Stayin warm in the stand

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I use a heater body suit on brutally cold days (but you can use them in milder temps if desired and you will be fine). They are expensive but you will actually save money because you don't have to buy all the layers. You can hunt with very few layers so you don't sweat on the walk in and you don't have to worry about the shooting issues that may come with bulky clothing.

That being said the heater body suit can cause issues if you have to get a shot off quick or if the deer are really close. I prefer to be 22 feet or higher in a tree when I am wearing it and at least 22 -25 yards from where I expect them. Any closer and I worry they will hear the zipper. Despite the drawbacks there is a lot to be said for being comfortable on the stand. You can't kill them if you can't sit there due to the cold and I don't know anyone who can truly enjoy a hunt if they are freezing their arse off for hours at a time.

[huntnnw]

2 beanies and a fleece facemask I always wear..80% of your bodys heat escapes from your head..also oversized boots to wear big socks and so they are not tight! tight boots= cold toes! I also have some army wool cargo pants these are the best purchse I ve made for late season sitting!

[DBHAWTHORNE]

Patrick Meitin wrote a recent article about bowhunting out west and in the cold on Western Whitetail

http://www.westernwhitetail.com/articles/departments/bow-hunting-the-west-cold-weather/

[DBHAWTHORNE]

An older but still good article about how they stay warm while bowhunting the Edmonton Bow Zone in Alberta.

http://www.bowhunter.com/feature_articles_bw_cold_0210.html

[Vo2max]

#1 cotton kills.  Right down to your briefs/boxers and socks get in Poly or Wool.  If wool, the finer the wool  the better.  Smartwool is great.  Cotton loses almost all of it's insulating ability when it is damp even just from a little sweat from your hike. 

#2 Over dress on your head, hands and feet, think mittens for your hands that you can pull off quick when needed.  For your head consider a gore windstopper belaclava and a wool watch cap.  Insulated boots are a must.  These areas lose a significant portion of your body heat. 

#3 pad your seat.  The points you touch the groud or your tree stand will sap a lot of your heat.

  best advice on here by far

[h20hunter]

I've never had a problem. I spend a bit of time each sit yelling and threatening the people that seem to want to hunt in MY area. I'm amazed that they know my stand is there yet still think they have a right to hunt the same spot. I have cleary marked it by peeing and leaving beer cans on the ground while walking in. If it wasn't for the whiskey I drink while in my stand they would be in big trouble. I usually yell and act very agitated when they walk in. I keep a harness in my pack so I'm probably not going to fall while pointing my vindictive finger in their general direction. The plus is by the time I'm done yelling and back to drinking I'm plenty warm and there are no deer left in the area for them to hunt. Win win.

ps......usually I just pack some warm clothes and add a layer once I'm on stand.

[Huntbear]

I find building a fire at the  base of the tree my stand is in works well....

Makes getting out of the tree much easier later in the day...   

[h20hunter]

I joke and all but really....for me I find that taking an extra layer that stays dry and doesn't get sweaty helps. I usually change all the way down to my undershirt. I carry an extra bag to put them in so the scent doesnt' bust me.

[gjbruny]

agree with DB on the Heater body suit. with a little fine tuning, it will be perfect...... i'd love to see it with something like rare earth magnets to close the front instead of the zippper..... some of the Primos blinds are done that way on the windows..... about as quiet as it gets.

on days where i am in regular winter gear, i really really like the Cabelas "Trans Alaska III" pack boots..... they are terrible for hiking as the sole is about 3" thick but for stand hunting, i have yet to find a boot that keeps my feet as warm as these and you never need the foot warmers. my feet have never once gotten cold in them (and my feet get cold very easy) and that includes a few all night sits in past late seasons where i stayed the night in my stand to eliminate busting the deer that i was after. i have used them in North Dakota in temps as low as -20 and still never got the slightest chill.

for my hands, i absolutely love the military issue arctic mittens. they are a large oversize mitten with insulated liners. they snap around your back to get them out of the way quickly and also have heavy heavy fleece on the outside on top of your fingers so that you can use it to warm your cheeks up. the best part is, you can either use very very thin gloves or go completely bare handed. the mittens are suspended by a strap around your neck so when you need to grab your bow or rifle, you just raise your hands out of the mittens and they stay put at your side. they are also pretty inexpensive if you know somebody on base and you can also find them at the surplus stores.

[buck man]

  have the body heater suit and love it in the cold!!!

[400out]

I find building a fire at the  base of the tree my stand is in works well....

Makes getting out of the tree much easier later in the day...   

I'm crying now thanks 

[AKBowman]

I'm in my stand right now freezing my arse off!!

I've found rattling helps to keep warm.

[DBHAWTHORNE]

I'm in my stand right now freezing my arse off!!

I've found rattling helps to keep warm.

Teeth rattling?

[Camp David]

I'm in my stand right now freezing my arse off!!

I've found rattling helps to keep warm.

I find it sad that one needs gadget stimulation while hunting.

[AKBowman]

I'm in my stand right now freezing my arse off!!

I've found rattling helps to keep warm.

I find it sad that one needs gadget stimulation while hunting.

Ok I understand. I stand hunt almost exclusively in the late season so it helps pass the time. Dont see te difference between gadget or a book but your entitled to your opinion.

I won't tell you I'm in my stand again this afternoon, a little ware this time not trying to rattle in bucks withy teeth today!