How to Stay WARM - Late Season Elk Hunting!

[@Kyle-dx5kf]

Thank you Randy, your hunting wisdom is invaluable.

[@IdeaCalledFreedom]

Man, I miss watching Randy videos. The level of genuine wisdom born from experience is just insane.

[@TonkaTruckF350]

Absolute gold right here. The investment in great layers is invaluable. Blocking the wind = one less layer to worry about or one less layer that makes you sweat and ultimately stink.. Thanks Randy! Great advice.

[@benrinehartjr2345]

Awesome video. Very educational. Thanks for sharing. This is useful for the average deer hunter also. Stay safe out there and best of luck on all future hunts.

[@mysticalhealer]

I'm retired this month, I've never gone hunting, but I've always dressed like a hunter because I work as a sign installer with the NYCDOT and we work in all weather conditions. I had gear for such type of weather. And I did have my gear stolen from my work truck on occasion. This video should be in all the training manuals for survival and hunting. Thank you Randy

[@thomasplummer2673]

I'm feeling warmer already. Thanks Randy. Stuff I already knew but it's good to hear it again.

[@brodiewright7962]

I've struggled with some Sitka gear, but UA has really worked for me, sometimes the most expensive product just isn't a good fit. I gave Sitka a solid try in 3rd season CO elk hunt, but UA was warmer and more functional for my use. The down UA has is next to perfect. I like everything Randy said though, the man knows how to do it right.

[@davidgzik3080]

In the cold , cotton kills and a neck gaiter help also.The people that study this stuff say you lose as much as 30 percent of your body heat thru your head and neck.

[@adamburge5988]

7-10% max. That myth has been debunked.

[@anthonypope5830]

I seem to need warmer clothing than some folks, Maybe it's from growing up in a warm climate. I will wear a light base layer and an additional thicker base layer at times. I have both, but prefer First Lite to Sitka in pants. I really like a zipper down my leg to help dump heat and moisture.

[@TonkaTruckF350]

I started my 20 degree elk hunts in 6+ layers on top and 3 layers on my legs. Eventually, good and thick merino wool base layers helped. Specifically in the 200weight and up "level." Now, I can hike 5-7 hikes around the hills in a single base layer and pants, with only a base layer, mid layer and nice windproof jacket on top. Hard to fight the cold at first until you start hiking into your spot, honey hole, etc. Maybe bring an extra layer with you when your glassing or sitting on the mountain. Or, bring some of the $1 hot hands to add heat and reduce your layers?

[@kevinmullin9717]

Excellent Lecture

[@mikemcgee6810]

Can you share a link to those boots that you wear to the trailhead?

[@JEJAK5396]

Military surplus, 5.11, Arcteryx, and Coldpruf gear has worked well for me.

[@MarcP5267]

Yep military issue level 1 silks and level 2 waffles are my foundation.

[@itsobvious5835]

Thanks Randy. That really helps.

[@troybraman3941]

Randy, The information on staying warm is great with layering. My only question is when it comes to boots you mentioned in this video that you use a non-insulated boot. Why not any insulated type boot? Maybe to much moisture to manage? That would be my guess. Thank you.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Correct. Insulated boots are too much moisture to deal with.

[@philiph554]

Thanks Randy, great tutorial!

[@chrisbailor733]

So you use uninsulated boots for cold weather hunting? I have heard that from a couple people now. Thanks for the info.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Correct. I can user non-insulated at temps well below zero.

[@corleyoutdoors2887]

Informative and beneficial video!

[@mikegags9115]

What would you wear during late hunts if you were sitting still in a tree stand.

[@adamburge5988]

I wear a silk layer, heavyweight base layer, heavy fleece pants and pullover from Cabelas, and bibs and parka from MidwayUSA. Silky socks, wool socks and LaCrosse pack boots in my feet. I have a fleece hanwarmer I wear around my waist to stick my hands in. I wear thin gloves. I have a heavy fleece or wool hat for my head. I hunt MN & WI and stay pretty warm. I've watched the snow pile up on my legs.

[@mikegags9115]

This is great, thank you.

[@TheWVgoodguy22]

Excellent overview of the system that you use. Having been a subscriber for 5+ years now I had a pretty good idea, but it is always good to revisit and review. Thanks 🙏 for sharing with us Randy.

[@jackjr1]

How do you keep your hands warm quartering up an animal in freezing temps?! When you have to take off your glove to hold and work with the knife. This was one question I had during my first hunting season in extreme cold temps.

