I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
11-30-2006, 03:48 PM
#1
Giant Nontypical
Thread Starter
Join Date: May 2005
Location: One mile east of West Podunk Tx
Posts: 5,973
I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
Well guys I'm still a rookie at bowhunting in the cold. Tomorrow AM will be in the upper teens to low 20s. ( Yes, that is cold for these parts). What can I expect. I know I will need to draw on occasion to keep my muscles limber. What else might I need to know? My coldest bowhunts have been mid 30s and up. Thanks!
11-30-2006, 05:05 PM
#5
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Feb 2005
Location: ILLINOIS
Posts: 1,207
RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
I can tell you to shoot some shots with all your cold weather clothes on. I missed a doe last year due to the string hitting my sleeve. I now wear an arm guard to compress the sleeve.
11-30-2006, 05:09 PM
#6
Join Date: Apr 2006
Location: Wayne Co. Michigan
Posts: 203
RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
Buy all the little heat packets that you can find. The new larger ones that stick are the best. Then make sure you have a jacket that will block the wind and make sure your head is covered. good luck
11-30-2006, 05:17 PM
#8
Join Date: Feb 2003
Location:
Posts: 6,006
RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
Living in a region where the late season is freezing cold, I've learned to love it.
The main thing to remember is to dress in layers. It's better to have too much clothing and need to take some off than it is to not have enough and have to leave to get more.
That being said, I usually layer with;
Top:
Polypropelene long sleeve shirt
Micro fleece/windstopper half zip turtle neck
Long sleeve wool sweater
Fleece full zip vest
Camo jacket
Bottom:
Polupropelene long underwear
Micro fleece/windstopper pants
Wool pants
Camo six-pocket BDU style pants
Feet:
Polypropelene moisture wicking socks
Wool socks
400 gram thinsulate (at least 400 gram) boots
Bring a fleece balaclava if you've got one. Gloves or a hand muff are a must.
You lose most of your body heat through your head/neck, so make sure you keep those areas warm. Another area to keep warm is around your kidneys.
Do what you can not to work up a sweat on the way to your stand, even if you're wearing a moisture wicking layer.
I've hunted in negative degree weather and been able to stay plenty warm, you just have to learn to dress properly.
The main thing to remember is to dress in layers. It's better to have too much clothing and need to take some off than it is to not have enough and have to leave to get more.
That being said, I usually layer with;
Top:
Polypropelene long sleeve shirt
Micro fleece/windstopper half zip turtle neck
Long sleeve wool sweater
Fleece full zip vest
Camo jacket
Bottom:
Polupropelene long underwear
Micro fleece/windstopper pants
Wool pants
Camo six-pocket BDU style pants
Feet:
Polypropelene moisture wicking socks
Wool socks
400 gram thinsulate (at least 400 gram) boots
Bring a fleece balaclava if you've got one. Gloves or a hand muff are a must.
You lose most of your body heat through your head/neck, so make sure you keep those areas warm. Another area to keep warm is around your kidneys.
Do what you can not to work up a sweat on the way to your stand, even if you're wearing a moisture wicking layer.
I've hunted in negative degree weather and been able to stay plenty warm, you just have to learn to dress properly.
11-30-2006, 05:18 PM
#9
Nontypical Buck
Join Date: Oct 2005
Location: Flushing Michigan
Posts: 2,355
RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
If you get too cold try standing up for a while. For some reason I stay warmer standing.
Alot of guys drop their draw weight by 5 pounds and shorten thier draw length a tad to account for the bulky clothing. Just make sure to resight your bow (obviously).
Also, most of your body heat escapes from your head. Use a ski mask style camo hat and a wool turtleneck to keep your neck warm.
The biggest problem I have is toes and fingers going numb. Those chemical hand warmers are pretty nice for that.
Finally, dress in layers. I like to put most of my warm clothes on at the stand to avoid sweating on the way in. If you sweat walking in, you'll be cold, wet, and miserable all day long.
Alot of guys drop their draw weight by 5 pounds and shorten thier draw length a tad to account for the bulky clothing. Just make sure to resight your bow (obviously).
Also, most of your body heat escapes from your head. Use a ski mask style camo hat and a wool turtleneck to keep your neck warm.
The biggest problem I have is toes and fingers going numb. Those chemical hand warmers are pretty nice for that.
Finally, dress in layers. I like to put most of my warm clothes on at the stand to avoid sweating on the way in. If you sweat walking in, you'll be cold, wet, and miserable all day long.
11-30-2006, 05:40 PM
#10
Join Date: Jan 2004
Location: Eureka, MO
Posts: 3,703
RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
Dang Wash hunter you got some tough feet...I got some 600 gram Irish Setters and do the same layering as you and I'm good to about 30. Then I bust out my 1000 gram boots.
Follow Dans plan if you want to stay warm...The key is to staying dry so when you settle in you don't freeze to death. Good luck out there and if you plan on making a roadtrip in Dec, expect cold temps.
Follow Dans plan if you want to stay warm...The key is to staying dry so when you settle in you don't freeze to death. Good luck out there and if you plan on making a roadtrip in Dec, expect cold temps.