Layering for cold hunts
Loose layers, stay dry, shed heat before you sweat.
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Several loose layers
The CDC says to wear several layers of loose-fitting clothing in the cold, with a hat, mittens or gloves, a scarf or knit mask, a water-resistant coat, and water-resistant boots.
Stay dry
The CDC says your body loses heat quickly when wet, and that sweat and wet clothing can chill the body rapidly.
Shed a layer before you sweat
The CDC says that if you are actively moving, remove extra layers whenever you feel too warm or start to sweat. Walking in and sitting still call for different layers.
Pack an extra layer
The National Park Service lists extra clothing as a Ten Essential: a layer for the most extreme conditions you could meet.
FAQ
General information only. Hunting laws, seasons, licenses, and hunter orange rules are set by each state; check your state wildlife agency's current regulations before you hunt, and take the hunter education course your state offers. If you hunt from a tree stand, wear a full-body fall arrest harness system every time you leave the ground, including while climbing up and down, follow the Treestand Manufacturers Association's Treestand Safety Guidelines and the maker's instructions, and have a plan for rescue. Tell someone where you will be and when you will return. In an emergency, call 911.
Next: hypothermia signs
Know the signs early.
