Post by: 724wd on November 22, 2010, 12:02:40 PM
what do you guys do to stay warm?
Post by: Bean Counter on November 22, 2010, 12:10:00 PM
Consider some sock liners for your feet. That way you'll have insulation in your boots, nice wool socks, and a thin layer against your skin. Layers = trapped pockets of air = warm & happy hunter.
Post by: Kain on November 22, 2010, 12:10:41 PM
Post by: croix on November 22, 2010, 12:15:25 PM
have extra clothes on hand so that after the first day if you were too cold then you can add layers. last year in that same gmu i had my limit of layers on while still being able to move and after 5 hours i was DONE. i almost bought a heater body suit after that, but just bought heavier polar weight base layers instead. i'm not sure that i've stumbled on any magic combos yet, but i'm getting closer.
bottom line - 5 hours in 10 degrees with heavy snow falling gets VERY FRIGGIN COLD.
Post by: Skyvalhunter on November 22, 2010, 12:16:03 PM
Post by: top pin1 on November 22, 2010, 12:24:13 PM
I bought a warmbag and will never go back. http://www.thewarmbag.com/The_Warmbag_p/twb.htm (http://www.thewarmbag.com/The_Warmbag_p/twb.htm)
Trouble with wearing enough clothes to stay warm in 10 degree or less weather is how bulky it is and how sweaty you get hiking in any distance to your stand. My favorite stand is 600 yards uphill. Your soaked in sweat if you wear enough clothes to stay warm. Warmbag was the ticket. The last year before I bought the warm bag I was hiking in with a pack on. Just wearing long underwear, shorts and a thin top at -3 degrees when I got out of the truck. Changed into the warm stuff at the base of the tree but carrying that much crap to the tree got annoying and didnt allow you to take anything else.
That kidney wrap seriously works also. I've had that and used it for 5 years now. Amazing how warm blood keeps your warm.
They make toe heaters. Just like the hand warmers but their thin and have sticky on them to stick to your socks. THEY WORK. Costco sells them by the box. They last a good solid 6+ hours and will keep your whole foot warm.
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on November 22, 2010, 12:37:44 PM
Biggest problem I found was finding a glove that kept my hand warm but allowed me to wear and use my release. I'd put a hot hands in my gloves and in my pockets and keep my hand in my pocket until something came along.
Post by: DoubleJ on November 22, 2010, 12:38:53 PM
Post by: 724wd on November 22, 2010, 01:18:57 PM
Being a bit overweight has worked for me :dunno:
i suppose i have some of that covered! :chuckle: only worth 225 lbs though...
luckily my stand is within 200 yards of the house and driveway (i hunt 160 acres of private land) and it's nice and level, so no hiking concerns. i have a ladder stand up over a little clearing and travel route.
thanks for all your ideas! i'll look into your suggestions, but i think my wife would kill me over a warm bag or heater body suit! :o the kidney heater sounds like a great idea!
Post by: adam.WI on November 22, 2010, 01:23:48 PM
Post by: Machias on November 22, 2010, 01:27:38 PM
Post by: Dadbear on November 22, 2010, 01:32:40 PM
Post by: Button Nubbs on November 22, 2010, 01:52:08 PM
Post by: danrabe on November 22, 2010, 02:40:16 PM
Just carry them and a pair of boots that will fit loosely over them in a small pack and once you get to your stand, put them on, and climb on up. Always works great for me!
Post by: Austrian Hunter on November 22, 2010, 02:55:24 PM
For me it seems I can never put on enough layers, I start with Underamor Heat Gear, than over that goes my Underamor cold gear, some fleece pants and than my regular camo pants, two fleece shirts and fleece pullover and than my regular camo jacket. I use feet warmers and hand warmers the disposable kind, I also have the boot cover but have not used them, I will this year but they are huge and a pain in the butt to carry in. I have to hike 20-30 minuted to my stand and I sit 20 min before sun light until dark. For me the biggest challenge is the hike in and not start to sweat, but I don;t like to carry all that stuff with me either, allways a challenge and hopefully it will pay off. Gool luck, and don;t freeze to death. I'm in unit 117 starting on the 29th and it will be cold :IBCOOL:
Post by: Snapshot on November 22, 2010, 02:59:25 PM
Post by: Snapshot on November 22, 2010, 03:01:39 PM
How much and what kind of gear are you willing to leave at the treestand?My tow lines.
