For frosty weather bowhunts, staying warm is key to success. Here’s what you need to know

Ask anyone who has hunted whitetails during the rut in Canada, and you’ll hear tales of frigid, downright brutal days on stand. But for those with the right gear, perseverance and, most importantly, an insatiable desire to conquer the elements and tag a buck, bowhunting in the extreme cold can be very rewarding.

My wife, Heather, and I spend every November bowhunting Alberta whitetails from a stand. We know that to endure the extreme cold, you need to understand and adapt to your own limitations, and stay mentally strong. The most important step in conquering the cold, however, is to dress in layers with the proper clothing. Here’s how I bundle up when I head out.

BASE LAYER

Beginning with the layer closest to your skin, wear something that retains heat, but more importantly wicks moisture. Despite the many different options, Merino wool is the way to go. While a proper base layer will help wick perspiration, you still need to be mindful of sweating too much. If you have a long walk to your stand or blind, or you must hike through deep snow or up steep hills, consider removing an outer layer or two, then putting them back on after arriving at your destination.

INSULATING LAYER

As a second or insulating layer to retain warmth, wear either a fibre pile top and bottom, or at minimum synthetic Polartec fleece. For most extreme cold-weather situations, I wear either a Sitka Gear or Cabela’s Windstopper top.

OUTER LAYER

Over the last three decades of experimenting with outer layers, I’ve tried everything from Raven Wear (no longer available) to King of the Mountain wool apparel and even the newer Silent Predator wool garments. While extremely warm, they’re all heavy and awkward to move in. Through trial and error, I’ve settled on Sitka Gear’s Whitetail Fanatic line, which is made specifically for cold-weather bowhunting. As far as I know, no other manufacturer has come up with anything as quiet, warm or lightweight. Made with PrimaLoft and Gore Windstopper material, it is unparalleled.

EXTREMITY PROTECTION

Gloves, mittens or a muff are also key for staying warm in cold weather. I favour wool mitts almost exclusively, particularly the kind with flip-open fingertips so I can handle my bow release. Since most of your body heat is lost through your head, a wool hat is also a must (coupled with a balaclava if necessary). By keeping your hands, head and face as warm as your body, you can buy yourself extra hours on stand.

FOOTWEAR

Footwear, too, is critical. In my experience, nothing beats Cabela’s Trans-Alaska III pac boots, my personal choice for the extreme cold. Paired with both liner socks and wool socks, these boots keep my feet warm, even on the coldest days.

HEAT PACKS

Whether rechargeable or chemically activated, heat packs can be a hunt-saver. Strategically placed in boots, mitts and throughout your apparel—as well as on the back of your neck—they can literally warm up your world. With heat loss being the stand hunter’s number one enemy, these accessories help retain body heat and keep you comfortable and alert for longer periods of time—exactly what you need to successfully arrow an animal in the extreme cold.

COLD CURES

Another key to staying warm is to keep the blood flowing. When you sit or remain motionless for lengthy periods on stand, your core temperature will drop, eventually leading to involuntary shivering. Similarly, it can become very difficult to pull your regular draw weight in the extreme cold—especially when you’re shaking—so I recommend turning down your draw weight by at least five pounds.

To stay limber and sharp, keep your fingers and toes moving using a series of subtle exercises every half hour or so. By standing up, slowly bending, stretching, and tensing and releasing your muscles, you can generate and retain warmth. It’s also important to replace calories, which your body burns up trying to stay warm. Energy bars, or even chocolate bars, can help fuel your body and keep your internal furnace going.