Dressing for hunting deer in the middle of upstate NY

[sbwaters]

The only time I went “hunting” yesteryear by was to accompany my FIL briefly, and mostly sat and read books.

Now I have a son who hunts with friends and his FIL. I just got two doe permits, will go out with him, and I got nothing to wear.

I’ve got some good GoreTex high top lace boots and woolen wicking hiking socks.

Where, ranging from mid-October to early snow, for goodness sake, do I start? Longs, pants, bibs (insulated or just waterproof)? Mid-layers? Outer? Brands?

Or do I just trust Bass Pro?

Thnx!

 

[buck460XVR]

Kinda depends on the way you are going to be hunting. Out west or areas where you are going to be doing a lot of walking/hiking and moving around, you are going to need the more expensive wicking type clothing. If you are hunting an area where you only walk a short distance and sit for most of the day, then you can get by with just multiple layers of warm clothing, with warm boots being the key to staying warm. If you are sitting in a blind that is easily accessible, $100 spent on a Mister Heater is your best bet.

If you live close to where you hunt, you probably already have most of what you need, especially for a gun season hunt. You must already have warm clothing to shovel the driveway, walk the dog, etc.

 

[George P]

If the temps will vary from morning to afternoon, you will want various layers - and that can include your socks as well. When I hunted out West in early season for antelope or deer, the AM was cold, but by noon you were wanting shorts and a T shirts. TOO much clothing will cause you to overheat and that is not good. Wicking layer first, polypropylene or similar followed by various insulating layers including something like a goretex outer layer if inclement weather can be in the mix

 

[Laphroaig]

That's a good question. I'm thinking the weather in Pennsylvania is very similar to where you will be hunting. I've worn anything from an orange T-shirt to a heavy parka. Usually somewhere in between. Hunting seasons might (usually?) have rain and/or snow. So raingear or goretex is mandatory. I've gravitated to underarmor as my base layer, and have some wool pants that I wear more often than not. I have a wool shirt, and some fleece pullovers that get used a lot too. Think layers and you will have most bases covered.

How will you be hunting? Do you walk to your stand? I always get sweaty walking in, so put your heavy clothes in a pack to don once you get there. If you like to move, less clothes are necessary since you can get up and walk a bit if you get cold. Sometimes I wear my small game brush pant if I know Ill be pushing through thick stuff. If you plan on sitting all day you'll need more stuff.

Gloves are important too. I like something light enough so I can feel the trigger, always worn on my right hand. You have goretex boots which are good, not sure if insulated or not. Cold feet are not much fun if you sit a lot. I bought some muck boots which I really like, especially if there is snow.

 

[sbwaters]

goretex boots which are good, not sure if insulated or not.

I got the medium insulation boots. Don’t expect a lot of walking or a long day in a stand. Expect some in the crew will drive and some will watch. Definitely layered to be able to adapt.

Reservations about Bass Pro higher end?

 

[buck460XVR]

Reservations about Bass Pro higher end?

No reservations, just wondering if you really need it, especially when you claim "Don’t expect a lot of walking or a long day in a stand. Expect some in the crew will drive and some will watch.'

This tells me that while having "Bass Pro higher end" stuff would be nice, odds are it's not really needed. If most of the hunting is going to be short stands with others making drives, there is not a lot of time to get cold, or the real need for really "warm" clothing. Something the wicks away moisture so that you don't get sweaty and clammy while driving and then cold as your sweat cools when standing is what should work, and that can be had at Walmart. I sometimes "still" hunt large parcel of public land. This generally means a day spent walking very slowly and stopping every so often for short periods of time. My gauge is that I walk slowly enough I don't get sweaty(if I start to sweat, I'm going too fast) and when I stop, I stop till I get cold. This means the cloths I wear are not extremely warm or heavy, but allow easy movement and are comfortable. Especially the boots. Other days when I sit in a stand all day, I don't really care how heavy or how uncomfortable my boots are to walk in, since I'm not walking, but trying to stay warm all day. Many times I will go in light and carry my heavy stuff to keep from getting sweaty, and finish dressing when I get to stand. Once you get sweaty and wet under your cloths....you are done. My advice would be to put your money in the first base layers, and on some kind of waterproof/Goretex outer wear. This will have you covered as anything in between is changed as to how you are hunting and the weather of the day. I use a good Goretex rainsuit as my everyday outer layer. It can be worn with one thin layer of wicking underclothes on warm days/while walking, or used over the same base layer with multiple other layers depending on the temp.

