December Mississippi Whitetail Hunt

[ofl0926]

Ill be going to Mississippi this year to a friends property to hunt Whitetails in December. I haven't hunted whitetails this late in the season so I am a little under prepared. I am looking for some advice on outter wear.
I am looking at purchasing some sitka stratus bib set or the kuiu proximity bib set. I am also looking at a pair of rubber boots. What do you guys think and suggest. I am open to all options.
Thank you

 

[CBB15]

Where in MS? North, South, Central? Delta or hills?
How will you be hunting the property? ladder, ground, enclosed blind?

I understand that you are from South Florida but I would not buy any expensive gear for one whitetail hunt.
I have taken plenty of cold blooded people and simply brought a blanket and warmer packets for sitting. A heater for any blind if it is real cold. It doesn't typically get real cold until January in N. MS.

 

[ofl0926]

Where in MS? North, South, Central? Delta or hills?
How will you be hunting the property? ladder, ground, enclosed blind?

I understand that you are from South Florida but I would not buy any expensive gear for one whitetail hunt.
I have taken plenty of cold blooded people and simply brought a blanket and warmer packets for sitting. A heater for any blind if it is real cold. It doesn't typically get real cold until January in N. MS.

I believe north of Columbus. This will be reoccuring thing each year. Most of the hunting will be in tree stands. My friend said it could be cold so that is where i am at. Rather be prepared than not. I went on a hunt in Missouri and was cold and misreable. Dont want that to happen agin.

 

[Laramie]

I believe north of Columbus. This will be reoccuring thing each year. Most of the hunting will be in tree stands. My friend said it could be cold so that is where i am at. Rather be prepared than not. I went on a hunt in Missouri and was cold and misreable. Dont want that to happen agin.

Average high temp is in the upper 50s in December. Plan on upper 30s to low 40s in the mornings. That's sweatshirt weather to me... bibs would be overkill to me.

 

[ofl0926]

Average high temp is in the upper 50s in December. Plan on upper 30s to low 40s in the mornings. That's sweatshirt weather to me... bibs would be overkill to me.

That is cold cold for us South Florida people LOL.

 

[CBB15]

Understood.

For ladder sitting, don't discount a good blanket or woobie instead. Seriously, just try it. My brother is cold natured. He finally took my advice and now carries a rolled up blanket every time he goes. I have the fleece with a sherpa style backing for my wife, kids and guests. I will use it too when it gets real cold.

I have both the stratus and proximity bibs. If you are cold blooded, I would recommend the proximity. They are my late season go to when the temps really drop. The stratus punch well above their weight but I use them more as a windproof layer over for regular pants/jeans when it starts getting chilly with winds (perfect). I would rather be chilly than hot though.

I guess you already have good unders...

 

[ofl0926]

Understood.

For ladder sitting, don't discount a good blanket or woobie instead. Seriously, just try it. My brother is cold natured. He finally took my advice and now carries a rolled up blanket every time he goes. I have the fleece with a sherpa style backing for my wife, kids and guests. I will use it too when it gets real cold.

I have both the stratus and proximity bibs. If you are cold blooded, I would recommend the proximity. They are my late season go to when the temps really drop. The stratus punch well above their weight but I use them more as a windproof layer over for regular pants/jeans when it starts getting chilly with winds (perfect). I would rather be chilly than hot though.

I guess you already have good unders...

Base layers and all that i have. How windy is that part of the country? Its funny, when i sleep i am hot but i am hunting i get cold very easily. different type of colds.

 

[wesfromky]

I am also looking at a pair of rubber boots.
Thank you

I picked up the Sitka back 40 boots last year and really like them. Pretty warm and more comfortable than the other rubber boots I tried.

For outer layers, first lite is what I have been using - works fine for me. They usually have a big black friday or pre season sales on the heavier layers, so might be worth waiting to buy.

ETA - a really good neck gaiter really helps me on cold sits.

 

[ofl0926]

I picked up the Sitka back 40 boots last year and really like them. Pretty warm and more comfortable than the other rubber boots I tried.

For outer layers, first lite is what I have been using - works fine for me. They usually have a big black friday or pre season sales on the heavier layers, so might be worth waiting to buy.

ETA - a really good neck gaiter really helps me on cold sits.

I just spoke to some friends and they recommended artic booties instead of rubber boots.

 

[wesfromky]

I just spoke to some friends and they recommended artic booties instead of rubber boots.

The ones you slip over your boots once you get to the stand? I tried those and didn't really like them that much. It might not be an issue where you hunt, but here, a lot of times there is enough dew to soak through a pair of leather boats walking into the stand in the morning. I was never a fan of the rubber boots before I got the Sitka though.

 

[ofl0926]

The ones you slip over your boots once you get to the stand? I tried those and didn't really like them that much. It might not be an issue where you hunt, but here, a lot of times there is enough dew to soak through a pair of leather boats walking into the stand in the morning. I was never a fan of the rubber boots before I got the Sitka though.

ooo good point.

