Nothing ruins a hunt faster than being cold or wet. Late season can be one of the best times of the year to hunt, but it can also be absolutely miserable if you’re not prepared. We’ve all been there, slipping into the stand three hours before sunset, underdressed but optimistic. At first, it’s not bad. You’re warm from the walk in and riding the excitement of the hunt. But by the time golden hour rolls around, all you can think about is how cold you are. You start justifying why it might be time to climb down early. You can’t sit still, and you definitely can’t focus when it matters most.
Let’s go over a few ways to stay warm during late-season hunts so the cold is one less thing competing for your attention.
There are several styles of hunting out there. I’ve always been a tree stand or saddle guy—until this year. My young daughter has been begging me to go hunting, so I decided to pick up a ground blind. If you haven’t seen Tidewe’s ground blind, you need to take a look. You can keep all the windows closed and still maintain a 270-degree view. That means blocking wind, containing scent, and still seeing nearly everything around you.
It was a game changer.
At first, I didn’t realize how valuable a tool a ground blind could be, especially during late season. The biggest advantage is movement concealment. You can stand up, stretch your legs, and keep blood flowing without worrying about being spotted. They also block most of the wind, which goes a long way toward staying warm. While they aren’t insulated, I brought a small buddy heater with me, and in 30-degree weather I was almost too warm. If you’re looking to change things up or introduce someone new to hunting, I highly recommend giving a Tidewe ground blind a try.
Layering your clothes is another key factor for late-season success. Dressing lighter on the walk in and adding layers once you’re set up helps prevent sweating, which can end a hunt quickly. This is where heated clothing has completely changed the way I hunt.
Tidewe offers a full line of heated clothing, including heated bibs, pants, jackets, gloves, and vests. Depending on the setting, they’ll run around three hours on high and up to ten hours on low. That flexibility allows you to fine-tune your comfort throughout the sit. I no longer have to bulk up just to stay warm. Instead, I can move comfortably on the way in and turn the heat up when the temperature drops.
If I had to choose just one piece of heated gear, it would be the heated vest. Keeping your core warm is critical, and when your core stays warm, the rest of your body follows. If you enjoy cold-weather hunting and want to stay out until the final days of the season, investing in heated clothing is well worth it.
The last tip for staying warm is hand and foot warmers. By the end of the season, I usually go through a box of HotHands. I’ll toss them in my boots or into a hand muff, and they can be absolute lifesavers. I’ve even placed one on the back of my neck on especially cold sits. Boot covers are another solid option for keeping toes warm. Lastly, Tidewe has a full line of heated gloves which can be a real life saver.
Your fingers and toes are farthest from your heart, meaning they’re the last to receive warm blood and the first to get cold. If you’re like me and don’t enjoy wearing gloves while hunting, hand warmers will quickly become your best friend.
Late-season hunting can be incredibly rewarding, but only if you’re prepared. Stay warm, stay comfortable, and stay in the stand longer. That’s when the magic happens.