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on November 22, 2010, 05:07:41 PM
Post by: huntnnw on November 22, 2010, 08:10:46 PM
Post by: 724wd on November 22, 2010, 09:55:12 PM
Post by: DBHAWTHORNE on November 22, 2010, 09:58:47 PM
damn, you guys are starting to scare me! :yike: maybe i should just sit in the living room of the landowners house with the tv on and wait for the deer to walk through the yard! :chuckle:
haha...you will definitely want some different boots. The Mickey Mouse/Bunny Boots mentioned before are best. I also use Rocky Boots 1400 gram thinsulate deer stalkers with those hot hand heat insoles and toe warmers. I bought them 2 sizes too big. I wear a light wicking sock and a heavy sock and there is still plenty of dead air space. My biggest mistake used to be getting my normal size boots and wearing a couple pair of socks. There was no dead air space and it slightly restricted my circulation making my feet get cold faster.
Post by: huntnnw on November 22, 2010, 10:44:38 PM
Post by: ICEMAN on November 23, 2010, 05:36:28 AM
If your hands are cold, you do not have enough insulation around your core. Add layers to the midsection. Cold core body temps cause your body to go into survival mode. Your core cools only one or two degrees and your body starts reducing blood flow to your extremeties, hands, feet etc.... Add a down vest or parka to your attire...
Loose boots. Don't be a cheapskate and try to make other boots work for extreme cold conditions. There is a reason that 1200 gram boots are manufactured. Buy large enough for a loose fit over 2 layers of socks.
Proper hydration. I know you bow guys hate peeing from your treestand....but if you are not properly hydrated, you will get cold. Something about fluid volume in the blood and your bodies ability to metabolize nutrients.... When it is really cold out, it is really dry out too. Your body will attempt to keep your skin at the proper humidity level in the cold, and you will lose fluids as fast as you would when you sweat. So, between normal respiration and your natural loss thru the skin..... you figure it out, you are dehydrated. Drink warm diluted Gatorade or warm tang. Caffeine is a no no... as it causes constriction in your veins and reduces blood flow. Reduced blood flow = reduced heat to your toes and fingers...
Eat. Eat foods like cheese or salami, things high in milk fats or vegetable fats, they digest slower and help to keep energy (metabolism) up... Pasta noodles in some form are good too.
Insulate your body where you are compressing layers.... IE: sit on a foam pad. Place a foam pad against the tree. When you sit, you compress your insulation and loose it's insulative value.
Cut the wind, Try to get a way to block wind. When snowshoeing at camp, we dig in deep into the snow to get out of the wind.... In a tree? Quality windblocking clothing?
Good luck!
Post by: AKBowman on November 23, 2010, 07:53:49 AM
Post by: Sledd on November 23, 2010, 09:44:26 AM
Post by: Mossy on November 23, 2010, 01:07:38 PM
As far as keeping warm, hot hands make a boot pad, kind of like a dr. scholls. Work real well!
Post by: magnus100 on November 23, 2010, 03:28:56 PM
Boot blankets are nothing short of awesome. And the neck gator is a must for a long sit also. Hotties spread around in various pockets help also.
Mike
Post by: Sumpnneedskillin on November 23, 2010, 04:45:13 PM
Not to hijack this thread but has anyone ever put a heater in a ground blind while archery hunting? Think it would spook the deer? That's what I plan on doing if the treestand is too cold thursday.
As far as keeping warm, hot hands make a boot pad, kind of like a dr. scholls. Work real well!
Buddy of mine from TX mentioned using a metal coffee can, roll of TP and alcohol as a heater in a blind. Not sure if it was isopropyl or Denatured and not sure of how much.