Cold Weather Tips

[dcamacho13]

I would like to know if there are any tips or strategies anyone has for hunting in cold weather. The second season was significantly colder than the first, with highs around 25 degrees. I've noticed that the deer hardly even move in this temperature. Is there something I am not doing that could be raising my chances of harvesting in January? This is my first year trying to bag a deer, and with my loss of a nice doe during the first season, I really have the itch. Anything would help.

[BlackbirdHiLL]

Where I'm from the deer move alot better in the colder weather. Where are you hunting at?

[ironhead]

Mine is too dress warm,,,,if you get cold you are much less likely to stay on stand. Paitience and persistance are the keys.

[MIBuckSlayer65]

I've had my best luck in the from about 12n-dark, and hunt over the food sources or if it's a sunny day...hunt the south sides of hills and ridges...the deer like that cause it usually blocks the wind and they can get a tan at the same time. If it's really windy and cold find pines and Cedars to hunt around, the deer are in there staying warm and you will too.

Creek Bottoms are a good place to put up an ambush site as well...it's all about food and warmth to the deer this time of year.

Good luck,

Mike

[dcamacho13]

I'm hunting in Fulton County in Illinois. There is set aside land and a creek on my left and field on my right followed by some timber draws. My problem is that I have only seen them between the hours of 6:30 a.m. and 9:00 a.m. They walk between these draws and just bed down in one of them and don't come out. I see where hunting the southern end of hills come into play because they are bedding at the southern most tip of the hill where the wind is not blowing. It seems as if I am going to have to play the waiting game with them. I considered firing a shot to scare them out, but haven't tried it yet. What do you guys think? Also, thanks for the replies everyone.

[buckbuster92]

invest in some Rocky thermal underwear. them suckers'll help keep you toasty. Also, some warm boots. Its no fun when your toes are freezing off as you probably know.

[NYBuckhunter]

I agree on the Rocky thermals, great stuff! The only better thermals out there is Under Armour, but the Rocky stuff is much less expensive.

[MIBuckSlayer65]

GO with the Foux Under Armour for the base layer and a wool blend long john next layer and then keep going up in layers....but, make sure that you put on all of your heavy stuff outside when you get to your hunting area...you might even want to put that last layer on when you get to your stand. Keep your head covered you will loose over 50% of your body heat through your "noggen".

I wouldn't touch off a 'warning' shot to get them moving...might be a little bit of "over kill"...or maybe even worse UNDERKILL.

Good luck.

Mike

[jamesdegitz]

I would do what everyone else says and dress warm, and play the waiting game. Get to the spot where they bed down before they do and set up camp. Eliminating your presence is a must becuase they will know this spot like the back of their hooves.....sit tight and you can pick em off when they come through

[KixGrizz]

What do you guys do to keep your feet warm?? My body stays warm enough but my feet are always the first thing to get cold.. I have tried thermal socks, thinsulate boots and even those hot feet warmers but they get so hot they burn my feet.. any suggestions?

[DocHolladay]

I would do as mentioned, dress warm and get into the "bedding area" before they do. They might even be down in there milling about and eating.

Kix, I use Muck Boots. I just started using them this year and my feet have yet to get cold. I wear 1 pair of wool socks and the Mucks. I paid $112.99 for mine, but so far they have been worth every cent.

[NYBuckhunter]

On my feet I wear a pair of medium weight Scent Loc socks, then a pair of light weight wool socks over those. I have a pair of Rocky boots with 700 grams of Thinsulate and if its real cold out I use the toe warmers. They dont get too hot on my skin with 2 pair of socks. If my feet get too warm, I can always pull the toe warmers or a pair of socks.

[MIBuckSlayer65]

My Boots have 800 gm of Thinsulate, I wear one pair of Wicking Socks and one pair of Wool Socks.

MAKE SURE THAT YOUR FEET ARE NOT FEELING COMPRESSED, in either your Socks or in Boots. Poor Blood flow will cause your toes to get cold..I'm constantly wiggling my toes in my boots, your toes are moving but your your toes are moving but your feet aren't.

If it's below 15* out, I'll put on some Toe Warmers to my outer layer of socks...that will do the trick in my boots.

Keep em Dry and get the sweat to wick away from your feet so they stay warmer. Dry=Warm.

Haven't really had a problem YET with my toes. Finger tips...those are always the first to go cold..but that's what the Fleece muff with hand warmers is for.

Good luck and my your Toes stay toasty

[buckybuck]

get a heater body suit! they do wonders. don't layer up just to sweat up. dress light for the walk and climb into the suit once you get to your spot. www.heaterbodysuit.com

[dpalmer]

Whether it's hot or cold, all hunters realize it has an effect on the way we hunt. While I can't choose the weather, I can prepare for it so that I have better chances of bagging a big dear (after all my brother and I are quite competitive so I always want the advantage). I came across http://www.ScoutLookWeather.com and finally found a weather site that incorporates all the stats I need before a big hunt so I don't have so go to multiple sites. See if it helps you bag a bigger dear this season. It helped me win a long-standing bet!