The First Snow of the Year - How I Dress for Cold Weather | Bowhunting Whitetails w/ Bill Winke

[@markhawkins3183]

Bill, you got a soldier in Amos, love seeing him right there with you brother, you’re a great mentor!!

[@christhole7775]

Again, thank you for your channel. I get a chance to re-live past seasons bowhunting experience by watching your videos. Your episodes bring me back to the tree stand. Say hi to Lee Murphy for me.

[@bill-winke]

Thanks for the comment. Unfortunately, I don't see Lee any longer. He used to come by all the time as a friend/guest of Jim Hill, but our paths don't cross much anymore. He was always a great pleasure to be around. Have a great day.

[@danieldurkee5383]

Great show Bill! One thing I do to keep my feet warmer on stand is to put a piece or carpet material on the metal stand so my feet are NOT in direct contact with the metal. I find it makes a real difference. Thanks again! You do a great job!

[@WolfPackOutdoors211]

Layers layers layers. I hunt in the south most don't think it's cold but right now late season is all over the map. Day might start at 38 or 13. Might be 55 at noon and 17 at dark. I keep hand warmers on hand at all times great for pockets and boots. Thanks Bill

[@rayburpo319]

hey Bill, you mentioned your feet got cold. invest in some insulated boot covers such as arctic shield boot blankets. they weigh literally nothing and help a ton. throw some toe warmers on the toes on the outside of your hikers and zip the covers on and you're good to go for some pretty frigid sits.

[@715outdoors2]

Tough conditions, makes for a tough day. Patience and persistence. Cold plunge will help you tolerate the cold longer. 3 minutes a day year round at 50 degrees and you'll find that cold is just a state of mind. I can tolerate lake superior in November for 2 minutes up to my chin. I don't have a cold day in stand anymore.

[@nybbhUSA]

if you haven’t tried some of the new electric socks with re-chargeable battery packs your missing out. i was bought some as a gift and tried them this season. i put them on 50% and they lasted all day in low 30’s. also a electric vest helps eliminate extra layers.

[@chiya2006]

Do they really work ? My biggest problem in tree stand is my feet & knees . If I have a warm feet & knees, I sit 10 hours no problem. I’m giving them a try hopefully they work for me

[@danieldahlin1937]

Hey thanks for your videos of the reality of hunting The hard work it takes to stay in the stand when your not seeing a lot Real hunting b

[@midwesternoutdoorsandnatur8272]

That midday doe was like.. That’s Bill Winke in that stand! I’m outta here! lol. Enjoying the updates Bill!

[@shanetrudell4061]

I’ve never had as many east winds then this season! It definitely seems to be impacting movement.

[@ryannoel8978]

Said same thing and se is the one wind I don’t have a great stand for lessons learned

[@lucaswade576]

Same in PA. That and South winds. The warm weather definitely dampened movement as well.

[@brandonweber5220]

Bill, I have the same problem. We have a lot of elevation change versus flat like Iowa. The high and low pressure the ridges create mess the wind up bad. Keep pushing, love the episodes.

[@jonahpuls8671]

I have a heated vest and heated socks, and they are some of the best investments I have ever made. Sometimes all it takes is just turning on the high heat settings for 10 minutes every hour or so, and that keeps me good until the next time. There isn’t much that keeps you completely warm, but helping you last for longer is best.

[@jeffjames9568]

I saw you throw that leaf Milk weed works awesome and is a fun activity to check the wind when youre hunting , they float a very long ways , its interesting to see

[@michaelbecht7556]

Thanks Bill, youre the best!

[@jimpeterson3806]

You're not alone with the crazy wind directions. It's the same here in Michigan. Shifts constantly. Very frustrating

[@chbeagles]

I enjoy videos from our area, thank you! For what it's worth. Nothing but all rubber boots work in the deer woods. Anything else in your leaving behind a record of your passing that will last for days. That excludes pac boots or muck Boots, anything with neoprene uppers. We tested all of them. Only all rubber kept clean and sprayed down will work. You will never have to worry about leaving sent behind. Amen

[@usernamehere6061]

You have proof of this claim? Or based on only your own anecdotal experience?

