats? My hat is so broke in its broken. It needs stiff in the brim & sidewalls.

Grant, I know your heart's right bud, but, your hat is a target! I'd be afraid to get out of the car!

But, my ex-wife is hounding me to take her hunting. So if you have no plans for it opening day...

George, nice look there. You must take good care of your hats? My hat is so broke in its broken. It needs stiff in the brim & sidewalls.

GEORGE! You're scaring me...

...Now HERE is the proper hat for shooting the English Long Bow:

I always liked this one but it's kinda pricey:)

http://www.ebay.com/itm/The-Wayne-Carlton-Hat-for-Hunters-Cowboys-and-Outdoor-Enthusiasts-Carltons-/141166825337?hash=item20de32cf79:g:6hkAAOxyUrZS13CD

Nice Dan, looks like one of me Scottish ancestors.

Straitera, I guess you didn't read my last sentence. I would not use this hat for hunting, and no you can't borrow it! :) :)

Thank you, George. Apologies for above- I see that you righted a wrongsideup pic from Joseph Lujan, upthread. I'm sure he feels better.

-now HERE'S a hat:

Henery the VIII he was... Cloth of Gold tournament & royal junket extravaganza with France, in a rare peaceful time.

Whittler X2. Whew! Those were some scary pics. The hats would have been more than enough. For me, I wear a one of the Stalker Stickbows short-brimmed. I find that when the string contacts the brim of a hat it throws off my concentration, and my concentration ain't the best.

You'll find junk cowboy hats everywhere for next to nothing in; beaver, felt, +/or wool. Map a 2" brim & scissor away. Lightly sand the edge thereafter. Uer dun!

You guys need to learn how to smile. You look like Russian assasins.

Shootn' & smilen' don't go together! This is SERIOUS BUSINESS! :-(

(But I wonder what smiling does to a finger-in-the-corner of the mouth anchor? Would we call it Mood Walking? Smile and point of impact is lower...)

Dan W - lol! A slight grin will put you dead on at 25 yds! Azdriheat - cheer up brother, hunting season is upon us, and your hat looks fine! :)

I like NEWSBOY or English Driving Caps, I've got several of those and wear one most every day. They work great with a bow cause I shoot in mine all the time. They can be had in any color, just about any fabric and they work great. You can also get them dirt cheap on Ebay where some come from China.

Just check out NEWSBOY CAPS on Ebay.

Larry

You can't fix homely with a grin.

I use aver soft brim wool fedora style hat which the string just pushes out of the way.

Aw, come on George. I bet you're downright purty when you're pickin' and grinnin'.

Does anyone know anything about Jim Doughertys hat? It looks like a gambler style cowboy hat with shorter brim.

It'll be alright Dan'l. I was sad after my divorce too but I got over it pretty quick. Now, if I was to die, it would take a team of undertakers a week just to get the smile off my face!

Mr. Stout I tried to post a pic of me and hat but the computer kept shutting down. Took the hint and quit trying. That's Texas ugly.

Just get a bycocket

I have a Bayleys wool felt Fedora with a 2" brim that I have worn hunting and 3D shooting for at least 10 years. String touching is no issue.

I'd post a picture of me & my hats, but it won't let me.

Keeps sayin all the ugly space is filled up.

8^(

Rick

Justsomedude, nice light colored Akubra hat there.

Had to post mine which has transitioned little through the years w/exception of Frankenstein stitching. Added extra layer of felt inside also. I own bunches of hats. Never in the woods w/o this one, Stetson Open Road 30+ years. Couple more payments & she's mine!

Good one Rick! My mug wouldn't clear either!

If you buy Trilbys instead of wide vrim fedoras you don't have to trim them. If you have a fedora with a stiff brim you can flip it up on the drawing side out of the way. It can add a "rakish flair."

I find the string touching my brim a distraction, plain and simple, it really bothers me. A little velcro and problem solved.

I also wear an akubra its the Akubra Traveler. Fred Bear wore a Borsilino Traveler. Traveler useualy means the hat can be packed in a suitcase then taken out and pop out in shape to wear. They are softer then regualar fedoras = the Brim is soft & will bend wth string when shooting a bow !!!

I just bought a fleece camo hat with a very short brim. It's the cat's meow for cold weather bow shooting.

Old felt hats and bows are like peanut butter and jelly. I've been wearing the hats like Dan wears and use my felt fedoras for fly fishing. Nice old Woolrich you got on George. I have a few Pa tuxedos, still my favorite hunting jacket.

My dark green Stetson "Expedition" crushable felt hat with 3-inch brim barely bends if at all at full draw. For less than $75 suggested retail ($54 on the net), its perfect. Good color too.

Wear one similar too wild Bill. Not the same material but lite weight. Can push the brim up and it stays just before shot. Taken a few shots with it down and didn't get in the way but it's a major distraction for me. I don't go in the woods with out since I got it around Ten years ago.fir extreme cold I Wear a lite weight over the head face mask.( Extreme cold is teens for me!)

Will tell, I still have the "tuxedo jacket" but not the pants.

I saw Art Young mentioned. He anchored below his chin. The lower your anchor the larger your brim can be without the string hittin it.

