The Outer Limits:
   Hands, feet and head all pose critical challenges to the tree-loving nimrod.
    Hands need to have room and deal with moisture as well. Some of the synthetic batting or pile insulations do pretty well, until they get wet. Then, if you can't get them dried easily, it's all over. If you can bring multiple pairs of mitts along, great, but otherwise, here's what to do.

Hands:
    Hands need to have room and deal with moisture as well. Some of the synthetic batting or pile insulations do pretty well, until they get wet. Then, if you can't get them dried easily, it's all over. If you can bring multiple pairs of mitts along, great, but otherwise, here's what to do.

    You have to be able to remove the liners. We have found that GI-type gloves, with removable wool liners serve the best as far as gloves go. They are great for handling safeties, etc. while walking in moderate weather. When it gets cold, they are just not warm enough, and if you have to move your fingers quickly out of the palms as you warm them there, back out to their individual tubes, you may miss a shot.

    The best answer, after dozens of attempts, is a simple "chopper" type mitten, bought large. Put in a good wool liner, and then make a cut in the mitten palm of your shooting hand, the full width. Cut from the base of your thumb to about 1" below your pinkie. If you wish, you or your significant other can bind the knit edges with yarn, but after about a decade without binding, mine are still fine.

   I have sewn flaps on pairs, but the plain slit works better. There's nothing there to get in the way, and the natural curve of your hand keeps the cut closed.

Feet:
    Socks are getting better and better. A few years back we found the new hydrophilic/hydrophobic socks. No, they don't give your feet rabies! They drive the moisture to the outside, where it is wicked out of your boots! Wool works super, too, and a bit of Nylon will make for better wear and care.

   Cold weather boots have just had some technology changes as well. For moderately cold weather, I have used a pair of Thinsulate/Goretex boots for several seasons now. They are quiet to still-hunt in, lighter to walk with and pretty warm. Even so, for the cold weather, you'll need felt-lined boots. Here there have been some great new ideas in the past couple years.
   The first year that the felt-lined pacs really became popular, I began work at the local surplus store the week before deer season. The first night I sold over four cases of boots. Such was the change they brought. Today, wicking polypropylene liners and insulation added between the rubber layers of the pac are providing another great jump forward in boot warmth. Again, what is being dealt with is the moisture problem. The insulation in the rubber part of the pac keeps the sweat from condensing, because it doesn't hit the cold outside. The poly can then move it up and out through the leather. These new boots are quite remarkable, and well worth the little extra they cost. They can easily add an extra hour to your stand time.

    Insulated outer booties, made of cloth and polyester batting can add more warmth, too. The ballistic nylon covers can be noisy, but if you could cover them with wool or blanket material, they could be a great plus.

Hats:
    A large percentage of the heat we lose is from our heads. Deer hunters have tried dozens of styles and materials. I was reading a hunting magazine from the mid-fifties the other day. In it was advertised a hunting hat insulated with fiberglass batting! I bet that felt good as the fiberfill began to work through!

    Stocking hats work pretty well, and can be adjusted to cover only as much as you want. However, you may want a visor. As you scan a dark wood, eliminating the bright sky from your field of vision allows your pupils to open more, and allow you to see much more detail.
    I have found that the perfect cap is something like the Canadian Mounties' hat, with 'fur' earflaps on the outside. This sort of flaps, with a string tying them over your head, will allow you to adjust them to cover part or all of your ears. It will also allow you to tie them tightly down when it's bitter cold. To this hat, add a good sized, baseball cap type of brim. Darken the underside of the brim to cut down on reflection and keep those pupils open wide. Hats of this kind, with high-tech hollow poly batting insulation are available. We have yet to decide whether solid blaze orange or blaze camo is best. Camo seems to show movement more. Hmmmm. A new topic for discussion around the table!

Other gear:
    A pack becomes a necessity if you are going to be putting on layers and taking them off again. Most packs are terribly noisy when walking though brush. The 'whttt-whttt' of twigs against the cloth can be heard a long way. We've tried everything from WWII canvas to ballistic nylon, and finally we've hit something we like--wool blankets!

    Blanket material is light, soft, super, quiet and can be lined with nylon rip-stop or taffeta for strength. My pack is about 16"x12"x9" and holds everything I need. I stopped at a local woolen mill and purchased a couple blanket remnants. I took the wool, and washed and dried it as hot as I could, to make it more dense. Then I dyed it bright red, and made the pack. It's held up for several years, and shows no wear.

    Insulated cushions have been around for a long time, and can be a great plus. A windbreak around your stand can help, too, but it's best to build that on, as plastic or nylon wrapped around you can raise a real ruckus in the wind.

    Rainwear becomes important when freezing rain hits our Minnesota opening weekend about once every four years. This can be life-threatening. Gore-Tex seems to be the real answer here, but all raincoats and ponchos seem pretty noisy. I've seen tree-mounted umbrellas advertised, but they might be deafening. The most important thing in freezing rain is to be able to protect yourself against hypothermia if you get hurt. A light sheet of poly drop cloth can save your life, or so can a big garbage bag. Carry one in your pack. You have to stay dry to stay warm, remember?
    Survival gear should be carried by all deer hunters. Waterproof matches in a couple different places are a must. So are a few Band-Aids, some candy bars, an extra pocket knife, an extra compass and perhaps a saw. A few ounces added can save your life. A sprained ankle can be fatal in the northlands, if you're not prepared.

6:00 Opening Morning:
    Quickly and quietly change your clothes. Strap your pack against the tree. Set your thermos, filled with hot water (so there's no odor) off to the side. Take the cup off the thermos and using a car cup-holder, hang it from the side of your stand. No fumbling when you want to take a little chill off! Set out a medium zip-lock bag to handle your, shall we say, biological needs. Brush the snow off of your stand. Affix your insulating cushion on your seat with a bungee cord. Put on your insulated outer booties, and enjoy yourself!

Roland Wells

Seasoned Hunter

• Hunting Whitetail for 40 years in Minnesota
  
• Knowledgeable on ballistics and handcrafting ammunition

The biggest plus we've found in hand warmth are the new charcoal/salt/iron, disposable hand warmer packets...

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