[@paulbernitt4280]

Great stuff. My warm program is layers with an outer coat with a hood covering my neck with a neck/face gator. I wear bibs to keep the wind off my back. I use a heated vest and use air-activated hand warmers with flip-over mittens that allow me to get my fingers out quickly. My boots are 600 gram rubber boots with a cotton sock and a wool sock over that.

[@darrenbowers3267]

Man, I had the exact same problem with the wind this year on top like you are it is so frustrating. Darren

[@scottclark1168]

Great video I really like that code of silence gear and have been looking to replace the browing gear I've had for like 25 years or better,zipper starting to tear up lol,it's been great,but looking at new stuff and wondering if the code of silence was water proof?

[@jasonwitt1216]

I wear a Columbia rain jacket underneath my cammo layer, does a great job. Breaks the wind and keeps the heat in.

[@kevinfowler6065]

Hollow brand alpaca winter weight socks. Im a nambie pambie about cold feet. These socks saved the day for me. And yes I did get a pair of those Cabela’s Saskatchewan boots for really cold days, thanks for that suggestion a couple years back Bill. Kevin

[@dennissmith693]

The coyote, soooo close.... They are tough to fool. I keep hoping you will start on those turkeys. Thanks for the video

[@robertpettit2636]

One thing all hunters need is an electric vest or pro brands are great .

[@gavinbenz9034]

Everyone laughs at the expensive camos but I don’t buy it for the pattern, I don’t care at all about the pattern. I buy it because it’s so unbelievably warm. I sat tonight in expensive clothes on the ground in 2 inches of snow and stayed warm and dry all night. It can’t be beaten

[@lucaswade576]

My scent blocker base layers with my first lite bibs and jacket keep me plenty warm

[@markseifert-g9h]

Love your dedication to all day sits. They are tough. Don’t hear many folks praise battery vests, gloves, socks, insoles etc.. curious how well some of these work.

[@jonahpuls8671]

I have a battery vest and socks. They are wonderful. On really cold days, I do the heated vest right under the insulated coat, and I put another layer of wool socks over the heated socked. If you are doing an all day sit, I don’t have them on all day, but I turn them to high / medium settings for periods at a time, which seems to help hold heat in there for a bit. Turn it off when I feel warm, and then turn them back on again when I’m feeling a little cold. I do not handle cold weather well, and these have been a game changer for me. Nothing like that feel when your toes are frozen and you turn on the high heat setting, and you can literally feel the warmth starting to wrap around your toes. Or you lean back a little on the tree and feel that warmth press up against your back with the heated vest. I haven’t found a perfect solution to staying completely warm all the time, but these have gone a long way for me!!

[@johnray3927]

There was a buck with that doe at around the 16:08 time. He was to the left of her.

[@bill-winke]

Yes, I could see her from my stand but the camera is on the other side of the tree and he was not visible to the camera until he ran. He was a decent 2 year old buck.

[@miller2478]

Yeah whoever said it was a buck that scared the doe nailed it! Looked decent too

[@zacnorman8702]

Good talk on keeping warm. I've tried the heated insoles only to have the battery die half way through the morning hunt. I'd like to get some non rubber insulated boots to see if that makes a difference. For sure on the gloves...I have really thin spandex camo gloves and when its cold I can almost use 1 chemical hand warmer in the hand warmer belt pack and my hands don't really get cold . I've noticed that my anchor point doesn't seem off with a face mask but I practiced shooting last week and was 4 inches off. And it's a thin mask. I definitely recommend shooting a little with all your winter stuff on. Haha Thanks Bill ..good luck!

[@lukebryant5017]

Get big cheap wool socks, cut halfway back from the toes and slide those over your boots with a hot hand stuffed between the top of your boot and the sock

[@tedrickabus2087]

There's no bad weather, only bad clothing. I was told that by a guide in south Dakota when we were going out to hunt pheasants in -14 degree weather... great statement to live by.

[@joebuck120]

Not if your laying brick

[@tedrickabus2087]

lol... i hear you.. electric vests are amazing. Hats with face masks, neck gaiters. But the hands are tough when you need to use the dexterity of your fingers.

[@markcharlton9020]

Bill, when I'm in a tree stand, I pack a piece of carpet that helps get my feet off the metal. Gloves: I wear the old green, wool army gloves with the thumb, index, and middle fingers cut off.

