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Main Boards => PowWow => Topic started by: gordydog on December 10, 2013, 08:29:00 AM

Title: COLD bowhunting
Post by: gordydog on December 10, 2013, 08:29:00 AM
Really cold in Wisconsin now, single digits makes for some cold hunting.  I've shot a couple deer in the past on some pushes during these cold days. Takes a bit of shooting adjustment to allow for being bundled up and bulky cloths.  Also makes getting out of tree stands after extended sits more difficult.
 Any really cold bowhunting success stories.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: ChuckC on December 10, 2013, 08:34:00 AM
I remain alive with all of my digits intact.  So far... that is success to me !

Brrr....  Sitting on public land, in below-zero, during or just after our illustrious gun season, is not for the faint hearted.

ChuckC
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: centaur on December 10, 2013, 08:43:00 AM
I took this little guy a couple of years ago, and it was below zero. I have since wised up and don't hunt when it is that cold. I don't know how interior Alaskans and Canadians do it on a consistent basis. I did get some minor frostbite the year I shot this little deer.
 (http://i886.photobucket.com/albums/ac67/peastes/8b3aec35.jpg) (http://s886.photobucket.com/user/peastes/media/8b3aec35.jpg.html)
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Ray Lyon on December 10, 2013, 09:02:00 AM
Here's my recipe for success for the late season and Northwest lower MI can be cold just like Wisconsin.

1)  I use the disposable hand/toe/body warmers that are good for 4-6 hours. It costs me about $5 per hunt, but it does two things for me. First, I can sit still for longer periods of time and be comfortable and able to concentrate on deer instead of shivering. Second, it lets me get away with far less clothing to lower the chance of catching a string or affecting my draw if I've got to many clothes on.  I stick one of the toe warmers in the inside top of my hat (more on that below) and the other toe warmer goes inside a thin glove on the back of my hand.  I like to keep my hand on my bow across my lap so there's as little movement as possible (unless I'm inside one of my Double Bull blinds). Another pack of toe warmers is used inside of my boots.  Make sure you've got room inside your boots as the dead air space is as important as the toe warmer. I have a size 12 foot, but wear a size 13 Sorel boot for room. Finally, I use one (or two if it's less than 18-20 degrees out) of the stick on 'body heaters'. Put them over the first layer of your clothing, one by my heart and one in the lower back right side above my waistline.

2) If I'm inside a double bull blind, I wear a smartwool long underwear shirt. Wool shirt from Classic Bowman (body heaters stuck this) and then a dark fleece coat or a classic bowman double rover wool coat.  
If I'm outside of a blind in a pine tree or an open ground blind, I use a the same as above, but add a Gray Wolf Woolen windblock lined vest under the double rover coat.  This still leaves my sleeves free, but gives my torso protection from the warmth robbing wind.  

3) I use a Classic Bowman bowman's brim hat.  This has a quilted inside with fold down flap that goes over your ears and around the back of your neck.  I've also used a dark gray wool stocking style hat and a black fleece neck gator that I can pull down off my face to shoot.  Covering your neck and head is imperative to staying warm.  

Well, there you have it.  I love late season. It's hard with the cold and the deer are real spooky, but it's a unique and tranquil kind of hunting.  Here's my 2012 last week of December effort (our season closes January 1 each year)
 (//%5Burl=http://s1246.photobucket.com/user/shrewshooter/media/December2012refinshiedsuperk.jpg.html%5D%20%5Bimg%5Dhttp://i1246.photobucket.com/albums/gg617/shrewshooter/December2012refinshiedsuperk.jpg)[/url] [/IMG]  

PS-drop down in bow weight and make sure your using heavy, quiet arrows so your bow is quiet. I'm using a 43 pound 1971 Super Kodiak in this picture and it's super comfortable to draw in cold weather.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Roger Norris on December 10, 2013, 09:11:00 AM
Listen to Ray....he can sit longer on stand than anyone I know, regardless of the weather.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: ChuckC on December 10, 2013, 09:14:00 AM
Has anybody used the electric suits and socks used by many motorcylists ?  I wonder if they work at all.

