Nobody likes feeling cold, especially when it becomes an ordeal. Professional hunters who hunt in cold environments always prepare themselves with the right gear and clothes for cold-weather hunting.
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Cold-Weather Clothes for Hunting
You need to have a jacket to keep you warm and other clothing accessories specifically made to protect you from the cold.
The best materials for cold-weather hunting clothes include wool, polyester, fleece, etc. Make sure to avoid cotton as it does not provide any protection in the cold.
More importantly, you must have all the cold-weather hunting accessories made from insulating materials. The most common of these accessories include gloves, masks, and shoes.
It would be a pity if you had all the right equipment to hunt, but your clothes fail to offer you the protection and comfort required in a cold hunting field. Therefore, it is best to prepare for a good day on the field.
Base Layers for Moisture
The base layer in hunting clothes is the first layer that is right next to your skin. It is in direct contact with the skin, which requires it to have moisture-wicking material.
If it doesn’t have moisture-wicking material, your sweat can make your clothes sticky and give you chills when the body cools down.
You can get base layers in any color and design since they are not visible. As a result, you also don’t have to get camo base layers as they do not impact concealment.
Instead, check out base layers made from synthetic polyester or merino wool which are the market standards for base layer clothing.
Middle Layers for Insulation
After the base layer come the middle layers for insulation. This is the layer that is worn over the base layer and under the outer layer. It helps insulate the body against the cold allowing you to retain heat.
Some of the most common middle-layer clothing pieces include jackets, vests, and sweatshirts made from fleece, polyester, or wool.
However, it is important that you don’t overdo or underdo your middle layers. If you make the middle layer too bulky, you will not be able to avoid the sweat as you walk into your tree stand, no matter how cold it is outside.
More importantly, if the middle layers are too thin, you might not be able to properly protect yourself from the cold. As a result, check the weather conditions and ensure the right balance for the middle layers.
Outer Layer for Protection
The most vital feature of any outer layer must be wind and water resistance. The outermost layer is there for protection both against the wind and water. But, more importantly, it helps seal the warmth within the body and keep the elements out.
Also, remember that larger sizes are always better than smaller ones. This is because the dead air space in larger sizes helps retain heat better than in smaller sizes that are too tight against your body.
Finally, ensure the outer layer is made from a silent material that does not rustle when moved. This is important because a not-so-silent outer layer will alert the game as you move around the hunting field.
Again, the quality of the outer layer matters a lot as it serves the basic purpose of protection. You can go for low quality with the middle and base layers, but the outer layer needs to be on the premium side.
Hunting Clothing Accessories
Cold-weather hunting does not only call for proper cold-weather clothing. You also need the right accessories to assist your day on the field.
A nice combination of base, middle, and out layers won’t be able to offer protection if your hands, face, and feet are left at the mercy of the cold. So let’s see what other essential hunting clothing accessories you need for a cold environment hunt.
Hunting Boots
Cold feet simply mean a cold body. You cannot have a warm body with your feet out in the cold. If your feet are cold, you will stay distracted throughout. It gets to your head no matter how strong you are.
A distracted hunter is always moving a step away from success. Therefore, don’t go cheap on hunting boots if you really want to make your hunting trip count. Invest in a solid pair that keeps you insulated, lightweight, and comfortable.
But remember, good boot insulation does come with a bit of weight. So don’t get carried away with lightweight here. Instead, get the most insulation for as low weight as possible – the perfect balance you can handle.
Usually, it’s recommended to go with 800-1000 grams of minimum insulation. After that, you can go as high as your feet handle and as the cold requires.
Make sure to always get one size up from your regular shoe size. This offers you enough room to wear a solid pair of wool socks inside while also leaving room for you to wiggle the toes.
When shoes are too tight, it makes the feet cramped and constricts the blood flow. As a result, your feet get cold faster.
Hunting Face Mask
A hunting face mask serves two main purposes: concealment and protection against the cold. As a cold-weather hunter, you can benefit from both.
You don’t want your mind to continue going back to the thought of a freezing face while aiming at the game. Invest in a breathable, comfortable, and high-quality face mask, preferably with camo, if you wish to be concealed properly.
Hunting Gloves
Like your face and feet, when your hands are cold, the mind constantly reminds you that they are cold. This is a distraction that no hunter wants.
Look for hunting gloves that are insulated. More than the distraction is the danger of catching frostbite in case you end up placing your hands in the wrong place at the wrong time.
Therefore, it is always better to take two separate pairs on the field, one as your primary and one as a backup, which is what I do as well.
Other Clothing Accessories for Hunting
Clothing accessories for cold weather hunting are not just limited to face masks, gloves, and boots. You also have to see if it’s going to get so cold out there that you might need scarves to protect against cold. You can also invest in cold weather insulation woolies which offer great protection against cold.
