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Hunting in cold weather presents unique challenges that require specialized equipment and preparation to stay safe and comfortable in harsh conditions. From setting up a secure campsite to layering effectively and avoiding sweat, a few well-planned strategies can make the difference between a successful hunt and one that ends early due to frostbite or hypothermia.
This guide covers the essential tips and gear for cold-weather hunting, helping you maintain warmth, hydration, and energy while out in the elements.
Let’s get started.
1. Fire Tips
Fires are critical for staying warm, and melting snow for drinking water. Depending on the temperatures, you may need to build multiple fires throughout the day. Pack firestarters inside your jacket, where they will stay dry. Then, look for flammable fuels like dead pines with brown needles to get a fire going quickly.
2. Water
Staying hydrated is essential, especially in winter. Liquid water is less available, making us more likely to get dehydrated. In winter, water bottles and creeks freeze, so your only source of water might be melted ice or snow.
Never eat snow since it will cool your body too quickly. Instead, bring a metal camp mug to set at the edge of your fire or on a metal rack and quickly melt what you need. Careful, though—it will be hot. Use your multi-tool to move it off the fire and let it cool a little.
At camp, have a large pot to boil water. Pack it full of snow and add a bit of liquid water so it doesn’t burn the pot. Then, keep adding more snow as it melts until you have a full pot.
You can also make a bed warmer by putting hot water in a Nalgene bottle and sealing it tightly. Keep it in your sleeping bag to stay warm at night, and you will have drinking water for the next morning.
3. Stay Warm With Layers
Staying warm is critical for comfort and possibly survival in freezing temperatures. Frostbite and hypothermia can be easier to get than you might think.
Staying warm outdoors is all about wearing layers. Merino wool base layers are thin and offer superior warmth but make for easy movement. Good quality mid-layers made of wool, down, or other materials are good, but avoid cotton since it will absorb water. What kind of mid-layer will vary with what type of hunting you are doing; puffy jackets are fine when gun-hunting, but heavy vests allow for better movement for those bow-hunting.
Finally, a nice outer layer of snow pants, a winter jacket, or a full-body suit will keep you warm.
4. Avoid Sweating
Avoiding sweating is critical since we can quickly develop hypothermia when we stop moving in sub-freezing temperatures. This is why wearing layers is vital. Pack in your outer layers on a long hike since your base and mid-layers should keep you warm enough and make you less likely to sweat.
Also, leave your head exposed while hiking. Don’t overdo it; slow and steady is key. Then, put on your outer layers, hat, and balaclava when you stop to drink or have lunch.
5. Remove Snow Before Glassing
Always clear the snow before you sit down to glass; otherwise, your body heat will melt, leaving you wet and cold. Clear the snow, then sit on a small tarp, outdoor pad, or your backpack.
6. Use a Gear Sled
Gear sleds are a great way to move through snow without straining yourself too much carrying your equipment. They glide over the snow and lighten your backpack. Look for sleds with multiple tie-down spots and a strong rope. Don’t pack it too full, though. You will want to use it to carry your game out of the bush.
7. Hand and Foot Warmers
Keeping your hands and feet warm is critical as these areas get frostbite first. Avoid cotton gloves and socks that absorb moisture. Instead, opt for Merino wool socks to keep your feet warm without making your boots too tight.
Bring a few good-quality gloves designed for winter use; multiple pairs are important because wet gloves are a quick way to get frostbite. Using a muff for your hands is also a good idea. You can keep your hand warmers inside, then pull out your hands when you need more dexterity than gloves offer.
You can use chemical warmers, but they are disposable and run out, and you just have to buy more yearly. New rechargeable hand warmers and even electrically heated gloves and socks are fantastic options. You only need to remember to charge them.
That’s easy with your compact and lightweight EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series portable power stations. Their LiFePO4 batteries work in cold with an operating range from -4°F to 140°F (-20°C to 60°C).
8. Snowshoes
Breaking through snow can wear you down quickly and make you sweat too much. Snowshoes save energy and allow you to cover more terrain. Choose small, lightweight models that attach easily to the outside of your pack.
Alternatively, you can make your snowshoes on the go using large pine or spruce boughs. You only need a buckle strap for each foot and a multi-tool with a saw to cut the boughs.
9. Shelter
Using a four-season tent built for snow camping is critical for multi-day trips, with its waterproof floors, all-weather flies, and a vestibule for keeping snow out of your tent. Like winterizing your home, winterizing your camp to shield yourself from the elements as much as possible is essential.
Clear the snow off the ground before pitching your tent. Placing a tarp under your tent is also a good idea. You can even cut pine or fir boughs and put them under the tarp as an extra insulating layer to keep you away from the frozen ground and prevent the snow under your tent from melting from your body heat.
Pitching the tent with the door opposite the prevailing wind is also important. This will prevent snow drifts off the door side and keep zippers from freezing. Staking your tent can be challenging with frozen ground, so you may need to secure it with rocks or bury the stake in a snow hole, add water, and pack it with more snow.
You can set up your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max + 160W Solar Panel at your campsite. Pop the portable generator inside your tent and run the cord to your IP68 waterproof solar panel; it will recharge while you are hunting during the day.
Then, use your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max to run lights while you cook and prep your gear for the next day. You can also pack your EcoFlow RIVER 2 Max in a backpack or on your gear sled if you need it while hunting.
Another thing to consider is the EcoFlow Glacier Portable Refrigerator for storing your food so it doesn’t freeze solid in the elements. The refrigerator inside keeps everything at a consistent food-safe temperature.
Frequently Asked Questions
Wearing multiple light and mid-weight layers is better than bulky layers, so you can move and don’t make too much noise. Merino wool base layers are followed by a middle layer of lightweight but warm pants and long-sleeve shirts and an outer layer of a mid-weight jacket or body suit.
Final Thoughts
Successful cold-weather hunting is all about being prepared for the elements. From winter shelters and frequent fires to staying warm with appropriate layers and using rechargeable hand warmers, you can stay safe and not cut your trip short for a medical emergency.
For reliable power to run lights, electronics, or heated gear, the EcoFlow RIVER 3 Series portable power stations are a practical addition to any hunter’s pack. Equip yourself well, stay safe, and enjoy mastering the challenges of cold-weather hunting.