How to stay warm and find elk in late season?

[outdoor_matt]

Just a question everybody.

I was out hunting last weekend and it got down to probably -10C here in Alberta.
This is my first year elk hunting, so I'm learning how to find them in the cold. I glassed for several hours from different points throughout the day but didn't see anything, including first and last light. I did find some trails that were relatively fresh (last day/day and a half) but I wasnt sure if they were just moving on or would be back.

So first question is, how do you hunt elk in the late season? Do you sit over a trail and wait? Or glass till you find some? The area I am hunting is a good mix of rolling hills with open patches and thick timber.

Second: How do you stay warm for either style? Each way you arent moving much. Hunting the day was fine with my layers, but the morning and evening glass sessions were frigid. Especially feet. I use Kennetrek uninsulated boots with gaiters which are great for hiking, but tend to get chilly after a bit of sitting. And I am packing in, so Im only using one set of boots.
I thought I could consider a kifaru woobie, then I could wrap everything in it (feet included), and sit on my helinox chair. Or are down booties better? Whats your system for stopping and moving in cold weather-glassing and waiting?

 

[rbljack]

I am following this one too. We haven't figured out how to stay warm when we aren't moving. The first lite layering works great when we are on the move, but if we sit and glass on a point...I ALWAYS get cold. Starting to think I should always pack a second set of socks as an option. Every time we sit for the morning or evening glassing, maybe I need to start switching socks and put dry ones on. Beyond that, looking to hear how people stay warm up on the mountain for late oct/November hunts at and below freezing.

 

[gelton]

Kifaru doobie - I dont have alot of experience hunting late season elk, but if I were to take a stab at it I would carry one of these around for glassing -

Woobie – Kifaru Intl. Online Store

 

[Jauwater]

I had my Doobie in 14 degree weather last weekend. 55 mph wind gusts, and alot of moisture in the air. Fully layered with boots on I was very comfortable as fsr as warmth. I always had problem with my feet being cold. I started wearing thinner wool socks and only tie my boots snug. I find non restricted blood flow, and as much breathability you allow your feet the warmer mine stay. The socks I wear I can stretch apart and see through. Allows for excellent breathability, and your feet sweat very little. If your socks are wet when you stop to glass once your boots go cold so do your feet. I would think having an insulated boot, with thinner socks will do you better then uninsulated boots with thick socks. But yes I find having a quilt in the field makes a huge difference.

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[5MilesBack]

This is one reason why I'm always on the move.....regardless of the season. If I'm stationary, my body just doesn't generate any heat. I have to be on the move. Unless it's 80+ out, when I'm stationary.....I'm not warm. So for rifle hunts I always covered a LOT of ground. I always had a few ideas on where I wanted to be come first light or near last light, but in between that I was busting timber looking for them. I've shot most of my rifle elk that way (20+), at pretty close ranges.

 

[Jauwater]

I'd back 5MilesBack statement. Staying on the move as often as you can is definitely your best bet to staying warm. Negative temps quilt or not, once your blood flow slows the cold will eventually set in.

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[Beastmode]

Late season elk are traveling to their winter grounds generally. Mornings and evenings I try to concentrate my attention to saddles on ridgelines or other low spots. Food isn't usually plentiful this time of year for elk and they will save calories any way that they can. They will usually stay in the timber in the middle of the day fairly close (within 500 yards) to these saddles.

Staying warm whole seated can be very difficult without looking like the kid from the Christmas Story. I try to use a good layering system with 2 base layers, a mid layer, insulation layer and a hard shell. I shed the hard shell when I'm moving due to noise. I also layer socks with an inner lining and a heavy duty wool sock. This with a good pack boot still sometimes isn't enough for me though. My toes get cold quick, which is common for everyone I'm pretty sure. Another great thing is a glassing pad. The ground is cold this time of year and you need to be insulated from it.

Another key that is often overlooked is hydration. We often don't think about drinking water in the cold but it is just as important as when it's hot. Your body needs to be hydrated to regulate temperature.