Anybody use the old electric socks ? I think I have a pair somewhere.  Do they actually work ?

CHuckC
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: KentuckyTJ on December 10, 2013, 09:19:00 AM
I was in the tree the other day and the temp was 25 degrees. I have come to the conclusion that at or under 20 I am not going. I don't see how you guys in the colder climates do it.   :notworthy:  

I am now forgoing the stands and going to the ground if I get back out.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Orion on December 10, 2013, 09:54:00 AM
I used to sit in 0 degrees or colder weather, but not much anymore, at least not for long.  An insulated coverall works pretty well under freezing conditions.  I also wear a muff with hand warmer inside, and a balaclava and heavy hat or hood to protect the face and reduce heat loss through the head. I'm considering getting a body suit.

Don't hunt on the ground as much as I used to, but a wool blanket over the lower half of the body helps, even inside a blind if one is using one.  Haven't tried a propane heater or other heat source under the blanket or in the blind, but I've heard of folks doing so.

Or, we can just wait until next year.  In these times of dramatic climate change, it just might be 60 degrees in December next year.  That's what it was in early-mid-December last year.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Mojostick on December 10, 2013, 10:26:00 AM
I posted this last year...

As the season wears on, good food sources close to bedding is key.

The rut is winding down, so deer now are more apt to bed close to food, in heavy cover, and only get up to feed, then go back to the bedding. Deer often bed very close to the food source in late season, so you have to be careful to slip into the staging area between the bedding and the food, without bumping the deer from the bedding. Be extra mindful of the wind and the bedding area.

I've also found that it's a good plan to stay out of my property for about 10 days after rifle season ends, to give the deer time to settle down.

Another thing is, if it's really cold, deer are more apt to feed in the late afternoon and remain bedded in the coldest AM hours. If the late season weather is nice, in the 40's and warmer, deer may well feed more in the AM.

Also, the woods are now wide open and unless you have great background cover, you're more apt to get busted. A ground hunting situation in thick pines/conifers is something you should consider.

Other suggestions are, make sure you use unlined wool, since about everything else is noisy in the often dead calm late season woods. Fleece is quiet, but not very warm. All other materials make noise in the cold.

Practice with the heavy gear on and wear a wrist guard. Bulking coats make for string slaps.

Consider shooting a lower weight bow. That 50lbs may feel like 60lbs after 2 hours in the bitter cold.

Be extra quiet getting to your stand. While many drive a truck or ATV close by in October, December deer may be far more spooky with that noise. Try to slip in with extra, extra quiet caution.

A couple other observations are, if windy on a cold late season day, deer don't move. I recall a study where if the late season wind was like 15-20mph, deer movement basically stopped.

Stay off field edges and instead think staging areas.

Deer will often feed just before a snowstorm, when the barometer is falling. (Seems fishing can also be good right before a storm also).

If you hunt a treestand, use either an open camo pattern like ASAT/Predator/Vertigo or (secret tip) use your camo blaze orange from gun season. Not solid orange, but camo'd orange. To a deer looking up, camo blaze orange looks like the winter gray sky with branches or leaves, depending on the camo pattern. Two of my best treestand bucks were in bitter cold weather, wearing blaze camo coveralls. I never once had a deer remotely notice me. It's a far better pattern than any "blobbing" Real Tree or Mossy Oak.

If you hunt in a treestand or ladder, re-check every strap. Every creaking noise is worse in the cold.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: LB_hntr on December 10, 2013, 10:58:00 AM
I love late season and every year try to save my last tag so that I can hunt it.

