Skeeter, I am hunting in the Peirceland/Paradise Lake area in the middle of November. I have been told by a few on these boards that it's a good time due to being in the rut and also been told that the colder and more snow on the ground the better.

I have been conversing with my outfitter and he has made clothing suggestions. I have been buying some clothing for the cold ie under armour, polartech thermals,wool shirts/pants, 4in1 parka,bib overalls,teflon liner and wool socks, pack boots with extra liners, heat packs for hands, feet, body. Good warm headgear, gloves etc. I am taking this cold weather thing seriously as I know it's going to be very cold for us Texas boys. Down here we are lucky to see the tempsdip into the low 30'sF high 20'sF a couple of time a year. So I am sure that sitting in a stand for hours at a time is going to be no fun if you're cold.The outfitter has told me to expect tempetures from 30+ to -30 degrees and also mentioned that last year was unusally warm and the hunting was sub par.

I am truly looking forward to this escapde, I have hunted and fished in BC and Sask but only in the spring/summer months, this will be my 1st trip where I could freeze my rump off.

DoubleA, you picked an excellent area, lots of great whitetails come out of the NW each fall. Yes your best to prepare for the worst but hope for something a little less than bitter (daytime highs -10 C rangeare good for both deer and hunter). Snow in the forest for outfitting is a real good thing but in other areas it sure helps as well. It makes them move andwill make the bucks have to travel to find love. Lastyear pretty much was all twisted, dry spring, cold summer, wet and cold start to fall and then got warm mid oct...all makes for tough hunting. We always go up to my cabin which is east and south of the area you are headed. This is known as the forest fringe area where agriculture is mixed with dense bush and butts upto the forest...great deer habitat! Any way we usually see tons of activity, last fall not one spec of snow and very little activity buck or does. They just didn't need to move far and when they did it was real late or real early...basically 1/2hr a day. It was the first year in a longtime we never came home with a good buck. In fact only one guy pulled the pin - 4x5 that scored in the upper 140's. I will say this year is looking very good for deer, wet, lushwith lots of deer and good racks roaming around. The weather is a wait n see but hopefully...even so they are around and I wish you the best.

I am sure your outfitter or guide will give you this same info, be ready at all times of the day. Often mid day is the best time to catch them cruising bucks. Forget about the body size,they are builtBIG up here!!!!!

PS
Sounds like you have a good handle on the gear required. Do you have any moisture wicking socks yet? Couplepolypropleneliner socksunder your wooly's and have dry feet.

Skeeter, Thanks for help and suggestions on this matter. I appreciate you taking time to help steer me in the right direction. Like you stated, I would rather go over prepared than under. The "cold" gear I have had is about(aboot) 13 years old and believe it or not most doesnt fit my rounder shape anymore so I am restocking my closet. I have dealt with Cabela's for a long time and get most hunting related things from them as I have always had excellent service. It was mail order up until recently when they decided to build a store not to far away from me. With clothing it worked out great because I like to try it on first.....anyways I will quit rambling on and answer your question.

The boots I chose are Cabela's Saskatchewan Pac boot. They are rated for -135 degrees( what ever that is worth) and have removable liners with heat pack pocket. I chose their best socks, a teflon thermax liner for the wicking of moisture and their wool ultimax sock. In your opinion should this be adequate or should I still try a boot blanket? These boots are huge, dont know if an X-large blanket will fit[8D]them.[8D]

Again, thanks for your time....

Double A...those boots should be fine depending on the weather and how much you will be walking or on stand. One tip though, the foot warmers aren't nearly as good as the hand ones. They need room for air and it just can't find it in your boot, and it's real uncomfortable to walk with. If you are with a guide he just might get you in a heated blind. Good luck & send pics.
Skeeter...how's life? Hope all is well. I've only been out once and got soaked for the bow season opener. My wife is due any day so I can't get out till she has the little one. I can't agree more with you about last season, same thing happened to us. I did get a little one for meat though. Get those pics up when you get something and good luck!!

