If you’re like me and live in a hot climate, you may not know exactly how to properly dress for a winter hunt. Sure, you can throw on a jacket, but that won’t cut it when hunting in extremely cold weather. You need to know how to layer your clothes to keep those freezing cold chills from reaching your skin. Sitting on a deer stand all day is hard enough without freezing.
Here are some tips to keep in mind when dressing for a winter hunt.
Choose the Right Hunting Clothing.
You need to make sure that you’re dressed appropriately for the type of activity you plan to do. If you’re going to be walking through deep snow, then you need to choose the right boots. On the other hand, some hunts may not need anything more than a light jacket. What you wear depends on the temperature and terrain you will encounter.
Colder climates require you to spend more time choosing the right clothing or you could end up extremely uncomfortable or in a dangerous situation while hunting. I’ve been there multiple times and didn’t enjoy the hunt. In fact, there were a few times where I wasn’t sure I was going to make it back to camp. I chalk it up to inexperience and not being from the area I was hunting in. I thought you could simply put on an old jacket and be done, but I learned an important lesson – you have to layer up and stack your hunting clothing to get the best results.
Layer Properly.
You will want to layer your clothing to retain as much heat as possible. This may take some experimentation, but you can quickly learn. You will want to test all of your gear before you depend on it in the woods.
For example, if you’re going to be hunting in cool temperatures, you’ll want to wear layers such as a long sleeve shirt underneath a sweater or a hunting jacket. If you are hunting in extremely cold weather, then you will want to go even further and add a few more layers such as thermals, long sleeve shirt, and a jacket.
There are two main layers that you will need to wear while you’re outside. First, you’ll need to layer up such as putting on several different items of clothing to ensure all areas are covered with multiple layers. Second, you’ll need to keep yourself dry by using waterproof outerwear such as a thick jacket or raincoat on top of your jacket. The last thing you want to do is to get wet while miles away from camp and freeze. I’ve personally gotten drenched crossing a creek in freezing weather and had to get back to camp as quickly as possible. Waterproof gear would have helped me stay in the woods longer.
Headwear is also extremely important because you lose most of your heat through the top of your head. I always recommend a thick sock hat plus a neck gaiter. You can also wrap a scarf around your neck for even more protection against the cold wind.
When you go hunting, you want to be prepared for anything. Even if you plan on wearing a light jacket, you still want to bring a heavy coat. You never know what kind of weather you might encounter while you are out there. You could get caught in a sudden snowstorm or have to deal with extreme temperatures.
You can also wear a full-body hunting suit over your clothes
Wear Warm Footwear.
You should also make sure that your footwear is appropriate for the weather. If you plan on going out during the winter months, you’ll want to wear warm hunting boots with good traction. Boots that are made from leather or other materials that wick moisture away from your feet are ideal. I tend to sweat a lot when hunting in freezing weather so I have to spend extra time to make sure my feet stay dry and you should do the same.
A good pair of hunting boots is worth the money. Protecting your feet is important when walking in snow or wet grass. It’s easy to develop blisters which can make trekking difficult and painful. Spend time choosing the right hunting footwear and socks to ensure a comfortable hunt.
When it comes to hunting, there’s nothing worse than having to change into something warmer after spending hours outside in freezing temperatures. That’s why it’s important to be prepared before heading out. Make sure that you’re wearing comfortable hunting footwear that won’t restrict movement and keep you warm. Also, make sure that your footwear has good traction. If you plan on walking long distances, you’ll want to invest in boots that are made from leather, rubber, or other materials that wicks moisture away from your feet.
Don’t Forget Gloves.
Gloves are an essential item when hunting. There are tons of styles to choose from, but the important thing is that you wear them. Many hunting gloves come with an amazing grip and additional protection for your fingers and knuckles. I use tactical gloves for hunting because they’re rugged and fit great. You can even shoot with most of them.
Be Prepared for Anything.
You should always make sure you have the proper equipment before heading out on a hunt. This includes things like a good pair of boots, warm clothes, and warm headgear. A hunter should always be aware of weather conditions. I recommend getting a high-quality GPS watch for hunting so you can keep track of your progress and don’t get lost.
Hunting backpacks are a great option to store your gear and to make sure you have plenty of food and drink. I like the backpacks with internal frames that allow you to carry more weight and attach gear to the outside for quick access.
Jerome is an avid outdoorsman who moonlights as an attorney when he’s not creating the world’s greatest online content.