A zero or 20 degree rectangular sleeping bag and a rope or bungie cord is my favorite way to beat the cold.
Climb into stand. Climb into sleeping bag with zipper facing forward or almost forward. Put bunjee cord or rope around bag at you waist like a belt. Bring bag up and over shoulders. When hear a deer coming shimmy bag off shoulders and it will fall to your waist where the rope is and you can shoot.
Don't use a mummy bag as they don't give your feet enough room to move and stay stable when you stand. Use a big roomy rectangular bag.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: huntnmuleys on December 10, 2013, 11:15:00 AM
zero degrees means this guy stays home.  im a wuss maybe, but yikes!!

of course if I were on some far away hunting adventure id bend that rule a bit, but for a deer here?  nope...
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Ray Lyon on December 10, 2013, 11:25:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by KentuckyTJ:
I was in the tree the other day and the temp was 25 degrees. I have come to the conclusion that at or under 20 I am not going. I don't see how you guys in the colder climates do it.    :notworthy:  

I am now forgoing the stands and going to the ground if I get back out.
TJ, there's only 2 spots that I hunt in the trees in December and both are in protected spots in pine trees and if it's a calm wind. Up in a tree in cold wind is absolutely brutal in December around here and not even us tough northerner's (with artificial heater help stuck under our clothes   ;) ), can handle cold winds in a tree for very long. Also, both of those pine tree stands are easy climbs- a must when you're stiff and cold and potentially slippery conditions.  One is a ladder stand that sneaks me up into the cover of the limbs and the other has a climbing stick and lifeline.  I'm very careful at all times of the year in trees, extra care and deliberate moves getting in and out of a tree at this time of year.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Manitoba Stickflinger on December 10, 2013, 11:35:00 AM
Us Canadians often don't have a choice. I managed to kill my deer the last couple seasons when it was warm (right around freezing or a bit cooler) Most success comes with much colder temps. -40 lately after the wind chill is factored in. My buddy is heading out for the next few days, will likely still sit for 4 or 5 hours at a time. Great hunts when you know the food source!
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Birdbow on December 10, 2013, 11:45:00 AM
A tip I learned in my mountaineering days - stay well hydrated, preferably with hot liquids. Goes a long way to staying warm. Good luck
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: on December 10, 2013, 11:49:00 AM
On a minus 20 day once,just once. We went out, I took a small shovel a white canvas tarp and my ice shack heater. I dug into the snow in a filled
in creek, put my tarp across part of my dig and lit the heater. Could have taken a shot at a small doe, but my brother honked the car horn and busted it. I would have probably let the deer go anyway, I was alot warmer at the time than the little doe. Now, it is four layers of wool and Healthy Feet on my toes. That will take me down to zero for a few hours if the wind is not blowing. The more I move the better off I am when it gets that cold. I have gotten a couple of deer in low temps and snow cover, but it was a strain.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: TOEJAMMER on December 10, 2013, 11:50:00 AM
Chuck, I can't speak personally but a longtime hunting buddy back east had polio when a kid.  As a result his feet are very susceptible to cold.  He has tried just about everything and every boot on the market.  The only thing that worked/works for him are the battery powered heated socks.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Bowwild on December 10, 2013, 12:13:00 PM
In the early 1980's I was hunting on the IN/MI state line one evening. It was VERY cold, I remember about how cold it was but I won't write it here because it is unbelievable -- well under zero.

I figured the more pain I endure the more likely I would encounter a large deer. I didn't see a deer that evening. I was in a Baker climber. It was so cold my hands felt like sticking to the climber as I came down the tree.

I remember when I arrived at my truck after dark I was so numb and so slow that I felt I could only manage one attempt at unlocking my truck door. I got it on the first try.

I will hunt when it is that cold, but not often and then only if it is an "exciting" stand.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: NBK on December 10, 2013, 12:48:00 PM
My first trad kill was on a night that it dipped to -10 below.
My father in law is a logger here in northern Wisconsin and during late season the deer come running at the sound of his saw and Iron Mule skidder.  So I helped him deck wood for a couple of days and paid attention to what direction the deer would come from towards evening.
 
