Keeping warm below zero F

[KSdan]

I hear some of you about how it is no fun getting cold.  And I get cold fairly easily.  But honestly, 1) part of the adventure for me is how to beat the cold (not just gut it out).  I keep experimenting as I want to stay out in cold temps and stay warm.  I have a good system in play right now. 2) There are just times to be in the woods- and all day sits are a must for me.  I see numerous bucks throughout the day on KEY days. I had encounters with 2 different 150"+ deer this year around 12 noon on 0 degree days. My two best deer both came in the middle of the day; this year a brute at 130PM on a wet/snowy day with temps in low 20s (chill factor single-teens)  

Don't give up too easy.    

Dan in KS

[Sam McMichael]

Once or twice I have experienced temps that would equate to below zero due to wind chill, and I was ineffective. I just can't deal with that sort of cold, so I don't go out. I admire you northern and western guys who can handle that kind of weather. Do deer move about in that cold?

[rockkiller]

I cheated.Being in my sixties and getting to be a wimp,while hunting in wis the temp got as low as -11.I stuck a buddy heater between my legs hunting out of ground blinds.Didn't even need glove on tab hand.  

[SELFBOW19953]

Here along the coast, 80+% humidity makes for bitter temps.  Fresh out of 20 years in Florida, I was stationed in Denver and was not uncomfortable in 20 degree weather-20 degrees in Florida is miserable!!!  I have waterfowl hunted in Delaware in -20 temps, windchills -85, I am familiar with cold!!!

[R. W. Mackey]

Jock, I'm just not that mad at anything anymore. I mean seriously below Zero, we are supposed to enjoy this, that's insane.
  I'll second sitting in front of a good fire, give me thre fingers
Of good Irish Whisky and I'm warm inside and out.

     

RW

[Tsalt]

Originally posted by Manitoba Stickflinger:
I did 8 1/2 hours at -37 the other day...toasty the whole time in my HBS!

When is everyone gonna listen to you Ryan?!!  Every year the "how to stay warm when it's rediculously cold" threads pop up and every year Ryan tells everyone!  Hahah  
Actually I like reading these cause it's usually not cold enough in Oklahoma to warrant a HBS, but it still gets dang cold if you don't know how to dress.

[Roughrider]

As long as you're not in the wind, there are ways to stay warm below 0.  Begin with staying dry - don't over dress on your walk in - I often carry a pair of fresh, dry socks and switch out once I'm on stand.

Merino wool long underwear, heavy wool shirt and pants, fur vest, insulated fleece bibs, a wool or heavy fleece jacket, and a beaver fur hat.  Fur is the warmest, lightest material I've found. On my hands I usually wear a pair of glove liners under a pair of fleece gloves with leather fingers and keep handwarmers in my outside pockets.  On my feet either Danner Pronghorns 1000 gram insulation or pac-type boots.  

Since moving to Nebraska, don't see those temperatures as often as when I lived in Wisconsin or North Dakota - a lot of the reason for the move!  Pray I never have to move back.

[Krex1010]

So there's lots of good advice already mentioned as far as clothing goes. My opinion on hunting in very cold temps is to understand going into it that you will not be feel warm. You kinda just have to accept the cold and not let it stress you. Once you accept being cold there are things you can do to make is bearable and be able to enjoy your deep freeze hunt. Proper clothing is a must, a thermos of a warm drink helps, and periodically stretching helps, also doing isometric excercises really helps me, keeps the blood pumping with very minimal movement. And most importantly.....pick a good spot!!! Nothing warms you like seeing game lol

[Krex1010]

Oh yeah, I almost forgot....those little pocket warmer packs work great, on really cold days I'll get creative and find ways to stash them all over my body. I'll drop a couple in a sock and stash it between my thermal layers, get them in your pockets for your hands and in your boots, but also on your chest, back, in a hat, and around your neck.. Get creative and use a bunch at the same time, I'll stash 8 or 10 of those bad boys all over my body when hunting or ice fishing in really cold weather.

[highlow]

The best way I've found for staying warm below zero is staying between the sheets in a nice warm bed. LOL