Conquering Cold Weather: A Bowhunter's Guide to Staying Warm

Every time I see a tattered old picture of mid-twentieth century hunters up north at deer camp, I can’t help but marvel at the grit they must have had. You’ve seen the pictures; the heavy wool parkas, wool pants, tall lace-up pack boots and leather gloves. It’s impressive to think about the conditions they endured with a fraction of the resources we have today. Even though the conveniences of technology may have softened us over time, it has led to some incredible advancements in clothing and gear to not only battle the elements but do so with more comfort.

Fast-forward just a handful of decades from those tattered old pictures and the concept of “hunting comfort” is practically in another universe. Strategically placed enclosed blinds with a heater over a hearty late season food source and plenty of known target bucks you’re aware of thanks to your cell cams and you have a recipe for an arguably too comfortable, yet deadly setup.

Although it’s nostalgic and romantic to imagine running back to the way things were when granddad and great grandad were out there battling frostbite and etching their man card out of stone, I find myself usually somewhere between the days of old and modern luxury and technology. So if being 20 ft. up a tree, riding it out emersed in the elements from a stand or saddle is how you like to hunt your hunts, a well thought out approach with the right clothing can provide a darn comfortable experience for the late season.

A Systematic Approach

When it comes to battling the harsh elements of the late season, it isn’t just about choosing the right clothing. It’s choosing the right clothing layered the right way. It all starts at the skin and proper moisture management. Nothing will create a miserable, cold and potentially dangerous situation faster than working up a sweat and then sitting in damp clothing for an extended period of time. Be prepared to pack multiple layers into your setup and add more as needed throughout your hunt rather than puting everything on at the truck.

The specific products and brands mentioned are my personal preferences and what has performed well for me throughout extensive field testing. I recommend you do plenty of research to explore products that best fit your goals, body type and hunting style.

Base Layers

Merino wool is one of your best friends. I use it in my clothing systems in every phase of the season, especially for my tops. It wicks moisture away from your skin and dries quickly, helping regulate your body temperature.

After the initial merino wool moisture-wicking layer, the second line of defense is either a heavy or mid-weight base layer followed by a light or mid-weight outer layer like Sitka’s Celsius Midi or Ambient jacket. For me to wear anything more than this for my entry, it has to be single-digit temps. If you’re walking any distance at all, dress lighter than you think you need to; breaking a sweat is the last thing you want.

Outerwear

Once set up, the third layer I add during the late season is usually something windproof membrane, usually a mid-weight windproof fleece jacket or vest. Moisture’s ugly cousin when it comes to keeping warm in late season conditions is the wind. If you can keep the wind from passing through your clothing while staying dry, you are well on your way to beating the elements. I like a vest for this because there are plenty of thin, insulated down or microfleece Primaloft windproof vests that provide warmth without sacrificing mobility in the shoulders and arms.

This usually defends against the majority of late season and cold weather conditions. The concept is layering thinner, high-quality fabrics and clothing designed for these conditions rather than thick, bulky, low or no-technology fabrics. prefer a combination of one to two more fleece or microfleece layers. These keep movement quiet and snuff out any noise created by the windproof layer. My goal is to wear the least amount of clothing for the conditions without sacrificing warmth and maximizing mobility. If things get really cold and nasty, I will add a slightly heavier outerwear piece like the Sitka Fanatic vest. Again, I love vests for maximum mobility in the shoulders and arms with reduced bulk.

Your bottom half is relatively straightforward. It’s more about preserving heat than anything since your lower half isn’t a significant heat source for your body. A lightweight merino base layer goes against the skin with a thicker midweight fleece or long-nap fleece layer next. Then top it off with a fleece windproof bib outer layer and keep the chill off your legs with minimal bulk.

Feet

Since I was a kid tromping through the frozen swamps of Michigan with my dad, my toes have always been the first to get cold. When it comes to cold feet, boots seem to get a bad rap. Sure, they play an important role, but it’s my experience that the foot’s fight against cold temps is won or lost with socks.

When it comes to socks, less is more. It’s tempting to grab a couple pairs of the thickest wool socks you can find and wedge your feet into them with the idea that your feet will be nice and toasty. We’ve all been there, but try not to fall for it. It’s important to remember that circulation is a huge part of the solution to warm feet. I prefer a thin sock liner for moisture management and maximizing blood flow and then one thick pair of wool or wool/poly blend socks.

Then it’s time to rely on a good pair of insulated boots to keep the heat in and cold air out. My go-to boots for cold weather treestand or saddle hunting are LaCrosse Alphaburly 1600-gram Thinsulate. Unlike leather boots, they are completely sealed, so no warm air is escaping stitched areas or lace eyelets. They can be a little bulky for hiking and climbing, so factor that in and be sure to get a size big enough where the fit is loose enough to wiggle your toes with thick socks on or even a toe warmer heat pack.

Head

I take a three-piece approach to protect my head and neck from the cold and wind. We dump a lot of heat from the head and neck area, so it’s a delicate balance not to overheat during entry while still trapping and preserving heat once I get to my destination. I always have a ballcap on, so that’s my first layer. Once I get to my setup, I put on a stocking cap right away to try and preserve as much heat generated walking in as possible. If the wind really picks up and the temps are dropping, I love a thick neck gaiter with a windproof membrane long enough to cover my face and still tuck into my jacket. I’m not a fan of hoods, so I try to avoid them if at all possible, but that’s personal preference.

Hands

The longer I hunt, the less I like gloves. Obviously, when the weather gets really nasty, they can be a necessity, but I’ve spent a better part of the last decade finding ways to avoid needing to rely on gloves to keep my hands warm. Hand muffs have been around for a long time, but a few companies have come out with microfleece muffs with a windproof membrane to keep the wind out in recent years.

I opt-out of wearing gloves as long as Mother Nature will allow by tossing a couple hand warmer packs in my muff. I typically can get through an entire season with this approach. In just the last couple seasons, I have been testing rechargeable handwarmer packs. The results have been a little varied, but some of the more quality options are a nice upgrade over the disposable air-activated common options. The heat is a bit more intense and consistent, which I like when glassing, ranging or anything I use my hands for mid-hunt and can go right back in the muff for instant warmth. I must admit, there is a little shock factor when it’s time to pull my hand out of that warm muff and grab that frigid bow grip or icy trigger.

Body Warmers

Heated clothing has been gaining a lot of popularity in recent years. I personally haven’t explored this option, mostly because I’m so picky about the clothing and layering system I use, I haven’t been willing to branch out yet. Even something like a battery-powered, rechargeable heated vest that you layer over could be a worthwhile option to research. My confidence remains in a few carefully selected accessories.

Longtime friend and proficient Michigan big buck killer John Eberhart turned me on to a tactic years ago that changed the game for my cold weather approach. During a conversation about layering to avoid bulk in cold weather, John advised to strategically place adhesive body warmers to the base layer closest to the skin. One over the chest and one over the kidneys to encourage better circulation and warmth throughout the core.

Make sure you don’t apply the adhesive packs directly to your skin. The heat source in direct contact to skin can cause irritation and other issues, and removing them would obviously be no bueno. It’s not a revolutionary approach as body warmer packs have been around for years, but it seems to be an overlooked strategy and one that I took for granted. Since incorporating, I find myself leaving more layers at home without sacrificing warmth. Plus, the consistent warming feeling does wonders for morale during those brutally cold sits.

As we all know, grinding out hours on stand in harsh conditions is more of a mental battle than anything. The more we can focus and stay in the game mentally, the better our odds of filling a late season tag.

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