Since it has been below zero in Minnesota since around July 15, I thought I would put together some cold weather tips I have learned through the years. I am talking cold weather here, not 15 or 20 above, but COLD, daytime highs of -20 to0 degrees and of course with windchill. Although 32 and -20 are both technically freezing, one is much different than the other.

1. Creaks: Now is the time of year that if any of your equipment has the slightest creak, you WILL notice it. Treestands (I use all hang on) are notorious for having the slightest cold weather creaks. I have found after your stand is up with its chain or strap, then take another ratchet strap, and tighten it around the base of the stand and around the tree, it really helps tighten things down.

2. Squeaks: Weather you have a carpeted stand or grated stand, below zero temps quite often cause the snow on or in your boots or cleatsto squeak and then freeze on the carpet causing crunching sounds and the metal grates can also freeze and cause squeaking. To combat this, in cold weather, I bag my stand with a cloth bag when not using them so they are always free from snow and ice. If I get an unexpected snow,I always carry a limp rug (with no backing) to my stand. Clean off the snow and then lay the rug down. Whisper quiet platform for you.

3. Boots: Chances are you are wearing a pac boot this time of year, be careful, they are bigger than what you are used to climbing with the rest fo the year.

3A: Boots with cleats collect snow, the snow goes up your stand with you and rests on your platform. I always carry an umpires brush with and when I get to my stand I clear the snow from the base of the ladder, then use the brush to get rid of the snow on my boots and in particular the cleatsand also bursh my pants so I climb my stand free of snow. Safer and no squeaks at the top.

4. Pants: Use the same brush to get rid of the snow on your bibs or pants whatever. If you get into your stand and this snow melts the slightests and refreezes, you now have extremely noisy clothing.

5. Refreeze: Keep in mind once your clothes become cold, dont warm them back up until you are done hunting, the worst thing you can do is have snow melt and then refreeze on you.

6. Realease: I havemy realease strapped around my wrist and use a muff, handwarmer, whatever you want to call it that I keep my hands in to avoid wearing gloves.NEVER EVER let your release go inside the handwarmer with you. You get a little condensing in there, and then when you get ready for a shot, the condensation freezes and you have a less than reliable release.

7. Keep your cams free of snow. If they are warm whenthey come out of the truck and get a little snow on them and it melts, you have an icy cam. The Primos bow carriers are great to combat this.

8.Exercise: When you get to your stand and periodically throught your sit, draw your bow and hold. Try sittingstill at -10 for 3 hoursand then get up and make the shot. Keep your muscles as loose as possible.

9. Head clothing:In this weather we wear hoods, baclaves, whatever, will they screw up your anchor point? Find out before a deer comes. What about sleeve slap, is the extra clothing going to hit your string?

10. Blood trails: Sure, snows on the ground, the blood trail will be a piece of cake. Not so fast. When youhave a good amount of fine powder on the ground and the deer isn't bleeding much (just drops), those drops will fall/melt right through that powder often times leaving no sign of blood on top, then when you deer gets into a yarding area with many tracks, your in trouble.

11. How long: Yeah, yeah you can't kill a deer fromt he couch so you head out to your stand a couple hours earlier than normal. Great attempt, but the last thing you want is to sit the extra time only to find that you are frozen and shaking in the last half hour of shooting light. Might as well have stayed home. Pattern your deer and time your hunts accordingly.

12. Gutting: You will never feel cold like you will after you have finished gutting your deer and the warmth of the cavity wears off leaving you with moist, maybe bloody hands. I carry extra handwarms just for this reason.

13. Scent: At this time of year, I worry less about scent then I do at anytime of the year. I strictly hunt the wind and dress in whatever it takes to keep me warm, scent free or not.

14. Your truck: Sure we all have tough trucks or cars that can get through the snow on the ground. Keep in mind, the snow blows across flat open fields but settles in the ruts or what used to be the field road, causing drifting and causing you to bury your truck. Nothing ticks a farmer off more than having to leave the warmth of his house having to come pull you out after he has just spent all day working in the cold himself.

15. Be smart: Must you hunt on this day, and if so, do you have check in times established or a cell phone with you. Does not take long in these temps before you are dead and a coyote eats yer rear end out.

16. Thermos: I bring a thermos of hot chocolate with me, yes it makes for some extra movement, but that burst of warmth can really keep you going.

17. Hope like he!! it get sback to 15 or 20 above and you can break the September clothing back out.