JDinAB

no trail camera pics only because I dont have one, nor do I know anybody that has one...heck i dont even want one.I think it's more of an "american thing" eh?

but I can show you pics of dead deer... just imagine likeit died in front ofa trailcam?

this one is last year's deer for me
Pretty nice, biggest rack I've gotten by not much, the one 3 years ago was very close to this one..
190 pounds cleaned. fair size.

DoubleA, are your pac boots the ones that look like they are made for walking on the moon(often referred to as"Mickey Boots")???? If so they will be JFL. Skip the boot blankets bc if they are like them you'll never find a size and shouldn't need them. You can alwaystake a blanket or sleeping bag to wrap up in if you end up in tree stand and it is real cold. My bet is you'll be in a ground blind (they are usually pretty good for sheltering the hunter) and good possibilty they may even be heated like JD points out. I am sorry don't know much about cabela's sign stuff..since we don't have them in canuck land. As long as the socksare not made up of cotton, should be fine. You'd be suprised how many "Thermal socks"use cotton, so check the label for materials used just to be sure.

Hey no problems at all, if I can help please fire away.

What are you bringing for rifle/bullet? Has your outfitter supplied you with the forms for entering into canada with your rifle? It makes for a faster trip through customs and can be done in advance.

JD...nice to see you. Sounds like momma was cold last winter, married life is agreeing with yeah then...LOL! Any way big congrats to you both, hope all goes well and safe arrival

All is well here. Only hunting I have done is elk and I got a raghorn. Our party went 4 for 6 this year.Whatpics???Had an oops on the elk trip, partner did a gainer off our builtbridge on the quad, he just happen to be the camera carrier/man and it didn't enjoy the water. Too bad bc it would have made one heck of a great picture...he was up to the curly's in loon sheet.Should Itake a picture of the steaks on the grill...lol? Never got drawn for Mulie bucks, so that will have to wait at least another year.Leave sunday morning for moose hopefully that will be eventful like last year! Once that is done it will beall deer. At this pointlooks to be a good year..so hoping I'll be able to drop the pin on a good whitetail this fall.

Best of luck to you on your hunts and lets us know when jr or the little darling arrives.

Take Care

Thanks JD and Skeeter for the info. Yes, the outfitter has told me that the blinds are heated with propane if needed. The boots that I have mentioned are these http://www.cabelas.com/cabelas/en/templates/links/link.jsp?id=0020834830532a&type=product&cm Cat=search&returnString=hasJS=true&_D%3Aha sJS=+&QueryText=saskatchewan+pac+boot&_DAR GS=%2Fcabelas%2Fen%2Fcommon%2Fsearch%2Fsearch-box.jsp.22&N=4887&Ntk=Products&Ntx=mod e+matchall&Nty=1&Ntt=saskatchewan+pac+boot &noImage=0&returnPage=search-results1.jsp

Skeeter, I have decided to use a Kimber 8400/Swarovski in 300WSM as my primary weapon. The load will be a 180 Accubond @2950.
Although I shouldnt need it I am taking a Sako 75/Zeiss in 375 H&H as a back up. Yes I know that it's power is not needed but I have downloaded it for deer sized game and shoot it well.

Yeap that's the same boot as I was thinking...9 out of 10 guys who come up here in Nov wear such an animal, so you should be good to go!

No such thing as too dead. You'll probably be looking at 200 or under for shots any way so your theory sounds ace to me! Let us know how those AB's perform! I used them last fall to takea bull moose and bull elk out of my 7mm RM, they worked dandy for me but have heard a few different stories. Should be a great whitetail stopper though and IME accuracy just isn't an issue.

Best of luck

I got a pair of Northern Outfitters expidition boots and they are the warmist boots I've ever worn! You can actually wear them without socks! They are rather pricey but you only live once.