What tricks do you use to stay warm in a stand?

Its gonna be downright frigid this weekend! just wondering what you all do to keep it tolrerable? Ill be on an open ladder stand about 12′ up. I was thinking of taking a portable heater and some hot coffee and wrap the the outside of the stand w/a wind break of some kind. i normally dont sit but no drives or stalking allowed on the land im on. its earn a buck also , i guess the ? is will the scent of the propane and the coffee be anything to be concerned about? Any other tips for staying warm are also welcome! Pout

I ahve taken a sleeping bag and got inside while in a stand before. It definately worked on extending my tolerance. Cumbersome, bulky and a hassle….but if sitting in the open is your only option, it might be worth a try.

layers. thermal/wool long unders, jeans with flannel inside, a wicking sock, a wool sock and a boot sock, a pair of bibs, warm boots like Muck wetlands, then layer up your top in the same manner, thermal top, sweatshirt/hoodie, and a parka. I always worry about my hands, face and ears. when the hands get cold, I’m done. so wear some of those cheap little woven gloves, topped by another glove of 40 grams or more thuinsulate, and then a nice face mask. I heard those exchangers work well, but never bought one. Throw a few heat factory packs in your pockets, should be dialed in. one of my newer ladder stands has a pocket in the cushion for a heat pack, so sit on one to keep your core warmer. I hate carrying extra stuff with, so I would pass on a propane heater especially in a tree stand, in a box blind or ground blind I may carry one in before season to leave it in there, but no carrying back and forth, plus it sounds dangerous, just one more thing to distract you from watching. coffee, sure bring a big old thermos with and keep it in your coat.

build a stand with walls and a heater! j/k go and get some burlap to stretch out tight along down the sides of your stand, depends on what kind of portable you have, if you have one that has side rails that are up 3 feet from the bottom platform, that idea would work great, also try some black silt fence with the burlap to the out side. something that will block the wind will help you out greatly from freezing out.

shane

SILK! You can get silk long underwear from Land’s End. My sister works there, so every year I stock up! Not all that durable of you do a lot of walking, although this last set is doing well! Team them up with insulated Gamehide Hushhide, and you are set! I upgraded to the bibs this year, and am darned glad I did! My kids all have them as well, and now I can keep them in stands all day and not in drinking hot chocolate with grandma like years past.

In my expieriences with gun hunting is it is way different gun hunting than bow hunting as far as scent is concerned. Look at the people that smoke…..No matterhow much scent killer your using, You can’t hide that. I think the deer are moving more and not thinking judst to stay away from the other hunters. Just my 2 scents…..Get it????

Layers…..Layers…..Layers……Keep feet, Head and Neck and Hands warm. That’s the key to be on stand all day. Get the little foot and hand heaters for the boots and gloves and throw a good wind resistant face mask on and you’ll be surprise how warm you will stay.

Whatsa

On cold days at zero or below I wear electric socks. Usually the batteries last from the time I get there until about noon, then an extra set from then until I leave, they really help and keeps the toes toasty. At times I’ve had to disconnet the batterys to keep my feet from getting too warm. I’ve got a Ray-O-Vac charger with alkaline batteries. Layers of clothing is the only way to keep warm. I wear a cheap pair of cotton brown Jersey gloves inside the outer gloves and my fingers have never gotten cold, even way below zero. Two pairs of long underwear, two or three pairs of good socks, jeans, a couple t-shirts, flannel shirt, hooded sweatshirt, and my hunting coat and im always warm. Wearing a stocking cap over the hooded sweatshirt hood, not under the hood, plus my hood on my coat and my ears keep warm.

I like everybodies suggestion, they all sound interesting, carrying heaters into the woods, fitting into a sleeping bag into the tree. this sounds interesting, but I think you guys are forgeting something simple, Heat Pads. they work great, sometimes too good. they are cheap, small, and super hot, throw one one your back, one on your chest, and your good to go for the whole day. if you want get the ones for your toes, put them in your shoes and no need to worry about heat. if you really want throw one in your hat, it keeps your head warm.

I’ve always had a problem keeping my hands warm. Last year I started using a muff with a large heater pack in it. Just a thin pair of gloves and stick your hands in the muff, and it keeps them toasty.

I’m sure nobody on here will take that last sentence wrong.

Lots of clothes. Dress like your going ice fishing. Layers are necessary but I think a heavy outer garment is vitaly important.

Anyone every try the Heater Body Suit?

most importantly, pack in about half the clothes you intend on wearing unless you have a short walk. If you get sweated up on your way to the stand with all your clothes on, you won’t last long. I’d bypass the heater unless your in a box blind or something, but the hot coffee can definitely hit the spot on a cold morning.

