Having lived in Virginia to the age of 12, cold weather was definitely something to get used to. The low temps of the North can be hard to deal with, but tend to increase deer movement. This increase in deer activity may offer your best opportunity to harvest a buck.
The last few deer seasons have been quite warm, which has decreased harvest numbers. If temperatures continue to remain as they are, I don’t expect a good late-muzzleloader season. With any luck, we’ll receive a cold front to spur the winter feeding routine. Due to the drop in temperature, the routine of deer in your area will begin to change. Temperature changes tend to create the most predictable movement of the season. Predictability of deer activity will greatly increase your odds of a harvest. At this point, food will become much more important in a buck’s routine. With the onslaught of cold and snow you will once again be forced to alter your hunting strategy to accommodate the changes in deer movement.
I favor the mid-seasons stand sets for cold weather. Deer often arrive at the food source during legal light, but pressure may still cause a late arrival. With temperatures below ten degrees fahrenheit, the animals will bed for a shorter period of time. They will frequently move to heat up and to fill their furnace. Increased movement will make it much easier to designate the most frequently used trail systems, especially in snow. For an afternoon hunt, I recommend starting at the food source and back tracking the most heavily used trails. I like to set up at about the midpoint between the bed and food. As for an a.m. hunt, I start at the bed and track back to the midpoint.
The more cold the day the better in my mind! But how do you deal with it? As with most animals, insulation is the answer. Humans were blessed with large brains, but are much lacking in the insulation department. We have survived by using our brains to devise methods of heat production and retention. Heat retention has been the most common method of dealing with cold for mankind. It continues to be the most useful for hunters and outdoorsmen to present date. While still hunting or stalking, much less clothing will be required because of heat produced by continual movement. But for those of us who like to sit bundling up, layering is the method.
Upon your first cold weather sit, you will probably realize the meaning of under dressed. Hands and feet cool down quickly, and require the most attention. For feet, choosing a good pair of insulated boots is obvious, but surprisingly to most, your choice of socks is equally as important. Never pack on too many pairs! If boots become too tight, circulation will be decreased, and your feet will cool much more quickly. I recommend a base layer wicking sock under a thick wool sock. Base layer socks transport moisture away from the skin, and the wool adds the insulating factor needed. Sweat on your feet will cool down and make you miserable in minutes, so on cold days wicking socks are a must. Your hands get cold quick, but are much easier to deal with. I like to use a thin glove along with hand warmer packets either in my pockets or a hand muff. Using this method, my hands will be toasty all day. A wicking base layer top and bottom are the start of my clothing system.
Dress fairly light for your walk so as to not break a sweat. I use a backpack and fill it with extra layers for top and bottom. You’ll barely notice carrying extra layers, but will definitely notice if you have too few. Several light layers will actually slow heat loss much better than a couple thick ones because air spaces created between the layers trap heat, and slow its loss. Although, it takes a lot longer to cool down the head loses the most heat. I wear a warm hat and face mask- balaclava with a neck gator on days below zero. On windy days be sure to wear a blocking layer from head to toe. Wind chill takes its toll rapidly, so I also recommend on windy days shortening your amount of time spent on stand. I go through a lot of hand warmer packs in periods of cold weather! They’re fairly cheap, and a couple in your hat and pockets seem to make all the difference.
There are a few suits on the market that reflect your body heat, and they allow for much less clothing so you can actually put your arms down. I’ve used this type of suit for five or six years now, and would never think of hunting cold weather without them. Heated clothing is also becoming quite common these days. I haven’t purchased any yet, but plan to give them a try.
The last and easiest method of staying warm on frigid days is the use of a box blind. This tends to be the most expensive or time consuming method, but trust me, you can’t beat a heater and a box blind on a frigid December day. These clothing strategies are also useful while camping, hiking, snowmobiling and ice fishing. Regardless of method, you must beat the cold to bag a late-season buck.
Good wishes and happy hunting.

For any questions or comments, contact Sheldon by email at sheldonsoutdoorbusiness@hotmail.com.