Deer Hunters

justjeepin86

justjeepin86

Well-Known Member
Joined
Jul 9, 2005
Location
Winston-Salem, NC
Ok, I have only been deer hunting for about 5 years now. I'm finally tired of freezing my ars off! I have the normal bibs, long johns, carhart coat, and somewhat insulated goretex boots. I need some wind proof gear and a nice set of boots. Boots are the easy part. What are some opinions of outer wear that will keep the chill and wind off without killing the bank completely. I know some of that stuff can get out of hand price wise.
 
Layer, Layer, Layer. I was in VA last weekend and we had a high of 32 from Thursday night - Sunday night. It was usually between 20-25 when we were on stand and icing/sleeting part of the time. I only spend real $$$ on two things. My base and outer layers. Scentlock/Scentblocker etc on both. The rest I just wear whatever I've got because I have a ton of warm clothing. I'll layer based on expected temps and sometimes if I am going to be in the firetower stands on the property, I'll pack an extra or leave room for an extra layer to take off and put in my bag.

Upper Body:
Thermal Base Layer - UA Scentlock or something similar
Long sleeve tshirt of some sort
Windstopper jacket - Mountain Hardwear
Hoodie
ScentBlocker shell jacket

Lower Body:
Thermal Base Layer
Fleece Lined Jeans or Carrharts
ScentBlocker shell pants
If its really cold I'll throw on some Coveralls instead of my shells, but I haven't yet this year.

My boots are some obnoxiously warm high Thinsulate count Irish Setters's (water/scent proof) I got from Mo's in Boone on closeout a few years back and I rock those with a pair of good SmartWool socks. Really, keeping the extremities warm (head, hands, feet) goes a long way to keeping the rest of you warm. I am not very brand loyal when it comes to outerwear. If it functions and has the features I am looking for at the right price, I will get it. I think most of my stuff right now is Gander Mtn's house brand stuff since I had some coupons when I re-did my outerwear last year.
 
That's one of the reasons I quit hunting. Tired of freezing my butt off and I did the math. I could go buy lots of hamburger meat for cheaper than I could hunt and get it myself.
By the time you figure in the clothes, stabs, bow, guns and time it just wasn't worth it to me. I would be sitting in three stand freezing thinking of all the other stuff I should be doing.
 
If "cheap" is a main objective, you can slide a plastic grocery bag on your feet before socks and boots and ANYTHING is waterproof / windproof... What I do with my old ragged stompers in the snow....

But you got to leave a hole or several depending on how far you plan on walking for sweaty feet can also work against you. Then just take a spare set for when you get there.

I usually cut the loops off so they ain't sticking out looking gay. Nobody will ever know. As long as you don't go telling... :huggy:
 
powerstrokin04 said:
If you can wait until Jan after deer season, most sporting good places have killer deals on hunting clothes. And then you will be ready for next year.
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This. I buy a ton of gear every year after season. Wal Mart has the best deals, I got bib overalls last year for like $10 a set that were regularly $50.
 
If your sweeting walking in your doin nothing but hurting yourself. I walk in with one layer of long underware and pants and a tee shirt long or short depending on the temp. Once I get to the stand I add layers. I also bought some super insulated booties there big and fluffy I walk in with rubber boots climb up and change Into the booties. I rifle hunt mostly out of box blinds so I can afford all the extra of changing when I get in stand.
 
I recently bought about 30 hot hands hand/feet/body warmers. I don't hunt but I work outside about 50% of my day. These warmers really help, I just start a few and remove as I get warm. Got them for $1 each at Target on university in Winston.
 
I do commercial roofing and am in the cold/wind all day. I wear several layers and of goodwill clothes with some Wal-Mart long John's under it all. Also bought a face mask from gander couple years ago. My boots I usually get something with low gram insulation since I'm working to keep from sweating you may want something higher like 600 for just sitting around. I stay warm all day.
 
Breathable Windproof clothing over synthetic base layers is the shizzy for cold. Get some thermal turtlenecks and a nice fleece neck gaiter, head cover/face mask. I second the "add layers" later advice, I bring a small rucksack/backpack w another fleece longsleeve and another pair of wind/waterproof pants w zip leg openings I can put on over boots if a chill sets in later. Keeping your neck warm is vital to feeling/keeping warm and just putting on a neck gaiter when I get a chill makes me warmer. If you can block or keep the wind off you w stand placement, back to the wind or hide behind the tree you will be much more comfortable than w it blowing in your face or on one side. I move slowly so I don't break a sweat when walking w layers on, or stop and rest until i cool off if I feel myself getting hot. Windproof is the main thing to look for in outer layers if you want to stay warm, a 3/5 mph breeze will freeze you when it's cold and you sit for hours w/o it. If it's too damn cold/windchill I'll stay on the ground and hide from the wind behind a big tree or a rootball to block the breeze.
 
