Hunting is always extreme. And winter hunting is a double portion of pleasure and drive. This article will look at how not to turn winter hunting into a tragedy with the right gear and equipment.
Specific of winter hunting.
Each hunting season has its own characteristics. In winter, most of the animals change color to blend in with the terrain. A white hair on a white field, on a sunny day, is practically invisible to the eye. But the thermal imager can detect any master of day camouflage easily and. Animals that do not turn white stand out even more against the background of white snow than in greenery. But the difficulty lies in the fact that they are predominantly nocturnal. When hunting at night in winter, night vision devices will be useful. When observing open areas, night vision binoculars provide an excellent picture. A night vision monocular works well in the confined space of a forest. And in an ambush, a night vision sight or clip has proven itself well. With active pursuit at night, night vision goggles free up arms for weapons and give a realistic picture of what is happening. The peculiarity of winter hunting is that the animals hide from the wind and snow in secluded places and only occasionally go out to feed. The hunter's task is to find out the usual paths of movement and set an ambush on the selected target—footprints in the snow help to read all information about the animal. And traces of blood will become a bright marker for your search. Strong wind allows you to get very close to the animal from the leeward side. Frozen and hungry animals lose their vigilance, and it becomes possible to approach them, almost close. And if you are wearing camouflage clothing, you are almost invisible to them. In states where bait is allowed, hunters receive additional bonuses. Of the advantages of winter hunting, we note the complete absence of insects and the almost complete disappearance of competitors. Not every hunter likes a blizzard and an eerie cold. We'll show you how to dress properly to keep you warm and free to move around in winter.
Winter hunting clothing.
The first thing to remember is not to wear cotton: only synthetics, membrane fabrics, wool, and mixtures. We always prefer several thin layers, one thick one: the colder, the more layers of clothing. Woolen or synthetic thermal underwear, fleece or woolen jacket, the insulated vest will warm and remove excess moisture. A warmed jacket with a membrane and trousers will protect you from frost, wind, and moisture. We pay special attention to socks, gloves, and boots. A frozen hunter with signs of frostbite is not what we are aiming for. Be sure to take two pairs of socks and gloves. If it's cold, we put on both and take one spare. We select gloves like this - one thin pair for shooting and one thick one for warmth. We choose boots with thick soles with good grip, high, warmed, with protection from water. Hunting boots should have room for a thick woolen sock and a heating pad. We insulate the head with a fleece mask or a hat with a scarf. We are big fans of hand, foot, and body warmers. When it gets unbearably cold, it's beneficial. Note that there are models of vests, socks, and heated jackets. They will prevent you from freezing during the period of forced immobilization, for example, on a tree stand. Boot covers and hand muffs are useful for sitting in an ambush. Throw in a hand warmer, and you'll be warm for several hours.
Special equipment for winter hunting.
Not all hunters live within walking distance of the forest. Some have to travel from afar to hunt. In winter, a truck, a jeep, an ATV, an all-terrain vehicle, a snowmobile will be useful for driving on a snow-covered plain. If the terrain is rugged, you will have to walk. For this, skis, snowshoes are useful. Note that snowshoes are more versatile, as they do not require special shoes. We consider a GPS tracker to be one of the most useful gadgets for winter hunting. It allows you to navigate the terrain well in poor visibility conditions, such as snowstorms. For heating in winter, a portable heater, a camping stove, and a tent are useful. For camouflage and comfortable waiting in ambush, racks with curtains have proven to be excellent. It will be much more comfortable in them if you grab a thermos with your favorite hot drink. Night vision binoculars or a night vision scope are useful for covert surveillance at night. Depending on your preference, you can match the night vision clip to your regular rifle and save on weight and equipment costs. Night vision goggles can be purchased if the budget allows. They allow you to pursue the beast without letting go of the weapon.
Weapon and optics for winter hunting.
The choice of weapon is a very individual matter. We will not argue which model will be the priority. We will assess the general trend and what to look for when choosing a weapon. Everyone knows that metal parts of weapons are covered with frost in the cold. And upon entering a warm tent, they defrost. The surface tension of the water holds the cartridge in the chamber. It literally sticks to its walls. After going out to frost, the water freezes again. As a result, making a shot becomes problematic. To mitigate this problem, it is advisable to use a weapon with a wider chamber. Or adjust the dimensions of the chamber with screws. The use of tapered sleeve cartridges can alleviate this problem. Frost affects the viscosity of the weapon lubricant. When preparing weapons for winter hunting, it is necessary to apply frost-resistant grease. Before the crucial day, we recommend that you shoot the weapon in similar conditions to understand the changes in the weapon's operation. Low temperatures affect not only the operation of the weapon but also the operation of the optics. Moisture can condense on the glass surface, followed by freezing. To solve this problem, keep the lens cap closed and avoid temperature fluctuations. All equipment with batteries, at low temperatures, can use up their charge faster. The solution to this problem will be the availability of replaceable batteries and options for insulating the optics housing. A soft case for a night vision device can be an excellent solution. It will not distract you from noise while hunting and will provide the necessary protection from the cold. The hard cases for night vision work well for transport. They minimize temperature fluctuations and perfectly insulate against moisture. As a result, the optics remain functional.
With the right equipment, good knowledge of animal habits, and experience, winter hunting will give you advantages that are not possible in summer. If you are ready to endure cold and snow, then be sure to be rewarded with trophies and vivid impressions.