A How To Guide: STAYING WARM WHEN HUNTING

For many parts of the country, the bulk of hunting season occurs during the late fall and winter when temperatures drop below freezing and snow starts to fall. In fact, during elk season here in Colorado, we welcome snow and cold temps because it pushes the animals down from high elevations. The snow also makes following a herd of animals and determining how long a herd has been in an area, much easier. For waterfowl hunters, the cold weather can move the ducks down as they seek to shelter themselves in small lakes or ponds. All of this is great for hunters; however, it also presents unique challenges to staying warm and comfortable while hunting.
To be an effective and safe hunter, staying warm during cold weather hunts is key. Staying warm involves a variety of strategies and techniques and goes far beyond simply putting on a coat and some mittens and heading out the door. Understanding these strategies may enable you to hunt longer, harder, and find more success even in the coldest of temperatures.
Why is it important to stay warm while hunting?
Staying warm while hunting is vital for your health, safety, comfort, and overall hunting success. Properly managing your body temperature and staying insulated from the cold is essential for a positive and productive hunting experience.
- Health and Safety: Exposure to cold temperatures can be life-threatening.
- Performance: When you’re warm, your body and mind function better. Being cold can impair your focus, coordination, and decision-making abilities, all of which are critical in hunting situations.
- Comfort: Comfort is crucial for an enjoyable hunting experience. Being warm and comfortable allows you to stay in the field longer, increasing your chances of a successful hunt.
- Reduced Fatigue: Staying warm can help reduce physical and mental fatigue. When you’re not expending energy to keep warm, you have more energy to focus on the hunt.
- Sensory Awareness: Maintaining warmth ensures that your sensory awareness is at its best. When you’re cold, your body naturally prioritizes warming itself over maintaining sensory awareness, making it harder to spot game or hear subtle sounds in the environment.
- Preventing Injuries: Being warm helps reduce the risk of accidents and injuries that can occur when you’re physically impaired by the cold.
- Prolonged Hunting Hours: Staying warm allows you to stay in the field for longer periods, increasing your opportunities for a successful hunt.
- Concentration: Cold weather can be distracting, making it challenging to concentrate on hunting tasks. Staying warm helps you stay focused and alert.
Dressing for the cold
Dressing for the cold weather is the most important aspect to consider when trying to stay warm while hunting. Two critical components of staying warm during hunting are trapping body heat and staying dry. The overall strategy that works best for this is layering. Having a few warm layers traps the body’s natural heat while still giving you the flexibility of shedding layers if necessary.
Layering clothing for a hunt is essential for managing your body temperature in varying weather conditions. Start with a moisture-wicking base layer to keep sweat away from your skin, preventing moisture buildup. Next, add an insulating layer to trap warmth, which can be adjusted depending on the temperature. The outer layer should be waterproof and windproof to protect against the elements. Remember to focus on your extremities with warm gloves and a suitable hat, as they can be particularly vulnerable to cold weather conditions. The key is to have the flexibility to add or remove layers as needed to stay comfortable and regulate your body temperature during the hunt.
Many hunts start in the frigid cold before sunrise, however, as the sun comes up and as you start to move around it may get warmer which can lead to sweating. This sweating can become uncomfortable and even dangerous as temps may cool again if you stop moving around and sit in one location for a while. The key to combating this issue is to choose the right materials for your hunting clothing. Avoiding cotton-based products is a must, especially in your base layers. Once you get wet chances are good that you will need to pause your hunt and change into warm and dry clothes.
Proper footwear and socks are crucial for staying warm during a hunt, particularly in cold and wet conditions. Insulated and waterproof hunting boots provide warmth and protection from the elements. Look for boots with Thinsulate or other quality insulation. Ensure they are the right size to accommodate warm socks without being too tight, as this can impede circulation. Speaking of socks, opt for moisture-wicking, merino wool, or synthetic materials that keep your feet dry and warm. Layering socks, with a moisture-wicking liner sock and an insulating outer sock, is a wise choice in extremely cold conditions.
