Being out in the wilderness exposes you to some of the worst weather there is. If you are planning a hunting trip, you need to be prepared for wet weather and sharp drops in temperature – your life can literally depend on it.
To keep you alive, you need to invest in proper equipment. Tailor your hunting gear to the climate and conditions or risk facing the consequences. With that warning in mind, let’s look at how you stay warm when indoors isn’t an option.
Top Tips To Staying Warm When Hunting in Cold Weather
Here are our best ways for you to stay warm out in the bush, on cold days. After you read these tips, you can use resources in sites like Keep Guns Safe to choose and protect your hunting rifles and gear.
1 – Cold Weather Hunting Clothes
Just as there are two types of sleeping bag, there are two types of clothing. Warm weather clothing is fine in summer, but once the colder months roll in you can’t be out in the elements, laying on the ground or perched in a den all day. You need to be prepared. Proper cold weather hunting clothes is vital for protecting you.
2 – The Three Layers of Protection
When you do find cold weather hunting clothing, you need to dress in layers. Layers let you take stuff off if you are too hot, and temper coldness with insulation. It is recommended that a soft base layer is best, since it sits next to your skin. Middle layers should be fitted because if they are too baggy the outer layer won’t fit. The last layer should be waterproof to keep you both warm and dry.
3 – Emergency Treatment
In case you do get into trouble, you should have an emergency first aid kit in your bag. Make a thermal blanket part of it. Folded down and placed inside a sealed bag, a thermal blanket can be small enough to carry without encumbrance. If you are injured and have to wait for help it can ease the state of shock and keep you warm until help arrives. In addition, it can really help you out if the temperature drops unexpectedly when you are passing a night.
4 – Standing Heat
If you are crouching, sitting, or standing in snow or ice for long periods then your feet are going to be more exposed than everywhere else. You can solve this with heated foot pads, foot warmers, or thermal socks and a sturdy pair of boots. A spare pair of dry socks (or two) is always a good investment… as are waterproof shoes.
5 – Waterproof Everything
All of your gear – all of it – needs to be watertight. You should be able to walk through a river and it should get past that top layer. A dry pack will keep your kit clean and ready; a dry body will stave off hypothermia. Dry feet are more than just a relief – they are a health necessity. If you don’t buy new waterproof gear, then take a candle over all your fabrics and kit to try and seal it up. Also, carry a crossbow with you. In case water gets into your guns, you won’t be able to use it. In an instance like that, a crossbow will help.
And Finally…
Safety should be at the forefront of your mind, particularly in cold weather. If you need to, make sure your camo has the hunter’s orange on it to make sure nobody mistakes you for a deer! If nothing else, it is an extra layer to keep you warm.
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