Loganwayne said:
If your sweeting walking in your doin nothing but hurting yourself. I walk in with one layer of long underware and pants and a tee shirt long or short depending on the temp. Once I get to the stand I add layers. I also bought some super insulated booties there big and fluffy I walk in with rubber boots climb up and change Into the booties. I rifle hunt mostly out of box blinds so I can afford all the extra of changing when I get in stand.
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The stand that i hunt is aa really short walk. Not much worried about seeing getting there but you are right on. If you get wet, your done.

mommucked said:
Breathable Windproof clothing over synthetic base layers is the shizzy for cold. Get some thermal turtlenecks and a nice fleece neck gaiter, head cover/face mask. I second the "add layers" later advice, I bring a small rucksack/backpack w another fleece longsleeve and another pair of wind/waterproof pants w zip leg openings I can put on over boots if a chill sets in later. Keeping your neck warm is vital to feeling/keeping warm and just putting on a neck gaiter when I get a chill makes me warmer. If you can block or keep the wind off you w stand placement, back to the wind or hide behind the tree you will be much more comfortable than w it blowing in your face or on one side. I move slowly so I don't break a sweat when walking w layers on, or stop and rest until i cool off if I feel myself getting hot. Windproof is the main thing to look for in outer layers if you want to stay warm, a 3/5 mph breeze will freeze you when it's cold and you sit for hours w/o it. If it's too damn cold/windchill I'll stay on the ground and hide from the wind behind a big tree or a rootball to block the breeze.
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yeah, the wind proof stuff is what I lack. That light breeze will wear you out.
 
http://www.refrigiwear.com/Cooler_Wear/id-0525/Cooler_Wear_Jacket

Bought a set for deer hunting in maine. Extremely light weight, I think the jacket weighs 6 ounces. Made in USA, and stand by their product. A friend of mine has had one of their jackets since '85. When he tears it or the elastic wears out he sends it back and they will repair most of the time for free.
Mine has felt great the last few 17-21 degree mornings in the duck blind with only a t shirt underneath and a light under armour hoodie on the outside.
 
What about the hot hands toe warmers? Has anyone had luck with them keeping their toes warm for 3-5 hours? If I could keep my toes warm, that would go a long way. I'm going to be in Boone over Thanksgiving and Its going to be COLD.


jbkelly0211 said:
http://www.refrigiwear.com/Cooler_Wear/id-0525/Cooler_Wear_Jacket

Bought a set for deer hunting in maine. Extremely light weight, I think the jacket weighs 6 ounces. Made in USA, and stand by their product. A friend of mine has had one of their jackets since '85. When he tears it or the elastic wears out he sends it back and they will repair most of the time for free.
Mine has felt great the last few 17-21 degree mornings in the duck blind with only a t shirt underneath and a light under armour hoodie on the outside.
Click to expand...

That looks like a good option. Very inexpensive.


StretchASU said:
Layer, Layer, Layer. I was in VA last weekend and we had a high of 32 from Thursday night - Sunday night. It was usually between 20-25 when we were on stand and icing/sleeting part of the time. I only spend real $$$ on two things. My base and outer layers. Scentlock/Scentblocker etc on both. The rest I just wear whatever I've got because I have a ton of warm clothing. I'll layer based on expected temps and sometimes if I am going to be in the firetower stands on the property, I'll pack an extra or leave room for an extra layer to take off and put in my bag.

Upper Body:
Thermal Base Layer - UA Scentlock or something similar
Long sleeve tshirt of some sort
Windstopper jacket - Mountain Hardwear
Hoodie
ScentBlocker shell jacket

Lower Body:
Thermal Base Layer
Fleece Lined Jeans or Carrharts
ScentBlocker shell pants
If its really cold I'll throw on some Coveralls instead of my shells, but I haven't yet this year.

My boots are some obnoxiously warm high Thinsulate count Irish Setters's (water/scent proof) I got from Mo's in Boone on closeout a few years back and I rock those with a pair of good SmartWool socks. Really, keeping the extremities warm (head, hands, feet) goes a long way to keeping the rest of you warm. I am not very brand loyal when it comes to outerwear. If it functions and has the features I am looking for at the right price, I will get it. I think most of my stuff right now is Gander Mtn's house brand stuff since I had some coupons when I re-did my outerwear last year.
Click to expand...

Thanks for the info, Stretch. It's good to see a break down like that.
 
justjeepin86 said:
What about the hot hands toe warmers? Has anyone had luck with them keeping their toes warm for 3-5 hours? If I could keep my toes warm, that would go a long way. I'm going to be in Boone over Thanksgiving and Its going to be COLD.