 

[red rick]

If you are not going to hunt to often , I wouldn't spend much for camo gear . I would just wear my jeans and a flannel shirt and my winter coat and my show shoveling gloves , if I were not worried about ripping or getting blood on them . I would buy 1 or 2 pair of the mid weight wicking base layer tops and one pair of the bottoms . I use the Basspro brand ( they are a tan color ) , they are not too expensive and pretty good . If it is really cold in the morning you can wear both pair and then remove a layer if it warms up . If you have a wool sweater they are really warm . You will want some waterproof insulated boots . I like 800 grams or higher and a pair of wicking socks and wool socks worn together . You will also need some warm gloves , if you don't already have any . I also like a stocking hat , if my head , feet and hands are warm , I am pretty good .

Don't forget your blaze orange vest or it could be your hat or both , in Va. anyway .

If you hunt in the rain ( I don't ) you could get some frog togs if your clothes are not waterproof .

 

[FL-NC]

For cold weather, IMO, your boots, gloves, and hat are the most important and most often neglected gear. Thinsulate is the best material for boots and gloves. For hats, I like a beanie in polar fleece, or even the dumb looking US military issue pile caps. They look stupid but they work, and are cheap through the surplus market. Poly-pro for long johns. Polar fleece is excellent for jacket layers, the water repellent current mil issue jackets and pants are excellent warmth for the weight. Sportsman's guide in a great source for quality surplus items, but I would get gloves and boots from a trusted source like bass pro.

 

[Laphroaig]

Don’t expect a lot of walking or a long day in a stand. Expect some in the crew will drive and some will watch.

That is our general strategy for deer hunting here after opening morning. It sounds like your boots will be perfect, and the mix of driving and sitting will give you a chance to warm up if it is super cold. One of the pieces of clothing that I found useful for that style hunting when the temps range from about 30 to 50 degrees is a bird hunting jacket like this one:

https://www.ebay.com/itm/Mens-Vinta...942966?hash=item23a70476b6:g:LHkAAOSwCFNbZR50

It offers some protection when pushing through thick stuff and is a bit water resistant in light rain. I stow a thinsulate vest, maybe an extra shirt, bottle of water and a sandwich in the game pocket for when I'm posting. Along with an orange hat, it meets the required area of blaze orange. As for hats, the knit beanie types are warmer but mine would repeatedly get snagged and knocked off of my head by thorny vines. I like the old style billed cap with earflaps.

 

[Bfh_auto]

Warm coveralls with zippers that go both ways are nice.
Bibs and a heavier coat with a hoody underneath are good.
Remember you will get cold sitting, try to keep from sweating on the way in.
The finger mitt gloves help your fingers.

 

[Legionnaire]

I hunted central/upstate NY for many years. Temperatures can change dramatically over a day's time, so layers are your friend. I started out with heavy insulated overalls and parkas but moved away from them in time. My gear now includes the following:

Moisture-wicking neoprene sock liners to go against my bare feet, covered by a good set of wool socks; I carry a spare set of dry socks just in case.
Depending on expected temps, either a pair of waterproof thinsulate-insulated leather boots (if I plan to walk a lot) or a heavier set of pac boots--for long time on stand. Don't get boots that are too tight; you will have better insulation if you have room to wiggle your toes.
I wear a tight-fitting long-sleeve compression shirt, like Under Armour's cold gear shirt; mine is a knock-off, but it does a good job wicking moisture away from my body.
Mid-weight long-sleeve polyester thermal underwear, top and bottom.
If it's going to be cold, I'll wear a pair of polyester fleece sweatpants under a pair of uninsulated gore-tex (or equivalent) camo pants. The sweats provide insulation and the gore-tex breaks the wind. If/when it gets warmer, I lose the sweats first.
Upper body gets a wool sweater over the thermal underwear; if it's really cold, I'll put a wool shirt on over the wool sweater--yes, that's four layers BEFORE a coat. Over that goes an uninuslated gore-tex parka ... and a blaze orange vest. If it gets warmer, I remove the wool shirt and sweater.
I wear polyester glove liners under insulated gloves with finger-mitt covers; I carry a set of dry uninsulated gloves and chemical hand warmers in my kit. The uninsulated gloves are for when it warms up, or as backups if my heavier gloves get wet.
Fleece neck tube for my neck that can be pulled up over my face as needed, and a blaze gore-tex had with fold down ear muffs.
I carry a military-grade poncho and insulated poncho-liner in my backpack; while generally intended for emergencies, the poncho liner has served as a leg wrap when sitting on stand on really cold days.