One night I had my climber stand ready and with it being that cold I didn't want to sit for super long so I had it arranged with my father in law that 1 hour before dark, he'd take the skidder to the other side of the property while I was getting up the tree.
I didn't have to wait more than 10 minutes before the does and fawns started coming in looking for those tops.  A big doe gave me a 15 yard broadside shot and I had my first longbow kill.
I don't think I was cold at all dragging her out of the spruce swamp she ran into, but it must've been because I remember my bloody knife freezing to the snow while I cleaned her up.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: todd smith on December 10, 2013, 01:26:00 PM
If it's windy, I don't do it.  But when I do go out in let's say single digits, it's with layers of wool and a down vest under a fairly soft - quiet raincoat as an outer shell.  Keep the breeze out and the heat in.  I always wear a fleece removable hoodie that can be worn over my ears of just as a neck warmer.  Keeping the neck warm - way important.  I use a hood too.  One that does not billow excessively but will go over my hoodie and wool cap.

Jacket needs to be: windproof, have a good hood, have hand warmer pockets, zip or pullover, and a waist draw string is nice too.  

I shoot a lighter bow too.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Orion on December 10, 2013, 05:59:00 PM
Hey LB, I like that sleeping bag idea.  Would work on the ground, too, of course.  Maybe even better, and a lot cheaper than a body suit. I'm going to give it a go.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Montanawidower on December 10, 2013, 08:15:00 PM
Yeah its sort like Stickflinger said.  We don't have a choice around here.  The deer hunting is pleasant in Sept and Oct, but the good hunting doesn't start until early Nov.   By then its usually 30-40 at the warmest.  Night temps are 0-20ish.  

That said, Montana sees big temp swings each day, so a day my start at 0 but will likely warm to 20ish.   Below zero is where I draw the line.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: The Night Stalker on December 10, 2013, 09:06:00 PM
The sleeping bag would work. I know a friend that did that way before the heater body suit was developed. My bag is a western mountaineering so the heater body suit would be cheaper to buy.
This is my routine, I have been a cold freak for 30 years. I have tried just about everything and spent a few thousand dollars on clothes.  The key in our area is not to get moisture on your skin on the walk in. I remember when I was a kid, an old man stayed all day in a tree stand at 5 degrees. The wind chill was 10-20 below that day. We were hunting a state draw lottery system and he drew the best stand. The rangers checked on him several times that day and each time he stated he was alright. I remember him coming out to the parking lot after dark. He was wearing that old wool plaid and carrying a thermos. I do not know who he was but he inspired me. I could not hunt more than an hour or so. My feet froze and I was extremely cold despite my white cotton underwear.       Thirty some years later, I have it down to a science. I made heat vest using a cheap polar fleece vest with sewn pockets. I use a combination of silk,  ulfrotte wool,or Sitka gear underwear depending on the temp, humidity,etc. I use Micky mouse boots when it gets bitter cold. I  place body warmers in my vest and carry the vest in a knapsack with my heater body suit. I agree with keeping your head and neck warm. I use a polar fleece head band that is cut for a pocket in which I place a hand warmer. I put it in my knapsack and place it at the base of my posterior neck when on stand. The blood is warmed as it circulates to my head. I use a balaclava damart hood.
I have KOM wool I use on occasion but I prefer fleece for the freedom of movement if a shot presents.  A ground blind really helps when it gets down in the single digits also.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: jrchambers on December 10, 2013, 09:35:00 PM
the question was asked how do we do it in ak.  well we don't.  not in the stand anyway.  predator hunting requires some sitting but I don't know many people that sit longer than thirty min at one set.  I have done some stand hunting in the spring and in texas and im impressed that you guys can do it for so long and miserable conditions.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: mooshkat on December 10, 2013, 09:51:00 PM
Its only going  to get to 4degress tomorrow with wind chills around 30below in NE wi. I dont plan on going back out till muzzleloader and this stupid late doe season is over. By the time the WDNR get done there wont be many deer left in the state.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Cyclic-Rivers on December 10, 2013, 09:52:00 PM
If its 10-20 I can sit 3 hours. If its colder, i need to be on the ground, out of the wind and buried beneath a pile of hand warmers.  :biglaugh:
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: LC on December 10, 2013, 10:19:00 PM
Wait a minute, I've read countless posts where if I wear wool I never ever get cold. Where are these folks on threads like this?

Yes it's the brutal cold time of year. First off if you can't stop the wind through your clothing your done! I personally have never seen wool clothing stop the wind! Read that again, it's not traditional but wool alone does not stop wind!

