HOW TO STAY WARM WHILE HUNTING Cold weather means whitetails are going to be on their feet more than normal. So, you have choices to make. Stay at home and watch hunting shows on TV, go to the field and be miserable or embrace the cold and learn how to make the most of it. I have lived in North Dakota for 26 years. In that time, I have hunted some very harsh conditions. It’s never an easy hunt but the rewards can make it well worth the effort. There are many factors involved in comfortably hunting cold weather including proper preparation, quality clothing, individual tolerances and plain ole determination. Here are some of my tips for not just surviving a cold weather hunt but actually enjoying it. HOW TO DRESS FOR COLD WEATHER Feet - Most people have trouble keeping their feet warm. I have tried just about everything out there and have finally figured out what works for me. The first rule is that your boots need to fit loosely. Tight boots restrict your circulation and reduced blood flow will cause your toes to get cold. The second rule is no cotton allowed. Cotton absorbs and holds moisture and damp feet will surely get cold quickly. I have found that what works best for me is 1200-1500 gram Thinsulate rubber boots. If your feet sweat when you are walking in, consider taking a pair of fresh, dry socks to change into when you reach your stand or blind. For socks, I prefer a heavy merino wool or wool blend. You may also want to wear a wicking sock of some kind if you sweat a lot. With these loose-fitting boots and quality socks, I will add a chemical toe warmer and my feet rarely ever get cold. Head - It’s debatable how much heat we lose through our head, but I have found that your head is a very good thermostat for controlling how your body handles cold. When walking in, I try to wear something very light or nothing at all on my head. This reduces how much I sweat on the walk in. Once in the stand, it’s important to keep the face and head warm. As hunters we are usually facing the wind. Staring into a cold wind will cause you to get cold quickly and can also cause some nasty headaches. I like an insulated, full face mask that fits fairly snug. You don’t want your face mask moving around when you do. If it’s very cold, I will add a heavy beanie or even a balaclava on top of the face mask. Hands - Once again, just say no to cotton. Personally, I don’t shoot well in gloves. I like a tight, lightweight glove. I then use a heavily insulated hand muff and only take my hands out when needed. I usually have 2-4 chemical hand warmers in the muff, so my hands heat up very quickly when I put them back in. DRESS IN LAYERS hunting in the snowBase Layers - Modern long underwear is considerably better than what we had years ago. Once again, remember the rule, no cotton allowed. There are many quality polyester blends on the market. I have found that these work very well for a more active hunt or in moderate temperatures. When it’s really cold and I am going to be sitting, I go back to merino wool. Good merino wool clothing is a little more expensive and isn’t as durable as the polyester blends, but nothing keeps me warmer and dryer. Mid Layers - I am a big believer in layers. If you are bowhunting, it’s important not to get too much bulk. A good windproof vest helps keep your core warm and doesn’t add bulk through the shoulders. My other layers are usually mid-weight shirts and jackets that I can use as an outer layer or as a mid-layer as the temps drop further. This is where I like to add a windproof layer or two. Outerwear - Everyone has their own preference here. Because I primarily bowhunt, my first concern is noise. A fabric that is quiet in the store at 70 degrees may not be quiet when the temps are in the single digits or worse. For that reason, I really like fleece or wool for an outer layer. My favorite combination of outerwear is a good set of insulated bibs with a midweight jacket over top of my other layers. Insulated bibs help keep the core warm and reduce those drafts around the lower back while not adding any bulk through the shoulders. I also have an older Heater Body Suit. This is an awesome piece of equipment that can change a hunt from being bearable to actually being comfortable. IWOM is another full containment suit that I would assume does a comparable job.