 

[N2TRKYS]

That is cold cold for us South Florida people LOL.

Add in the humidity and that’s cold to everyone. I get colder in Alabama than I do when I hunt in Wyoming.

 

[N2TRKYS]

I believe north of Columbus. This will be reoccuring thing each year. Most of the hunting will be in tree stands. My friend said it could be cold so that is where i am at. Rather be prepared than not. I went on a hunt in Missouri and was cold and misreable. Dont want that to happen agin.

You’ll be pretty close to me, if you’re around Columbus. Good luck.

 

[sbaker0029]

For stand hunting from metal stand, put a piece of old carpet, thick rubber, old floor mats out of truck, or something to keep the wind from coming up underneath your feet and off the metal that leeches the heat out. Definitely don't double layer socks, one pair of good thick wool socks. Feet sweat quick in a rubber boot.

As others have mentioned, a woobie, blanket, or old sleeping bag usually work great.

Biggest thing is do not sweat out or you will freeze your ass off sitting still in a stand. If you get bibs don't wear them while walking, put them on when you get up in the stand.

 

[ofl0926]

For stand hunting from metal stand, put a piece of old carpet, thick rubber, old floor mats out of truck, or something to keep the wind from coming up underneath your feet and off the metal that leeches the heat out. Definitely don't double layer socks, one pair of good thick wool socks. Feet sweat quick in a rubber boot.

As others have mentioned, a woobie, blanket, or old sleeping bag usually work great.

Biggest thing is do not sweat out or you will freeze your ass off sitting still in a stand. If you get bibs don't wear them while walking, put them on when you get up in the stand.

Ill keep that in mind with the woobie.

I am looking at sitka back 40 or the lacrosse alpha burly boot. If i do get a bib set, I am leaning towards the stratus set from sitka. blocking the wind is key. any small breeze can make you cold

 

[sbaker0029]

Ill keep that in mind with the woobie.

I am looking at sitka back 40 or the lacrosse alpha burly boot. If i do get a bib set, I am leaning towards the stratus set from sitka. blocking the wind is key. any small breeze can make you cold

I don't have any experience with the sitka back 40, they look like a good boot. With 800g insulation I wouldn't be walking far in them though. Great once you're in the stand though.
Looks like Roger's has them on sale for $120, for that price I'd jump on them unless you find the burly cheaper.
I stopped wearing any sort of rubber boot because my feet sweat so easy in them and never could keep my feet warm. I wear hiking boots with thick wool socks now and haven't had cold feet in the stand since.

I live about 5hrs directly north of Columbus in Kentucky. A breezy damp 45° is a lot colder feeling than people realize.

 

[ofl0926]

I don't have any experience with the sitka back 40, they look like a good boot. With 800g insulation I wouldn't be walking far in them though. Great once you're in the stand though.
Looks like Roger's has them on sale for $120, for that price I'd jump on them unless you find the burly cheaper.
I stopped wearing any sort of rubber boot because my feet sweat so easy in them and never could keep my feet warm. I wear hiking boots with thick wool socks now and haven't had cold feet in the stand since.

I live about 5hrs directly north of Columbus in Kentucky. A breezy damp 45° is a lot colder feeling than people realize.

I tried that when i went to Missouri and my feet were. Mind it was snowing and possibly my boots could have been a little wet. I dont remember

 

[nomadicbohunk]

You said you're going to do this each year. I travel a lot all over the place to hunt. I wouldn't go this far this year, but just an FYI since you said you live in south Florida. If you truly freeze this year:

Generally, I just layer up a lot depending on the weather. Most of the time in the cold for a stand hunt I'll just wear old sitka bibs and a jacket of some sort.

Like 5 years ago I flew home to hunt whitetails. It was freaky warm where I lived (like 80s). The weather where I was going was freaky cold for that time of year with highs in the single digits. I was going to be miserable. We'd also just spent a few weeks in a warmer place than where we live. Normal 30's I could handle. Not lows pushing -20. I talked it over with my wife. I was like I'm going to die and this will be miserable. 100 degree temp swing.

I thought about it, and the quality of the hunt I was doing justified buying something expensive and one off and I could just leave it at my parents for late season hunts. So I express ordered an iwom suit there.

Best thing ever. I'd hike the mile into stands wearing just long underwear freezing my nads off and slap that baby on. It was awesome and one of the better things I've bought in a while. My feet still got a little cold, but they are always cold. I sat on the stand all day long. My dad actually came to check up that I didn't fall out of a tree or freeze to death the first day as I was out so long. He figured I'd be back and an icicle by 10am.

The thing is huge. It would be it's own bag if you flew. When it warmed up towards the end of the week (like 35) I was hot and left it unzipped. I actually got a little sweaty sitting.

We used to use old sleeping bags for this. That suit was 100x better. It's warmer than an expedition suit from feathered friends.