Trad Gang

I sometimes find myself hunting in very cold and windy conditions.  I have seen the Body Heater suit and it's too cumbersome looking for my likes.  I have been thinking about picking up a OD wool army blanket to roll up and carry with me on cold days on stand.  Anybody use one for that purpose? I can deal with cold pretty well but cold AND windy just gets to me   :eek:

Dave going back to your childhood   :)   ? I can here the blankee jokes from Tom Paxton, Ed McMinn  and Dr Don now      

But yes to answer your question I have taken them with me when my daughter goes, it keeps her warm in the blind. She has a fleece thing called a snuggie that has arms and a pocket for your feet.

Jack

I rifle hunt in MN with mom each year and use a sleeping  bag and in bad wind, wrap with a tarp.  Still not enough.  Maybe why I like spot n stalk.  Just can't stay warm any more.

My hunting partner had a fleece blanket 4 layers thick with a belt sewn into the top. It went around his waist and covered his upper legs and knees. The tempeture was -26 deg C. and he says it made a big difference. I'll have one for myself next year.

Jack, I'm way past the being cool thing---I want to stay warm and comfy and if taking my blankee with me helps, then by golly I will.  Other guys can be "cool" in more ways than one   ;)  .

I use an old german army wool blanket all the time when cold. But I cut a hole in the center of it put it on and wrap a belt around my mid section holding the sides closed. It works great!
But for some reason I keep having the urge to suck my thumb while I'm hunting.      :goldtooth:

One time back in the early '80s I had a broken leg and was bowhunting in a cast. I sat on a chair in a ground blind but took a gray wool blanket to sit on as a cushion. About mid-day a big black cloud rolled in and it poured.. I mean poured. Since rain wasn't predicted I didn't have a rain suit and was unable to leave because of the leg/crutches. So I put the blanket around me like a tent. I couldn't believe how well the natural lanolin of the heavy wool shed water. After the rain went through I was still bone dry. Therefore, although a good quality wool blanket is a lot heavier, you might want to consider the lanolin factor rather than a fleece blanket. BW

A blanket and some comfie slippers (roll them in the blanket on the way in and out) when I'm going to be sitting...

 (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/20090124_ac_03_feet.jpg)

I'd avoid the Army blanket you mention though - they are pretty thin and just not that warm.  I got this one as a Christmas pressent last year - think they got it from Sportsmans Guide or something like that.

Nope, but its a helluva good idea!

Sound's like a good idea, gonna have to get me one from the surplus! Jason

Good quality wool will actually still keep you warm when wet.Something about the wool fiber generating a heat from within itself.

Not yet, but that may change pretty darn soon.

I've used a sleeping bag before.I have a few of the green wool blankets that I was wanting to try myself.

I have used a sleeping before. Just pull it up over you. I did use a heater body suit that the outfitter let me use in Alberta. It was the bomb. I just cant make myself pay for one.

I have some light grey, water repellent windbloc left and I think I'll make a bag out of it.  Wind is just as bad as the cold and this stuff really works.

Anyone know where windbloc can be bought bulk??

camo snuggie anyone?? :-) basically what my wool overshirt is, The ones Ron LaClaire sells

:wavey:  Sounds like a good idea.

I haven't used a blanket but, i have used a sleeping bag in a tree stand when it's been very windy and cold and it worked great.  Ben

I use a sleeping bag if I am on stand all day in the cold.

Tim

I sometimes use a throw thats half of a very thick grey blanket. Makes a huge difference wrapped around my legs if I am sitting in 20 degrees or less. Picked up a two pack of the very heavy wool civil defence surplus blankets(queen size) for about 20 bucks on the auction site.

Well, I remember an article that Fred Asbel once wrote about using a blanket while sitting in a tree stand and how he was able to just quietly let it slide from his shoulders when a shot  presented itself. I'm already taking stock of this season that has just ended and what I might do differently next season.  Think I'll try Fred's idea.....Dave

i nearly always have one rolled up with me on my day satchel ... always handy !!!

ben

I havent done that in years but i think i should start again seeing how it was 24 and windy all day here in jersey with the forecast of below freezing for the next week. I have used the sleeping bag trick with an army  web belt around my chest like with waders and you can sit all day. I like the comfy slipper idea to.

HUNT with a blanket? Heck, I have to use one around the HOUSE, because every time I turn up the heat, my wife is 3 steps behind me turning it back down! I should have had a Prenup written, including thermostat settings during winter!!!!

im starting to think about it the older i get. im wandering about a double bull blind and a blanket

They've been used for years...ever heard of a Matchcoat?    http://www.wildeweavery.com/matchcoats.htm  Very  versatile, and I may have to use one myself.  
Bob

I use a set of insulated bibs that are 4x too big for me - I got them cheap after the season.  With the straps pinned down and the edges almost up to my neck, I can sit with my usual fall gear on and not have extra material on my arms.  I hate that, I feel like the Michellin Man.  Covers my boots, and has pockets to stuff my hands in.  They've got full length zippers on the legs and in the front which makes putting them on in the tree stand a lot easier too.

As Mr. Starkman stated, Matchcoats of various make, are very popular among Black Powder shooters.
Best Wishes

I don't like anything bulky on me or impeding my bow string, and once a deer is spotted any excess motion like dropping a blanket should be avoided.  Just my opinion.  
 
Many times loose garments have caused me problems.

I think I'm going to spring for a heater body suit for next year. Until then I'll try the sleeping bag.

Carl

QuoteOriginally posted by leatherneck:
 

QuoteOriginally posted by GingivitisKahn:
A blanket and some comfie slippers (roll them in the blanket on the way in and out) when I'm going to be sitting...

