Keeping warm on stand

[motley man]

Anyone have a good way to keep warm on stand for November deer hunt? I walk about 1/2 mile to stand and get sweaty. After a hour I get cold, have tried wearing less clothes and laying clothes while walking in, but no change. I'm 60 and the cold just gets me more each year. I'm looking at Sterno or some other heat source that I can carry in with me and fire up when the cold sets in. If I use sterno does it give off to much fume & scent to scare deer? I just have to get down from stand and walk to warm up and I hunt a area that has a lot of other hunter's so walking only scare's deer out of my area. Thinking of putting Sterno inside a coffee can between legs on floor of tree stand with a blanket, tarp over legs. Any suggestions will help.

[maros91]

Thermos with hot chocolate has always been good for me.

[nofishfisherman]

Getting sweaty on your walk to the stand is probably the biggest factor for you getting cold. Also what kind of clothing are you wearing? Layering isn't the only answer, you need to layer with the right type of clothing.

First off if you're wearing anything cotton get rid of it. Cotton kills and if it gets wet you're better of sitting there naked.

Wool is always a good choice as it keeps you warm even when wet.

The other thing is take your time on your walk. Go slow and don't over exert yourself so that you don't get sweaty in the first place.

I'm often carrying my rifle, small pack, and my climbing stand so if I'm not careful I'll be sweating like a pig before i get to my spot. If that happens first thing I do when I hit my spot is eliminate some layers to dry out. I wear a lot of dry wick under layers so they usually dry quikcly while I'm getting my stand set up. I then get my layers back on before climbing. Usually its my hands and feet that get cold and I combat that with those small hand warmers you put in your boots and gloves. On REALLY cold days I'll also but one or two near my core or the back of my neck. Its amazing how much it can help.

Your idea of keeping something burning between your legs with a blanket drapped over sounds like a recipe for 2nd degree burns if you ask me. Not sure I'd go that route.

[outdoors247]

The first thing I would do is ditch all your cotton shirts and long underwear. Go out and find yourself some moisture wicking clothing for top and bottom. By having this layer your going to do a lot better as far as shaking off the wet/clammy feeling.

I have a little farther walk than you and I literally strip down to jeans and a blaze orange hooded sweatshirt. I put all my heavy outer garments in a backpack and wait until I'm under my stand to change into the heavy garments. I also leave early enough that I can take my time and walk at a slow pace so I don't heat up. I sweat easily and this works well for me.

Good luck this fall!

Edit: Looks like NFM beat me to it. Try these things, they work well!

[skee0025]

Any kind of heating pad or device held in placed around where your kidneys are. It will have almost direct access to your internal organs. I've been using a back brace and solid fuel hand warmers for years. Don't believe it works? Try this to test it. Next time your in the shower let the hot water strike your lower back. You'll find that you warm up all over.

[engfish]

All the suggestions about getting the right layers are excellent. But I'm close to you in age, and the key to me staying warm and happy also includes the feet. Most days if I get cold, it's because my feet are cold and it starts to move up my body.

You have to have good insulated footwear and good socks. Wool or wool blend work great for me. I have a heavier set of boots that I wear during the coldest days in November and December (when I'm bowhunting)that I carry with me to my stand to avoid making my feet sweat. It has worked very well, and I oftentimes spray them and hang them in the tree with me.

Have you considered using a ground blind? You can certainly set up a small heater inside for cold days when you're on the ground. The blind will also allow you to stand and move your limbs frequently without creating a not of noise. My ground blind is insulated and works very well with a small 5000 BTU heater that isn't much larger than a coffee can.

Sucks to get old and sucks to be cold!

[muskiemanAD]

I seem to sweat a lot walking to the stand too but never get cold on stand anymore. Like others have said its all in the layers and the correct ones at that... Make sure your base layer is a wicking material, second I where a wool sweater over that a pull over fleece with a hood for keeping wind off then a small coat over that. With those layers I can stay warm in some pretty cold weather. For super cold days I can cram a goose down vest in the bottom of my bag, only takes up a small space but it is super warm to put on if I need extra warmth. I usually put most of this on at the base of stand. When I start walking I want to be cold cause I will warm up..