With that said even if you stop the wind yes this time of year can be brutal. But you can do it for awhile IF YOU STOP THE WIND from blowing thru your insulating clothing!
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Homebru on December 10, 2013, 10:33:00 PM
Depends on your definition of "success".  Spent part of one afternoon southeast of Mt Horeb Wisconsin when the starting temp was -12 deg F.  Made it about 2 hours.  Had a small spike walk by me as I sat on my "Torges Tree Seat".  No shot opportunity.  It was freakin' cold and not the most pleasant sit I've ever made.
homebru
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Jerry Jeffer on December 10, 2013, 10:41:00 PM
Hope to get out tomorrow. Supposed to be 10 degrees. Love my wool with wind shear, and hand warmers.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: on December 11, 2013, 12:54:00 AM
For wool clothing for me it is on the bottom a poly longjohn, then wool longjohn, than heavy wool pants, then poly/cotton pnats over that. On top it is wool longjohn, Filson wool shirt, a filson wool vest, than a camo double mac. If there is more wind than I like I put a light cotton poly lined jacket over the shirt and under the coat. It is important that you do not trap moisture, that will make any air moving through seem much colder.  I wear mukluks for boots and a double thick wool stocking cap. If I am turkey hunting, I do not wear the over pants or the light inside jacket. The better the wool the less the wind blows through it, but breathbility is vital because working up a sweat is not an option.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: TRAP on December 11, 2013, 08:18:00 AM
QuoteOriginally posted by Bowwild:
In the early 1980's I was hunting on the IN/MI state line one evening. It was VERY cold, I remember about how cold it was but I won't write it here because it is unbelievable -- well under zero.

I figured the more pain I endure the more likely I would encounter a large deer. I didn't see a deer that evening. I was in a Baker climber. It was so cold my hands felt like sticking to the climber as I came down the tree.

I remember when I arrived at my truck after dark I was so numb and so slow that I felt I could only manage one attempt at unlocking my truck door. I got it on the first try.

I will hunt when it is that cold, but not often and then only if it is an "exciting" stand.
Every hunt I ever made in a Baker tree stand was "exciting"
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: gordydog on December 11, 2013, 08:35:00 AM
Our group(brothers) teams up in the cold and does organized nudges after stand hunting.  Think how fun that is to sit getting colder and colder,  knowing at 9 am you will have brown fur on a white background filtering through the woods. The sound,  the movement,  it's all really exciting. You can put deer right in your lap for nice close encounters,  even on the ground.  Really great to blood track on snow too.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: on December 11, 2013, 08:46:00 AM
I do not like hunting with snow. Snow is loud, if it crunches it is louder than leaves, if it makes that packing sound that is loud than leaves. Snow camo is only effective if you are up against something that is white. If you are ever sitting low and watch someone wearing white come through the woods, that movement  of white shows up more than anything.  Deer can see motions of me not quite holding myself or my bow perfectly still when they look me over better when there is white between the trees. I hope it melts before I go after my late season doe and  turkey.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: ChuckC on December 11, 2013, 09:05:00 AM
Gordy, while I agree with you, I hunt alone most times.  Have you ever tried to do a push by yourself ?  It doesn't work near as well as when there are others involved.

CHuckc
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: on December 11, 2013, 10:22:00 AM
I have used a patterned behavior of the compound hunters on public land to my advantage. Around 9:30 they all march back to the road for their around the pickup talk. They stir up the deer for those of us that sit all day. When I push deer by myself, that is almost always the same as, I busted them and they ran away.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: wixwood on December 11, 2013, 10:40:00 AM
Pick game that keeps you moving and warm!

http://www.youtube.com/watch?v=2NN4ewA4Yj4
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Kris on December 11, 2013, 10:10:00 PM
Geno,

I shot this warrior in the last minutes before closing on your birthday 12/31/09 and recovered him News Years morning at sunrise, -15 degrees.