[@stephenmills2447]

Add a set of disposable gloves to wear under a lighter weight pair so your hand stays dry. Moisture = freezing. But if it's totally cold out (-20 or so) then it's minimal butchering until you get to a shop. We'll also light a fire to help keep warm while dealing with the field gutting.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

@Stephen Mills has the answer. Use a disposable glove and if too cold, a small fire.

[@THLR]

@@stephenmills2447 Acklima wristwarmer + disposable glove

[@jackjr1]

Thank you for the advice!

[@TheMattickus]

That's fine and dandy when you are not in really cold weather. I live up in Canada and if I dressed like that I wouldn't make it 100 feet from the truck. I still layer but there are a lot more of them. I also bring a sleeping bag and or a couple blankets with me depending on how cold it is and how long I'm going to be sitting. Same basic idea just a lot more insulating layers.

[@dannoputtano8182]

I’m with you. In Canada my season is generally spent in temps ranging from -10 to -29 Celsius or 14 to minus 20 F. So have hunted for many years using H/H (Helly Hansen) gear which while not “hunting” gear per say it is alpine and ski wear. H/H base layer, merino wool and 2 outer jackets. One heavy down puff jacket that crushes down to nothing and one medium/light wind break insulated water proof and a set of insulated pants that are shaped to legs and stretch. Everything has zipper air vents except the down jacket. Lastly I use a real wool sheep skin as layer btwn me and the frozen or snow covered ground. Can easily sit or lay for 2-3 hours until I need to move and no fires to warm up. Yeah the gear is definitely not camo but a light single layer cover of your choice camo and you’re set. One of the pants also came in blaze orange that I have used for walking for higher visibility in areas of greater pressure and just slip on the single layer camo when I take a stand.

[@brettstock3284]

@@dannoputtano8182middle November at 7000’ is 15-20F before wind chill in the western states.

[@stephenmills2447]

@@brettstock3284 was -30 this season in Canada. Helly Hansen base layer + thermal shirt + fleece layer + full snowmobile suit. Dual layer mitts (not gloves), full facemask touque and second touque + neck cover. -40 Sorels with liners and bama socks. Was fine for 5 hours outside that day...just slow walking. + 15-20F is what I see late September/October.

[@brettstock3284]

@@stephenmills2447 knowing that you can dress for the weather and keep yourself comfortable brings me peace. Thank you so much for sharing I will remember this forever

[@maxcorder2211]

@@dannoputtano8182 I hunted Whitetail in northern Saskatchewan. As I recall we had to wear a complete set of red overalls on top of everything. We had a little 4x8 plywood structure up in the trees with a propane bottle and a small metal stove. A canvas top with a hole to poke your upper body out of. It worked. I killed 181 buck.

[@eliat72]

When wearing base layers under your pants, do you like to tuck the bottom of the base layer under your boot, or stretch it out over the outside of the boot?

[@Fresh_Tracks]

Base layers are always inside the boot for me. Outside will allow that base layer to gather moisture.

[@braunwm]

Spent a boatload of $$$ on the Sitka Downpour jacket and pants, and they are quite frankly terrible in the rain, letting the water right through. Going to have to try to waterproof them with an added treatment. Never buying Sitka again.

[@ChronicalsofAl]

Send it back

[@thehonfleur]

I had the same experience. I'll never use Sitka again

[@F15BOYOBOY]

I love my SKRE GEAR!

[@D.white7832]

The downpour is junk. You should’ve gotten the thunderhead

[@shaunlehman9158]

My Sitka cloudburst jacket is 10000% waterproof keeps me dry no matter how many hours of pouring rain I’m in 12 hours plus in the pnw rain and I’m completely dry

[@danielc.2042]

My hands are always the first thing to get cold.

[@20cameron1]

Merino wool while stay warm when wet and won’t stink. Kuiu does a much better job of design and performance. Even my merino wool layers dry fast.

[@tomjim447]

Be bold, start cold! Layer up once you stop.

[@Fresh_Tracks]

I like that slogan. I might borrow it from you.

[@tomjim447]

@@Fresh_Tracks you won't be borrowing it from me. It's a British Army idiom. Your welcome to it though, them Brits don't deserve it anyway! 😉🤣🇬🇧

[@surfearth1]

What happened to the day of buying a gore Tex coat that did it all?

[@bradalan7188]

⛩

[@MikeFree22]

🇺🇸

[@surfearth1]

In the late 80s and 90, as a kid, I always wore a turtle neck (they were more in style🤣) but I never got cold. Through the years I have always became cold when standing hunting. Until I remembered the turtle neck…

[@Hill_Billy_Without_A_Hill]

Just pretend your Luke Skywalker and crawl in your elk.

[@calebshafer2648]

I thought this was common knowledge