RE: cold weather gear
You got lots of good advice. I would jump on the chemical warmer (hand AND feet) bandwagon. Also, I found a nifty little piece of clothing that helps us bow hunters (probably gun hunters, too): It is basically a warm glove that has a mitten (unfingered) top that flips back. Keep your hands in the mitten until you see a deer, then flip back the mitten top so you have warm fingers to draw your bow. Magnets sewn into the fliptop and the back of the glove keep it open once it’s been flipped back (which keeps it out of your way). I keep a chemical handwarmer in the glove, too, just for good measure.
Happy hunting.