[@ronin1.4]

Great video! I'm a big believer in that if you can't correctly dress for cold weather hunting, the weather is gonna knock you out very quick and you may not be able to hunt comfortably throughout the rest of the season.

[@Bubakarrr]

Metal stands definitely zap the heat out of your feet. Any kind of barrier between your feet and the stand helps. I’ve noticed a big difference hunting from non metal platforms

[@nicschaalma3508]

What backpack do you use so you can pack those thick bibs and coat in?

[@bill-winke]

Code of Silence Double Back packs. We strap the outerwear to the back of the pack with the straps that are sewn into the pack. Works pretty slick.

[@marchhair01]

I used to Love Love challenging myself in the most extreme elements. Now, as an older man, I’ll pass! Enjoy the videos! Good luck. Saw a couple decent bucks here in central OK they were chasing a fawn a bit but weren’t interested in 2 mature does. Might be past the peak here.

[@aaronlutze1514]

I have found putting mats on the metal stand helps keep my feet warm.

[@virgilholmes6688]

Dynamic Tension is another way to warm your body. For example, put your arms in a bicep curl position and tense up your muscles as if you are holding a weight that you cannot lift. You can also get in a semi-sqatting position and hold that position until you feel the burn in your legs. It's only crazy until you see that it works.

[@jasoncarll8073]

stay warm Bill 😁

[@JLegoLandscapingLLC]

I use nomad fleece it keeps you warm in windy days

[@dwightleidholm5829]

I keep my feet warm by putting boot blankets over my boots once I get into the stand and then I put a hand warmer on top of my boots inside of the boot blankets. I hunt ND and it keeps my 800 gram leather boots warm all day in any temperature.

[@tatoo190]

What pants do you wear in to layer under your bibs?

[@bill-winke]

I have a set of fleece lined softshell hiking pants that I am wearing in and out of the stand. Those are pretty warm and comfortable for long sits without a lot of binding. Sweat pants would be perfect, but not so good for walking in. Good luck.

[@Kenzie13nicola]

Your hunting stuff maybe similar to hill country. This is why i like coming to the midwest because of the predictable winds. When i hear guys from midwest say hunt a wind that is just off, thats impossible in PA where i live

[@jarviscasey8085]

For me when the wind is blowing having a windproof jacket helps a lot to stay warm.I have bibs and a jacket that are windproof but ya can't walk to the stand with them on or you will sweat which makes it worse as far as getting cold.

[@yourmomma2995]

i spent many many years looking for the perfect extreme cold weather hunting outfit and figured it out 8 or 10 years ago, arctic shield parka and pants (no layering or bulking up needed) just long johns and that outer, and also no amount of money can get you warmer boots than the military bunny boots. thats what i wore this morning, it was 20 something degrees with 20+mph wind, i sat from 6 to 9am no problem, its also good for MUCH colder days.

[@Piratexalex2017]

The black rubber military boots are definitely the best. I only wear one pair of socks unless it gets below freezing.

[@DarinEllis-f5z]

I use the same set up. Just wore it all day today in Nebraska. Kept me toasty warm

[@usernamehere6061]

@@Piratexalex2017If its not below freezing its not even cold lol you can wear normal clothes

[@grinder881]

What kind of socks do you wear? I recently was on a 6-day hunt where I sat all day every day and once it got into the 30s the only thing cold was my feet. Do you wear Merino Wool, Alpaca Wool, Darn Tough Socks? How many pair/layers of socks do you wear in 30 degrees or colder? Do you wear your Wool socks next to skin or over a different texture sock? I know it's a lot of questions, just tired of feet being cold. BTW, I wear Gumleaf boots.

[@_1COR15.1-4]

Good vid, God bless ❤

[@bradbradshaw-i4n]

my feet use to get cold until i bought boots 2 sizes to big and wear 2 pair of wool socks. then dry out the boots every night or switch to a dry pair.

[@lukepatrino8668]

No ur right the wind has been so off this season it’s been ridiculous

[@drewmiller8454]

Bill, Do you get a size above in bibs for layering under? Also, do you find the Fjall bibs are too warm for late October/November?