   (http://i240.photobucket.com/albums/ff187/GingivitisKahn/20090124_ac_03_feet.jpg)

I'd avoid the Army blanket you mention though - they are pretty thin and just not that warm.  I got this one as a Christmas pressent last year - think they got it from Sportsmans Guide or something like that.

Jim, Please tell me that you staged that pic with the slippers on? Way toooooooo funny if not! [/b]

:biglaugh:    :biglaugh:

Mike -

I gotta be me.   :D   I really do take those with me from time to time.  Heck, I'm wearing them right now.

My sister-in-law made me a camo blanket for Christmas last year.  I almost used it once, but wasn't sure how to keep it up in the tree.  It's in the teen's here, so I just may give it a try this weekend, I've been thinking hard about it.

I love it Jim, I truly love it!!!!!!!  :thumbsup:

At the end of the Bow season this year up here in Sask. I darn near froze my butt off this year .I think its also an age thing.My favorite spot is way up high totally exposed to the elements.Never even thought of the blanket thing .I will definately have one next year ,and I could give a hoot about what looks cool.WARMS WARM!

I used a blanket this year for my legs and it worked reasonably well. I folded it such that it covered me from waist to ankles and left side to right side sort of like a shop apron. Then I ran a web strap with a plastic snap buckle through the top where it was folded over and strapped it around my waist. I sure wasn't sweating in it but it did take a major bite out of the cold.

JW

ten bucks to the first guy who posts pics of himself hunting in a pink snuggie....  :D    :readit:    :D

I wear insulated bibs that keep my legs warm, and use the Thermacare back wraps under a couple layers for my upper body. Without the Thermacare I can't stay out for more than 3 hours if it is below 25 degrees. I have also noticed if my freezer is already mostly full that I get cold quicker!

im in the process of my mom making me a black one for my double bull blind.

we used to make a stove out of an old paint can or large coffee can and put charcoal briquets ( not matchlight style, standard type) in it and put it between your legs and use an old army blanket and wrap it around yourself and the can. just have to let the coals burn down a bit and keep it going by adding some charcoal every once in a while. it works well. works well in the blind also.

QuoteOriginally posted by leatherneck:
I love it Jim, I truly love it!!!!!!!    :readit:      :D  

Lol - don't even tempt me.  My daughter has one and I'd do it if I thought I could fit in the thing.

The last two hunts I have taken an old wool blanket. And you can make fun of it if you want, but when the temps get down in the teens it will be coming with me.

I like the flexibility the blanket offers on stan. Whatever gets cold first gets the blanket, legs, back, neck. Being cold is no fun at all guys.

Sleeping bags work well, but they are pretty restrictive IMO an old wool blanket is the answer.
The blanket is not as restrictive as heavy coats and drops down easily for a shot. In the winter I always keep the wool blanket in the jeep never know when it maybe needed.

I also like wearing a vest to stop my arms from getting all bulked up. Those heavy coats can mess up your shooting.

RayMO

I have one of those blankets Jim, they are the BOMB!

if you tree stand hunt you will love the heated body suit. hunt safe

When i am boar hunting in winter for Boars all night long I really appreciate the wool blanket,that make the difference between stay or go.I use a Italian Army Supply (available in the USA too) for 10$ brand new.Their value is over 200$ don't ask me why and who but you find them at that price.

"They are the bomb!"    Does that mean they are really groovy?   8^).

I learned some time ago, that when it is ten degrees, and the breeze is blowing, a tree is not the place to be.  Even the birds are smart enough to be in the brush and not the trees.

Now I pick lee side hollows, or ridge benches, particularly those with heavy growth rhododendon (Mountain Laurel) or Multiflora Rose thickets.
Not saying that blanket isn't a good idea....that really looks comfy 8^).

I used to one when I lived up north- an old wool army blanket- I wrapped it around my lower body while sitting in a ground blind. It made a huge diiference. I had a bad experience with sleeping bags. when I was a teenager we took sleeping bags and aluminum lawn chairs out on the Saginaw river Ice fishing, a 30 mile wind came up a sent us sliding down the river like a wind surfer. couldnt get the zipper to work and had to make a very ungraceful crash landing to stop!

my wife made the kids snuggies this year.........hhhmmmmmmmmm, wool camo snuggies, i see a becoming a millionare in my future.....

HEATER BODY SUIT  :campfire:

Always use two in the blind. One around my legs and another around my shoulders. I made mine from black polar fleece.

"""""blankets"""""hunting""""" AHHHHHHHH"""""say it isnt soooooo.....lol

I've never used one, but it sounds like a good idea to me, too.  I have often thought about trying a cloth poncho for camping and hunting.  Sportsmans Guide sometimes lists one (kind of like Clint Eastwood Western-style).  My wife is highly allergic to wool so enen though I love the stuff, I have very little wool and seldom wear it.  The other blanke I thought about trying is a heavy, padded moving blanket (often on sale at Harbor Freight).

Save your money and invest in a Heater Body Suit, I have been using mine for many years and consider it the best money I have ever spent for hunting gear.  I usually only use it when it gets below 10 degrees, or if I plan to sit all day.  I have hunted this year at 10 degrees below zero and staid nice and comfortable, until you have to get out of it at the end of the day, then it feels really cold!!

BrianH, that body heater suit is way more than I want to drag around and way more expensive than a good wool army surplus blanket ($10-20).  If it's too cold with that I'm not going    :eek:

i was kickin around the idea of the heater body suit for all day sits in the late season also