I use the hot hands with one of the rolls that you put ur hands in. ( i missed a deer when i was young because of thick gloves bumping the trigger so no gloves for me). I also use the feet ones but have a second pair of boot 1 size too big so they dont crowd my feet. Also carry spare socks and warmers if your feet sweat.
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wonder if the ole"anti-persperant on the feet" trick would work to keep your foot sweat turning your socks into ice.
I work outside and I found a good pair of thick tube socks and good lace up boots is all I need to keep my feet warm all day.Now I'm able to walk and keep blood running to my feet usually.If I have to run our small miniX all day,I need something a little thicker since there is no cab or heat on her. Our bobcats are foot controlled so you are flexing your feet while running them.
 
You cannot spend too much on boots and socks. Quality, thick Merino wool blend socks will keep your feet sweet in cool or frigid weather. I always try on new winter or hunting boots w thick socks on. Last 3 years I've worn uninsulated Irish Setter rubber, ankle fit knee boots w thick knee high wool blend socks and my feet have never been cold. The boots are not completely tight on my feet but do not slip when I walk either.
 
I agree with the layers comments. I was out this past Wednesday and it was 14 deg when I climbed in my stand. I sat there for four hrs and never caught a chill. You DO NOT have to spend a ton of money to hunt warmly. The most expensive thing I had on was my thin jacket I paid $35 for. My feet sweat at the sight of socks. The only thing that has ever worked for me(and I've tried a lot over the yrs) is the arctic shield boot covers. Wednesday I was wearing some good cold weather combo socks and a $30 pair of Walmart boots. Those boot covers are the best cold weather item I've ever purchased. Never got over 25degrees the wk I hunted in PA last yr, no issues!
 
I lived and hunted in Colorado for nearly 7 years and had to learn how to hunt extremely cold weather. Layers work, but layers also turn you into the little kid from A Christmas Story (I can't put my arms down). Do some research of some of the nicer jackets (3 in 1, 4 in 1 combos), they are not cheap, but they will keep you warm for the next 20 years and it doesn't take 10 minutes to put on all of your clothes.

Or just spend $150 and get a battery powered heated camo jacket:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabe...amo&Ntt=heated+performance+camo&WTz_l=Unknown
 
REDLYNER said:
I lived and hunted in Colorado for nearly 7 years and had to learn how to hunt extremely cold weather. Layers work, but layers also turn you into the little kid from A Christmas Story (I can't put my arms down). Do some research of some of the nicer jackets (3 in 1, 4 in 1 combos), they are not cheap, but they will keep you warm for the next 20 years and it doesn't take 10 minutes to put on all of your clothes.

Or just spend $150 and get a battery powered heated camo jacket:
http://www.cabelas.com/product/Cabelas-Heated-Performance-Camo-Jacket/1395715.uts?Ntk=AllProducts&searchPath=/catalog/search.cmd?N=0&Ntk=AllProducts&Ntt=heated+performance+camo&Ntt=heated performance camo&WTz_l=Unknown
Click to expand...

I 100% agree about the layers being a pain in the butt. The last day i went bow hunting this year was like that for me. Hell, I'm not even sure I could have shot one if I tried.
 
I see GONOVRIT mentioned the Arctic Shield boot covers. I will put this out there. I am 41 and have hunted for the last 35 years. Dad had me in the tree soon as I could crawl. I wish like hell they had the Arctic Shield stuff back then!!! I am cold natured so I need to be warm in the tree or I will not sit as long. I bought an Arctic Shield jacket system and the bibs and system gloves. I can now hunt with out being the Christmas story kid(layered up) and sit comfortably in the freezing temps as long as I want. Stuff ain't cheap but it just plain works!!
 
Does everybody only hunt deer out of a treestand? When I started hunting deer in the 70s we walked/stalked or drove thickets and creekbottoms w shotguns and buckshot and jumped/shot deer like rabbits, a technique that works well in late winter around Honeysuckle patches and other winter browse thickets. I Bow hunt and occasionally rifle hunt from treestands but prefer to still hunt/stalk on the ground using the wind and terrain to get close to or ambush moving deer. I find it much more satisfying to take a deer I've gotten close to on the ground than simply waiting in a stand for a deer to come into range or to bait. If you've never jump shot deer at close range w a shotgun you should try it, it's alot of fun and a good way to stay warm when it's freezing while gettin some venison.
 
Last week of the season we do deer drives on a couple of the properties I get to hunt, I've been on a couple with 20-30 people.

That said doing drives with shotguns is fun BUT I've been on some where guys were using semi auto 308s NEVER EVER AGAIN!!!
 
Good socks are the solution to having warm feet. I use Smartwool.
 
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