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Time to read 4 min
Winter doesn't slow down for hunters, as upland game bird and small mammal seasons run through the winter, deer seasons run into the end of the calendar year, and waterfowl seasons continue in the middle and southern United States. But regardless of if your hunt occurs in the far north or the deep south, seasonal cold weather brings a chill.
Frigid mornings and evenings can make for fantastic hunting with animals on the move, but to stay in the hunt you need to stay warm.
Start by dressing for the weather and properly layering. One universally true proverb for hunters is “there is no such thing as bad weather, just bad clothing.” If you dress for conditions and get your layering right, you will be comfortable in any conditions.
Bring a packpack with extra layers, rain gear, and an emergency heat blanket and you’ll be prepared for any conditions. You can always take layers off but you can’t put on what you don’t bring with you.
Cover your face and neck. While the popular belief that a tremendous amount of heat is lost from the body through the head and face has been debunked, what is known is that our face and head are very sensitive to the cold.
A buff, ski mask, or other face and neck covering will keep you warm and can help keep you camouflaged from your quarry. In strong winds, minimizing skin exposure will prevent wind burn, frostbite, and hypothermia.
If you are a waterfowl or deer hunter using a blind, pack a heater. Mounted or portable propane heaters make for comfortable hunting. You can pack a small sterno can and light it for a quick way to warm up your hands or turn to rechargeable hand warmers or single use chemical hand warmers to get a break and warm up your digits.
If you are hunting on land where building a fire is allowed, starting a fire is a great way to warm up and take a break. Collect downed branches and sticks, kindling, and larger logs but be prepared to put the fire out when finished. Carry matches, flint, or a lighter and Firestarter and you’ll warm your body and your spirits. Just as hunting is a primitive and ancestral activity, so is building a fire.
A hot lunch or a hot drink do wonders for getting warmed up. Pack an insulated thermos with hot coffee, soup, tea, hot chocolate, or boiled hot dogs. Or pack a small stove and pot or JetBoil to quickly heat up liquids and make a drink or meal. Eating a hot meal can be a pick up for a chilled body and help stimulate both body and mind. It also has a psychological boost to keep your spirits up and head in the hunt. A hot cup of coffee could be just what you need to feel great and enjoy your hunt.
Heat your core! One way to properly layer and counter-punch a chilly day from Old Man Winter is to wear heated clothing. A mid-layer heated vest will change your approach to staying warm and layering, by adding heat and comfort without all the bulk.
Tidewe’s Black Heated Hunting Vest rings in at under one hundred dollars and comes in sizes small through Extra Extra Extra Large. Tidewe’s Heated Vest comes with a battery pack with digital readout that has been tested and approved by five independent consumer laboratories to keep your body safe. The vest features a battery pocket, one touch button heat control, hand warmer and storage pockets, is water resistant, is washable, and comes with three heating levels. The low heat setting runs for ten hours at 113 degrees Fahrenheit, medium at five and a half hours and 122 degrees, and high runs for three hours at 131 degrees. Staying warm will keep you cozy, comfortable, and in your hunt this winter.
For hunters spending extended time in the field during late season, comfort and efficiency are key to staying focused. As an official gear recommendation, the Tidewe See Through Hunting Blind is designed to support hunters who prioritize visibility, concealment, and ease of use during long sits.
Built for 2 to 3 hunters, this pop up ground blind features 270 degree see through mesh panels that provide a wide field of view while helping reduce unnecessary movement. The quick setup design allows hunters to get positioned fast, even during early morning or cold weather conditions when efficiency matters most.
Lightweight and easy to transport, the blind comes with a carrying bag for convenient setup and relocation between hunting spots. Whether used for waterfowl or deer hunting, it offers a practical solution for hunters looking to stay organized, aware, and comfortable throughout the hunt.
Scott Mackenthun
Husband, Daddy to 2 little girls & a black lab, Angler,Hunter,Fish Squeezer, Writer. Sometimes funny.
