HUNTINGsmart! USA Knowledge Base
Module 08 - HUNTING PREPARATION
CLOTHES FOR THE HIGHS AND LOWS
Warm Weather
Even when hunting in warm weather you should have three light layers of clothing (on your back or in your pack) to protect yourself from sunburn or other heat-related illnesses, like heat stroke. You can always peel layers of clothing off if you find that you’re too warm but you won’t want to be crocheting a sweater from twigs if you’re too cold.
Cold Weather
In cold weather, you should always wear the following three layers of clothing:
- A layer of moisture-wicking fabric (such as polypropylene).
- An insulating layer to keep you warm (wool is the best for this).
- An outer shell layer that will protect you from the wind, rain and snow.
Just find the right balance and remember that overdressing can be just as much a hypothermia risk as underdressing. Heavy sweating = chills = hypothermia! Oh, and don’t crank the heat in the truck on your way to go hunting. You’ll sweat in your gear and get damp. Basically, the sooner you acclimatize to the outdoor temps, the better.
Wise Words: Trap the Warmth!
The secret to staying warm in cold weather is to keep warm air trapped between your layers—the same way house insulation works. Tight layering will squeeze the trapped air out of your layers but loose layering will keep you warmer for longer.
