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Winter camping can be fun, but it can also be just plain cold.

It’s cold. It’s snowing. And it’s a great time for a camping trip. Whether you are camping as part of a hunting trip, or going just to enjoy the outdoors, cold-weather camping can be just as enjoyable as in the warmer months. The moon makes the snow-draped forest glow, and the retreat of the summertime campers means you have plenty of space to yourself.

But a winter camping trip requires a little more thought and planning than your average summer outing. Peter Kummerfeldt, a wilderness survival expert who teaches outdoor skills through his company, OutdoorSafe, has camped out in minus 45 F temperatures while working at the Air Force Survival School in Alaska. His winter survival tips can help a camper navigate extreme conditions as well as less daunting trips closer to home.

Dress Properly

You want clothes that can keep you warm during periods of inactivity. Chances are you’ll create plenty of heat during that back-country trek, but it’s tougher to maintain a comfortable temperature when you stop moving.

So layer up. Start with polyester thermal underwear for the base layer. Choose breathable fleece to inhibit the accumulation of perspiration during exertion. If you prefer natural fibers, choose merino wool and wool-fleece blends that offer the warmth of wool without the itchiness. Pack a scarf or neck gaiter that you can take off and on easily to regulate body temperature, and take a lightweight jacket that is both waterproof and breathable.

Layering can also keep your head and feet warm. Fleece or wool stocking caps can be made windproof when covered with a detachable hood. Leave your cotton socks at home. Instead, choose wool (merino wool won’t be itchy) or wicking polyester socks designed for hiking. Boots don’t have to be expensive, but they should be waterproof or water-repellent, especially if you plan on hiking through snow.

Never Neglect Your Hands

To keep those digits warm, pack polyester glove liners and gloves, then gauntlets to layer over them. Stock up on chemical heating pads for when you need a little heat boost.

Think Fire

When you arrive at your campsite, start your fire before doing any other setup. Plan ahead and always pack fire sources. You can go low-tech with tightly packed dryer lint stuffed into old pill bottles or film canisters, or high-tech with magnesium fire starters.

Choose the Right Campsite

Summer campers might prefer the shadiest and most secluded spot. In winter, however, the morning sun can be a welcome companion. Take note of where the sun will first appear at sunrise, and angle your tent to take advantage of the early rays while shielding the door from the wind.

Hydrate, Then Hydrate Some More

You may not feel thirsty in cold weather, but staying hydrated is just as important in winter as it is in summer. Drink water (warm or cold), hot tea, or hot chocolate—the latter also provides high-calorie fuel for your outdoor adventure.

Be Ready for Condensation

As you breathe in a warm tent on a cold night, condensation will form on your tent, even if it’s a four-season model. Be ready for it to “snow” down on you in the morning. There’s not a lot you can do about condensation, but the next morning be sure to dry out your sleeping bag before using it again. To minimize condensation, you can vent your tent at night—it won’t hold in heat as well, but it will stay dryer.

Wear Your Clothes to Bed

The old wisdom of stripping down before you get into a sleeping bag doesn’t make sense. Put on everything you brought before you turn in for the night. And if the campfire is still going, heat some water, pour it into a heat-proof water bottle, and snuggle into your bag with it.

Winter is a great time for a camping trip. The key to a successful excursion is to remember that even a little bit of heat can go a long way.

Read more: “7 Tips to Survive Cold-Weather Camping”, posted by popularmechanics.com

Plan ahead to make your cold-weather camping trip comfortable and memorable. CONTACT us to let us know what you are looking for, or stop by Shooters Gun Shop to pick up all of your camping essentials before your next trip!

Remember, experience can never substitute for any list of hunting tips, so always seek out others who have deer hunted or landowners whose land you may be hunting. Seek mentors. They are invaluable when it comes to learning to enjoy the sport safely and successfully.

Keep these tips in mind:

• Safety is always the most important aspect to keep in mind. Nothing matters more than firearm and tree-stand safety. And ALWAYS identify your target as a legal deer before putting your finger on the trigger. Never consider shooting at sounds in the brush.
• Talk to landowner about deer patterns and locations. He probably knows where the deer travel and gather.
• Always wear a safety belt or harness while in a tree stand, and never climb into a tree with a loaded gun.
• During the breeding season or the rut (generally between late October through November), deer can be seen most anytime of the day. Other times, morning and evening are the most likely time when you will see their activity.
• Deer are edge creatures. They are often found at the edge of a field or clearing in the woods.
• A deer’s nose is its best defense. Try to position yourself along a deer trail up from the prevailing wind.
• Next are its ears and eyes. Try to remain motionless, especially if you spot an approaching deer.
• Patience is mandatory.
• Snow-covered ground is a deer hunter’s dream because it reveals a deer’s tracks and makes moving deer more visible.
• Aim broadside. It’s best to shoot a deer when it turns broadside to you. You are more likely to inflict a quick, fatal shot, thus ensuring your harvest and causing less trauma to the deer with a clean kill. The heart is located about 4 to 6 inches behind the left “elbow” of the front leg and where a hunter should aim. This is called the “kill zone.”

Try Archery Hunting

Bowhunting is one of he fastest-growing hunting sports because of the advances in technology, most notably the compound bow. Interestingly, the compound bow was developed right here in Missouri. In 1946, less than 100 participated in Missouri’s first archery hunt, while today the number is more than 100,000, with hunters using either compound bows, longbows or recurve bows. Hunters with a medical exemption may use crossbows.

Why deer hunters like bowhunting:

• It’s more challenging.
• The season is longer. Archery deer season is divided into two sections, and it is considerably longer (96 days) than the various firearm seasons.
• There’s less competition. The season begins earlier, and there are fewer hunters in the woods.

Archery hunting tips:

• Adjust your range. A bowhunter’s range is generally between 10 and 60 yards. As a result, a bowhunter must be especially skilled in knowing deer patterns and tendencies, then set his stand accordingly. Most deer kills are within 30 yards.
• Hide your scent and read the wind direction before you begin hunting.
• Strengthen your arms. A bowhunter must be able to pull back on a deer while it is relatively close but without straining or making undue motion or sound. Most hunting bows are adjusted to 50 to 70 pounds of pull, meaning the amount (in pounds) to pull the string back 28 inches. Less than a 50-pound pull is not recommended.
• Sharpen your accuracy. A shot to the kill zone is much more critical with bowhunting than with firearms hunting.
• Practice, practice, practice. There are various kinds of archery targets on the market that allow arrows, with both field tips and hunting broadheads, to be retrieved and used over. Use practice arrows with the same weight and length as your hunting arrows. Practice with targets set at varying distances until you can place several arrows to within 6 inches of one another in a bull’s eye.
• Wear good camouflage. Missouri bowhunters are not required to wear hunter orange. Because you must get close enough to your target to hit the kill zone, it is essential to wear clothing (camouflage) that allows you to blend into the natural landscape.
• Practice tree-stand safety. You should never climb a tree into a stand with an arrow in the ready or nocked position, nor should you travel to a hunting spot with your arrow ready to shoot. There have been incidents when a bowhunter has fallen and been severely injured or bled to death as a result of landing on a broadhead.
• Consult. Seek out experienced bowhunters for their input and encouragement.

Read more “Deer Hunting Tips” posted by the Missouri Department of Conservation

Stop by Shooters Gun Shop in Cape Girardeau for all of you hunting needs. We have a big selection of bows and accessories, and everything you need for shotgun season. Take a look at our PRODUCTS page, view our inventory list or give us a call at (573)-651-9091.