With the hunting technology of today, it can be much easier, and way more comfortable, to stay in warm, heated tents and trailers rather than venturing out onto the wind-swept hillside of a snow-covered peak. However, leaving the comforts of modern technology could result in some of the most productive hunting you’ve ever experienced. While other hunters choose to stay in from the cold, you can be out in an area that is experiencing much less pressure, increasing your likelihood of success.
We’ve gathered a few tips to help you prepare for and survive a cold weather hunt. Being prepared is the most important thing you can do for yourself in cold weather, and these tips are a good place to start.
Protect Your Hands and Feet
Everyone knows a good, thick coat and pants will keep the core of your body warm, but some people forget the importance of making sure your hands and feet stay just as warm and protected from the cold.
Invest in a good, quality, heavy pair of hunting boots. They should have thick tread, a thick sole, and a larger toe box so you can wear multiple layers of socks or one pair of very thick wool ones. Speaking of socks, the more the better. Double or even triple-layer your socks in your boots to ensure maximum protection for your feet. Nothing will cut a hunt short faster than cold feet.
The same goes for your hands. The ultimate success of your hunt will depend on your ability to pull the trigger, and that might be easier said than done with frozen hands. Several layers of gloves will help protect your hands, as well as thick hunter’s mittens that are specially designed to hold up in long exposure to cold temperatures.
Water Is Still Important
A glass of water might be the last thing on your mind during a cold hunt, but even though you’re not in scorching temperatures, drinking lots of water is still important. Find a canister or water bottle that will help prevent your water from freezing so you can continue to drink it throughout your hunt.
If you are camping out while hunting, be prepared to find water while everything is frozen. A good tip is to melt snow over a fire and pour that into your bottle with a few iodine drops or a filtration straw.
Glassing In The Wind and Snow
There is nothing more miserable than trying to glass from a spot that is being cut through with a freezing cold wind. You have to sit hours at a time behind your scope or binoculars, and doing that in the cold and wet makes it that much less bearable. Consider packing a tent or tarp to string up when the wind gets to be too much. A tarp is also useful to sit on when the ground is wet or frozen.
Bring Fire Starting Supplies
Whether you are planning to camp out or not, you should always carry at least the most basic fire starting supplies. No one should ever plan on getting lost on their hunt, but in the rare case that you do, fire supplies can mean the difference between surviving a cold night or freezing to death. Even in cases where you’re not lost or trying to survive a night, a fire can help regulate your body temperature quickly to help keep your mind right and you perform at your best.
