In last week’s editorial, I shared how I grew up on a dairy farm in South Dakota and how I would do anything, ANYTHING, to get out of milking cows – especially in the winter. While the bug/fly population dropped, the tossing of frozen cow chips increased (ugh, siblings). You know what we used to keep our feet dry? Baggies. Why that was a thing, I don’t know. Having cold feet was a constant in the milk barn. Once your feet got cold, there is literally no way to warm them back up. So…the best defense is a good offense, which is why I turned to avid hunter Melissa Bachman for her advice on how to stay warm this hunting season.
1. Fuel Your Body
Think of your body as a furnace. Keep providing fuel to burn if you want to stay warm. “I like to bring several sandwiches along and often times wrap them in foil. If the temperature is well below zero, I place them inside my coat, so they don’t freeze in my backpack. Another great option is to place hot soup in a thermos. It’s tasty, easy, and warms you up quickly. Snacks like chips, candy, and trail mix are great but often come in very noisy wrappers. Place those items in individual zip lock baggies to keep noise down,” shared Bachman.
2. Hunt a Blind
You know what didn’t have in South Dakota? Hunting blinds. I literally never saw one until I was in my 20’s and in Wisconsin. I did NOT understand sitting still for long periods of time. Still don’t, to be honest. Melissa has had great success in a blind and she shared, “As hunters we always want the wind to be in our face, but when the freezing cold north wind blows, the elements become downright brutal in a treestand. Have a few locations in mind where you have hard sided blinds or ground blinds already set up. They’ll provide a reprieve from the wind and rain: nothing chills you faster than wet clothes.”
3. Bring a Heat Hog Heater
If you going to be in a blind – might as well make it comfortable! Melissa recommends a blind heater. “A heater is your best friend during late season, especially when you’re in any sort of blind. Even in mildly chilly temperatures, a heater makes the entire sit more comfortable and enjoyable. It melts the frost off your windows in the morning to help you see out. Bring a towel to wipe down any condensation. And don’t forget extra propane tanks to keep that heater running. I’ve used heaters in both hard and soft-sided blinds for years and have come to really appreciate the extra warmth. Most importantly, a heater allows you to bring family and friends who may not otherwise join you in the cold. Learn more about Heat Hog by visiting heathog.com.”
4. Keep Your Extremities Warm
“Hands and feet usually get cold first, and once that happens, you can’t think of anything else. I personally don’t like bulky boots or gloves, so I wear the thinnest gloves possible and very light insulated boots. Here’s how I stay warm. When I get to my stand, I place what I call boot blankets over the outside of my boots. They’re like big, oversized boot pillows that zip over my boots. If your boots are wet from snow, wipe the snow off and drop a hand warmer over the toe of your boot in between the boot blanket and the outside of your boot. If you put them inside your boot, they won’t get enough oxygen and will quit working. This works great and is easy to do once you’re on stand,” said Bachman.
If I had hand or toe warmers back in the day, maybe I wouldn’t have complained so much. Mayyyybbe.
5. Layer Up
“Get the day started right and DON’T get hot and sweaty on the walk out. It makes the walk into your stand miserable and the rest of the day even worse. I like to wear light layers when I start out and carry my coat or tie it to my pack. I remove layers as I go to keep the sweat away. It’s worth the extra few minutes to stay dry,” shard Bachman.
About Melissa Bachman
Melissa Bachman is an American huntress, producer, and host of hunting television programs, currently of the cable television program Winchester Deadly Passion on Sportsman Channel, Sundays at 11:30 a.m. ET. Learn more at melissabachman.com.