[@bill-winke]

Drew, I buy bibs that are maybe a bit loose with just a pair of pants on, but not too loose as I don't put huge layers under them. I have worn the ColdFjall in October and it is fine as long as you carry it to the stand or blind. Good luck and Happy Thanksgiving.

[@bigspaid21]

Did you get the coyote?!

[@nathanhoffman9579]

Thor might grow up to be a 170 some day. I agree on the winds as it seems like the predictions are always wrong. i always say, when I retire I should be a weather man because they are always wrong and still keep their job. LOL

[@lonniechartrand]

16:08…did you see the buck that was with that doe?

[@bill-winke]

Yes. I had a much better angle than the camera. It was a 2 year old 8 pointer. Good eyes.

[@alexadams9437]

Best way to keep blind windows from fogging up? Would make hunting from a blind much more enjoyable if we could see through the fogged up windows

[@bill-winke]

I don't know. I have been thinking about using a low voltage DC fan and pushing air out of the blind down a long 3 inch drainage pipe to create a vent without letting my scent reach the deer. The owner or Redneck Blinds messed around with using a solar powered fan on the top to pull air through an ozone machine and then out a roof vent. I am not sure if that worked or not. The other option is to keep a window cracked on the downwind side and use an ozone machine to kill as much scent as possible before it goes out the window. I have tried a lot of stuff and keep coming back to the squeegee. Good luck.

[@shanetrudell4061]

I was sure you got that coyote! Dang that would have been awesome I’ve been close 1 time to getting a shot.

[@cnsmotorsports]

Bill with you being in big timber area, what are the odds of giant bucks growing there?

[@bill-winke]

It is still Iowa genetics and farm does have ag and some food plots so all my bucks need is age and I should be able to grow some dandies. Thanks for the comment and support.

[@keithbuesing6912]

Nothing worse than shivering Cold and a couple more hours to go. Frostbite in my feet at an early age. Now I have three pairs of boots 400, 800, 1000 thinsulated.

[@Woodland-Gangsta]

1200 here

[@lukebryant5017]

4:22 welcome to hill country, come east and play in the mountains 😂

[@bill-winke]

Sounds like fun. That is a beautiful area. Have a great day.

[@msptpreich7406]

Fighting ever changing winds. Welcome to my world. I’m anal about scent but my property is bordered by a river with numerous draws. If you only hunted the “perfect” wind, you would never hunt. Even with consistent winds they will change numerous times every sit. But when you have lemons, you make lemonade. I try to be as scent free as possible and make best use of the winds and carefully hunt my stands but it is frustrating.

[@Matt-33]

I can't believe how slow it's been for you Bill - worse than last year. Unless you're getting more trail cam pics of the Jordan buck and now showing them, why continue to hunt that ridge without any sightings?

[@bill-winke]

You don't kill them if you don't hunt them. He is here somewhere. Besides, he is the only legitimate shooter on the farm - that I know of.

[@Matt-33]

@bill-winke He's an awesome buck - I'm rootin' for ya! Late-season over food could be the recipe.

[@Woodland-Gangsta]

Anything below 30° im not leaving the house unless i have a boot with 1200 gram of insulation.

[@archersexton1009]

You may need to move stand

[@searchingfor6thgear44]

Way too many years hunting deer and participating in winter warfare exercises… Amos is correct, you lose a ton of heat out of your head and neck. The body seeks to keep the core and the brain operating and will sacrifice blood flow to your extremities to do so. Neck gaiters, warm hats, putting hand warmers on the back of your hand/wrist (warming the return blood to your core) are critical in keeping you warm. That’s accepting that you wore light enough clothing to your stand that you didn’t sweat! Cotton kills in the cold. Polyester and wool are essential, holifil and down work in the extremes. Tight boots and gloves cut off circulation and make you colder, regardless of how much insulation they have. Like you said bibs are good. Whole suits are good (once you have arrived at your stand). Sweat is no good. My $0.02, anyway.

[@whitetail229]

Target buck crossed the road 🤦‍♂️ When will this misery end?😂😂

[@mark5552]

The first day there is accumulated snow on the ground is the best day to hunt. Bar none. They go on a feeding frenzy and act like they don't have a care in the world

[@bill-winke]

They are also a lot more visible. I can honestly say that I am not sure we would have even noticed that buck if there had not been snow on the ground - 150 yards away walking through the timber.