       (http://i.imgur.com/2xTl9sO.jpg) (http://imgur.com/2xTl9sO)

I only hunt the hours that I feel that I am going to see deer, namely the last 2 hours of the day.  I know where they are going to appear and plan for that ambush.  

I can do anything for two hours and seldom get cold, no matter how cold it is.  De-scent prior to the hunt in a nice HOT shower, dry yourself thoroughly but keep your core hot.  

***Trick - I throw my merino underwear in dryer to warm-up, plus hat, socks and whatever else.  Do NOT overdress.  Loftiness is important; your body has to breath and ventilate.  I wear XXL, leather, fleece lined, Chopper mittens and shoot bare handed and bare-fingered.  

I DO NOT wear a face mask, if you want to miss a deer bowhunting...wear a face mask IMO.  Unless you practice with one on all the time, it is the worst thing you can do for your anchor.  Don't bother going out if you are not going to sit on something soft and warm, i.e. foam seat cushion, two of them preferably.

I LOVE late season bowhunting, it is my preference!  Overcoming the elements is half the fun.  Harvesting an animal is bonus but when you do it, it seems even more special.

Kris
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Jayrod on December 12, 2013, 06:15:00 AM
beautiful buck and great topics you have posted there Kris!
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Kris on December 12, 2013, 10:03:00 AM
Thanks Jarrod,

Obviously, I am hunting the late season out of the comforts of my own home, hence the pre-hunt warmup ritual.  Away from home I think the most important thing is to not get sweated-up getting into your stand or climbing your tree.  I strip down to underwear and carry everything in.  

I often have to sit for a while in my stand, without much on, to cool down...it very frustrating sometimes and I often sit there cursing myself for getting so steamed-up.  Inevitably you'll end up cold then.  This too, emphasizes the importance of good wicking materials, merino wool being my favorite.

Will be practicing all these techniques here this weekend and the forecast is for the single digits.

Love the solitude of the cold snowy woods, silently sitting in my favorite wool, watching chickadees from my "warmest" conifer tree stand, waiting for that telltale movement...

Kris
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: on December 12, 2013, 10:28:00 AM
Lots of good advice on this thread. Thanks for that everyone. What I'm finding this year (bowhunting as a journey of self discovery!) is that I am feeling the cold more, but I am able to tolerate it longer, if that makes sense. Getting down from the treestand is a challenge when you've been sitting (stiffening) in the cold. I have started wearing wool again, and if I can get a windproof layer on somewhere, it's as warm or warmer than insulated synthetics. Did I mention the liberal use of chemical warmers? Two in the boots, 4 on the body (2-front, 2 back) and 2 on the upper legs as well as one in each glove. The woods are beautiful when it's cold and snowy, as are the deer, with their puffed-out fur and billowing breath. Love it!
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: buckeyebowhunter on December 12, 2013, 08:15:00 PM
would like to see some more pics of deer taken in the cold, need some motivation to get out in this frigid weather, Kris awesome pic    :thumbsup:
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: NoCams on December 12, 2013, 09:24:00 PM
Now that we have, "discovered", wool we can hunt down to single digits. Something very special about the woods when it is that cold. You can hear everything ! One of my most memorable hunts was going in one morning when we had 8" of fresh overnight snow, then snowed 2-3" more on me while on stand. Never had a more peaceful day in the woods and got to see plenty of deer, just no shots. Stayed on stand 6 hrs and did not want to leave. About 15 degrees and dead calm.
Title: Re: COLD bowhunting
Post by: Lil' Bow Pete on December 13, 2013, 02:57:00 AM
A word of caution about hunting in the cold. I have done it many times in extreme conditions and have no trouble sitting many hours. The thing is that as you get cold your body restricts blood flow to your arms and legs to keep your core and your brain warm. Thats good, but when you get up to leave or find your arrowed game, the blood flows back into those extremeties. They are cold and that chills your blood. When that blood hits your core again it can be dangerous. It drops your core temp. I have been on stand for hours with little discomfort, but by the time I made it to the truck, I was shivering so bad I could hardly open the door. Your body can get used to the cold when you are sitting but be careful. You can get hurt on your way out.