packing in cold weather clothes; dressing when you get to your spot

[mazzgolf]

Rather than hijack the merino wool thread... I'll post this here.

@Mallard1100 said, "Could never understand guys hiking in wearing heavy jackets etc."

That's totally me, but I'm not happy about it because, yes, I do end up sweating way more than I want when I get to where I'm going. Maybe its laziness (probably) but I hate having to think that I have to carry everything and getting dressed when I get to the tree. At most, what I do sometimes is not wear a hat to let the heat escape through my head.

I'm not sure how I would carry it all (even if it is just a parka) along with everything else. I've even heard of guys putting their boots on when they get to the tree (so they wear sneakers or something walking in; but now that's an extra pair of shoes, in addition to everything else, they are carrying in and out).

Isn't that cumbersome to have to carry your cold weather clothes on your back along with everything else? I'm picturing what my backpack looked like with my sticks/platform and can't imagine how I would strap on cold-weather clothing, too.

What is your procedure for going in packing cold weather clothes? Do you just pack in a coat? Do you pack everything (like bibs and/or boots, too?) What is everything that you carry in on a hunt where you have room to carry clothes, too?

[Nomad]

Most people only walk a few hundred yards to the stand I wouldn’t think packing would be necessary.  
 

if walking a long way, I take my jacket and hat off

[Buck154]

Just the jacket most of the day time

[FeniQuest217]

It depends on your trail in for sure. For me - I sweat like Shaq are the foul line not matter what.

But i have a steep climb - 700 feet its not easy. I never climb in my heavy gear anymore, i get into my stand - wait to cool off and then i put my jacket off.

Now last year this wasn't a smart move as during my cool off a lonely doe came wandering during winter bow - and it started snowing. And she barely moved, BARELY . then she went to bed - and she did so for over an hour. 

So i stood there in the snow with just baselayers in high winds freeeeeeeeeeeezing my ass off waiting for her to get into shooting position which she never did. And finally put my jacket on after a while lololol

[Mallard1100]

It’s all personal and depends on the individual. I sweat a lot so that’s a big reason for me. Next thing you know I’m wet and cold and won’t last on stand. I don’t run hot like some so I need the right gear to stay warm and comfortable all day. As far as the packing goes, it can be cumbersome but you have to figure out a system that works best and how you will secure everything. I usually am only packing in my jacket and extra layers/base layers for the most part. If it’s really cold and I am going far I may bring bibs with me as well but it’s rare. Boots stay on. Zip off base layers go on when I get to stand.
 

Figure out a pack system that works. I usually upgrade all my stand straps so I can carry a good load all together. Ground hunting I just carry some form of a pack and carry it all in. 

[electric10162]

Some of my stands are really close. I never put my gear on until I'm in the stand(if possible) or near the spot. Same if I hunt out West or in Canada.

[VAPPAC]

I do this is…

I use straps or bungees and tie it to my back pack.

 

I take my jacket and open it up and place my other layers inside then close it and wrap it and then strap it all up then attach to my back pack.

its been great for me, especially when real cold. I don’t wear a heavy hat, only a light base layer and then when I get to the bottom of my tree I put on my layers and climb in.

[toxo]

I was on a guided hunt in Kansas.A guy at camp had the outfitter drive him to the spot that he would hunt the following morning. He left a rubber contanier at the base of the tree with his hunting clothes in it.he hardly wore anything for the walk in.He dressed and undressed at the base of the tree. Might seem extreem but this guy had a photo album of awhole bunch of trophy bucks.

[SPEARFISH]

I always change my socks at the tree if really cold and I get sweaty on the way in

[Livesintrees]

Another situation where the higher end gear shines. More warmth, less bulk. 

[VFL]

Zip on/off base layers have been a game changer for me

[Tarhunt]

5 hours ago, Nomad said:

Most people only walk a few hundred yards to the stand I wouldn’t think packing would be necessary.  
 

if walking a long way, I take my jacket and hat off

I agree. When I went duck in Montana with my son, we hiked in from a half mile to over a mile and we back packed extra clothes in. Most of my stands here in Jersey are a few hundred yards.

[Roon]

I don't like the cold heck I think 55° is time for cold weather gear I have a few spots that I go 1 - 1.5 miles in. Me and Bugs did it for bear this year. Pants on but jackets, extra shirts and hats tied to pack. Once up and about 500ish yards from our site. Took a break, changed out the shirts we wore up the hill from sweating cooled down packed sweaty shirts in plastic bag and into backpack.

Put clean dry clothes on and had easy non physical walk to spot.

It sucks and a lot of work. For the bears we do it for deer my spots are much easier and simple no hat no gloves and jacket unzipped, once in tree pull collar open get some heat out. Let body regulate then close everything up before you get chilled 

[Greybeard]

My pack has straps on the bottom and sides for that stuff.  How much I wear and how much goes on the pack depends on how cold it is and how far I'm going and how fast I want to get there.  I mostly go slow now so I can wear most of it, but when I'm going up hills or it warms up then I take it off and pack it.  Leafy suit also gets strapped on the pack to save it from burrs and getting tangles up in briers.

[tcook8296]

NJ Im usually not walking that far for deer hunting where I need to go in light. Maybe an extra hat in my back pack 

When I go to the midwest, I use a larger back pack where I can fit my heavier clothes , my gear , lunch and thermos .

I go in prepared for dark to dark sits.