In the modern era of deer hunting, there is no reason why being unprepared for the elements — such as wind or extreme cold, even in combination — should cost a hunter time in the stand.
Deer hunting clothing has been totally revolutionized. The use of cotton and polyester is gone for cold weather protection. They may be great for hunting on warm days, of which we have many in Mississippi, but when it really turns frosty when a polar blast blows through, hunters need better protection from the elements.
It is widely recognized that to beat the really stiff cold means you have to beat the wind. I know my hunting buddy from Wisconsin laughs at me when I talk about how cold it is down here. That is, until he comes to visit.
“I have been to Mississippi numerous times to deer and hog hunt in December,” said Brian McCombie from Marshfield, Wisc. “I know firsthand just how bone chilling cold it can get down here. It is different than Wisconsin, but darn cold none-the-less. You definitely have to wear wind- breaker clothing to stay warm.”
Van Allen of Brandon, who owns one of Mississippi’s most successful sporting good stores that cater to outdoorsmen, has witnessed the changes in effective clothing.
“I’ve been in the outdoor sporting goods business for years and I have seen the types of hunting clothing change dramatically,” he said. “It used to be that synthetic insulations were the big deal, but now the thing to have is wind resistant layers built right into the coat and bibs. I have deer hunters come into the store looking for a coat that will stop the wind chill factor.”
If you want to stay on your hunting stand longer when a cold wind stirs, then you have to have clothing that seals the garment from wind penetration. The next chance you get to add a new garment to the hunting wardrobe then consider a coat, jacket, bibs, or sweater that is windproof. Most major hunting clothing lines offer them now.
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