This year I'll be using a newly aquired Marlin 30-30 instead of my 270 or 308. The first deer Igot many yewars ago was with a Marlin 35 rem.I like to still hunt/stalk deer, and we also do small, slow silent drives (a combination of still hunting and drives).

And my gear isn't expensive, but it is comfortable and effective in cold weather. Last buck season, the lowest temp that we hunted in was 11 degrees. I've worn the same down vest for the last 30 or so years. Sometimes I even wear my Hollofill quilted long johns when it's really cold. They still do the job. I won't wear cotton shirts or long johns like we did many years ago. Cotton isn't effective, and it holds moisture.