Gear and Equipment
Selecting the right cold-weather hunting gear is essential for staying warm and comfortable during your hunt. Proper gear will not only provide insulation but also protect you from the elements. Ensure that your gear is designed for cold-weather conditions and is appropriate for the specific type of hunting you’ll be engaged in. Here are three key considerations:
Select the right cold-weather hunting gear: Invest in quality gear designed for cold weather, including insulated clothing, waterproof outer layers, and accessories like gaiters and scarves. Consider camouflage patterns that match the environment to maintain concealment.
Protect your hands and face: Extremities like your hands, head, and face are especially susceptible to cold. Choose warm, insulated gloves, headwear that covers your ears, and a face mask or balaclava to protect against wind and frostbite.
Use of insulated hunting blinds and tree stands: In some hunting scenarios, staying still for extended periods is necessary. Insulated hunting blinds or tree stands can provide shelter from the cold and wind, allowing you to maintain your position without succumbing to the elements. Ensure they are designed for cold weather use and adequately insulated.
Staying Active
Maintaining physical activity is a crucial aspect of staying warm during a cold-weather hunt. Active movement generates body heat and helps you combat the cold. However, it’s essential to strike a balance, as overexertion can lead to sweating and then rapid cooling when you stop. Here are some effective strategies for staying active while hunting in cold weather:
Active movement is a reliable source of warmth. Engaging your muscles increases blood flow, which, in turn, generates heat and helps maintain your core temperature. Plan activities that keep you moving, such as walking, hiking, or tracking. Periodically stand up or change positions while sitting or waiting to keep your circulation active. Be mindful of not overexerting yourself to the point of sweating. Sweating in cold weather can lead to moisture buildup, which can chill your body when you stop moving. Layer your clothing so that you can regulate your body temperature and avoid overheating.
Maintaining a balance between staying active and staying warm is crucial. Listen to your body and adapt your level of activity to the weather conditions and the intensity of your hunt. Staying active is a valuable tool in your arsenal for combating the cold, but it should be balanced with other strategies for warmth.
Safety Considerations
While hunting in cold weather, safety should always be a top priority. Cold temperatures and exposure to the elements can pose risks to your well-being. Being aware of potential hazards and knowing how to mitigate them is essential for a safe and enjoyable hunting experience. Here are some important safety considerations:
- The risk of cold-related injuries: Understand the potential dangers of hunting in cold weather, including hypothermia, frostbite, and chilblains. Know the signs and symptoms of these conditions and how to respond.
- Signs of hypothermia and frostbite: Learn to recognize the early signs of hypothermia, such as shivering, confusion, and numb extremities. Familiarize yourself with the symptoms of frostbite, including numbness, and pale or hardened skin. Promptly address these conditions to prevent them from worsening.
- Emergency measures and first aid: Carry a well-stocked first aid kit with supplies for treating cold-related injuries. Learn how to administer first aid for hypothermia and frostbite, and have an emergency plan in place, including communication methods for help in case of severe emergencies.
- Firearm Safety: In cold weather, ensure that your firearms are maintained and functioning correctly. Cold temperatures can affect the performance of firearms. Follow firearm safety protocols and keep them well-protected from the elements.
- Navigation and Communication: In cold and potentially snowy or foggy conditions, it’s easy to become disoriented. Carry navigation tools like a map, compass, or GPS, and ensure someone knows your whereabouts and expected return time.
- Avoiding Overexertion: Stay physically active but be cautious not to overexert yourself. Overexertion can lead to sweating and the risk of hypothermia when you stop moving.
Wrapping Up
Staying warm while hunting in cold weather is not just a matter of comfort but also a critical component of your safety and hunting success. A warm hunt starts before you leave the house, planning out what you will wear, how you will generate heat, and how to stay safe in the cold are all critical components. In the end, staying warm amounts to being able to spend more time out in the field which increases your chances of having a successful and rewarding hunt.
And a great way to minimize your exposure to potentially severe weather conditions as you plan out your hunt is to consider a hunting blind.
Check out all of 12 Point’s blinds to see how they can help you stay warm this and many seasons to come.