Tip of the Month: Preparing for cold weather in the field

OUTDOOR TIPS OF THE MONTH

BRACE YOURSELF FOR HUNTING’S COLD WARS

Editor’s note: Each month, our Paul Atkins will offer a tip outdoorsmen and -women can use as they prepare for an Alaska adventure. This month: Getting ready to hunt in seriously cold weather.

BY PAUL D. ATKINS

My hands were freezing and the thought of drawing back a bow in such cold weather scared me. But the muskox bull in front of me couldn’t wait, so wrapped in several layers of clothes I carefully drew the bow back and placed the 20-yard pin right behind his shoulder.

All the time I prayed my bow wouldn’t explode in the minus 30-degree weather. It didn’t and moments later we had a muskox down.

THE COLDEST OF HUNTS Hunting in extreme cold can be tough on anybody, especially when you’re using a bow. Unlike a rifle that will usually perform in most conditions, a bow takes special care and attention. If you’re careful, it is just as deadly as anything you could use. However, a rifle needs care too and consideration needs to be taken if you plan to use one in cold weather.

Hunting in Alaska during the months of January, February and March can be brutal. Below-zero temperatures and fierce winds combined with snow and ice can be tough not only physically, but mentally as well. Making sure you have everything in order and are prepared long before you leave is the key to not

For many Alaskans, especially those who participate in subsistence hunts this time of year, hunting in the heart of the state’s brutal winters means being prepared for the harshest of weather conditions. Author Paul Atkins recommends having a good tent like an Arctic Oven, which will help keep the chill out. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

only success, but in most cases survival.

SUBSISTENCE HUNTS MORE COMMON There aren’t a whole lot of open seasons for big game in Arctic Alaska during the heart of winter. The hunts that are open are considered subsistence and usually for residents, but as the year progresses nonresident hunts become available, with spring bears being the most popular. Black bear hunting is legendary come May and June, especially in the southern part of the state, but when you head out for muskox or small game in frigid conditions, you need to be prepared.

For example, muskox hunting, which has become very popular in the state, can be tough if you are new to it, and even more so if unguided. Most hunts occur when the thermometer is right at or below zero and then, to add to the adventure, you have to get to your hunting tag unit – which may cover an area the size of Iowa – and find the animal or animals you’re after in some of the most miserable weather you can experience. And on top of extreme low temperatures, you have to be able to shoot your bow or rifle at a moment when shot placement and shooting in general can be quite a challenge.

KEEP YOUR ACCURACY SHARP Unlike the Lower 48, most of the big game seasons here in Alaska end in September, so when January and February roll around (unless you have been shooting indoors or in some kind of league) getting back in the groove of shooting can be tough. You also have to remember that you will be shooting outside in who knows what kind of position while bundled up in more layers of clothes than imaginable, so practice is a must. Getting your gear to perform in these situations is also the key to filling your tag.

ACCLIMATE YOUR WEAPONS Whether bowhunting or using a rifle, there are a couple things that will enhance the performance and also make it a little safer. One of the first moves I make to get ready is to store my bow or rifle outside. This way they can acclimate to the cold weather and reduce any stress that can be caused by sudden temperature changes.

Bow limbs and risers suddenly taken from a warm environment to extreme cold can go into shock, crack or, even worse, explode. I learned this the hard way many years ago while shooting in my own backyard. It was cold, below zero, and after a couple of shots that felt totally wrong, I found the problem: two cracks

When hunting the long, cold, dark months in search of either big game or small, you need to be prepared mentally and physically. An Alaskan winter will test even the best hunter, but if you plan ahead, practice and make sure you have all the necessary gear, it can be one of the greatest times of the year. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

“A perfect set-up allowed me to arrow this fine muskox bull at 17 yards,” Atkins says. “The extreme part was getting to him. Wearing ‘bunny boots,’ I had to climb a steep, rocky cliff covered in ice while carrying a pack and a bow. It was tricky.” Indeed, as Atkins reminds, hunting in these conditions isn’t easy. Just know what you might be getting into. (PAUL D. ATKINS)

had magically appeared on both limbs. It was an expensive lesson, but luckily no one was hurt. Rifles are the same way, and if it’s cold enough they can freeze up from excess oil and other contaminants that can make them slow to react and fire. A clean and dry rifle is a must.

COLD, HARD TRUTH Shooting anytime is about as grand an experience as I can think of, but shooting in extreme cold isn’t much fun. Besides the layers and layers of clothing you have to shoot around, you also have to be able to work the bolt or feel the trigger on your release. For me this is a tough ordeal.

Most people can shoot with gloves on. There are also several shooting gloves made specifically for hunters. The problem, however, is they are not made for hunting muskox at minus 35. I have tried to shoot with the big bulky type of gloves made for the Arctic, but they just don’t work. I’ve also shot bare-handed. The burning feeling of skin peeling off your hands isn’t a pleasant one, nor is the frostbite that usually occurs afterwards. I’ve found that cotton glove liners or any among the Sitka brand work really well. They fit nicely into an oversized set of mittens; then, when the moment of truth arrives, shed the mittens and you’re set.

HOW TO GET THERE Traveling to the place you’re going to hunt this time of year can be a challenge too. Most winter and early spring hunts are done using snowmachines and sleds. It’s not unlike getting in your truck or quad and driving to your favorite place to hunt deer or other animals. Snowmachines are the normal mode of transport for these types of hunts. It’s actually a lot of fun. You’ll not only have a snowmachine but also a sled that you pull behind. The sled is to haul all your gear, plus it helps in getting your animal or animals back home.

KNOW WHAT YOU’RE GETTING INTO Most people who hunt want to get away from it all and experience the solitude of the great outdoors. If your plans are to chase birds, rabbits or even muskox during Alaska’s cold months, remember to plan ahead, practice with your gear and let somebody know where you’re going and when you plan to be back.

Cell phones don’t work everywhere and cold weather can be unforgiving on equipment, even elite gear. But hunting in the snow and ice can be a grand experience; just remember to enjoy your time and be prepared before and after the shot. ASJ

Editor’s note: Got a question for Paul on Alaska hunting or fishing? Email editor Chris Cocoles at ccocoles@media-inc.com.

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