[TruthWalleyes]

I almost always have a backpack when going to stand. Long walks i'll go very slow to avoid sweat, and sometimes don't put on my heavy clothing until i get to the stand. Best thing you can do to avoid cold in the stand is to avoid moisture. Beyond that, you just need warm clothes like mentioned above.

[Getanet]

A guy that hunts the same public land we do leaves his heavy coat and bibs in a plastic bag off the trail from where he heads into his stand. I'm not sure if that's technically legal or not, but it sure seems appealing. I always wear my heavy clothes on the walk in I'm always a sweaty mess by the time I get to my stand.

[Bear55]

You should check out a heater body suite, everyone who has one raves about them.

[NoWiser]

Plus one on the wool. I wear wool base layer (top and bottom), heavy fleece pants, a heavy wool sweater, a fleece vest, and then my outer layers. The key is to start off your walk cold. It's hard to do, but if you start out cold, you won't be sweated up when you get to your stand, even if you hear scary noises in the woods and have to pick up your pace! On the way to my stand I wear only my base layers, pluce the blaze orange fleece vest. Everything else gets strapped to the pack and put on at the bottom of the tree. I do always keep a few of those handwarmers to do as Skee mentioned, but have very rarely needed to use them. Good warm boots and something to wrap around your neck and chin are critical too.

I have heard very good things about the heater body suit, too. I'd probably check them out if I had trouble staying warm.

[huntnfish]

Like others have said, when I start to walk to my stand late in the season I like to be cold. By the time I get to the stand I am comfortable and then I start putting on the extra clothes I'm carrying. Right before I start my walk in I put a couple disposable handwarmers over the top of my base layer and on my kidney area. I've been doing this for a few years and like others have said, it works wonders. I don't wear anything cotton. A good base layer and some fleece and then a decent outer layer to stop any wind is important.

[skee0025]

I have heard very good things about the heater body suit, too. I'd probably check them out if I had trouble staying warm.

Heater body suits has a thing going on now "Frees suit Fridays" on their FB page.

[rbs]

I have a heater body suit. It is awesome! I was very skeptical before I bought one but I tell you what, it IS the cats a$$. I liked mine so much that my dad bought one also...he is 66. on a 0deg day I could sit there all day long as long as I keep the wind off my neck. I use a fleece neck gaiter and a fleece hat and I am good.

Underneath my HBS I use underarmor, polypropalyne long underwear(sp?), and a light/med jacket. When it is really cold I have a heavier jacket that I bring with. I like to be warm! Feet don't get cold either as they are in the suit with you.

[elkhuntingfan]

I usually carry my heavy clothes out as well. Rather than use a backpack, I use a fanny pack with shoulder straps. My back doesn't get as sweaty.

[mainbutter]

A couple things to consider:

1) insulation

2) blood flow

3) hard work/vs resting heat production

You want insulation. You want blood flow. You'll be sitting still and not making a ton of heat.

This means, insulate yourself with stuff that isn't tight fitting. Feet and hands are the first to lose blood flow when your body is trying to conserve heat, so keep them in the loop when it comes to plenty of insulation that isn't restrictive. This is why over-sizing on boots and socks is always recommended. Keep your feet feeling loose, if your feet feel "tight", they won't receive a warm blood supply. Similarly with gloves, thick loose fitting mittens are the warmest hand protectors out there.

The brilliance of the heater body suit is that it accomplishes all the goals but leaves you the option to freely wield a weapon when the time comes. Keep your hands and feet tucked in, but free your torso when an animal comes by.

