Maybe the greatest challenge of late autumn and winter hunting is staying warm.  Marking trails and tracking can become painful if you are wet and chilled.  Many a hunt has been cut short due to cold and inclement weather.  Since you spend time and money preparing for your hunting holidays, make sure to prepare for the weather so you can enjoy the hunt from start to finish.  Before you take your firearms out of the gun cabinet, head to the closet and check out your gear.

Layers - Both seasoned hunters and over protective mothers advise layering as the best way to handle the cold.  If you have a choice between one thick coat or three thin layers of clothing, you are better off with the layers.  You should start with long johns, move to a couple layers of clothes, then a wind stopper and then a parka over that.

Thinsulate is a wonderful fabric which came out a few years back.  It insulates with about half the bulk of traditional material.  This means less weight for you to carry and less bulk for any given layer.  Thinsulate is easier to move in and easier to wear.

Stay Dry.  If your bottom layer is wet you will be chilled.  If just part of you gets wet, you will be chilled.  Remember to wear waterproof boots and a couple layers of socks. Make sure to wear the extra socks when you’re buying the boots, otherwise you’ll end up with boots which are too small to wear with extra socks.  And by all means, keep your gun dry and well oiled.  A good well ventilated gun cabinet will help with this.

Remember the extremities. The hands, feet and face will feel the cold faster then other areas of your body.  Many of us find gloves, hats and faces masks to be awkward or annoying but if you take them off during cold and wet weather you will end up paying a price.  When you go shopping for gear, try on the hats, facemasks and gloves, and make sure they are comfortable. 

Pack a few chemical warmers.  There are some great chemical warmers on the market.  You activate the packet and slide them into your gloves.  They work for about eight hours and can be a real warmth booster.  (And we don't mean Jack Daniels, folks!  Keep that tucked away in your wooden gun cabinet for relaxing at home, when you are safely back.)

Keep a check list  Post a packing check list in your gun cabinet of warming essentials, so when you’re ready to hunt you’ll remember to take all the gear you need to keep hunting, and keep comfortable.