Where I hunt I often have to hike a mile or more to my stand. I strip down so that I don't overheat on the way in, and add insulating layers back on before I cool down completely from the hike. The trick is to stay dry; your own sweat can make you very uncomfortable when you cool down.

None of this has to be expensive top-of-the-line brand name stuff. Layers made out of the right material are key. Avoid cotton; it doesn't insulate well and it retains moisture. Polyester fleece and wool are best. Layer up if sitting on stand, fewer layers if still hunting or making a drive.

 

[Charliefrank]

Hunting in the mountains of Vermont usually meant a good pair of pac boots,wool socks, long johns, wool pants and shirt, insulated vest wool coat, hat and gloves. You can always take the coat off going up the mountain and put it back on when taking a stand

 

[sbwaters]

Thank you, all, for sharing your experiences. I hate to learn things the hard way if I can avoid it.

 

[troy fairweather]

i keep a surplus wool blanket in my pack for the day when the weather is crazy and drops 30% in 30 mins. wear little to your hunting spot then put on the layers long johns are worth every penny. if there is wind u need somethings to stop it from hitting your skin will make a 30 day feel like -10. i like fleece on top its nice and quiet. but is the worst when wet.

 

[MidRoad]

Moisture wicking base layer. Merino wool is the best. A goos base layer helps a ton .Underarmor types are ok too but not as warm. Than I wear a windproof fleece hoody from LL Bean over that. Next layer is a lighter weight wind/water resistant material (cabela microtex) this combo I'm good till upper forties usually. When it's cold I have all the same on but add a heavy insulated outer layer which is also windproof. This I keep in my pack if I'm walking alot,too warm and you begin to sweat. Sweat is what will make you real cold.

I prefer wool socks as well. Thinsulate is good stuff . But still not a big fan of it in my gloves when it's below freezing. If they're good gloves and your hands sweat for the first hour or so,after a few the gloves will get hard and kinda freeze a little and than won't keep your hands warm any more. So I use wool mittens that open up to expose fingers to shoot,when it's real cold.

 

[dh1633pm]

Herb Philipsons in Rome has everything you need or you could head over to Runnings . You've been living in the Mohawk Valley long enough to know what you need for our warm climate (NOT). I didn't mean that in a bad way. Its just if you live in Rome, you get cold, you get snow, you get rain. Just think about if you have to be out in it for longer than shoveling the driveway or attending an RFA late fall night football game in the rain. Although you can't take an umbrella in the woods with good luck.

I hunt way north of Rome (northern tier) and south of Utica (southern tier). I usually wear layers. October usually isn't cold enough for a lot of hunting clothing. But you do need a Gortex or other material outer of some type to keep you dry. Like others said you get wet from sweat and from rain/snow. Keeping yourself dry is half the battle. Very good recommendations from those here. When its cold and wet, I wear a tall gortex hiking boots with good socks. I wear a thermal underwear as needed. Quality sweatshirt as needed, then gortex pants and jacket. Gloves are an important consideration as well with the need to operate the rifle with them on and to not get snow/wet inside them. I have a nice lightweight pair made out of kevlar and kangaroo. I go heavier once snow hits the ground. Try out what you buy before you head out in the woods to see how it works/fits.

 

[Vern Humphrey]

It depends on how you're hunting. If you're on a stand, you're going to get cold. Cold feet are the worst part. I recommend loose-fitting boots, a couple of pairs of thick socks, and perhaps electric socks. Plenty of knit or thinsulate head covers -- I wear two or three on the theory that most heat loss comes through the head.