Staying warm

D

danny45

CGN Regular
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Location
West of Montreal
I am from Quebec and have been lucky enough to hunt White-tail in Saskatchewan. The dates are always from the 25th of November to the 1st of December and it is very cold. I hunt from blinds and just cannot keep warm. What do you guys do to stay warm all day in a blind at -20 Any help on getting the right gear or equipment would be appreciated.
 
I'm not much of one for dressing for being passive in the cold, but layers are the name of the game. If you're feeling fancy there's battery powered heated clothing. Other than that, a good wool jacket and wool socks get my vote. I've never been able to feel warm if my feet are cold. Depending on exactly where your blind is and how difficult it is to get out to it carrying extra clothing out there might be the only practical solution.
 
When I gotta stay warm - above or below the water (commercial diver), layers are what do it.

'Doesn't take much to make a difference - a t-shirt under a sweat shirt, a sweat shirt under a sweater, etc.....

Oh, and of course a hat - it's unbelievable the difference a hat makes.

Abby
 
I have tried the layering system with all of the best layers and still cannot keep warm. My boots are -100 rated and they work fine. I also had a small one pound propane heater and that works up to -10 but after that it has no effect.
 
I wear under armour 3.0 as a base layer as it's tight fit. Then those cheap walmart longjohns then toss on sweat pants and a sweater. Of course merino wool socks.

Does the job for me.
 
If your wind is right, the deer cannot smell the propane heaters. I have had deer at the feeder at 40 yards and they payed no attention to me in the blind with the heaters on. they also didn't run after I dropped the heater. The wind is everything. Unfortunately when the wind is right, it is in your face
 
From my observations around my parts, most guys skip the blind and hunt from their trucks.... Unfortunate really. When the temps drop I've used sleeping bags when the temps drop and it works for me also used a propane heater this year. Best of luck.
 
I suggest growing a pair or staying home :p

just kidding, you should try living here... -36 this am not counting the wind chill.

layers are the answer and moving around when you can. A hot beverage helps and make sure you have eaten. Got to have fuel for your furnace to work.
Those disposable handwarmers work good for those isolated cold spots.

Good hunting.
 
From what I've seen in the past 5 years, I am the only one who has a pair. Our host thinks I am crazy and foolish to blind hunt. I have hunted for three of those years from a pickup but I find it hard to score deer on the run. Therefore I prefer to blind hunt over a bait so I can truly take a big mature buck. I guess I hunt more like someone from the east rather than from the west. Old habits are hard to break. Out east our season is over by the 15th of November so we really don"t get the taste of the cold weather yet. Even frozen, the hunting is worth it in Saskatchewan and I look forward to this hunt the day I leave Sask.
 
I had good success this winter (December 13-15) on the last few days of deer archery in northern Ontario (-30's) just sitting in my pop up blind with a Buddy heater (single burner). It was surprisingly quiet, except starting it, and had about 20 deer come within 30 yards of my blind. It's nice having the adapter for the 20 pound propane tank that way you aren't fooling around with the 1 pound propane tanks every couple hours. Next year I will be using the same set up, but not waiting until the coldest days of the year to do it! Don't just count on your heater, it is very important to dress in proper layers. I use two layers of Under Armour base layers (skin tight and slightly baggy), a good warm hoodie (also UA in my case), but wool is a gem as well. You want to make sure you aren't dressed so baggy you can't move comfortably and quietly. With good base layers, the outer layers is all up to you and your clothing preferences, but something that will break the wind, provide some insulation, and is quiet when rubbing against itself will sure help. Good luck next season!
 
I layer, and it works.

People who say layering doesn't work are doing it wrong...simple as that.

Each layer has to be breathable. Base layer must be moisture wicking. No cotton anywhere, anytime. If you wear the best wool base layers and mid layers, then throw a cotton hoodie over top of it all you'll freeze yourself out, since the cotton hoodie is going to hold the moisture from your body.

On your hike in you need to strip down enough to be absolutely sure you do not work up a sweat. You'll never get warm if you sweat on the way in and are wearing improper layers.

In extreme cold you don't really have to worry about waterproof, just wind proof and warm. If you have enough money, invest in a good layering system from someone like sitka. Their stuff has worked great for me!
 
Thanks guys for your input. I will definitely rethink my clothing and my gear for the 2014 season. I am praying that the Sask Gov. will let me hunt in 2014. Let's hope that the winter will be kind to the wildlife so we may continue to enjoy these great animals.
Cheers to all and Happy New Year
Danny
 
It might be a bit of a pain... I've used styrofoam insulation boards with the silver reflective material on one side. Between that and a little propane heater and layers, you may not be as chilly. I've also found good wool socks help a lot.
 
danny45 said:
From what I've seen in the past 5 years, I am the only one who has a pair. Our host thinks I am crazy and foolish to blind hunt. I have hunted for three of those years from a pickup but I find it hard to score deer on the run. Therefore I prefer to blind hunt over a bait so I can truly take a big mature buck. I guess I hunt more like someone from the east rather than from the west. Old habits are hard to break. Out east our season is over by the 15th of November so we really don"t get the taste of the cold weather yet. Even frozen, the hunting is worth it in Saskatchewan and I look forward to this hunt the day I leave Sask.
Click to expand...

there are still some of us that hunt old school but the road warriors seem to get thicker every year.

danny45 said:
Thanks guys for your input. I will definitely rethink my clothing and my gear for the 2014 season. I am praying that the Sask Gov. will let me hunt in 2014. Let's hope that the winter will be kind to the wildlife so we may continue to enjoy these great animals.
Cheers to all and Happy New Year
Danny
Click to expand...

It's been a hard winter already and it doesn't look like it's gonna get better.
Lets hope that's wrong.
 
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