Kansas Pheasant Hunt, Dec 31 to Jan 2: What to Wear?
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You know the old cliche, don't like the weather, waite a minute it will change. That could not be truer for you situation. It could be -10 deg or +60 degrees. I would take goretex boots, brush pants, polypro long johns, a polypro long sleeve shirt, a long sleeve twill shirt, a fleece jacket, and a waterproof nylon shell of some kind, a heavy pair of gloves and a light pair.
One day you might be comfortable in just the brush pants, twill shirt and your vest or game jacket. Other days you'll need every layer you got with you, even when walking. At even 20 degrees with a 20 mph wind its much colder feeling than it sounds.
We hunted ducks in Kansas one year between Christmas and New Years, and the first day we had all we could do to beat through the ice to get our decoys in the the water. The next afternoon, it got up to 65 degrees and we were out in our long sleeve camo tee shirts and waders.
Jeff
One day you might be comfortable in just the brush pants, twill shirt and your vest or game jacket. Other days you'll need every layer you got with you, even when walking. At even 20 degrees with a 20 mph wind its much colder feeling than it sounds.
We hunted ducks in Kansas one year between Christmas and New Years, and the first day we had all we could do to beat through the ice to get our decoys in the the water. The next afternoon, it got up to 65 degrees and we were out in our long sleeve camo tee shirts and waders.
Jeff
Layers - The key to hunting in the cold all day is to layer good enough that you keep just warm enough not to sweat. If you figure that one out, please let me know. lol
From the looks of it, it's going to be cold, mid to low 20's. I would start out with cotton or some kind a thermal that wicks away water and build from there. I usually were 3 to 4 layers in mid 20's. Thermals, long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt and hooded sweat shirt. Then my hunting vest over top of that. If you start to get to hot, stop and take a layer off.
Good head gear will also help keep you warm.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.
From the looks of it, it's going to be cold, mid to low 20's. I would start out with cotton or some kind a thermal that wicks away water and build from there. I usually were 3 to 4 layers in mid 20's. Thermals, long sleeve shirt, sweat shirt and hooded sweat shirt. Then my hunting vest over top of that. If you start to get to hot, stop and take a layer off.
Good head gear will also help keep you warm.
Good luck and let us know how it turns out.Everything those guys said above!
Also, Goretex field pants and the lightest breathable clothing you have. If you are walking all day, even a lighter pair of boots and pants will make a big difference. I was out hunting pheasant in KS on Saturday in the snow and wind. Only flushed one rooster. It was just too windy for the dog.
Also, Goretex field pants and the lightest breathable clothing you have. If you are walking all day, even a lighter pair of boots and pants will make a big difference. I was out hunting pheasant in KS on Saturday in the snow and wind. Only flushed one rooster. It was just too windy for the dog.
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Obviously too late for this post, but for the rest of folks...
I live and hunt in North Dakota, and I and my German Shorty hunt even when it's 10 below...Here is what I wear:
Under my bird jacket, I wear one good coat (I sprang for the Filson w/ the wool liner), one long sleeve shirt, and a t-shirt.
I just wear long johns under my brush pants, and here is the key...
Wear the thinnest wool socks you can (again, I use Filson light weights) and just my normal issue water resistant hunting boots. With all the walking, I don't want big thick socks where the air can not circulate, and make my feet feel stuffy. And just good huntin' boots.
I prefer thinner gloves so I can load/reload/work the safety, grab my whistle, etc. Yeah my fingers get cold for the first 20 minutes, but after that (or you gwt into the birds!) I don't notice it...the blood is going by then.
Oh, the other key...have a neck gator or balaclava to block the wind around your neck.
As for the face...well, it just gets cold. And use a plastic whistle if it's below freezing :shock:
I live and hunt in North Dakota, and I and my German Shorty hunt even when it's 10 below...Here is what I wear:
Under my bird jacket, I wear one good coat (I sprang for the Filson w/ the wool liner), one long sleeve shirt, and a t-shirt.
I just wear long johns under my brush pants, and here is the key...
Wear the thinnest wool socks you can (again, I use Filson light weights) and just my normal issue water resistant hunting boots. With all the walking, I don't want big thick socks where the air can not circulate, and make my feet feel stuffy. And just good huntin' boots.
