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!

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

i guess i would say pack lots of carbs to eat. and lots of heavy clothes, and move your body around. where is it gunna be that cold?

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

East Texas

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

i know the feelin man i live 30 miles nw of ft worth and its really cold here

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.

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

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

Dress in layers and stay dry . keep your head warm

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.

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.

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.:D

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

Well, I have to consider my ethics. I have not practiced shooting with all that cold weather gear on. I don't think taking a shot at a deer is the time to find out how things will work out. So, I will not be taking my bow out with me. I'll have to do a ML hunt in the AM. I'll have my bow in hand for the evening hunt when temps will be in the 40s. I will make it a point to practice with cold weather gear starting this weekend.

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

So when it really gets cold,what do you wear.I bet you look like the pillsbury dough boy:D;)

Good advice wash,but I have never wore the Vest.The wool is a great layer and will definately keep you warm.
Most importantly is keeping your head and neck warm.

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

Cover the back of your neck as much as possible. Get to your stand with out breaking a sweat. I bring some of my warmer cloths in a pack. I then put them on when I get to my stand. Mittens not glove. Ones that you can slip off easy. I am trying to think what I did tonight when I was hunting. it was 17 out with some wind. I also don't put my hat on until I get up in my stand

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

:Dhey i live in the eastern part of washington st. and right now through the last couple of days has been in the negitives the best thing you can do is to stay warm ive seen a 6x6 with a nice base every night but can get a shot hes about 60 yds but he moves closer every day:Ddue to the cold weather hes looking for food the best advice stay warm draw your bow every once in a while when you know there isnt a buck around or doe just keep trying to hunt as much as you can in the cold they move alot more in the cold so just keep out there!! seen anything lately:D

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

Wow, Wash, that’s a lot of layers, esp. with the pants. I never wear more than 3 layers of pants, even down into the teens. Maybe I should.

One thing that I would add to the good advice you’ve already gotten is to wear two layers of gloves. I wear thin (scent-blocking, supposedly, but who knows) gloves underneath heavy bowhunting gloves (the kind with the tips of the fingers missing and the mitten-style top that flips back to magnetically attach to the back of the glove to keep it out of the way). The one caveat about wearing heavy gloves is it can be hard to get your hand into your bow sling.

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

Actually its not as bulky as it seems. Both the polypropelene and the micro fleece tops and bottoms I bought a size smaller than I would normally wear so that they would fit snug.

The wool layers are my regular size, and the outer "shell" layers are a size larger to accomodate the extra clothing.

I wanted to be as warm as possible without all the bulk of wearing many layers.

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

Another tip.

I wear those snug fitting knit gloves you can buy at most grocery stores for a couple bucks per pair. I hate not being able to feel the trigger of my release, and i really dislike cutting the index finger out of pairs of gloves.

If you buy a hang muff that hands around your waist, put a couple chemical hand warmers in it, and wear those thin knit gloves your hands will stay plenty warm and you'll be able to feel the trigger of your release.

RE: I need tips for cold weather bowhunting.
 

make sure you take a pad or piece of carpet to put under your feet