Other than layering, my best garment is Under Armor. I use the Cold Gear on both top and bottoms. They really hold the heat and if you get a little sweaty walking in, they wick the sweat away really fast. Keeping dry is the biggest trick to staying warm.

I also just bought the Under Armor hood. I’ll give that a test and see if its better than the fleece neck gaitor that I usually use.

I bought some fleece socks from Cabela’s a few years back and they are REALLY warm.

Under Armor is pricey, but well worth the money. I’d rather spend a few bucks and be comfortable than save the money and be miserable. I’m pretty sure that an extra $100 in my wallet won’t keep me warm, but my Under Armor will.

Quote:

---

Layers…..Layers…..Layers……Keep feet, Head and Neck and Hands warm.

---

Quote:

---

most importantly, pack in about half the clothes you intend on wearing unless you have a short walk. If you get sweated up on your way to the stand with all your clothes on, you won’t last long.

---

If you remember nothing else from this thread remember these two things and you will stay warm. Very good topic.

I agree layering with the proper clothes is key. I hunt in some of the nastiest stuff every year. Last year it was -22 straight temps plus windchill for 3 whole days straight. The key is layering, not sweating on the way to your stand and having good gear or clothes. Like Tuck mentioned, I do not go outside with out my Gamehide on. These clothes are built by Hunters for Hunters. The attention to detail is 2nd to none. Lastly, I also use the little heat packs for my hands inside my muff. If you keep your hands, head, feet and neck warm, the other parts will follow.

Quote:

---

Its gonna be downright frigid this weekend!

---

Also where are you hunting where you say it is going to be frigid???

30’s and 20’s are not considered frigid.

Quote:

---

most importantly, pack in about half the clothes you intend on wearing unless you have a short walk. If you get sweated up on your way to the stand with all your clothes on, you won’t last long. I’d bypass the heater unless your in a box blind or something, but the hot coffee can definitely hit the spot on a cold morning.

---

I meant to mention this also….. I pack my heavy gear in in a back pack and I walk very slow to my stand to prevent getting all steamed up.

I do the layers, but when that doesn’t work, I try to flex as many of my muscles as I can for a minute or so. This seems to get the blood flowing.

If this fails, then I like to pee down my leg.

two days ago I was watching the forecast for where I hunt, and two different websites had a 14 degree difference!

Now they’re all honing in around 30… which is definitely manageable.

TEXT. hehe

Ditto on packing outer layer. Also swear by hand muff with chemical warmers.

Shoot your deer by 8:00 a.m. and warm up at camp! All suggestions here are great…layers and hand/foot warmers are the way I go! I’m not sure about the sleeping bag though…my luck I would haul all that out there and shoot my deer right away in the a.m! Murphy’s law!

Quote:

---

Anyone every try the Heater Body Suit?

---

Any one know anyone who has one besides Jim Shockey.

Ok, please do not laugh. I understand this is not a reasonable request. Try wearing pantyhose. They make a good next to the skin underlayer. Also in the pharmacy section at Walmart or drugstores they sell velcro belts that are designed to hold chemical warmers, similar to hand or toe warmers, to help with back and hip pain. These really make a difference on cold mornings. Above all is to stay dry and keep your head covered with a warm hat.

Quote:

---

Ok, please do not laugh. I understand this is not a reasonable request. Try wearing pantyhose.

---

I used to wear some on the Army when I was on long road marches, it helped keep my feet dry by wicking away the sweat into the army socks, but it didn’t let the wet and the cold come back to the skin. good idea!!

shane

I have to agree on the Under Armour… I started wearing the stuff 2 years ago and rarely get cold anymore. The UA hood is a good piece of gear as well. I hunted coyotes hard last winter through the -20’s at night and that thing kept my face warm and protected from the biting wind. For my hands I found these cheap Manzella gloves that I wear inside a pair of chopper mitts w/ handwarmers. When the critter shows up just shuck the mitt off and let ‘er rip.

Let’s not forget food and water. The body cannot regulate heat when it’s starving for one or the other. Lightweight foods like nuts(trail mix), a sandwich (well sealed), grapes are good to keep you going all day. Coffee will keep you awake but hydration is more important. Don’t forget the water.

Eric

On really, really cold days I would carry a thermos of coffee and a thermos of drinking water. A water bottle will eventually freeze solid when it is very cold, but a thermos of warm water really works well. Just my tip…

Great advice from all! Thanks! Any added advice would be welcome. im looking at 15-20 n/w winds with a temp of below 20. Like i say i never did sit in a stand for an entire day, always got em on the drive. pout!

I wear Under Armor as well, can’t say enough about it. The keys for me are, keep my feet and hands warm. Also, most of your bodys heat, escapes through your head, keep that covered. I once heard the head is the bodys radiator, when sitting still and not exerting any energy. Lots of good suggestions here, I especially like the $100 in the wallet not keeping a guy very warm on stand…

big G