RE: Staying warm on the stand, what are you wearing?
Short form:
Bibs, Wool/Polypropelene, a good hat, pockets, stop the wind.
Long form:
My 3 layer Recipe for all morning stand hunt at 32 degrees:
(Insert "Cabela's" in front of almost everything yourself. I don't want to sound like an advertisement!)
1. Thermtech midweight poly long underwear top
2. Thermtech lightweight poly long underwear bottoms
3. HS Scentaway antiperspirant on the feet, pits back and under pecs (or manboobs (or moobs) if that's what you've got)
4. UnderArmor coldgear socks
5. 100% lightweight poly T-shirt.
6. Revolution Fleece liner pants with "Windshear"***
7. Revolution Fleece hooded jacket with "Windshear" ***
8. SilentWeave BIB OVERALLS*** Insulated or scentlok
9. SilentWeave Bowhunters jacket Insulated or scentlok
10. 1000 gram thinsulate Lacrosse Burleys
Gotta have Bib overalls, gotta, gotta, gotta.
Now come the secret ingredients:
1. El Cheapo 75 cent Outfitters ridge jersey gloves at Wally World (preferably withOUT the little rubber nubs)
2. A good bow holder so you can keep your gloved hands in your pockets. I use an SOP safety harness that has one built in.
3. Fleece neck gaiter
4. Elmer-fudd style baseball cap with ear flaps that you can raise/lower. Or any LOOSELY FITTING insulated baseball cap, but ear flaps help a LOT!
Now come the important dos and dont's.
1. DON'T get sweaty going to your stand.
2. DON'T put anything over your face that will catch condensation from your breath unless the temperature is dipping BELOW freezing.
3. DO make sure that your core stays warm. Warm gloves and socks are useless if there's no blood going to your feet/hands.
4. DON'T wear cotton. Anywhere if you can avoid it but especially NOT against your skin.
5. DO feel free to substitute WOOL for ANYTHING