Guys who have hats with stiff brims and can't shape em you need to go to a western shop or hat shot. They can steam it n make it any shape you want. Steam softens it and once shaped it cools and stiffins back up.

HillbillyKing

I have been patiently waiting for you to post, next time don't keep me in suspense so long OK? 8>))

Just a friend from the Hoosier Land.

Ole Thumper

Hey Thump been busy roun here havent been here alot Ol Buddy hope yer doin Fine & Dandy !!!

roll up as I do as (perfect hillbillyking)

I wear two types of hats - one for the heat of summer and the second for the cold of winter (If you can call it that here in San Diego)

The first is called SolAir Soaker. An open mesh hat that can be soaked in water to act like a swamp cooler when its hot. Its soft brim suits me for shooting.

http://www.headnhome.com/soaker.html

The second hat I don't recall who makes it but it's USA made and guaranteed for life. All I remember is that the manufacturer used to make hats for Ford workers.

NOW I REMEMBER

It's a Broner Felt Melodrama.

Winter in San Diego. Isn't that where you go from sandals to tennis shoes? ))

Winter in San Diego. Isn't that where you go from sandals to tennis shoes? ))

If you're really tough!!

Good one George. LOL

Man I just remove or spin it around, I am not missing a shot because of a hat ! look at this as a serious answer .

Here is when you are all in. I'm getting A bycocket. The true archers hat.

One more picture

My personal favorite

The true archers hat, the bucket hat. Here's Fred sporting his.

mine

That bucket hat pic is photshopped if I ever saw one!@

"That bucket hat pic is photshopped if I ever saw one!" Yes it is, and not done very well.

Yes I like Freds too. I got a brown hat somthing like it. No picture of it yet.

"I don't know what photoshop means, but I would never be caught wearing that piece of crap." Papa Bear

Hey BOX CALL. Here is a German alpine hat. I love the look of them. Octoberfest anyone?

Try light colored Dan. The dark looks like Mafia hitman. AMW called to see what I knew? The rest of you Botox lab rats too!

Ok just one more.

Trilby one of my favorites

Another Trilby of mine

Another Trilby of mine

Sorry for the double post. This one has a wider brim but it's soft enough to bend in out of the way.

I have a Filson Tin Packer. The brim is a little wide so fold the right brim up and stiched it so it says folded up. It's a bit of a G Fred look. Love the hat for stmp shooting.

I've gone with a bucket hat. Small soft brim, shades the face and neck nicely. Got 2, 1 olive 1 Multicam.

Cheers, Scott.

Seriously what is it with the pics posting sideways here!

Thanks Riverwolf, I'll give it a go next time.

Cheers, Scott.

Thought that this topic needed a handsome man wearing a handsome hat while showing a handsome 'lope!

Now that's nice head wear from both these critters, but cannot decide which one is more handsome.

we like out Storym Kromer when cold

really nice hats

Thanks BOXCALL! And perfect late season camo colors too! Happy giveaway winner of perfect fitting hat :)

With my Stetson "Expedition" crushable, I practice with it some and figure it out. 'Bout as simple as that.

Some days, the string may barely touch the brim, and others it may not, so get used to it. Could shorten the brim slightly on the right front side but don't want to. They are inexpensive enough to modify though. I take it off when not shooting and prefer a golf cap. As an old retired golf course consultant for 35 years, I have a bazillion free ones.

Nice well done boxcall. I like

Well, since starting this thread I've come to the conclusion that the expensive Aussie Akubra that I bought to wear while shooting that has just been sitting on a shelf collecting dust is a waste of money if I ain't gonna wear it! So I cut the brim down to about 2-1/2". Works fine with my 60" Recurves now, just misses making contact.

It'll get worn regularly now!

Cheers, Scott.

This is My favorite wool hat .

Same hat for 50 years Deno

Got to turn it when shooting but at least folks know what that flame thrower is i am holding:)

Got to turn it when shooting but at least folks know what that flame thrower is i am holding:)

My Akubra with the brim rolled. You have to steam it to soften it so the brim can be rolled.

Just put a notch in the brim as one more check on your anchor point....

I realized this morning that there's a Paul Simon reference in here somewhere...

I really like wearing wool flat caps. Helps keep the chill and weather off, provides some shade and looks good.

My hat that makes me look like a better shot.

Hats, knives and arrows. Can't have enough of them. I have my share of each, and it appears I am in the majority for those items. Nice hats, gentlemen,

Love my handmade fur caps. Short bill and ultra warm.

Regarding hats, we should all strive to look as cool as these two gentlemen.

The brim of my Panama hat is soft and flexible enough not to interfere with the bowstring.

Here ya go DA Deno

Norseman, great job trimming a great hat to usable proportion. Hard to cut on such high dollar head shade but way friendlier. Hat tuning? Bet big that thing is a quick favorite pdq!

Above, 50 years with the same hat? That thing looks brand new!

I have an Acurba Traveler that I had trimmed when I bought it.

If I'm hunting I wear knitted caps or fleece type and ocssionaly a short brimmed visor if it's hot. Marsha

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