Best of luck.



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[oldgoat]

I'm not hunting in that cold of weather, but I bought a Gerbing Heated vest, battery on low is supposed to last several hours. Turn it off walking and on sitting. The batteries would be a fair amount of extra weight but what isn't that makes you comfortable? A pair of boot blankets are supposed to be good, I bought a set but haven't used them much.

 

[Fjelljeger]

If you are going to be in one spot for a bit glassing.....brew up something hot to drink or at the very least some hot water in a Nalgene works wonders next to your body. Works great at night too when you throw it in the sleeping bag/quilt. Any time I am going to be out in the backcountry for long periods in the cold I always pack a stove/pot. If you brew up some java it will keep you warm and alert!!! Double bonus. With that said drink plenty of non caffeinated drinks too. Hydration equals warmth in cold temps.

 

[castandblast]

Ditto on the hot drinks. I always take my Jetboil. Other tricks are chemical hand warmers, puffy pants, gaiters, and Kenetrek Insulated Mountain Extremes. I'll do air squats and push-ups to get blood flowing. My glassing coat for late season is a Mountain Hardwear Sub Zero Parka and I take Down overmitts. I'll build a fire if I'm glassing far off and staying a few hours.

 

[mtwarden]

Glassing (sitting, not moving) is difficult in cold weather. A very warm insulated jacket is a necessity (hoods help a lot), this layer is not used on the move and only broken out when stopped. Down or synthetic mittens- preferably sized so they can fit over a lightweight glove really help. I carry a lightweight Climashield quilt in my pack as part of an emergency shelter, but will break it out if overly cold- I can wrap it around like a blanket and get my legs and feet tucked in.

You want something insulated to sit on, a short section of thick ccf pad does the trick.

As mentioned above, a fire is a good option if your glassing an area a ways off. The other morning I saw smoke off a ridge line- I'm 99% certain it was someone glassing a bunch of meadows on the back side of the mountain.

 

[Matt Cashell]

Build a fire.

Works for me. I stash firewood for my favorite glassing spot before season.

 

[Backpack Hunter]

I use a well insulated coat, good head gear, hot hands, mittens, and arctic shield booties. A warm drink and small snack is always nice, and a fire is the ultimate if it can be done.

 

[Mjm316]

Hand warmers and Thermacare wraps which are basically hand warmers that wrap around you lower back to help keep your core warm. They work awesome. Can be found at Wally world or target in the pharmacy section.

 

[tttoadman]

Build a fire.

Works for me. I stash firewood for my favorite glassing spot before season.

That's cheating!!

 

[tttoadman]

I am cold all the time. i think the best thing for me is my inflatable butt pad to keep me insulated from the ground. temp is the little things. cover the head hands and neck as soon as you stop. It makes a big difference.

 

[HawkCreek]

in cold weather this is what I do:

Chemical hand warmers. There are some that have an adhesive backing that comes in handy.

In cold weather I try to always carry something warm to drink when I leave camp. It helps keep you warm when you stop and can be an amazing pick me up when things get rough.

I sometimes carry a HPG Serape depending on room in my daypack. It's bulky but it's a great over layer for warmth.

 

[igBand]

Dry layers stashed in your pack has been key for me. I know merino does a great job keeping one warm even when wet, but I've always found I stay much warmer with a dry layer right next to skin. I always have an extra merino base layer in case I sweat on the way to where I'll be glassing/sitting. As soon as I get there, I swap out the wet base layer, drape it over my pack (in the sun if possible), and bundle up under a down/syn jacket.

 

[Jimbo V]

Build a fire.

Works for me. I stash firewood for my favorite glassing spot before season.

Nice!


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[Gr8bawana]

A piece of closed cell foam which is waterproof about 1/2 inch thick. It insulates your butt if you are sitting and keeps your feet from getting cold if you are standiing. It also weighs very little and you can just roll it up and stash in your pack when not in use.