Wool is one of the most reliable, silent, and comfortable materials for cold weather. However, some people might feel it’s too itchy on their skin. If you are one of them, you can always go for wool accessories with fleece lining on the inside.
As for other accessories, you can also get a hunting hat to protect your head from cold and other stuff. There are also great options for a hunting hat plus a face mask combo in case you need both.
Go through everything available on the market and see if your hunting environment requires it. It is always better to be fully prepared because the cold never spares anyone.
Hunting Weapons for Cold Weather
If you are new to hunting or cold weather hunting, know this; the temperature can affect the performance of the hunting weapons just as it can affect your performance.
Even though most modern hunting weapons are built to withstand tough conditions, there are certain precautions that you need to take with each.
Using a rifle, bow, or crossbow for hunting mainly depends on your hunting style, game, and environment. You can use any of the above as your weapon of choice. However, you must keep certain things in mind while using each.
This is just a part of the preparation for cold weather hunting, similar to how you get all the clothing and accessories to be fully prepared.
I would recommend you do more research on all of this based on your specific context. But for beginners, this is more than enough!
Rifle Hunting
Rifle hunters must know that the weapon also needs to survive the cold, just like yourself. There are certain features a rifle must have to perform as well in cold weather as it does in normal weather.
These include stable gunstocks, synthetic lubrication, suitable ammo, quality scopes, and corrosion-resistant metals.
Most modern rifles do have these features. However, it is always better to check before you make the purchase. More importantly, keep in mind that extremely cold weather can affect the ammo trajectory.
As a result, you must zero down and test the ammo in real hunting conditions and temperatures. This prepares you for the first and helps avoid missing shots.
Bow/Crossbow Hunting
Most bows and crossbows we see today are made to withstand all sorts of weather conditions. However, since the crossbow loading mechanism differs from a rifle, you need to keep certain things in mind.
The most important of these is to not shock the crossbow by getting it out of the storage directly into cold weather and cocking it right away. Make sure to give the strings time to adjust to the weather with all the contraction that comes with cold weather.
More importantly, test and practice to see if the temperature affects the performance. Most bows and crossbows are not affected by cold weather when it comes to performance. However, it is always wise to test the weapon before entering the field for the real hunt.
As for the choice of weapon, be it a rifle, crossbow, or bow, it is up to you and the game you decide to hunt. All modern hunting weapons can perform perfectly fine if used properly and with precautions.
Essential Gear for Cold Weather Hunting
Now that you know how to narrow it down to the right cold-weather clothing, accessories, and hunting weapon, it is time to discuss some of the essential gear you need for cold-weather hunting.
Hunting Knife
While you cannot do without a proper hunting weapon (whether it’s a rifle or a crossbow) on the hunting field, having a hunting knife is also crucial.
In fact, most hunters keep a hunting knife set for gutting and skinning games on the field. As for others, it is a good backup for when things go south.
Make sure to invest in a good hunting knife or a set. Do not invest in extra knives if you are not going to need them. Premium hunting knives can be very expensive, but you can find good enough fun at affordable prices as well.
Waterproof Binoculars
Hunting binoculars are a must if you observe the game before taking it out. What’s imperative here is that you get a waterproof one. This is not only for protection against rain but also against snow, usually around cold areas.
Apart from being waterproof, it is also crucial for the hunting binoculars to be fog proof. The cold tends to make the lenses foggy, so the fog won’t let you observe clearly unless they are coated.
Elevated/Tree Stands
Elevated/Tree Stands, often used by deer hunters, help offer an elevated view to the hunter. They are secured on trees and allow you to safely observe the game from a vantage point without giving away your position.
This allows you to supervise the area that you couldn’t see properly-being on the ground due to the bushes and vegetation.
Safety Kit or First Aid
Since this whole article has been about protecting yourself from the cold, having a safety or first aid kit is also a must. It is not just the cold that’s after you on the hunting field.
You could get hurt from anything, from the game itself or tripping over a log or stone. A safety kit can save the day on the field in any case or weather conditions.
Other Useful Hunting Gear
This section includes a lot of different hunting gear that is often required on a need-to-need basis. For instance, you could get a headlamp while hunting at night. Or, if you are using different hunting tactics, you could get animal calls or decoys.
A rope also comes in handy if you have to do some climbing. You could also use a pair of latex gloves for a firmer grip when performing delicate tasks. And the list goes on. It all comes down to your personal needs!
Hi, my name is Michael Goodman. As a skilled hunter and a man of the field, I will show you some sophisticated, intelligent, and useful hunting methods and techniques.