I prefer thinner gloves so I can load/reload/work the safety, grab my whistle, etc. Yeah my fingers get cold for the first 20 minutes, but after that (or you gwt into the birds!) I don't notice it...the blood is going by then.
Oh, the other key...have a neck gator or balaclava to block the wind around your neck.
As for the face...well, it just gets cold. And use a plastic whistle if it's below freezing :shock:
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Here's what I wound up with. Gotta say it kept me TOASTY warm and dry, did not even wear a jacket. Suffice it to say that Cabela's and Filson now LOVE me, I get the hard bound catalogs.
Feet: Poly sock liner w/ Cabela's wool hunting socks. Cabela's Kangroo boots w/ Goretex, non insulated.
Underwear: Underarmour cold weather from Cabela's, ordered 1 size larger than I am, glad I did, this stuff really compresses ya.
Lower Outer: Cabela's Legacy Wool Dry plus bibs. Kept me totally warm and dry, very strongly made.
Upper Body: Filson mole skin shirt, you just cannot beat this shirt for warmth and comfort.
Head: Cabela's Blaze stocking cap w/ the blaze ear warmer thingy.
Hands: Cabela's insulated shoting gloves. When I first got'em thought they were gunna be too thick, worked great, load, unload, shoot with no problem.
Feet: Poly sock liner w/ Cabela's wool hunting socks. Cabela's Kangroo boots w/ Goretex, non insulated.
Underwear: Underarmour cold weather from Cabela's, ordered 1 size larger than I am, glad I did, this stuff really compresses ya.
Lower Outer: Cabela's Legacy Wool Dry plus bibs. Kept me totally warm and dry, very strongly made.
Upper Body: Filson mole skin shirt, you just cannot beat this shirt for warmth and comfort.
Head: Cabela's Blaze stocking cap w/ the blaze ear warmer thingy.
Hands: Cabela's insulated shoting gloves. When I first got'em thought they were gunna be too thick, worked great, load, unload, shoot with no problem.
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Mark, the Underarmor is hard to beat too, I just haven't ponied up the Aggie Bucks for it yet. My long johns and good longsleeve shirt will do for now.
Fortunately my AF-issue boots work great...they are desert issue with minimum insulation, and while they get wet on the outside, I stay toasty on the inside, and I just dry em out overnight.
What do you shoot? I have a Beretta 391 auto 12 ga, but right now I love my Citori. I have a 1932 Superposed getting redone, should be back next month. It only weighs 6 3/4 lbs.
It's negative 8 up here right now.
And that's Class of 91. You?
Scotty B
Fortunately my AF-issue boots work great...they are desert issue with minimum insulation, and while they get wet on the outside, I stay toasty on the inside, and I just dry em out overnight.
What do you shoot? I have a Beretta 391 auto 12 ga, but right now I love my Citori. I have a 1932 Superposed getting redone, should be back next month. It only weighs 6 3/4 lbs.
It's negative 8 up here right now.
And that's Class of 91. You?
Scotty B
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Scotty B, young Ag, glad you're aboard here. Well, I am tad bit older than you, maybe more than an tad. I am part of truly the 'Last of the Old Army', Company D-2, Class of 70! Still had cross stich and no girls to start, the 'Good Ole Days!'.
I shot my Rizzini EL Uplander in 12 ga w/ straight stock. I used some loads from Cabela's, the Kent, in No. 6 that I loved. If ya do a search on Kent you will find some very favorable recent posts on this load. Had a great time with a limit every day!
I shot my Rizzini EL Uplander in 12 ga w/ straight stock. I used some loads from Cabela's, the Kent, in No. 6 that I loved. If ya do a search on Kent you will find some very favorable recent posts on this load. Had a great time with a limit every day!
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370 Posts
Awesome! I want to get a straight stock A-5 or Superposed someday. Never heard of Kent, I'll have to try it.
Well, thank God they did finally let women in! Makes class much more entertaining.
I was in Sq 6 (Savage Six), Centerpole Pot and Fish Drill Team.
I don't know where or who I'd be without A&M. And what a great Network...the best.
How's the Oil Bidness these days in Midland? Purty good I bet.
Well, thank God they did finally let women in! Makes class much more entertaining.
I was in Sq 6 (Savage Six), Centerpole Pot and Fish Drill Team.
I don't know where or who I'd be without A&M. And what a great Network...the best.
How's the Oil Bidness these days in Midland? Purty good I bet.
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