[Col. Hoggiebun]

One thi g I us e that seems to get over looked a lot is thema cell heat wraps. I buy the one for the back. I have poor circulation an I open one on the way to stand to let it get activated. I really lime theses wrap. They produce heat up to8 hours. With the back wrap it helps kepp the lower back loose along with your inner extremeties warm, wich helps circulaton twin pack at wally world for 8 bucks is cheap to give them a try. But cupled with the abouve suggestikn yud be golden

[ClownColor]

Agree with everything but i'll add a tree stand skirt or something to block out the wind.

[lakevet]

Have relatives that hunt late season in their 70's and some did into their late 80's.

Are you physically in the best shape you can be? When in shape you have more muscle and your metabolism is higher thus generating more heat, even at rest. Even daily long walks help, start now if you haven,t been exercising.

Are you spending time outside to be adjusted to cold weather. Think about how colder 20 above feels in November versus in February after a long 20 below streak and you body has adjusted. Be outside as much as you can with less clothing. Be cool not toasty warm to help,acclimate preseason. Sitting inside at 70 f watching football all fall, then heading out opening morning is not recommended.

Are you well hydrated? Dehydration, even mild, will make it harder to stay warm. No alcohol, caffeine, or pop, etc.

Are you well fed? I like hot dish pasta meat vegetables evenings (similar to spaghetti feeds that marathoners do night before race) and oatmeal eggs fruit milk banana in the morning.

Are you well rested. A good nights sleep works wonders for you mental toughness and your body,s ability to stay warm.

Avoid sweating up and use any clothing you like as long as it is WOOL. If you do get wet/sweat it is going to be the warmest anD will dry with your body heat. Consider going to bed earlier, getting up earlier and walking slower to get on stand. I will put on a outer layer of breathable wind blocking shell if really windy, but usuallly deep in cover on windy days where wind is slower by the surrounding cover.

If your doctor in a hunter/winter sports person ask him if any health related things can be done.

Lakevet

[Summett]

the IWOM! Looked at all the full body suits last year. Reviews, etc...and went with this one. It's fantastic!

I used to get cold, and I've tried lots of different things, but this is by far the warmest I've been sitting up in a stand. No more sweating getting to the stand and up in the tree, and nice and cozy while I wait. Takes a little getting used to, shifting your feet within the suit up in a stand, but once you get used to it, it's fine.

I would suggest a look...and their great guys to work with on sizing, etc. They pretty much told me to try it and if I didn't like it, they'd take it back. Worked for me!

[TRZ II]

Have relatives that hunt late season in their 70's and some did into their late 80's.

Are you physically in the best shape you can be? When in shape you have more muscle and your metabolism is higher thus generating more heat, even at rest. Even daily long walks help, start now if you haven,t been exercising.

Are you spending time outside to be adjusted to cold weather. Think about how colder 20 above feels in November versus in February after a long 20 below streak and you body has adjusted. Be outside as much as you can with less clothing. Be cool not toasty warm to help,acclimate preseason. Sitting inside at 70 f watching football all fall, then heading out opening morning is not recommended.

Are you well hydrated? Dehydration, even mild, will make it harder to stay warm. No alcohol, caffeine, or pop, etc.

Are you well fed? I like hot dish pasta meat vegetables evenings (similar to spaghetti feeds that marathoners do night before race) and oatmeal eggs fruit milk banana in the morning.

Are you well rested. A good nights sleep works wonders for you mental toughness and your body,s ability to stay warm.

Avoid sweating up and use any clothing you like as long as it is WOOL. If you do get wet/sweat it is going to be the warmest anD will dry with your body heat. Consider going to bed earlier, getting up earlier and walking slower to get on stand. I will put on a outer layer of breathable wind blocking shell if really windy, but usuallly deep in cover on windy days where wind is slower by the surrounding cover.

If your doctor in a hunter/winter sports person ask him if any health related things can be done.

Lakevet

If I couldn't have alcohol or pop I'd quit hunting!!! LOL all great ideas!