hunting in cold weather

[jtwalsh62]

When it is really cold here (below 32) I have a hard time staving warm mostly my hands . I keep thinking back (30 yrs) when I was young I would sit out there all day just to see a deer now I just stay home and wish it was warmer .Is this and old man thing Ha Ha

[lpcjon2]

Are you on blood thinners for a cardiac problem if yes then thats your problem.Take a Viagra before you go to the stand and you wont be thinking about cold hands...LOL  

[8leg-lover]

I have the same problem only its my feet(and I'm 34). I've come to the conclusion that if you really want to stay truly warm you have to suck it up and buy quality gear that you think cost to much(of course your usually already warm when your looking at it in front of your computer)  :D   My theory is that if you can keep your core warm everything else should be easier to keep warm. I'm looking into the rechargable vest. There are several styles and brands out there and most will run 3-5 hours and have adjustable thermostats.

Carl

[Lost Arra]

>>suck it up and buy quality gear <<

Good point Carl.

I just recently heard this quote: "There is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothes."

[woodsman 365]

As the years pass, I too find it harder to hunt the cold days. I also find it hard to stay on stand more than 4 hrs at any temperature. 32 deg is warm in my area late october and november so we layer up. The cold days are the best hunting so I hunt them as long as I can. I'm 52 but dont think of myself as old. Just slowing down a little.  
       >>>>RAY

[Rufus]

Hey, all iced up here today. I'm 64 and decided to be a "couch hunter" today. My hands get cold too so I use chemical hand warmers and a muff and do what I can do. I can't sit around much anyway with an "old man's .........well, some of you guys know what I mean.  

[Rick P]

Old man thing? Well maybe but I tend more to the get good gear side of the debate. Have you ever injured your hands or wrist? I got part of one finger ripped off and two more crushed in a construction accident, my left hand is always the first thing to get cold. I'm just extra careful about leaving my glove on that hand as much as possible.I notice it much more when I'm on the ice fishing than hunting, probably because I move allot less.

[Al Dean]

I'm 60 and with you but I don't think I get a bit colder now than when I was young.  I can remember at 16 and 17 having to get off the horses while hunting and walking behind holding their tails so I could get my feet warm.  Do we get colder or are we just smarter?  And yes, nothing beats good quality clothing and boots.

[Big Bird]

I have had 5 strokes. after they put me on blood thinners.I can't keep warm but still go out and hunt anyway.

[Bowferd]

I'm 60 also and tend to get cold hands and feet.
Just don't stay out as long as I used to.
Come to think of it, I think I've always had cold feet!

[Gray Buffalo]

On the real cold days that I can't stand staying in I grab my pop-up blind and propane heater and head out. Set it up, brush it in, climb in and fire up the heater. It might not be the best way to hunt but I'm out of the house and can sit there all day.

[Arwin]

It's true that it's all in the clothing. Good boots and gloves, plus those hand warmer packets really help. No cotton if you can help it for a base layer. Try a breathable synthetic inner layer and fleece or wool outside.
Good boots go a long way! I would usually use 800 gram boots the whole season and end up with froze toes in December. I just picked up some 1200's. What a difference! I will keep a couple different pairs as the weather changes from now on.
If you can't spend the cash for new clothes then try those strap on hand warmers with chemical packets inside and some really good socks. Plus, anything to keep you out of the wind such as a pop up blind or even using a tarp incorporated into a natural ground blind. The wind will get you the quickest.

[Bill Carlsen]

For cold hands Laura and I use the chemical hand warmers. My personal biggest problem is feet when I am sitting still. I got a set of Hotronics battery powered foot warmers that skiers use and it solved my problem. The batteries are rechargeable and they have four different levels of warmth.

[Jon Shade]

I was able to cure my case of the "coldies" with a sheep wool muff from screaming eagle, hand warmers and a quality fleece balaclava. I have never really had a problem with my feet getting cold. I do brush snow to the side when hunting from the ground. I am pushing 60 and do have a problem hanging tree stands any more. Guess I will look into a good ladder stand.

[LITTLEBIGMAN]

keeping your core warm is very important. I had Jayne make me two fleece envelopes into which I slide hand warmers. The envelopes are connected to each other with shoulder straps. I put my head between the straps and one envelope hangs over my sternum and the other rests between my shoulder blades. I wear this (scapular for lack of a better term) over my second layer so as to not burn my self. This little trick has enabled me to sit lots longer in very cold weather

[Dave Lay]

as said before Clothes make a world of diffrence, 2 years ago I invested in some quality wool and it has made a world of diffrence, I also rely heavily on the chemical hand warmers..

[Keuka]

I too use the chemical warmers. I put them down my boots,in my hand pocket and when real cold against the small of my back.

Now the old man thing. I remember when I use to hunt all day and go out dancing with a girlfriend half the night. Now I hunt half a day and sleep at night.  Hmmm, well at least I can still hunt half a day!

[Gapmaster]

I had trouble with my feet getting cold and started using socks that were recommended by a friend called "wigwams". Wool socks. That has helped me a whole bunch, especially when I double up the socks.

[erierik]

Wear polypropelene long under wear,then polar fleece or wool pants,and heavy wool sweater...then I have camo insulated bibs.. finish with good windstopper lined fleece coat or wool coat.On my head I put fleece bacalava on and on bottom sorrel heavy insulated boots with footwarmers added.I hunted in 12 f temps in my ground blind several times the last week for about 3 hrs.No problem and bulk is not bad.Also the wind has been howling.....Have not seen the deer though they have been nocturnal on me the last few days...I think the full moon..may try a spot and spook,oops,stalk, later today..good luck and stay warm...the middle layer of wool has really helped me in the cold.My first year using wool,most tradgangers swear by it,it has been a huge help.Bought my sweaters at goodwill store,5 bucks each,good ones too..LL bean,woolwrich etc.. Ricky

[Bob Stager]

I took a pair of the chemical toe warmers and stuck them on the outside of my first layer and right over my kidneys.They seemed to help a lot. Bob