Pennsylvania Game News - August 2012 - 55

For the most part, the hot, humid, promising the bow shooting agility they summer-like days that sometimes mark polished during summer practice sessions. the first week or so of our early season reBecause most body heat tends to escape ally aren’t conducive to effective hunting. from the head, the selection of wellDeer become lethargic, bedding down on insulated hats and hoods that cover the shady north-facing slopes and not mov- ears and much of the face is a key to cold ing much at all during the day. If you’re weather comfort. Modern technology has hunting during a heat wave, the best time supplied manufacturers with materials such as Neoprene, polyester, to ambush a deer is at spandex and microfleece the break of dawn or to fight the cold. just before nightfall. But Attention also needs even then your odds are to be paid to extremities, not good when, despite such as fingers and toes. your lightweight wardWarm deerskin gloves robe, you’re soaked with lined with thinsulate perspiration just hiking or mittens lined with to and climbing up into fleece can work wonders. your stand. I prefer the mittens with Conditions like this flaps because, with mitwhere your comfort is tens, your fingers can compromised and your huddle together and stay body odor is magnified warmer. And also, by (and you’re unlikely to see deer anyway) cre- M O D E R N S M A R T P H O N E S slipping your ungloved ate a losing proposition. can provide critical weather fingers through the flaps And if you do manage to forecast information at hunting your agility and effectiveness with the bow, release arrow a deer under these destinations. and arrows is superior to conditions, you had better recover it quickly. Hunters who track what could generally be expected with a down their deer the next day may find bulky glove. And if you really want to keep your that the meat has already begun to spoil. Over the years I’ve learned to forego bow- hands and fingers cozy, invest in a lighthunting excursions under these hothouse weight, thinsulate-lined handwarmer muff conditions and just wait for the next cold available from Hot Shots and Natural Gear. front to arrive. These come in camouflage with a strap that hangs around your neck. An advantage Severe Low TemperaTureS here is the ease with which you can slip If you’re going to brave the sub-freezing your hands free when it comes time to tundra-like conditions that often mark draw your bow. The downside is that, if Pennsylvania’s post-Christmas late archery you’re not careful, the handwarmer can season, especially in the state’s mountain- get hung up in your drawn bowstring and ous hinterlands, warmth and comfort is the spoil the shot. Well-insulated socks made of fabrics order of the day. Not so many years ago this translated into a bulky winter wardrobe that breathe and keep perspiration to a that could challenge and impede the shoot- minimum are also essential. The same ing skills of even the most accomplished applies to other garments, such as long archer. But with today’s new lightweight underwear, that can collect perspiration. miracle fabrics, bowhunters can stay “thin To this end, look for items made of spaceskinned” and keep warm without com- age materials such as Underarmour and
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Pennsylvania Game News - August 2012

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